TOPPAN Holdings Inc. subsidiary TOPPAN Speciality Films Private Limited (TSF), based in India, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 80% of the issued shares of Irplast S.p.A. (Irplast), an Italian based high-performance BOPP film manufacturer, from the current majority shareholder, British-based investment fund Cheyne Strategic Value Credit (SVC). Irplast is a leading manufacturer of high-performance BOPP films, using simultaneous biaxial orientation technology to offer superior transparency, durability, and processability, contributing to reduced environmental impact and improved recyclability and delivering products widely used in various fields, including packaging and labels for food, personal and home care. Leveraging its extensive experience and technological expertise in the printing and packaging sectors, the TOPPAN Group will integrate Irplast's advanced manufacturing technologies for high-performance BOPP films to develop and deliver innovative solutions that meet various customer needs. Furthermore, this acquisition aligns with the TOPPAN Group's strategic goals of realizing a sustainable society.

"Crown got off to an excellent start for the year, driven by strong performances in each of our global beverage can businesses," said Timothy J. Donahue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Combined first quarter beverage can segment income climbed 24% over the prior year, attributable to robust volumes in Brazil and Europe and outstanding operational performance throughout the manufacturing network. Beverage can volume growth in North America, in the low-single digit range, was also better than expected. Increased volumes and improved manufacturing efficiencies propelled a significant advance in income in our North American food can and closures businesses, while Transit Packaging performed in line with expectations. "With respect to global trade tensions, the Company believes it is well-positioned, as essentially all products sold domestically are produced domestically. Moreover, for those select raw materials or components that may need to be imported, our contracts contain tariff pass-through provisions. The Crown team is working diligently in this dynamic environment to optimize supply chains and minimize the potential impact of tariffs.

UPM Raflatac will launch a brand new product range for medical device and healthcare industry. New RPMD is a multi-faceted adhesive that is ideal for labeling medical devices. Selection of different face materials with new RPMD adhesive are specially designed for different medical device sub-segments such as sterilization wraps and bags, infusion bags and bottles, drug-device combinations like pens, auto-injectors and inhalers and blood donation labeling. RPMD adhesive combines excellent adhesion with a tight mandrel hold on glass and plastic and is sterilization resistant and migration safe. "In April 2017 the EU Commission formally adopted two new regulations on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. One of the main regulatory updates is the implementation of a Unique Device Identification system (UDI) that provides a globally harmonized and consistent approach for the marking and identification of medical devices", comments Markku Pietarinen, Manager, Business Segments & Pharma, Specials EMEIA. "A UDI is a code printed on a label affixed to a device or its packaging, or even directly on the device itself, in both plain text and machine-readable format. All medical devices available in the EU must comply with the new regulations by April 2020, with the deadline for in vitro diagnostic devices falling two years later, in 2022." Click Read More below for additional information.