SLEEVING TECHNOLOGIES REVIEWED AT INTERNATIONAL AWA CONFERENCE

An opportunity to see at first hand a leading-edge range of shrink sleeve labelling application technologies in an exclusive delegates’ facility tour of Verst Group Logistics is a highlight of this year’s International Sleeve Label Conference and Exhibition organized by AWA Conferences & Events. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Cincinatti, OH, USA on April 18 and 19 2012, the event promises a lively and informative update on a dynamic aspect of today’s packaging industry.

The conference agenda opens with a session on market issues, followed by the facility tour and lunch at Verst Group Logistics; and the afternoon conference session, devoted to the subject of materials, addresses a n umber of topics of current interest. These include recyclable high-shrink films for ROSO label applications; hybrid films; advice for the value chain on using PET-G and OPS films for shrink sleeve labels; next-generation roll sleeve label technology; and the challenges of shrink inks.

Day two begins with a session on printing technologies, briefing delegates on up-to-the-minute options, and moves on to look at applications for the different sleeving types. After lunch, environmental and sustainability topics are addressed in relation to sleeving technologies, and the agenda concludes with a supplier forum. The concurrent exhibition, where extended networking and lunch breaks are located, provides an additional opportunity for delegates to familiarize themselves with the products of leading companies in the sleeving industry.

Platinum conference sponsors Accraply and Verst Group Logistics are sponsoring a cocktail party on the first evening, and the event is also supported by gold sponsors Avery Dennison, Bonset, CCL Label, Eastman, Karlville Development Group, Klöckner Pentaplast, SACMI, Schober, and Sidel.

Full details of the 2012 International Sleeve Label Conference and Exhibition are available via the AWA website, www.awa-bv.com, where it is also possible to register online or book an exhibition space.

Global packaging industry expected to reach $820 billion by 2016

The global packaging industry will swell to almost $820 billion by 2016 predicts Pira International in a new market forecast. Driven mainly by increasing demand for packaging in emerging and transitional economies, a 3% per annum growth rate will focus on board products and rigid plastics, with $40 billion and $33 billion in cumulative predicted growth respectively to 2016.

 

The Future of Global Packaging Market and Technology Forecasts to 2016 provides market sizes and forecasts broken down by packaging product, end-use sector and geographic market, in a comprehensive overview of the status of the packaging industry in 50 countries globally. The study is based on an in-depth combination of primary and secondary data gathered during Pira's extensive research program for the global packaging industry.

This growth is being driven by a number of broad trends such as growing urbanisation, investment in housing and construction, a burgeoning healthcare sector and the rapid development still evident in the emerging economies, including China, India, Brazil and some eastern European countries. An increase in personal disposable income in the developing regions fuels consumption across a broad range of products, with consequential growth in demand for the packaging of these goods. For instance, increased demand for white goods, like washing machines and dishwashers, driven also by growing time pressure on consumer lifestyles, leads not just to a growing demand for packaging for the machines themselves, but also for associated products such as the household care products needed to operate these machines, thus stimulating demand across a range of packaging media.

 

Global packaging sales by type 2010 vs 2016

Source: Pira International

 

 

More specifically, robust growth in demand for rigid plastic packaging, especially in sectors like drinks, cosmetics, toiletries, and household and personal care products, is stimulating packaging consumption. Similarly, flexible plastic packaging materials are receiving a boost from sectors like perishable foods, healthcare, convenience foods and various industrial markets. Corrugated board consumption is being egged on by the processed food sector and a number of non-food applications including personal and household care, chemicals, electrical goods and others. At the same time, folding carton consumption is benefiting from the growth found in healthcare products, electrical goods, and frozen and chilled foods, among others.

 

According to the Pira, the US was the largest consumer for packaging in 2010 with a demand of $137 billion; China was close behind at $80 billion. China is anticipated to surpass the US by 2017, and India will enter the top ten packaging countries with its demand set to almost double in the next five years to $24 billion.

 

Technological developments in packaging are seeing an upswing in the consumption of bio-polymers in both rigid and flexible applications, improved value adding in products with functional and barrier coatings, as well as enhanced graphics, resource reduction by way of continuous lightweighting across all materials, and other developments.

