Interstate Resources News

Interstate Container Cambridge Presents at 2010 International Poultry Expo

2010-02-02T09:40:00.063-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Interstate Container Cambridge, along with Global Green USA and Mountaire Farms, announced the complete conversion of the largest poultry plant in the US to recyclable, wax alternative boxes from its Maryland plant.

The press conference, which took place at the 2010 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, Georgia on 27 January 2010, included presentations by:

Pete Bugas, National Account Manager, Interstate Container Cambridge (Maryland), manufacturer of the eco-friendly wax-alternative cartons
Jim Morgan, President & COO, Interstate Resources, Inc.
Larry Saywell, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mountaire Farms
Annie White, Director, Coalition for Resource Recovery at Global Green USA

(L-R): Pete Bugas, Annie White & Larrry Saywell

By converting to this newly achieved green packaging standard, Mountaire Farms will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, save water, and improve efficiency. The innovative recyclable boxes should impact future wholesale transfer packaging for not only poultry but also meat, produce and seafood.

During the show, Interstate Container Cambridge professionals showcased the plant's latest innovations in eco-friendly corrugated packaging.

(L-R): Mark Buff, Pete Bugas, Jim Krahn, Jeff Cormier, Scott Caldwell,
Anne Potterton, all from Interstate Container Cambridge;
& Jim Morgan, Interstate Resources, Inc.

Interstate Container Cambridge, located in Cambridge, Maryland, is a member of Interstate Resources Container Division and a partner in Global Green Coalition for Resource Recovery.

Interested parties can request quotes and samples for wax alternative poultry packaging at ICCambridge[at]InterstateResources.com

For More Information
Pete Bugas, National Account Manager
Interstate Container Cambridge
903 Woods Road Cambridge, MD 21613 903

Tel: 410-221-7777
Fax: 410-221-7766
E-mail: Pete.Bugas[at]interstatecontainer.com
Web: www.interstateresources.com

New Recyclable Poultry Packaging from Interstate Container Cambridge Packs a Climate Punch

2010-01-29T09:08:00.022-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com
Source: Global Green, New Recyclabe Poultry Packaging Packs a Powerful Climate Punch; Saves Money & Resources

Global Green USA, Mountaire Farms, and Interstate Container announced completion of the conversion of the largest poultry plant in the US to recyclable, wax-alternative boxes, thereby reducing costs and environmental impact, and assisting its customers in cost-effectively meeting their environmental goals.

At the International Poultry Expo, Global Green USA applauded Mountaire Farms and Interstate Container for their pioneering roles in reducing the environmental impact of wholesale transfer packaging as this innovation has the potential to influence the design of transfer packaging for all types of poultry, meat, produce and seafood delivered to grocers and restaurants throughout the world. Global Green also called on the food packaging industry to convert to this newly achievable green standard.

In March 2009, Interstate and Mountaire Farms announced its plans to conduct trials of recyclable modified atmosphere packaging through Hunt’s Point, the world’s largest food distribution center, as part of Global Green’s Coalition for Resource Recovery’s initiative to achieve 100% recyclable wholesale transfer packaging through the facility. Trials began pallet by pallet through Hunt’s Point’s harsh conditions and progressed to the truck load, and finally a two week test where Mountaire product shipped solely in the Fibre Box Association (FBA)-Certified recyclable boxes.

Upon successful completion of the pilot in September 2009, Mountaire announced its plan to not only convert its existing modified atmosphere packaging to recyclable boxes but also to convert its ice packed product to modified atmosphere packaging to allow for a full transition of its entire product line to recyclable boxes. The full conversion of Mountaire’s first facility and the largest poultry plant in the US, located in Lumber Bridge, NC, was completed in January.

According to Interstate Container’s National Account Manager, Pete Bugas,

“This is a first truly significant step towards replacing high-performance wax boxes throughout the difficult fresh food distribution channels. These boxes must withstand an extremely wet and challenging environment. Meeting the protocol criteria set forth by the FBA is a crucial step, and satisfying the rigors of the distribution channel in New York City is equally as tough. Ultimately, this fiber can now be recaptured instead of heading to a landfill where wax boxes are discarded. Interstate’s continuous environmental stewardship efforts remain a key part of our corporation’s DNA.”

The switch to FBA-certified recyclable packaging is only one component of the sustainable packaging transition. The switch in packaging methods from ice packed poultry to modified atmosphere packaging will result in significant water and energy savings. The box size was reduced, all wax was eliminated from the box, reducing the use of corrugated and petroleum products. If all of the newly designed boxes were recycled, the greenhouse gas benefit from source reduction and recycling the boxes would be 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. In addition, the switch from ice-packed poultry to modified atmosphere packaging is estimated to save millions of gallons of water annually. Combined these innovations also improve efficiency, streamline operations, and provide a safer work environment.

According to Larry Saywell, Mountaire Farms’ VP of Marketing and Sales, “Mountaire Farms is an agricultural company, and we are heavily dependent upon the earth’s natural resources for the continued success of our business. This project maintains and conserves these natural resources and is consistent with our company’s ‘way of being’. We fully recognize the positive impact of this project’s success on the futures of our people, our farmers, our suppliers, our community and our business.”

