Mica Corporation takes TAPPI membership to the next level

November 2009, Shelton, CT
Mica Corporation is now a sustaining member of TAPPI, the paper, plastic and packaging industry’s foremost professional, technical association. Mica Corporation has a long history of participation and support of TAPPI through membership of individual employees and volunteer participation. “We are proud to support such a wonderful organization” says Mica Corporation president, Jeff Siegel.

“TAPPI has helped put Mica Corporation on the map” says Siegel, who currently serves as Chair of the Board of both TAPPI and the TAPPI Foundation. “We put a lot of time and energy into TAPPI, but it has come back to us ten-fold in terms of the relationships we have made with industry leaders, customers and allied suppliers.”

Other Mica employees who currently play a major role in the TAPPI organization are Bruce Foster, Rob Hammond, Jessica Bodine, Tim Hemkens and Dr. Richard Allen.

Mica employees have also been recognized by TAPPI for their technical contributions to the industry and for service to TAPPI. Three Mica employees have been awarded the TAPPI PLACE Division technical award and Sam Zweig prize in recognition of their technical contributions to the polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings, and extrusion markets. Dan Siegel, Mica Corporation’s founder and chairman of the board won in 1986, Fred Singer was the winner in 1995 and Bruce Foster in 1997. This award recognizes outstanding accomplishments or contributions that have advanced the industry’s technology.

The PLACE division leadership and service award went to Jeff Siegel in 2002. The PLACE Division Leadership and Service Award and Andreas G. Ahlbrandt prize recognize an individual with a proven history of diligent work for TAPPI, the PLACE Division, or division committees.

To sum it up Siegel is proud to say that “Mica Corporation now helps to sustain TAPPI financially in recognition of the way TAPPI has helped to sustain us and our industry for over 90 years.” And he adds that he hopes “others in our industry will join us in support of TAPPI and our industry.”

For more information about TAPPI and the TAPPI PLACE Division, please see the links page or go directly to www.TAPPI.org. .

Fred M. Singer 1926-2009

September 2009, Shelton, CT
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Fred M. Singer at age 83. Fred was an icon of the flexible packaging industry during his long career. Originally from New York City and a 40 year resident of Fairfield, CT. Fred received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree in 1955 from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He held management positions with St Regis Paper, Standard Polymers Inc, Polymer Industries Inc., Morton International and Mica Corporation. At Mica Corporation he was marketing manager from 1982 until his retirement in 2006.

At the height of his career, Fred was chosen to receive the 1995 TAPPI Polymers, Laminations and Coatings Division Technical Award. This award, accompanied by the Samuel Zweig Prize of $1,000, is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the industry’s technology.

TAPPI, based in Atlanta, GA, is the world’s leading technical association for paper and related industries. The Polymers, Laminations and Coatings Division, now known as PLACE is focused on the use of polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings and extrusion in paper, foil and plastic packaging.

A TAPPI member from 1968 until 2006, Fred had been active in the Extrusion Coating Committee and Health Care Packaging Committee. He contributed to the updating of test methods and the organization of various panel discussions, short courses, symposia and publications. In addition, he published two articles in the industry periodical, Paper, Film & Foil Converter, and presented papers at numerous TAPPI conferences, symposia, and short courses.

In addition to his TAPPI activities, Fred was a member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), a member of the Flexible Packaging Association, a participant at various Milprint seminars, and a featured speaker at several Western Michigan University conferences.

Fred was a friend to many, a loyal employee and a role model and mentor to countless young professionals. His impact on Mica Corporation, TAPPI, and our industry in general will be evident for many years to come.

Fred is survived by his devoted daughters, Rona Singer of Bronxville, NY, Joann Tyborowski and her husband Paul of Trumbull, CT and his adored grandchildren Melissa and Christopher Tyborowski.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease.

MICA's CUREPRIME TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES QUALITY ASSURANCE for ADHESIVE LAMINATION

June 2009, Shelton, CT (Phone: 203-922-8888, Website: www.mica-corp.com): Mica Corporation’s CurePrime technology is a water-based primer and adhesion promoter that can be applied to plain and printed films prior to the adhesive lamination process. The new technology enhances quality assurance for adhesive laminators by allowing quality checks within hours – and often times within mere minutes – after production. This is a significant time saver, as the typical adhesive lamination process requires at least one day before quality checks are possible. By checking the product earlier in the production process, adhesive laminators can significantly reduce scrap caused by improper adhesive choice or mixing, in-turn saving time and money.

Mica Corporation specializes in aqueous products for the flexible converting industry, and is committed to providing exceptional quality and service for their customers. As a leading manufacturer of waterborne primers, coatings, and adhesives since its inception in 1971, Mica Corporation is focused on two key areas: the development of environmentally friendly products and the customers who use those products.

For more information about this innovative, industry-changing solution from Mica Corporation, please call 203-922-8888.