 

Board products account for the biggest sector of the packaging market, totaling some $210 billion in 2010 and maintaining their leading position into 2016 when the sector will be worth $40 billion more at nearly $250 billion.

 

Rigid plastic is the second largest slice of the whole, at over 21% or $144 billion in 2010, expanding to over $200 billion by 2016, while the flexible packaging market will increase from $130 billion in 2010 to over $163 billion by 2016.

 

The consumption of metal packaging represented over 15% of the 2010 market but will be losing market share to competing products, especially rigid plastic, to enjoy only 14% of the 2016 market, while demand for glass containers is also anticipated to slow down over the medium term, increasing from some $45 billion in 2010 to around $53 billion by 2016.

 

Pira research shows that food and healthcare packaging will continue to be the biggest end uses in global packaging, with the food and drinks industry growing by almost $43 billion combined to 2016. The study shows that health care packs will grow 4.5% each year to reach a total of $34 billion. Cosmetics packaging should grow 4.2% per year to reach $24 billion.

 

Source:  http://www.pira-international.com

Edale achieves Esko HD Flexo certification

UK narrow web flexo press manufacturer joins growing list of vendors to gain quality recognition

Esko’s (www.esko.com) successful HD Flexo certification process continues to win industry approval with narrow web flexo press manufacturer Edale as the latest company to achieve the certification. The £8m turnover Hampshire operation specializes in the design and manufacture of a number of presses including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and FL-350 models, alongside its range of converting machinery the FDC-510, flatbed die cutting machine, the Lambda and the variable length sheet cutter the VLS-650. Edale achieved certification for its FL-350 and Gamma flexo presses as part of its continued commitment to improvement. It hopes to certify all its presses with the Alpha compact press and the Beta modular press next.

“We decided to gain HD Flexo certification because as a forward thinking business, Edale is constantly striving to improve the quality of flexo printing. Working with the Esko HD Flexo solution, we are pushing the boundaries for the highest quality printing results," states Jeremy Westcott, Edale’s Sales and Marketing Director. “The reduction in size of the smallest printable dot helps to achieve a finish far and above the traditional flexo methods. The images we can produce are much cleaner, sharper and more defined.”

Pushing the boundaries with HD Flexo certifcation

Edale recognizes the end user is always aiming to achieve increased quality and design in a competitive marketplace. With the HD Flexo certification, the company can assure this is delivered. Westcott adds: “Combining an Edale press with HD Flexo, we are really pushing the boundaries of flexo printing. The quicker make-ready time and greater run-lengths from the plates works in parallel with Edale's ethos of manufacturing presses that focus on minimum downtime and wastage, with a quicker time to market due to the simplified prepress. The richness of the image and the contrasting tones it can achieve, helps to keep flexo in the running with end results rivalling those of other technologies. When trialling machines to potential customers, the results we can show them are undoubtedly more impressive using this method.”

The rigorous certification process requires vendors and partners to consistently produce ten different print samples from five different jobs. Annual renew ensures print quality is maintained in line with market developments. Vendors also need to certify each product individually, but once the initial certification has been obtained, subsequent applications are faster and easier.

Mimaki Plans Big Splash at FESPA Digital 2012

Mimaki, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutting machines for the sign/graphics, textile/apparel and industrial markets, today announced an exciting line-up for FESPA Digital 2012, the largest European event for the digital wide-format print industry. Scheduled for February 21-24, 2012, the show will be held in Barcelona. Mimaki can be located in Stand G60.

 

“We are very excited about the innovations we will be sharing at FESPA Digital 2012,” said Mike Horsten, Marketing Manager at Mimaki. “Our stand will include both new products and new features, reinforce our dedication to environmental sustainability, and showcase our philanthropic efforts.” Horsten explained that Mimaki Nature Education Program, an initiative that supports the nature and wildlife education of youth and children in Spain, will be highlighted with special and fun activities during the show. In addition, Mimaki will host a press conference on the first day of FESPA at 10:30 AM in the press conference room, South Access, where it will introduce and launch a total new range of innovative products.