It is estimated that 1.5 million tons of un-recyclable wax-coated corrugated boxes are discarded in the U.S. each year. If coated corrugated boxes were designed for recycling and recycled, a greenhouse gas savings of 5 million mtCO2e, equivalent to removing from one million passenger vehicles from the road, would be realized, and U.S. grocers and restaurateurs could save $63M annually in avoided disposal fees.

"To be competitive in today's world economy, our goal must be the sustainable use of materials," said Matt Hale, director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. "Producing materials that can be recovered and reused at end of life helps us achieve this goal."

According to Annie White, Director of Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery, “Converting to transfer packaging certified as recyclable by the Fibre Box Association, is a readily achievable step that industry and businesses can take to improve their environmental performance, enhance their service to customers, and improve their bottom line.

Through dedication and perseverance, Interstate Container and Mountaire developed a cost-effective, high-performing offering that enhances service to its customers. Global Green calls on others in the poultry, meat, produce, and seafood industries, to develop solutions for all food and packaging types, rapidly accelerating their use.”

Global Green USA’s sentiments were echoed in a statement provided by Chris Moyer, manager of the National Restaurant Association's Conserve program,

“The delivery of poultry, seafood, and produce in recyclable boxes helps divert potentially reusable materials from landfills. High performing, cost competitive recyclable boxes also provide another way restaurateurs can improve their bottom line and meet environmental goals, which is what we advocate through our Conserve initiative. We encourage the use of packaging made of recycled materials and similar innovations that assist restaurants in greening their operations.”

Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery is an industry working dedicated to generating business value through transforming waste into assets. Founded in 1993 by activist and philanthropist Diane Meyer Simon, Global Green is the American Arm of Green Cross International (GCI), created by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment.

Interstate Container Cambridge is a member of Interstate Resources, Inc., member of INDEVCO Group.

[1] Greenhouse gas savings calculated using EPA’s WARM tool. Saving assumes 100% of the boxes generated are recycled.
[1] According to the U.S. EPA 2007 MSW Facts and Figures, 31 million tons of OCC is discarded each year. The Fibre Box Association estimates that 5% of OCC is wax coated. EPA WARM Tool and Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator were used to calculate potential greenhouse gas savings. National restaurateur and grocers savings are based on a national average tipping fee of $42.08 based on the 2006 data in BioCycle’s State of Garbage report.

Interstate Container Cambridge to Exhibit at 2010 International Poultry Expo

2010-01-26T08:39:00.025-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Visitors to 2010 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta can request quotes for and samples of poultry packaging from Interstate Container Cambridge.

Interstate Container Cambridge is exhibiting its wax alternative poultry packaging at the 2010 International Poultry Expo, Booth #5575, from 27 - 29 January 2010 at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The International Poultry Expo is the world’s largest trade show for the poultry and egg industry.

Interstate Container Cambridge looks to transform the poultry packaging industry with the development of its patent-pending GREEN COAT™, a 100% recyclable and cost-effective wax replacement.

The corrugated plant's FBA-certified GREEN COAT™ boxes are recyclable, repulpable and compostable. They meet or exceed most current wax box performance, providing proven moist condition tolerance. These cartons can significantly help poultry processing plants in their environmental and sustainable efforts while saving their customers disposal fees.

GREEN COAT™ wax alternative poultry packaging
from Interstate Container Cambridge

Interstate Container Cambridge, located in Cambridge, Maryland, is a member of Interstate Resources Container Division and a partner in Global Green Coalition for Resource Recovery.

Interested parties can request quotes and samples for wax alternative poultry packaging at ICCambridge@InterstateResources.com

For More Information
Pete Bugas, National Account Manager
Interstate Container Cambridge
903 Woods Road
Cambridge, MD 21613 903

Tel: 410-221-7777
Fax: 410-221-7766
E-mail: Pete.Bugas[at]interstatecontainer.com
Web: www.interstateresources.com

Interstate Paper Pursues Energy Saving Initiatives

2009-11-30T07:48:00.096-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

The United States Department of Energy has recently recognized Interstate Paper, a paper mill in Riceboro, Georgia, for participating in an energy savings assessment.

The assessment was completed collaboratively between the mill and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). This assessment focused primarily on Interstate Paper’s “Power Island” and the two main steam and power users in the paper mill: the pulp mill and the paper machine.

The assessment team evaluated the operation and energy savings potentials in the following processes:

The black liquor recovery boiler
The biomass bubbling fluidized bed boiler
The power boiler
The evaporators
The digesters
Condensate return - paper machine

Interstate Paper received the 2008 assessment results, including the following “Best Practices,” “Continuous Improvements Process,” and “Strategic and Long-Term Recommendations/Opportunities” criteria:

Long-Term Objective for the use of alternative fuel in the BFB Boiler and for recovering harvesting waste
Best Practice-Continuous Improvement Process for reducing boiler blow-down and for the increase of condensate recovery
Continuous Improvement Process for improving steam distribution, valves, and vessels insulation
Strategic and Long-Term Recommendations/Opportunities for installing condensing turbine to increase power generation

Overview of Interstate Paper Energy Saving Initiative

In 2007 and early 2008, Interstate Paper took the initiative and continued to work diligently toward achieving more energy savings ideas and better practices through day-to-day operations and long term capital planning and feasibility studies. The mill engaged its own personnel, as well as suppliers, to identify energy saving potentials in the mill.

