An EU directive is soon to be implemented concerning obligatory hole deviation measurement when bench drilling for blasting in quarries.  The Swedish company Transtronic AB has developed a Windows-based system, Devibench, that will make such measurements easy and accurate. This electronic system, which comprises a bench probe and a robust PC, is said to provide increased safety, lower drilling costs, more even surfaces at the bottom of boreholes, and reduced vibrations.

The world's biggest pasta producer, Barilla, has adopted Stora Enso's CKB board (Coated Kraft Back) as packaging for mainly its short pasta products. Decisive factors for the choice of material were product safety coupled with good organoleptic and technical properties of the board. No tastes or odours may transfer from the package to the product. Barilla's products are sold in more than 100 countries.

With the aid of specially built vehicles, based on normal cars, car transportation can take place more quickly, safely, and cheaply throughout Europe. So claims the Malmö-based Swedish company Certigo, whose specially built transport vehicles are registered as light trucks, thereby minimising problems with speed restrictions, customs, and regulations concerning working hours spent behind the wheel.

The AirTable air purifier, developed specifically for hotel rooms and based on innovative design and technology, was worth premiering as a finalist among hundreds of selected competitors. So thought the jury for the 'Editor's Choice Awards for Best New Product' at an event arranged in conjunction with the recent IH/M&R Show, one of the world's largest conventions for the hotel industry. Effective and quiet air purification for a better environment and less cleaning promise the Swedish manufacturers, Airbite AB, who also received a substantial order from the American hotel market during the event.

A radical image change for Hägglunds Drives includes the adoption of a new generation of the Compact drive, new logo, company slogan, emphasis on Red as our brand color and a mascot named Max.

There is now a vacuum pump designed especially for industrial processes that require large flows and deep vacuum levels. The Classic MP pump, which is reported to be easy to control, energy saving, reliable and practically maintenance-free, is designed not only for installation in machines used in manufacturing, packaging and automation processes, but also for individual applications, e.g., in the graphics industry.

Today postcards compete with SMS messages and logos sent by mobile phones. This is why the postcard industry has broadened its range of cards. Cards have also become a popular tool for direct mail advertising. To meet these new challenges, Stora Enso has increased its graphical boards production and improved the properties of Ensocoat and Ensogloss board.

Bluetooth™ technology, combined with improved functionality and user-friendly design, has created new options for interaction between man and machines. This is the claim being made by the new Swedish innovation company Aesthetically Pleasing Electronics AB (APE), which will preview its new X-Mouse at this year's Comdex Fall show, held in November in Las Vegas. The company is currently negotiating with major PC manufacturers in countries such as the United States and Japan.

Europe's leading chocolate and confectionery manufacturers already use Stora Enso's Performa CTMP board. Now the board is conquering US markets, where European manufacturers export chocolate packaging. A recent example is the success of Nestlé's new Wonderball packaging. The packaging solution has met Nestlé´s requirements and demonstrates the high competence of the European packaging industry.

Stora Enso, Europe's biggest paper and board manufacturer, is launching a new product range for packaging cosmetics. The product family comprises the SBS boards Ensocoat and Ensogloss and FBB boards Printocart and Printocart Luxe, the latest addition designed exclusively for the luxury packaging industry. Stora Enso has also built a strong technical support and service concept around the new range. The company's goal is to be the leading material supplier in its chosen product segment. The new product family will be launched in October at the luxury packaging fair in Monaco.