Gent (Belgium), June 23, 2006 – FEFCO, the Brussels-based European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers, announces it will introduce a new, updated version of the commonly called FEFCO standard (officially the FEFCO – ESBO Standard) in September 2006. The FEFCO Library is used as the standard guide and reference work by all converters active in the corrugated and solid board packaging industries. FEFCO standards are recognized in Europe—and throughout the world—by board manufacturers. Esko and Arjuna have invested their time and expertise to support FEFCO in this undertaking. The standards guide dates back to the late 60’s and was last updated in 2001. To date, it has been available only in printed form. Moving forward, FEFCO resolved to embrace the digital age and search for partners who could assist the federation in updating the FEFCO-ESBO standards to make them applicable to today’s technology standards. FEFCO teamed up with Esko, the world leader in packaging pre-production solutions who provided the necessary software tools, development and training, and Arjuna, a multimedia and web development company, to design the user interface. “The standard reference guide for the corrugated packaging industry became the worldwide reference for our industry. This new version of the FEFCO standards, in electronic format and with an innovative visualization tool utilizing 3D drawings with a folding sequence, will provide a tremendous added value to the corrugated packaging industry. Furthermore, we also see it as a communications tool that will help to demonstrate the adaptability, creativity, and versatility of corrugated and solid board” comments Mr. Ludwig Anckaert, Technical Director at FEFCO. Mr. Anckaert, following an industry request, initiated the project with the help of the FEFCO standards committee, developer and “guardian” of the standard. “Esko, one of our sympathizer members, supplied us with ArtiosCAD, the ideal tool and industry standard software to create animated visuals to build our standards for use in a more technologically advanced format.” Thanks to Esko’s ArtiosCAD software package, it is possible to modify visuals, previously presented as static printouts, into creative and attractive 2D & 3D drawings—easier for converters to recognize and apply in the manufacturing processes. Simultaneously, Esko is updating ArtiosCAD so that this reference CAD design application is the first one on the market completely compatible with all standards established by FEFCO. Arjuna, a web development company contracted by FEFCO, has been responsible for converting the standards created with ArtiosCAD into a user-friendly tool and interface. The new library will become available as a CDROM, subject to use dictated by FEFCO copyrights. Regular updates will be available on the FEFCO website. The developers have made sure that the CDROM will run on any standard PC. “We salute FEFCO’s forward thinking to embrace Esko’s know-how and new technologies for this update of their standards. As a leading developer of software and hardware tools for corrugated packaging, we considered it an obligation to support the FEFCO initiative,” notes Jan De Roeck, Esko’s Marketing Director for packaging software. “As well, it allows us to ensure that ArtiosCAD, the most popular structural design tool used by corrugated converters, is up-to-date with all FEFCO standards.” An initial preview of the new FEFCO Standard Code book will be presented at the FEFCO Congress to be held in Dublin on June 23rd. Final availability of the tool is currently planned for September 2006.