One of the suppliers, Goulds ITT, was hired to conduct a pump/energy audit. As a result, a total of 26 pumps across the mill were identified for potential energy savings through the implementation of a system upgrade, including fitting these pumps with an inverter duty high efficiency motor, as well as a variable frequency drive system, in lieu of the conventional fixed speed motors and re-circulation valves.

The project savings would primarily come from reducing electrical consumption per pump/motor, and improving the reliability of each application by reducing any system vibration affecting piping, valves, foundations, couplings, and eliminating re-circulation valves maintenance. In some cases, the upgrade would virtually eliminate pump failures due to excessive vibration and extend the life of mechanical components such as valves, piping, fittings, etc.

The paper mill carefully evaluated each application from an applicability and savings standpoint to make certain that savings were attainable and the application would improve beyond just energy savings.

Based on the mill’s own assessment, eight critical pumps with the highest returns were chosen for the upgrade. As a result, a $1.0MM project, submitted to the company owners and the board, was approved in early 2008. This system upgrade affected the pulp mill, paper machine, and power house.

Interstate Paper is a member of Interstate Resources Paper Division. Interstate Resources is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

Tamer Elsokkary Appointed Director, Global Infrastructure Support at Interstate Resources, Inc.

2009-11-18T17:25:00.005-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Tamer Elsokkary joined Interstate Resources, Inc. as Director, Global Infrastructure Support on 13 November 2009. In this global role, Tamer will support businesses in the US, as well as the Middle East.

Tamer comes to Interstate Resources from Printpack, where he served in a variety of engineering roles for the last 22 years. His last position was as a Technical Consultant in Corporate Engineering. Tamer brings a strong engineering background with project leadership and a depth of knowledge of the packaging and paper products industries.

Please join us in welcoming Tamer to the Interstate Resources family!

SouthCorr Packaging Completes Promotional POP Display

2009-11-03T13:09:00.005-05:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

SouthCorr Packaging has partnered with Arvato Digital Services and completed a new fully-assembled turnkey display, a corrugated promotional point-of-purchase (POP) display for their customer, CA on 1 November 2009. This display was on the floor at HH Gregg appliances and electronics superstores in Mid-November.

Arvato Digital Service is a leading provider of integrated solutions that include post-production, replication, fulfillment and distribution/supply chain management, financial services, and electronic software distribution. CA is one of the world's largest IT management software providers.

In August 2009, SouthCorr Packaging began designing and sampling this project by working on purchasing, client services, and design teams at Arvato and CA to provide a four-sided litho display with multi-layers of shelves along with 5 competitors.

After the project was completed and approved, Arvato ordered 300 complete corrugated displays for immediate delivery. Each stage of this project, from design, graphical work, production, assembly, and shipment, was executed flawlessly.

Arvato team has indicated that this display is one of the nicest they had ever seen or been able to supply to their customer base and they already started working on the next CA display for fulfillment.

CA Point-of-Purchase Display from Southcorr Packaging

Interstate Container New England Receives Uno Foods Packaging Supplier of the Year Award

2009-10-29T09:10:00.023-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Interstate Container New England (ICNE) has received the "Packaging Supplier of the Year Award" from Uno Foods. John Falk, General Manager, and Mike Lemieux, Packaging Consultant, accepted the award during Uno's annual convention at Amelia’s Island, Florida from 26-28 October 2009.

John Falk, Interstate Container New England General Manager,
Mike Lemieux, Packaging Consultant & Brian Whicher, Uno Foods Vice President of Logistics

ICNE's plants supplying corrugated pizza packaging for Uno Foods include Interstate Container Lowell of Lowell, Massachusetts and Interstate Container Westminster of Westminster, Massachusetts. Both plants are members of Interstate Resources, Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and members of INDEVCO Group.

Established in 1988, Uno Foods produces 66,000 pizzas and related items per day for over 6,000 grocery stores, hotels, stadiums, airports, schools and movie theaters in the US.

Interstate Container Display Promotes Award-Winning Candy

2009-10-19T01:26:00.014-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Interstate Container New England manufactures point-of-purchase display for Twilight Sweethearts candy.

Interstate Container New England (ICNE) worked with New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) to promote the March 2009 launch of the official candy of the Twilight movie. NECCO received the New Product Award (Licensed / Limited category) from the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) on 17 October 2009.

ICNE corrugated manufacturing plants include Interstate Container Lowell of Lowell, Massachusetts and Interstate Container Westminster of Westminster, Massachusetts. Both plants are members of Interstate Resources, Inc., headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, and members of INDEVCO Group.

