PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2014

NEWS 10 PET planet insider Vol. 15 No. 04/14 www.petpla.net Plastic Technologies goes Brazilian Plastic Technologies, Inc. (PTI), specialist in PET design, development and engineering services, has announced that it is to partner with the Brazilian Plastic Industry Association (Abiplast) to deliver a technical training course on PET pack- age manufacturing. It will be delivered May 13-15 at Abi- plast’s headquarters, São Paulo, Brazil. It will be supported by the Brazilian Packaging Association (Abre) and the Pack- aging Technology centre (Cetea). The course, entitled PET Packaging: Technology and Sustainability, will be offered in three consecutive one-day modules. The first will be devoted to PET Fundamentals (basic knowledge of PET materials, injection and blow moulding processes, quality assurance). It will be followed by Package Design (virtual modelling, FEA, additive/barriers/colorants and other design solutions) and will conclude with PET Sustainability (recycled materials and new biopolymers, energy conservation, solid waste manage- ment practices). Registration is $1,350 for the entire course or $500 for a one-day module. www.abiplast.org.br www.plastictechnologies.com Krones’ growth in 2013 Krones’ initial report on 2013 has stated that it achieved its targets for key financial performance indicators in 2013. Revenue rose 5.7%, from €2,664.2 million to €2,815.7 mil- lion, which was ahead of its target of 4%. The company specifically mentioned its competitive position in emerging markets as a positive factor. New orders improved by 3.2% year-on-year to €2,808.8 million and orders on hand totalled €992.5 million at December 31, 2013 (previous year: €999.3 million). Earnings before taxes (EBT) rose from €97.9 million to €169.7 million; 2012’s figure was affected by a one-time expense of €37.8 million, incurred as part of the Le-Nature’s settlement. EBT margin in 2013 was 6%, at the upper end of target (2012: 5.1%). The EBT margin for the company’s core segment actually reached 7.5% but the two smaller segments fell short of the prediction that they would break even in 2013. In the process technology segment, a write- down of approximately €5 million led to an earnings loss of €2.5 million, and losses at Kosme were €2.3 million after a weak fourth quarter. After taxes, Krones’ consolidated net income for the reporting period was €119.4 million (2012: €67.0 million), corresponding to earnings per share of €3.84 (€2.22 in 2012). Return on capital employed (Roce) increased to 16.7% (previous year, adjusted for Le-Nature’s: 13.6%), which was ahead of its 2013 target of 15%. Free cash flow rose from €30.6 million to €67.0 million. Including the €74 million in proceeds from the sale of treasury shares, cash and cash equivalents increased from €107.0 million to €239.9 million. Equity ratio rose from 38.5% to 42.6% in 2013. Krones plans a final dividend of €1/share, and a total of €2/share for the whole of 2013. The company expects increased momentum in 2014 and intends to continue with drives to increase efficiency along the value chain. It expects consolidated revenue to grow by 4% in 2014. Krones will publish its 2013 Annual Report and its report on the first quarter of 2014 on April 30, 2014. www.krones.com Nampak opens new closures line Nampak Nigeria has commissioned a new plastic closures line at its plant in Lagos, Nigeria. Bericap, of Germany, has a long-standing strategic partnership with Nampak South Africa and agreed to extend the manufac- turing licence to include Nampak Nigeria. The initial pro- duct, closures for still water, will be followed by carbon- ated soft drink closures. The green field project included the installation of two Netstal 48 cavity injection mould- ers at the site in the Ikeja industrial area in Lagos state. Nampak Nigeria Lagos employs over 300 permanent and contract staff. The new lines’ initial focus will be on the local Nigerian market, supplying Coca Cola, Seven-Up, Nestle and SABMiller brands. Exports to Ghana and other neighbouring countries will be considered in the future. Nampak Closures in South Africa provided technical assistance. www.nampak.com Successful first fdt – food and drink technology Africa The inaugural fdt (food & drink technology) Africa trade fair and conference, which was held at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, March 18-19, 2014, attracted 84 local and inter- national exhibitors, who presented the latest technolo- gies in the food and beverage processing and packaging industry. The conference programme, organised by the VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau – the German Engineering Federation), focused on the hygienic, safe and efficient production of high quality food and beverages, and was presented with various case studies. Trade fair organisers Petra Westphal, Exhibition Group Director, Messe München International, and Elaine Crewe, CEO, MMI South Africa (Pty), said that they were delighted by the response to the first fdt, which attracted around 1,100 participants from countries across Africa. Senior corporate representatives including Steffen Manke, General Manager, Robert Bosch South Africa Limited and Emmanuel Rurema, Director Business Development – Africa, Pentair Filtration & Process, described the event as a success and a good opportunity to showcase current developments. fdt Africa marks a further phase in the internationalisation of drinktec Munich, which organises other events in India and China. The next fdt Africa will be held March 16-17, 2016. www.fdt-africa.com www.drinktec.com