Sustainability a key focus

“Visitors to our stand at FESPA Digital 2012 will clearly see our commitment to sustainability,” added Horsten. “We are proud of the small environmental footprint of our products, an important factor in the sign and display business today. Mimaki will be launching many new innovations at FESPA and we will clearly demonstrate our leadership in the market.”

New Product Highlights

FESPA Digital 2012 will mark the European debut of Mimaki’s new TS34-1800A Sublimation Transfer Inkjet Printer, announced in November of 2011.  This new printer was designed specifically for the sublimation transfer market with high speed and quality in mind.  Sublimation transfer printing is widely utilised for sportswear applications due to the elasticity and quick-drying capability of polyester material and in the growing market for soft signage applications, such as flags, retail in-store banners, and tapestries. The TS34-1800A is capable of printing up to 32m²/h at 540 x 720 dpi.

In addition, Mimaki will show its range of UV flatbed products, including the JFX-1631plus and the recently launched UJF-3042FX.

 

• The JFX-1631plus features high precision printing up to 1200 dpi allowing even 3-point characters to be legibly printed, at speeds of up to 23.6 m2/h with a post-curing unit. It also offers an optional roll unit for roll-to-roll printing. The JFX-1631plus has print area of 160 x 310 cm. The series is also available as the JFX-1615plus with 160 x 150 cm print area.
• The UJF-3042FX, a desktop UV flatbed, prints directly on materials up to 5 cm thick with outstanding print quality of up to 1440 x 1200 dpi with a maximum print area of 300 x 420 mm and energy efficient LED curing.

With both printers, users can now choose among three UV inks for the one that best suits their application. LH-100 hard UV ink excels in scratch and chemical resistance as well as colour reproduction. LF-200 flexible UV ink enables stretching of ink up to 200%. LF-140 offers strong gradation in six colour printing (CMYK + LcLm) and is more flexible than LH-100 hard ink. Mimaki’s new PR-100 inkjet primer is also available for these printers to expand the range of substrates that can be utilised. PR-100 inkjet primer improves adhesion and enables printing on materials that normally would not be suitable for inkjet printing. Flexible ink printing is new to the UJF-3042FX. White and high gloss clear inks are also available.

More detail about Mimaki products, including those featured at the show, can be found at www.mimakieurope.com.

About Mimaki

Mimaki is a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutting machines for the sign/graphics, industrial and textile/apparel markets. Mimaki develops the complete product range for each group; hardware, software and the associated consumable items, such as inks and cutting blades. Mimaki excels in offering innovative, high quality and high reliability products, based upon its aqueous, solvent and UV-curable inkjet technology. In order to meet a wide range of applications in the market, Mimaki pursues the development of advanced on-demand digital printing solutions. Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd., (President: Mikio Noguchi) Nagano (Japan), is publicly listed on the JASDAQ Securities Exchange, Inc.

Baumgarten Purchases Second ROTOCONTROL RSC Slitter/Rewinder Inspection Machine

Main features of second RSC Slitter/Rewinder machine include Dual Rewind, Tension Control and Vacuum Splice Table.

ROTOCONTROL today announced the receipt of a purchase order from Baumgarten, one of the leading Label Printers in Latin America, for their second RSC Slitter/Rewinder Inspection Machine. The order was placed after an on-site visit from Michael Aengenvoort, Business Development Manager for ROTOCONTROL and Marcelo Zandomenico, of MZ Maquinas, the ROTOCONTROL Agent for Brazil.

 

 

Main features leading to the second RSC Slitter/Rewinder 440mm web width inspection machine was Dual Rewind with capacity up to 700mm and Tension Control from 100% servo Bosch Rexroth Drives, enabling the company to produce Shrink Sleeves material at high-speed and efficiently. Also ordered was the Vacuum Splice Table option which delivers unprecedented Operator efficiency by allowing automatic placement of mill-splice/flags, matrix/missing labels and vision detected defects right on the vertical inspection plate/waste rewind for reworking. The machine is also equipped for a Nikka Research Vision System.

"We are extremely pleased with the production results from our first ROTOCONTROL RSC Slitter/Rewinder" commented Ronaldo Baumgarten Jr., Chairman of Baumgarten. "ROTOCONTROL delivered a high quality technology finishing machine and follow on support that was promised. We look forward to further production benefits from our second ROTOCONTROL finishing machine investment."