Interstate Paper Completes Recovery Boiler Startup Burners & Burner Management System Replacement Project

2009-10-12T14:12:00.000-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Interstate Paper, US manufacturer of kraft linerboard in Riceboro, Georgia, has completed a $1 million project to replace the five natural gas start-up burners and Burner Management System (BMS) on its 40-year-old black liquor recovery boiler on 10 October 2009.

The burners are used sparingly during normal operation, however, their reliability and the Burner Management System are a necessity for the safe operation of the recovery boiler.

The new burner panels and valve skids are the visible part of the project while the conversion of the burner management system from an old relay panel to a modern Distributed Control System (DCS) is the core of the project.

The project enabled the boiler to meet all of the current Black Liquor Recovery Boiler Advisory Committee’s and the insurance company recommendations. The conversion of the BMS to computer-based controls fits well with long-term plans to move more of the Power and Recovery operations to a DCS.

This project makes the recovery boiler operation safer and more reliable for many years to come.

Tim Meade Appointed Interstate Resources Executive Vice President of Operational Effectiveness

2009-10-05T08:16:00.023-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Tim Meade has been named Executive Vice President of Operational Effectiveness at Interstate Resources as of 5 October 2009.

Tim joined Interstate Resources, Inc. in October 2009 as Executive Vice President of Operational Effectiveness. Prior to joining Interstate Resources, Tim was Caraustar Industries' Vice President of Manufacturing Systems for the Folding Carton, Tube and Core, and Recycled Paperboard Mill Divisions. Caraustar Industries, privately owned by the Wayzata Group, is the largest recycled paperboard producer in the United States. During his nine years with Caraustar, Tim also served as Vice President and Division Manager for the Tube & Core Group.

After leaving the Field Artillery Branch of the U.S. Army in 1987, Tim joined International Paper and progressed through a myriad of positions during his 14-year tenure, including Project Engineer, Mill Supervisor, Operations Manager, Mill Manager, Plant Manager, Division Manufacturing Manager, and Division General Manager.

During this time, he gained invaluable experience in several different businesses, including Kraft Packaging Group, wood products division and folding carton and liquid packaging business groups.

Please join us in wishing Tim continuous success in his new responsibilities.

Jeff Coleman Named Vice President, Key Accounts & Strategic Growth at Interstate Container Reading and Interstate Container Brunswick

2009-10-05T08:15:00.003-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

As of 5 October, Jeff Coleman has been appointed the Vice President Key Accounts and Strategic Growth at Interstate Container Reading and Interstate Container Brunswick. He joined Interstate Resources in 1992 and, since that time, has steadily moved up within the organization. Prior to joining Interstate Resources, Jeff was with JSC/CCA for 13 years in sales management.

Jeff serves on the Executive Boards of the United Way of Berks County and the Berks County Lacrosse Association. Additionally, he is an Advisory Board Member of the Penn State - Berks Campus Communications Department.

Join us in wishing Jeff success in his new responsibilities!

Geoffrey Schiffenhaus Named Interim General Manager of Interstate Container Reading and Interstate Container Brunswick

2009-10-05T08:00:00.007-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

As of 5 October 2009, Geoffrey Schiffenhaus has been appointed Interim General Manager at Interstate Container Reading and Interstate Container Brunswick. Geoffrey joined the organization in September 2008.

Prior to joining Interstate Resources, Geoff served as General Manager of the Southern Container – Newark, NJ, plant for two years. Southern Container was a leading regional manufacturer of corrugated products.

Previous to that, Geoff spent 26 years at Schiffenhaus Industries, a nationally-recognized manufacturer of corrugated POP and graphic packaging. Schiffenhaus Industries was an early pioneer and leading manufacturer of preprinted linerboard. Throughout his career, Geoff has held various leadership roles in all areas of sales and manufacturing.

Please join us in wishing Geoffrey continuous success in his new challenging responsibilities.

Mountaire Farms Convert to Recyclable Compostable Poultry Boxes from Interstate Container

2009-09-30T02:10:00.004-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Original Publication: Largest U.S. poultry plant converts to recyclable, compostable boxes (September 22, 2009)http://www.greenerpackage.com/largest_us_poultry_plant_converts_recyclable_compostable_boxes#

Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery (CORR) has announced a key milestone in its goal of achieving 100% recyclable wholesale packaging through Hunt’s Point Distribution Center, the largest food distribution center in the world. Mountaire Farms, the sixth largest poultry company, and Interstate Container, in partnership with Global Green, have commenced the conversion of Mountaire’s New York City business and its Lumberbridge, NC, facility—the largest poultry processing plant in the U.S.—to Fibre Box Association -certified recyclable and compostable boxes supplied by Interstate Container.

This conversion will result in the transition of 6,000 tons of poultry boxes per year servicing the New York City market alone. If all of Mountaire’s boxes servicing the New York City market were recycled, greenhouses gases would be reduced by 21,000 mtCO2e per year, equivalent to removing 3,800 passenger cars off the road.

Recyclable Corrugated Poultry Boxes from Interstate Container

In March 2009, Interstate and Mountaire announced its plans to conduct trials of recyclable modified atmosphere packaging through Hunt’s Point, the world’s largest food distribution center, as part of CORR’s initiative to achieve 100% recyclable wholesale transfer packaging through the facility.

