PMMI predicts rise in machinery sales
ARLINGTON, VA. - The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute predicts sales of its equipment segment will grow by 7 percent this year, to reach $5.91 billion.
PMMI said 2005 will mark the fourth straight year of growth, following the economic downturn in 2001.
``End users are telling PMMI that they are confident and optimistic about their business,'' said Charles Yuska, president of the Arlington, Va., trade association
The largest increase should come from the pharmaceutical and medical segment (up 11-13 percent), followed by beverages, personal-care products, food and packaging converters and printers.
Berstorff launches extrusion tech center
HANOVER, GERMANY - Compounding extruder maker Berstorff GmbH has created a technical center for film and sheet extrusion tests at its Hanover head office.
Berstorff cited growing business in that sector.
The tech center opened earlier this year with two complete extrusion lines for customer trials. One line, a twin-screw ZE 60 A UT extruder with several slot dies and a three-roll smoothing unit, tests in-line compounded engineering film and sheet, thermoforming sheet, fabric-reinforced film and sheet, and sheet from undried PET. The second line is a single-screw extruder used mainly for standard thermoforming sheet, film and sheet from dried PET and optical-grade acrylic or polycarbonate.
The company's U.S. location is Berstorff Corp. in Florence, Ky.
