Expansions:

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific Corp. completes the acquisition April 13 of Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc., assets in Ontario, CA, and Harrington, DE. The two facilities, which convert high-end litho-laminated corrugated materials, will be managed by Color-Box LLC, a packaging subsidiary of GP. Together, the plants employ about 180 workers.

MonoSol LLC, Portage, IN, acquires Aquafilm, Ltd., a producer of blown-extruded water-soluble films based in Worcestershire, UK. The buy gives MonoSol substantial manufacturing capabilities in Europe and brings together a diverse variety of cast films, blown-extruded films and edible films to satisfy a range of specifications for water-soluble film customers, MonoSol says.

Two manufacturers of volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) technology will merge and form a new company. The action joins Daubert VCI, Inc., and Cromwell-Phoenix, Inc., into the new business, Daubert Cromwell LLC, based in Burr Ridge, IL. Daubert VCI and Cromwell-Phoenix have pioneered VCI technology for packaging papers, films, liquids and devices used worldwide.

MeadWestvaco Corp., Stamford, CT, expands its role as a provider of packaging machinery as well as converted materials with the April 2 acquisition of Aries Packaging SA, a machinery manufacturer located in Troyes, France. Aries will become a unit of MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems, Atlanta. Its location and workforce will remain the same.

Contractions:

Permacel, the pressure-sensitive tape subsidiary of Nitto Americas, will consolidate manufacturing operations, resulting in the closure of its North Brunswick, NJ, plant. Permacel's corporate headquarters will remain in the North Brunswick area. Employees there will continue to direct operations, sales and administrative activities of Permacel's remaining New Jersey plant in Lakewood, as well as other Permacel operations nationwide, the company says.

Rock-Tenn Co., Norcross, GA, will close its laminated paperboard products facility in Wright City, MO, effective immediately. The company will continue to operate its higher-volume facilities in Columbus, IN, and Aurora, IL.