Interstate and Mountaire conducted multiple trials on boxes shipped through Hunt’s Point. Trials began pallet-by-pallet through Hunt’s Point’s harsh conditions and progressed to the truckload. More recently, a two-week shipping test was conducted where Mountaire product shipped solely in the FBA-certified recyclable boxes. With these results, Mountaire has announced its plan to not only convert its existing MAP packaging to recyclable boxes, but also to convert its ice-pack product to MAP packaging to allow for a full transition of its entire product line to recyclable boxes.

Full conversion at Mountaire’s Lumberbridge facility is expected to be completed during 2010. Packaging at Mountaire’s other facilities is expected to be converted to the recyclable boxes by the end of the 2010 calendar year.

The switch to FBA-certified recyclable packaging is only one component of the sustainable packaging transition. The switch in packaging methods from ice pack to MAP packaging will result in significant water and energy savings. The box size was reduced, and an inner plastic bag was eliminated, also reducing the use of corrugated and plastic. Overall water, energy, and greenhouse gas savings associated with the design and packaging of the poultry is being calculated. The package also passed the ISO 16929 protocol for plastic disintegration in a pilot-scale composting facility.

According to Pete Bugas, national account manager, Interstate Container, “This a major step to permanently remove wax boxes not only from Hunts Point, but also throughout the supply chain in the United States. This box now provides the end user with a recycling option; it also is certified compostable, which is yet another avenue to prevent boxes from being landfilled.”

According to Annie White, director of Global Green’s CORR, “Achieving 100% recyclable packaging through Hunt’s Point would divert over 30,000 tons per year of corrugated from the landfill and would reduce greenhouse gases by 103,000mtCO2e per year, equivalent to taking 19,000 cars off the road, and it would set the standard for greening transfer packaging throughout the world.”

According to Larry Saywell, vp marketing, Mountaire Farms, “Because we’re an agricultural company, we have an obligation to take care of the earth. In order to sustain our business, we need to have good soil, clean water, and clean air to grow our crops and raise our chickens. It is all part of our way of being.”

The Hunt’s Point Demonstration Project is one of several of Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery projects dedicated to generating business value through creating a sustainable, zero waste New York City. Among one of its recent projects is its work with seven New York Starbucks stores to launch a cup-recyling program.

Interstate Container to Help Transition Mountaire Farms' Waxed Cardboard Boxes to Recyclable Boxes

2009-09-29T00:58:00.039-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Original Publication: The Green Economy, (24 September 2009). http://www.thegreeneconomy.com/packaging-for-the-future/

Removing waxed cardboard from the waste stream is a huge issue, and is currently being solved by a coalition between Global Green, Hunt’s Point in New York City, Mountaire Farms, and Interstate Container.

Doing Good Business
The project has been such a success that Mountaire Farms is planning to transition its entire product line to recyclable boxes by the end of the 2010 calendar year.

Larry Saywell, VP Marketing, said that Mountaire Farms had reduced costs because the new boxes are smaller, resulting in smaller payloads. But he said the biggest unexpected benefit is in employee moral. This may be partly due to the fact that the recyclable boxes help create an even cleaner, dryer and safer work environment.

However, the big win for Saywell - and for the operations people - is the opportunity to contribute to the long term sustainability of both the business and the agricultural land that surrounds Mountaire’s operations.

“Because we’re an agricultural company, we have an obligation to take care of the earth. In order to sustain our business, we need to have good soil, clean water, and clean air to grow our crops and raise our chickens. It is all part of our way of being.”

Partnering for New Ideas
The project, a combined effort between Hunt’s Point, Interstate Container, Mountaire Farms (the sixth largest poultry company) and Global Green has been a year in the making. Starting with trials at Hunt’s Point, the boxes were tested under the harsh conditions of the largest food distribution center in the world, where tons of pallets loaded with crates of perishables pass through daily.

While sounding to some like a big “ho-hum”, this is a critical step in handling boxes that are coated with wax to prevent them becoming saturated with water and animal products. Waxed boxes gum up recycling machines, so can’t be co-mingled with regular cardboard.

Solutions are hard to come by, according to Jennifer McDonnell, who was Whole Foods’ Green Mission Specialist for the Northeast Region. She added that she had talked with some store owners who, faced with the problem, simply didn’t recycle any cardboard in order to avoid the additional costs and hassle of training and storage, so that staff could separate different kinds of cardboard.

As Pete Bugas, the National Account Manager for Interstate Container, added, “This a major step to permanently remove waxed boxes throughout the supply chain in the United States.”

The new packaging also transitions from ice packs to MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), a process that prolongs the shelf-life of fresh or minimally processed foods by slowing the natural deterioration of produce, most commonly by removing most or all the oxygen. This means a reduction in the size of the box and the elimination of an inner plastic bag leading to overall water, energy, and greenhouse gas savings.

