In response to increasing concern about energy costs and environmental factors, users of gas compression and transfer equipment are turning to hydraulic drives as an alternative to air and electric powered units. U. S. company Haskel International is meeting this growing market need by introducing a new line of hydraulic driven gas boosters.

SCA, one of Europe's leading paper manufacturers, has started a wide-ranging collaboration with Amnesty. "The link between Amnesty and SCA feels natural, because paper has always been a vital bearer of free speech", says Niclas Holmén, marketing manager with SCA Fine Paper. In several European countries, part of the proceeds from sales of the office paper Wifsta Office will be used to support Amnesty's operations.

Before the launch of the S80 model, Swedish car manufacturer Volvo decided on a completely new vehicle assembly strategy. A company in the Constructor Group specialising in materials handling, MTH Constructor, was selected as a partner in setting up the production process. 'It proved a real challenge for us, with exceptional demands', says Sales Manager Lars Mila. 

By bringing together two separate production programmes, MTH Constructor can now offer a total system of new cranes for materials handling. The system is based on modular construction and optimising work areas to offer the customer a cost-effective alternative.

Thanks to the unique design of its aluminium grandstands, a Swedish family business has won a prestigious order to provide the arenas for the Formula One "circus" world wide. "Speed, safety and a practically unlimited field of application mean that we get enquiries from all over the world, and the growth of the business has been record-breaking", says Pär J. Johnsson, International Operations Officer at SitDown. "In three years the company has more than quadrupled its sales".

A Sanitary Refractometer has been developed to measure more accurately the concentration of liquids and mixtures within food and drinks processing.  Increasing demands on the food and beverage industries to maintain and improve quality and to meet the 3A Sanitary Standard are some of the reasons behind the development of the latest process refractometer,the PR-03-A by K-Patents OY in Finland. 

Nestlé, one of the world's leading confectionary and food manufacturers, has approved Enso Performa for use with its After Eight chocolate range.  The packaging board manufacturered by Enso Paperboards in Finland meets the stringent quality criteria laid down by Nestlé says Joachim Soditt, head of their packaging development department. He says the paperboard offers a competitively priced alternative to other types of fibre-based packaging material. 

Giving Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland the opportunity to better manage their own coastal resources in an environmental and sustainable way is the aim of a project funded by the European Union (PHARE). The project is based on satellite imaging techniques to map and document sensitive coastline areas of the four countries.

Better logistics and service are the two most important future challenges to the paper industry, according to Stora Gruvön. After two years of preparation this Swedish company is now introducing a completely new IT-based supply system. The aim is a considerable reduction in both stocks and delivery times - a profitable goal for all concerned.