Throughout the year, Ink World has covered a multitude of stories online The top stories in Ink World breaking news include a wide array of topics, including amending facilities, mergers and acquisitions, webinars, the opening of facilities and more. These breaking news stories drew the highest readership totals:

1. Amendment to Flint Group Debt Facility – March 27, 2013

Flint Group announced the early completion of a process to amend the current debt facilities, to both extend the maturities out to 2016/18 and to enhance the covenant headroom available to the Group in order to provide additional financial flexibility.

2. ALTANA Acquires Specialty Coatings Business from Henkel

ALTANA  acquired Henkel’s specialty coatings business, sold under the brand names MiraFoil and Miracure. The business generated sales of around $15 million in 2012,  mostly to the North American packaging industry.

3. Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Heubach Colour to Set up JV in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India

Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd. announced a joint venture with Heubach Colour Pvt. Ltd. in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, India. The JV will facilitate the distribution of organic pigments, as well as supplying Toyo Ink Group’s India-based activities.

4. Toyo Ink Announces Merger of Toyo Ink America, Toyo Ink Mfg. America

Toyo Ink SC Holdings Co., Ltd. announced that Toyo Ink America, LLC, the Group’s consolidated subsidiary, absorbed Toyo Ink Mfg. America, LLC, effective Jan. 1, 2013. The merging of the two companies reinforced the management base and bolstered Toyo Ink Group’s competitiveness in North America.

5. NAPIM Offering Food Packaging-Printing Inks Webinar on March 19

The National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers (NAPIM) presented a Food Packaging/Printing Inks Webinar on March 19,  2013, providing an overview of the regulation of printing inks in the U.S. and the European Union.

6. Great Western Ink Acquires Reno Ink

Great Western Ink (GWI) announced the acquisition of Reno Ink, Reno, NV. The acquisition gives GWI a stronger sales and technical presence in the Reno area. Ken Oliver of Reno Ink will guide the Reno team during the transition.

7. INX International Breaks Ground at New Facility in Lebanon, OH

INX International Ink Co. officials, led by president and CEO Rick Clendenning, broke ground Dec. 5, 2013 on a new 62,000 square-foot facility in Lebanon, OH. When completed in late 2014, the building will serve as a manufacturing center primarily for solvent ink packaging products and will also produce three-piece metal decorating, UV/EB and some water-based flexographic ink products.

8. Ink, Narrow Web Industries Mourn Louis Werneke

Louis O. Werneke, “Inky Lou,” died peacefully on March 31 2013. A successful businessman and the founder of Werneke Ink Company, Mr. Werneke played a pivotal role in shaping the narrow web tag and label market. In 1973, he began the design of the very first water-based ink for flexo printing, and then dedicated the time and energy to develop a water-based system for label printing. Mr. Werneke built a successful global business, which remains a key facet of Flint Group today.

9. BASF Steps Up Measures Against Patent Infringements in the Photoinitiator Business 

BASF is taking firm steps to stop the distribution of counterfeit versions of its Irgacure 819 photoinitiator product. After repeatedly issuing notifications, BASF has contacted distributors identified as offering counterfeit Irgacure 819 products for sale and legally insisted that they cease marketing and selling these products. According to BASF, these counterfeit versions are all produced in China, manufactured using BASF’s patented synthesis process, and sold globally via distributors.

10. Siegwerk Invests in Future of Siegwerk Canada

Siegwerk Canada announced the opening of its new facility in the Greater Toronto Area, adding local blending capabilities and enhanced warehouse space. The sales and distribution center currently located in Laval, Quebec will remain to serve Quebec-based customers.