Annie White, Director of Global Green’s Coalition for Resource Recovery added that just achieving 100% recyclable packaging at Hunt’s Point would divert over 30,000 tons/yr of corrugated from the landfill. “That’s like taking another 19,000 cars off the road.” To put that in perspective, on any day, the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) traveling through Times Square is 42,000. Removing 19,000 of those would mean about 45% less carbon and more room for chairs on Broadway and 42nd.

Global Green
The Hunt’s Point Demonstration Project is one of several of Global Green USA’s Coalition for Resource Recovery projects dedicated to generating business value through creating a sustainable, zero waste New York City. Founded in 1993 by activist and philanthropist Diane Meyer Simon, Global Green is the American Arm of Green Cross International (GCI), created by President Mikhail S. Gorbachev to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future by reconnecting humanity with the environment.

The Coalition for Resource Recovery is a project of Global Green USA, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization. Global Green works to create sustainable urban environments and combat global warming through a unique cross-cutting approach that merges innovative research, technical assistance, cutting-edge community based projects and targeted education and outreach.

Interstate Container is a member of Interstate Resources, Inc., member of INDEVCO Group.

For More Information

Pete Bugas
Interstate Container National Account Manager
E-mail: Pete.Bugas@interstatecontainer.com

United Corrstack Project Set for Completion this Summer

2009-07-23T16:05:00.011-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: WFMZ-69 News
Posted: 03-26-2009 01:01 PM ET
Modified: 07-23-2009 02:17 AM ET

One Reading company refuses to gamble with energy costs. Instead, WFMZ's Melissa Batulis shows us how they're taking matters into their own hands.

Reporter: At United Corrstack in Reading...their primary business is paper.

David Stauffer: 25% of the total cost to manufacture paper is energy.

Reporter: United Corrstack General Manager David Stauffer says energy is also the reason many paper companies have cited for shutting down over the past couple years. So with the pending expiration of rate caps on power companies, United Corrstack decided to build its own power plant.

David Stauffer: This way we'll be able to provide both steam, which is one of our primary needs, and also electricity.

Reporter: The company broke ground on Evergreen Community Power in 2007...and the plant should be up and running by fall. Total cost...135 million dollars. How quickly the company makes that money back will, in part, depend on the up and down cost of fuel.

David Stauffer: Our company philosophy is that we're in this for the long haul. So, we know that it's cyclical and in general even though it's cycling, we know that the curve is going up.

Stand Up: Not only is this project intended to be a money saver. The folks at United Corrstack are hoping this will be a money maker. By building this to control their own energy, it sets the company up for expansion.

David Stauffer: We're talking about a significant increase in jobs, a paper machine that would be at least twice as large as the one we currently have.

Reporter: But this paper company will also be selling something a little less tangible.

David Stauffer: We'll be able not only to provide our own power, but get a revenue stream in from the sale of electricity as well.

Reporter: And on top of that...Stauffer says this energy operation is green...replacing fossil fuels with biofuels.

Stauffer: Almost all of that fuel, which will also come from a local supplier here in Berks County, has been destined to...it's on its way to a landfill.

Reporter: It's trash into treasure for this company...and hopefully proactive thinking that will provide a silver lining to the cloudy future of energy costs.

David Stauffer: We knew that that was coming.

Interstate Container is a member of Interstate Resources, Inc., member of INDEVCO Group.

Reporter: In Reading, Melissa Batulis, 69 News Berks Edition.

Company Information

720 Laurel Street
Reading, Pennsylvania 19602 USA
Telephone: 610-374-3000
Fax: 610-376-8215

Emails:
dstauffer@unitedcorrstack.com
amclaughlin@unitedcorrstack.com

Evergreen Community Power Projects Progress

2009-06-09T14:36:00.015-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Significant progress in construction, checkout and training at Evergreen Community Power (ECP) took place since quarter 2.

Construction was focused on the biomass material handling system, the boiler water treatment, the piping, and the electrical contracts. All of this was completed in the first half of 2009. At the peak, there were over 250 contractors working on site, in addition to the Phoenix team and ESI construction management.

As soon as construction was completed on an area,the checkout and commissioning process began. The operating team, led by Art McLaughlin (OperationsManager), Pete Kline (Operations Manager), Bret Pardew (Production Manager), and Cliff Heistand (Maintenance Manager) has been intimately engaged with the checkout process, which should be completed by June.

The entire team had three weeks of webbased training, followed by four weeks of classroom training, provided by General Physics, Inc. ECP received a Training Grant from the State of Pennsylvania to help offset the costs for the development and delivery of the training.

Next major milestones:

Boilout - To chemically clean the boiler internals.
Steamblows - To assure the quality of steam for the turbine.
Fire on Biomass - Production of steam with solid fuel.
Power to the Grid - Sale of electricity by September!

The biomass boiler has begun “sustainable” steaming.The first fire on natural gas occurred on Monday, June 8th, at 4:15pm. At that time, the furnace temperature was 617° F, the drum pressure was 127 psig, and the steam flow was 29,000 pph. Biomass fuel will be introduced in July.

United Corrstack Creates 75 New Jobs

2009-05-28T09:34:00.015-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Keystoneedge, 28 May 2009
Writer: Joe Petrucci

Every year, United Corrstack (UCI) in Reading saves 6,000 acres of trees by supplying box shops with products made from 100 percent recycled corrugated cartons and is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified. UCI also offers consultation services for customers on old corrugated cardboard recycling programs.