 

Baumgarten is one of the largest and most modern printing plants in Latin America specializing in world-wide industrial production of labels including cut and stack, self-adhesive, in-mold, and shrink sleeve; in addition to tags, printed fabric labels and thermoformed trays for the food industry. Baumgarten is one of the fewest printers in the world that offers almost all printing systems including Rotogravure, offset, screen-printing, letter-press, flexography, hot stamping, cold foil, embossing and digital printing.

Design to print to cut' with Esko at FESPA Digital 2012

Kongsberg tables and i-cut Suite demonstrate unmatched end-to-end sign and display graphics workflow efficiencies

 

At FESPA Digital, Esko (www.esko.com) will showcase its ‘design to print to cut’ solutions that streamline the entire workflow, including the printing and finishing of sign and display applications. Featured at the show are the Kongsberg i-XP24 and Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto. Combined with i-cut Suite including the newly launched i-cut Automate, these end-to-end solutions deliver the most versatile equipment for the digital finishing of signs and displays. Esko will be located in Hall 3 stand H5 at the show, being held in Barcelona from 21 to 24 February.

Enjoy automatic savings with i-cut Suite Automate

i-cut Automate automates the entire production process to ultimately reduce costs. With i-cut Automate, users can quickly build dynamic workflows that automate repetitive prepress tasks, reducing operator intervention and errors. As well as time and money, it also saves materials in the production process.

 

i-cut Automate is the latest addition to Esko’s successful i-cut Suite - an integrated solution designed to streamline the entire sign and display manufacturing workflow, from design to print to cut. i-cut Suite includes workflow automation and editing tools that specifically support die-less digital finishing. It comprises of three core modules: i-cut Preflight to check incoming PDF data; i-cut Layout to handle the layout and nesting of sheet layouts and i-cut Vision Pro to ensure die-less cutting contours perfectly match the printed images.

“Printers increasingly understand the need for an integrated and automated workflow. To handle the larger number of shorter runs and wider job mix now typical of the market, they require solutions that remove time-consuming labor from the work process and cost-efficiently enhance throughput capacity,” says Armand Gougay, Esko Vice President EMEA. He points out that prepress workflow solutions are an especially important element of a successful future for sign and display companies: “With i-cut Suite, potential production issues are caught and resolved at the beginning of the workflow, resulting in a smooth manufacturing process. The ability to nest and automate the entire workflow are just some of the benefits that create efficiency gains for companies of all sizes, even small print shops."

Dedicated solutions delivering production improvements

Taking center stage at Esko’s FESPA Digital stand is the Kongsberg i-XP24 with sheet feeder, the market’s leading digital finishing solution specifically designed to deliver unsurpassed productivity and perfect registration. The Kongsberg i-XP24 is equipped with i-cut camera-based registration. It also has multiple quick-change cutting tools that allow manufacturers to easily handle a variety of materials.

Esko will also highlight its Kongsberg i-XE10 Auto, fully automated, die-less digital finishing solution, designed as the perfect finishing complement to any digital print operation. Specifically created with the growing demand for finishing of small-format, short-run digitally printed material in mind, it can work alongside any small-format or medium-sized digital press to deliver the industry’s most efficient sign and display graphics production solution.

Robust solutions for a versatile operation

Esko‘s versatile digital finishing solutions are unique in the industry. They enable customers to implement the most robust, productive and responsive workflow possible. "As a key growth market in the industry, the signs and displays and also the digital packaging segment offers exciting opportunities for manufacturers," concludes Gougay. "Companies investing in solutions for the entire workflow - including design, printing and cutting - are those that will benefit most. Our stand at FESPA Digital will clearly demonstrate Esko’s commitment to delivering low cost, simple entry-level functionality for PDF preflight and layout with exceptional productivity efficiencies, from the designer’s workstation all the way through to the finishing table. By adding even more automation to the process with i-cut Automate, customers are positioning themselves as formidable competitors within the market space.”

