Nampak’s 6 month turnover reaches R10 billion

Nampak, Africa’s largest packaging company today released its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2009.

The results show revenue up 14% to just over R10 billion which was achieved mainly through the recovery of raw material cost increases and improved trading from African operations. Despite the tough economic conditions, volumes in the main market, South Africa, held steady, but were lower in Europe.

Trading income before abnormal items increased by 3% and was impacted by the late commissioning of the new paper mill at Rosslyn.

Headline earnings per share were 39% lower due to a loss on the fair value of financial instruments compared to a gain and tax provision write-back last year.

Total capital expenditure was R759 million with the major projects being the Rosslyn paper mill and the Angola beverage can factory.

Andrew Marshall who took over as CEO on 1 March 2009 said “Performance in South Africa was in line with last year. Increased trading income was offset by additional costs from the late commissioning of the Rosslyn paper mill. In Africa, trading income improved significantly due mainly to Zambia and Nigeria. European trading income was lower due to higher polymer costs as well as a poorer performance by the Leeds U.K. carton operation.

Going forward, the group expects current difficult economic conditions to continue in all the markets in which we operate. We shall therefore focus on improving or disposing of underperforming operations, the reduction of costs, management of working capital and reduction of capex.”

Pharmaceutical packaging: dosage caps in high-transparency PP by Bormioli Rocco

Bormioli Rocco writes a new chapter in the history of plastic pharmaceutical packaging entitled high transparency PP. This polymer of the polyolefin family is used for brand new dosage caps which combine optimum processability with excellent rigidity.

Constant research in the fields of materials and technology has enabled the Plastics Division to improve the characteristics of standard PP and offer customers an innovative product that meets their specific requirements. High-transparency dosage caps in PP are approved for contact with foodstuffs.

PP also offers exciting scope for application in the field of plastic packaging for cosmetics. Indeed, the company also produces a range of bottles in PP with levels of transparency similar to PET. And it doesn't stop there. The company is experimenting with the inclusion of nanocomposites in the polymer matrix of PP. Results to date are highly encouraging in terms of greater mechanical resistance to impact and a barrier effect against water vapour and gases in general.

For further information of Plastics Division products, including plastic closures, cosmetic bottles and dosage caps, visit the website http://www.bormioliroccoplastics.com

Nampak Cartons & Labels Epping is FSC certified

Nampak Cartons & Labels Epping is the first cartons packaging facility in Africa to become FSC certified. FSC refers to the “Forest Stewardship Council”.

Read the complete article here.

Nampak Cartons & Labels is on track to commence sandwich pack production

Nampak Cartons & Labels Epping is on track to commence local production of the newly launched and fully biodegradable Woolworths “To go” range of sandwich packs. The timeframe for this to happen is early 2009. The cardboard used in the sandwich packs is FSC certified and the transparent window is made from poly lactic acid (PLA), a corn-based polymer. Imported from Finland and the USA respectively, this is the first time that certified sustainable cardboard is being used in South African food packaging!

Read the complete article here.