UCI's biggest green initiative, though, is still to come. The company is expected to begin running its own power plant, Evergreen Community Power, this summer. The $135 million project brought 25 new jobs to the Reading-based company and about 50 jobs offsite to process and transport biofuels that will run the plant, which will provide UCI another revenue stream from the sale of electricity.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners linked UCI with Northampton Community College's Electrotechnology Applications Center to research and quantify potential sources of biofuel in the region.

"That enabled us to move to the funding phase of our project," says UCI general manager Dave Staufer, who has been with the company for 11 years.

UCI, founded in 1993, has 30 customers, mostly within 150 miles of Reading. That allows for next-day delivery throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The company's specialized customer services include coded labels for warehouse management systems, electronic data interchange transmissions and just-in-time inventory. Because it helps control costs--energy makes up 25 percent of the total cost to manufacture paper--the new power plant sets up UCI for future expansion.

The biofuels to run the new power plant come from a local supplier in Berks County and are made up of almost entirely of material headed for the landfill.

Poultry & Seafood Producers Pack in Wax Replacement Boxes from Interstate Resources & Ship to Hunts Point

2009-05-09T17:29:00.011-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2 0 0 9

All Interstate Containers direct poultry and seafood customers pack their products in our boxes and ship them to Hunts Point for distribution. Hunts Point, the world’s largest food distribution center, is located in New York City (NYC). Food from around the world is sent to this center and distributed throughout the entire NYC area, a long with parts of New Jersey and New England. Millions of boxes of fruit, vegetables, poultry and beef (along with almost every other type of provision you can think of) comes through the distribution center.

Global Green is a well-known leader in fostering a global value shift towards a sustainable and secure future. They have developed an organization to expedite the removal of wax boxes (which are not recyclable) from Hunts Point, and into a package that will allow for fiber recovery. This new group, The Coalition for Resource Recovery (CORR) is being spearheaded by Interstate Container Cambridge.

As a pilot project for the CORR, we are conducting trials with Mountaire Farms on our wax replacement boxes. Our goal is to use the trials to accelerate the elimination of wax boxes.Our initial trials will be under way in June 2009 and we are already receiving positive press!

INDEVCO CEO Listed as Influential Industrialist in Lebanon

2009-05-09T16:10:00.016-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Lebanon Opportunities monthly business magazine, Al-Iktissad Wal Aamal Alloubnaniah Magazine, names Neemat Frem among top 50 influencers in the country.

Neemat Frem was the heir to an industrial empire that was founded by his late father and industrial pioneer and philanthropist, Georges N. Frem, which he now manages with his uncles.

While fresh as Chairman of INDEVCO Group, the younger Frem has spent his adulthood following in his father’s footsteps.

INDEVCO has set standards in manufacturing, human resource management, export, and community service. Neemat Frem is an active member of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, where the weight of his enterprise is well felt in its activities and decisions.

If Neemat Frem succeeds in emulating just part of his father’s performance, his sway over the manufacturing, his sway over the manufacturing sector will be tough to avoid."

Interstate Resources, Inc. is a member of INDEVCO Group.

Notre Dame University Honors INDEVCO Group Founder

2009-05-09T16:05:00.014-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Notre Dame University (NDU) in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon, organized a ceremony in memory of Mr. Georges N. Frem,one of the leading industrialists in the Middle East. Family and friends of Georges N. Frem gathered on May 5th at Issam Fares Hall to pay tribute.

Georges N. Frem Statue

The event’s program featured:
The Lebanese National Anthem
A documentary of Georges Frem’s life

Speakers included:
Father Walid Moussa, NDU President
Souheil Matar, Public Relations Director
Jean Obeid, Former Minister
Ziad Baroud, Minister of Interior
Neemat G. Frem, INDEVCO Group President & CEO (on behalf of the Frem family)

Southcorr Packaging Supplies Cherry Bomb

2009-05-09T15:41:00.018-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Southcorr Packaging's newest customer, Cherry Bomb, manufactures a timeless American classic familiar to many auto enthusiasts across the US and abroad - exhaust equipment that produces a distinguishable sound loved by many “hot rodders.”

“In the development of high performance mufflers, there is one name that stands apart - the Cherry Bomb© Glasspack, first introduced in 1968 by the Maremont Corporation. This bright red, 2’ core, long straight pipe muffler with a baffled channel lined in fiberglass, produced an unmistakable, one-of-a-kind throaty sound with less back pressure for a noticeable improvement in performance.

Its timely introduction occurred during 1968 - 1971, the beginning of one of the most exciting times in the development of hot rods. Relatively in expensive to own, these cars were easy to modify and packed with power. The Cherry Bomb Glasspack became a standard bolt-on as it embodied in sound, the horsepower under the hood.”

Forty years later, Southcorr Packaging is producing packaging for a product packed with nostalgia, made right here in East Tennessee!