FESPA Partnership

Just as last year, FESPA has again chosen Esko as its exclusive Global Software & Finishing Partner. In addition, Esko has been selected as software and digital finishing partner for the Print Shop Live, a fully functional printing operation showcasing a full end-to-end workflow from design software, to RIP solutions, multiple output devices using different print technologies and finishing - all on the widest possible range of media. Esko will demonstrate the capabilities of its Kongsberg i-XE10 digital finishing solution and i-cut Suite software. The other partners are ONYX, GMG Color, Epson, Mutoh and Ilford Biomedia. Guided tours by inkjet expert Sophie Matthews-Paul will highlight the advantages of the technologies on show and how they integrate effectively.

About Esko (www.esko.com)

Esko is a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial printing and professional publishing. Esko products and services help customers raise productivity, reduce time-to-market, lower costs and expand business and improve profitability.

Portfolio

Esko is the worldwide market leader with software for artwork creation, structural design, pre-production, workflow automation, quality assurance and online collaboration. Esko solutions support and manage the packaging and print processes at brand owners, retailers, designers and packaging manufacturers.

CDI flexo computer-to-plate imagers and Kongsberg digital finishing systems complete the portfolio for the packaging, label, signage and display industries.

Enfocus, with its suite of PDF tools for graphic designers and print production professionals, is part of Esko.

Facts & numbers

Esko employs around 1200 people worldwide. Its direct sales and service organization covers Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific region, completed by a network of distribution partners in more than 50 countries.

Esko is headquartered in Gent, Belgium, and has R&D and manufacturing facilities in five European countries, the United States, China and India.

For more information, visit www.esko.com

AVERY DENNISON INTRODUCES FIVE PRESSURE-SENSITIVE LABEL PRODUCTS AT UNIFIED WINE AND GRAPE SYMPOSIUM

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials will introduce five new Fasson® label products at the 2012 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, taking place January 25-26, 2012, at the Sacramento Convention Center.

“We continuously invest in the wine segment to provide it with an innovative portfolio of label products, which offers a broad array of options for visually defining wines. Following discussions with our customers and end-users, we decided to further expand our 2012 portfolio of label products and give brand owners unique solutions to enable differentiation in their wine packaging,” said Yaron Zimmerman, product manager, specialty and application products. “Our new facestocks feature a variety of textures and shades of white to serve as backdrops for each story portrayed on the wine label and, ultimately, to enhance the wine’s brand in the consumers’ eyes.”

 

Each of the five new facestocks is paired with the Fasson® S100R washable adhesive and a recyclable liner made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). All facestocks are available with alternative adhesives or liners upon request. The new products and their specifications are:

• Fasson® 70# Royal White: violet white color, vellum texture, uncoated finish
• Fasson® Quadrati White: bright white color, esse texture, uncoated finish
• Fasson® White Pearl: pearlescent color, smooth texture, coated gloss finish
• Fasson® Trellis White: bright white color, columns texture, uncoated finish
• Fasson® Luna: bright white color, stipple texture, uncoated finish

Swatch books and more information about the full line of Fasson® wine label products from Avery Dennison are available at 1-800-944-8511or http://www.enhanceyourbrand.com.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) helps make brands more inspiring and the world more intelligent. For more than 75 years the company has been a global leader in pressure-sensitive technology and materials, retail branding and information solutions, and organization and identification products for offices and consumers. A FORTUNE 500 company with sales of $6.5 billion in 2010, Avery Dennison is based in Pasadena, California and has employees in over 60 countries. For more information, visit www.averydennison.com.

Media Mundo @ drupa 2012

With the motto “one world – one drupa”, the leading international trade fair for the print and media industry takes place in Düsseldorf between 03 and 16 May 2012, exhibiting all the highlights of the international technology leaders. The important future-relevant subject of sustainability cannot be missing. “The sustainable production of media is not just a sign of responsible behaviour. It is both a future model and an innovation motor in equal measure. For this reason, it is important to us that the subject field of sustainability is an integral part of drupa 2012,” explains Manuel Mataré, Director of drupa 2012.
Under the title of “Media Mundo @ drupa”, a special exhibit on sustainability is planned, with whose implementation the industry initiative Media Mundo has been entrusted as a cooperation partner. On about 200 m² of exhibition space, visitor information, live discussions and exciting presentations from experts and industry players will be offered over the two weeks of the trade fair. All of this will be framed by an alternating themed exhibit, at which countless partners of the Media Mundo initiative, leading companies and organisations will inform and inspire. Special attention will be given to dialogue and participation. For example, the lectures will be streamed live on the Internet; questions can be posed in real-time to the speakers using Chat and Twitter functions - completely encompassing the motto of “one world – one drupa”.
The range of themes includes all of the relevant aspects of sustainability of the printing and paper industries:

• Sustainable forestry and paper
• Energy, energy efficiency and climatic change
• Recycling and material efficiency
• Process optimisation and sustainable corporate management
• Sustainable product design
• Print as a social medium

The most important current trends and highlights will also be documented by the 4th Media Mundo congress on sustainable media production, which, as the leading congress on the issue of sustainability, is being held in Düsseldorf before drupa on 20 and 21 March 2012.
The special show “Sustainability”, which is taking place as a cooperative event of the Media Mundo initiative and Messe Düsseldorf as part of drupa 2012, focuses on the sustainable development of the entire industry. “The fundamental concept, which binds a themed exhibit of suppliers of outstanding products and services with a pioneering series of events, makes it possible to present one of the most important and future-focussed issues of the media industry authentically and diversely,” comments Rüdiger Maaß, Managing Director of f:mp. and co-initiator of the industry initiative, Media Mundo.
About Media Mundo:
Media Mundo is an innovative trend and future forum on the theme of climate protection and sustainability as part of media production, which was initiated by Fachverband Medienproduktioner e.V. (f:mp.). On the Media Mundo advisory board, important environmental associations as well as representatives from economy and politics are committed to the concerns of actual sustainable production of printed media. Above all, the Media Mundo congress has established itself as an important industry event for sustainable media production over the last three years.

X-Rite Names Vic Stalam Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing

X-Rite, Incorporated (NASDAQ:XRIT) today announced the appointment of Vic Stalam as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing overseeing all sales, marketing and services activities for the Americas and EMEA regions, and serve on X-Rite’s senior leadership team as a corporate officer. Stalam will be based in Grand Rapids, Mich. and report directly to Thomas J. Vacchiano, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of X-Rite.

“Vic has an exceptional track record of success in developing and growing businesses,” said Vacchiano. “His broad set of experiences will bring great value to X-Rite as we pursue our strategic growth opportunities.”

Most recently, Stalam served as the Vice President, Commercial Sales in the U.S. and Canada for the Eastman Kodak Company.  His team was responsible for selling the complete portfolio of Kodak products and solutions delivering approximately $1 billion in revenue.  Stalam advanced rapidly through a succession of sales, marketing and senior management positions at the Eastman Kodak Company, including head of the Global Key Accounts & Channel Management and Vice President - Packaging Business, and General Manager and Vice President - Digital Products and Systems.  During his career at Kodak, Stalam led the teams that built several new businesses, like its Approval, DigiMaster, and Flexo Packaging solutions.

Stalam holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Osmania University, India, a Master’s of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, and a Master’s of Business Administration in Marketing from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Image captions:

Vic Stalam - Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing overseeing all sales, marketing and services activities for the Americas and EMEA regions, and serve on X-Rite’s senior leadership team as a corporate officer.

Stalam is based in Grand Rapids, Mich. and report directly to Thomas J. Vacchiano, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of X-Rite.

About X-Rite

(NASDAQ: XRIT) X-Rite is the global leader in color science and technology. The company, which now includes design industry color leader Pantone LLC, develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through measurement systems, software, color standards and services. X-Rite’s expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. For further information, please visit www.xrite.com.

Atlantic Zeiser puts spotlight on industrial digital printing

Atlantic Zeiser puts spotlight on industrial digital printing for optimum late-stage customisation at FESPA Digital

Array of samples demonstrate wealth of possibilities delivered by end-to-end solutions for efficient print job changes from the DIGILINE™ Single Product series.

FESPA Digital is being staged in Barcelona from 21 to 24 February 2012.

Emmingen, 23 January 2012– The Atlantic Zeiser Group, a leading developer and supplier of integration components and end-to-end system solutions for industrial digital printing to code and serialise packaging, mailshots and 3D products, will highlight the creativity and flexibility of its integrated system solutions at FESPA Digital in Booth B51.