A “silver lining” to the global economic downturn is a noticeable surge in aftermarket auto parts, purchased by consumers looking to upgrade rather than trade existing vehicles. This surge, combined with CherryBomb’s recently transitioned manufacturing from Texas to the Tennessee facility, is a welcome boon to the local economy.

Southcorr Packaging’s first order was the result of an innovative design idea by Kory Doane (Lead Designer). The design is a“six-cornered” pre-glued tray that replaces a nonglued ROE box, reducing hand labor in excess of 60%! This idea got the attention of Cherry Bomb’s production management team and allowed us to move into manufacturing litho labeled packaging for their retail products.

Southcorr Packaging Implements Plastic Strapping Recycling Program

2009-05-09T15:24:00.024-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Early in 2008, Southcorr Packaging LLC, the Greeneville facility implemented a plastic strapping recycling program. Sweed Choppers were strategically placed at various machine centers throughout the plant floor to aid in chopping plastic strapping for recycling. The program has been structured around cost avoidance, rather than generation of potential revenues.

One of our primary goals is the reduction of disposal fees. Less disposable scrap results in fewer dumpster pick-ups, which lead to a savings in disposal fees. Of course, there are other significant reasons for recycling, including environmental benefits, but a successful recycling program is a definite way to add to the facility’s bottom line.

Prior to implementing this program, the amount of loose banding that we generated would fill a 15-yard dumpster. We are now putting this same amount of scraping one or two bulk boxes and hauling them away for recycling. By reducing the number of times a dumpster is emptied, Southcorr Packaging is increasing the bottom line.

Reduced dumpster fees, reduced labor costs, positive environmental impact, more efficient house keeping, and money for reprocessed scrap. Southcorr Packaging and the environment are benefiting from this recycling program!

Newport Timber Hosts a Sustainable Forestry Initiative

2009-05-09T14:56:00.021-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Newport Timber hosted a webinar conducted by Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. (SFI) on 14 May 2009. Participants included William Ardle (Supervisor) and Ronnie Swindell (Warehouse Admin. Coordinator) from Interstate Paper, and Pat Reddish (Wood Procurement Manager) from Newport Timber.

The Director of Market Access and Product Labeling at SFI, Jason Metnick, provided information on the rules forusing appropriate labels and claims on products.

Future webinars will cover additional aspects of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program.

Interstate Paper Enhances Digital Plate Printing Capabilities

2009-05-09T14:36:00.023-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring / Summer 2009

Interstate Paper has been working closely with Apex, our anilox roll supplier, for several months regarding new technological advances in the anilox roll engraving process. With the help of Apex and testing performed on our 5-color Bobst printer, Interstate Paper is currently printing with an Apex Unicorr “M” roll. This enables us to print solid mats, as well as process print (screens) up to 85 LPI.

The results have been so impressive that Dave Lausch, Plant Manager, is currently having a 2nd anilox roll re-covered in the Apex Unicorr “M” design.

Dave Lausch, states,

Alliance Robot “Alf 3” was installed at Interstate Paper in January 2009 behind the Martin Midline Flexo.

“By having two of these anilox rolls installed in our Bobst printer and not having to change anilox rolls, we can save between 6-8hours of set-up time weekly.”

Interstate Paper has been experimenting with digital plate printing capabilities with two of our suppliers, as opposed to printing with analog plates. We have runone live order with digital plates and were extremely pleased with the results.

We will continue to push suppliers to work with us as we move into the next generation of printing technologies.

United Corrstack's David Stauffer Receives BFTP Manufacturing Achievement Award

2009-05-08T13:48:00.017-04:00

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP), one of the foremost Technology Economic Development agencies in the country, chose United Corrstack (UCI), as the company that best exemplifies achievement in the manufacturing arena, showing a proven track record of success and an unbending commitment to achieving and maintaining excellence in manufacturing.

David F. Stauffer, General Manager at UCI, located in Reading, Pennsylvania, states, “At a time when recycling, renewable fuel, and energy independence are at the forefront of national consciousness, United Corrstack (UCI) is a model of green efforts.”

UCI produces recycled corrugated fluting paper, which is a component of cardboard boxes, and is in the process of developing its own power plant that burns biomass organic waste. UCI worked with Ben Franklin and Northampton Community College’s Electrotechnology Applications Center (ETAC), first to evaluate options to allow higher throughput at the facility and later to assess boiler fuel alternatives for UCI. Because of rising energy costs, UCI is creating its own cogeneration plant, generated by materials such as wood and agricultural waste, to provide steam and electricity.

UCI currently employs 80 and, through the energy plant, expects to create 25 new positions. UCI’s work with Ben Franklin and ETAC has helped the company to significantly improve its competitive position, and will increase employment and reduce landfill waste in the region.

Dave Stauffer, United Corrstack General Manager,
receives the Manufacturing Achievement Award
from Chad Brown, CEO of Ben Franklin Technology Partners

United Corrstack Team (L-R):
Chris Fell (Engineering Manager), Dave Stauffer (General Manager),
Larry Haraschak (Controller), and Rick Faust (Fulfillment Manager)
at the Ben Franklin Technology Partners Ceremony