Numerous four-colour samples will show visitors the variety of capabilities made possible by itsoptimized end-to-end DIGILINE™ Single Product and DIGILINE™ Web systems for digital late-stage customization within existing production processes.

The DIGILINE™ Single Product is based on a modular concept with flexible configuration possibilities for different feeding and transport options, printing and coding technologies for standard and security inks, camera verification as well as delivery options. It offers product widths of between 30 and 1050mm.

The DIGILINE™ Web consists of a modular continuous feed unit, digital inkjet printers, curing technology and controller unit. It has an automatic splice station that detects, marks and splices printing errors within the production process and continues the print job seamlessly.

All DIGILINE systems are available with monochrome OMEGA™, DELTA™ and 4C GAMMA™ printers as integration modules. The integrated MiniController seamlessly manages the production and information flow of the end-to-end system solution, without limiting the modules to be incorporated

These solutions simplify the late-stage customization process for packages with high-quality print requirements and help create innovative applications through the integration of different modules in a ‘one-stop’ shop. They were designed to meet the increased demand for late-stage package customization, including the need to reduce costs by operating with smaller production quantities to minimize storage capacities; and just-in-time supply with short reaction times, especially with packages marked with variable data, such as barcodes and product ingredient information in different languages.

The flexible, scalable systems that are application oriented and customer focused were developed as part of Atlantic Zeiser’s close co-operation with leading brand owners, pharmaceutical and packaging producers.

Carl-Michael Heüveldop, Head of Business Development at Atlantic Zeiser, states: “The emphasis for us at FESPA Digital is in helping customers identify how late stage customization can help their end users improve product identification more effectively and cost consciously. As such our carefully selected samples will enable them to understand the broader implications and how they can help their business identify new market potential. Our team of experts will also be on hand to guide customers through the opportunities now afforded by our creative portfolio of solutions.”

A complete overview of all product and system solutions from Atlantic Zeiser can be found atwww.atlanticzeiser.com

 

About Atlantic Zeiser

Atlantic Zeiser supports industrial customers to increase cost efficiency, brand value and the quality of their products in the production and the logistics chain. The company guarantees this through digital solutions for printing and coding frequently changing content. Atlantic Zeiser has specialised in digital printing on demanding substrates with low printing ink adhesion, whereby the company guarantees high quality and a high production speed. In the segments of digital printing and coding solutions for industrial applications, card systems as well as bank note and security printing systems, the company develops, manufactures and sells integration components and comprehensive systems solutions for industrial customers throughout the entire world. Atlantic Zeiser supports its customers at 11 own sites as well as through sales and support offices in approximately 50 countries.

BST International and X-Rite announce strategic co-development partnership

BST International GmbH, leading manufacturer of quality assurance systems for the web processing industry and X-Rite, the world
leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies are jointly developing a true real-time inline spectral
color measurement system.

The cooperation of the two global players will yield value creation beyond the current offering: for the first time both inline spectral measurement system and stationary handhelds will deliver comparable results.
This will set a new industrial standard for color quality control and workflow simplification, as the system provides an answer to the ever growing need to provide
both reliable inline and offline data on specified colors over the entire print production.

The partnership enabled to assemble a world class team of engineers from both companies to solve a tough challenge: to develop a fully automated and real time
accurate spectral inline system that can deliver the precision and exact results required in the flexo, gravure and narrow web market.
“Ensuring color control is the decisive key issue for the flexo, gravure and narrow web printing industry community”, says Percy Dengler, BST International’s
Managing Director. “We at BST International are thrilled to be working with X-Rite to bring a jointly devised concept to X-Rite’s industry-leading color measurement technology.”
“Combined with our extensive experience in web quality assuring technology this will result in a system creating a new era in press color control in this field.” states Michael Wiebe, BST’s CTO.”

“We are very excited to partner with BST and through the association of our know how, IP and talents, to build a solution that sets new milestones in color driven value creation in flexo and gravure workflows.” comments Dr. Francis Lamy, X-Rite’s CTO. “Through our partnership with BST International, we are expanding and leveraging our reach and leading position in inline color control technology into the flexo, gravure and narrow web printing market.
The increasing demand in the packaging field makes it not only a very attractive large growth segment in the printing business, but it also represents a segment
that values greatly accurate color: brand color reliability is an essential element of the customers’ perception that enables brand loyalty.
Through these types of systems, associated to the PANTONE standards, and all the tools that XRITE develops around the PANTONE standard to increase its relevance and ease of use in specifications and design application, we believe this will facilitate and enable value creation for brand owners and all actors in this
ecosystem at large”

About BST International
BST International GmbH is the leading manufacturer of quality assuring systems
for the web processing industry. The company is specialised on web guiding, video
web inspection, print management, print defect detection, register control, colour
measurement and automation systems. BST’s products set the standard in the
most diverse industrial sectors, such as printing, foil, rubber and tire industries.
BST’s portfolio ranges from single components and standard applications to print
management systems and complex process control systems. More than 170
employees work at the headquarters in Bielefeld, Germany, and the company
employs over 350 employees worldwide.
BST International GmbH is member of the elexis group. . For further information,
please visit www.bst-international.com

About X-Rite
(NASDAQ: XRIT) X-Rite is the global leader in color science and technology.
The company, which now includes design industry color leader Pantone, Inc.,
develops, manufactures, markets and supports innovative color solutions through
measurement systems, software, color standards and services.
X-Rite’s expertise in inspiring, selecting, measuring, formulating, communicating
and matching color helps users get color right the first time and every time, which
translates to better quality and reduced costs. X-Rite serves a range of industries,
including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive,
paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical. For further information, please visit
www.xrite.com

 

Source: http://usa.bst-international.com

FINAT Biennial Technical Seminar 2012

FINAT, the international association for the self-adhesive label industry announces the detailed programme of its biennial technical seminar with central theme: "Self-adhesive labels and their future vs. alternative technologies - Evolution or Extinction". This year's edition, which is now open for registration, will again take place at the Fira Palace Hotel, Barcelona (Spain) from 7 - 9 March 2012.

 

Sean Duffy, Chairman of the Technical Commitee

 

The Technical Seminar is always a well attended and much appreciated learning and networking opportunity. It is targeted at all levels of the technical community from R&D or production to technical and operational directors in the self-adhesive label industry. This year's programme brings a well balanced mix of international speakers and topics related to the developments and trends in the technology, in changing market use, and environmental issues. The seminar provides for simultaneous translation in Spanish, German, French and Italian.

"We are pleased and take pride in being able to celebrate the 20th edition of FINAT's Technical Seminar this year," says Kurt Walker, FINAT President. "It demonstrates our members' continued need for updates on our industry that can help them in making their business stronger and more professional.

 

On March 9th, during the Technical Seminar, FINAT's Young Managers Club (YMC) meets for an informative session on "How to effectively communicate innovations to customers". "The Technical Seminar offers us a perfect ‘back-to-back' opportunity to bring together the incoming generation of business leaders. The Seminar itself covers the technology of the future for our sector, our session will cover another angle of business innovation," says Francesc Egea, of IPE Innovaciones Para Etiquetajes, Spain and chairman of YMC.

 

A fully packed Technical Seminar programme 2012

After the welcoming activities on Wednesday, the seminar starts on

 

Thursday, 8 March

• 09.00 – 09.10 Opening of the seminar and short FINAT introduction by Kurt Walker, FINAT President (CH)
• 09.10 – 09.15 Introduction of the seminar by Sean Duffy, Chairman FINAT Seminar Committee (F)
• 09.15 – 10.00 "The history of self-adhesive labels" Sjaak Elmendorp, Avery Dennison (NL)
• 10.00 – 10.45 "Threats & Opportunities for the self-adhesive label sector" Corey Reardon, AWA (NL)
• 11.15 – 11.45 FINAT update on regulatory affairs by Mark Macaré, FINAT (NL)
• 11.45 – 12.15 "Digital and flexo a perfect match" Jeroen Van Bauwel, Xeikon (BE)
• 12.15 – 12.45 “Polyester Films: A 'tool box' to New Product Development" Mark Dinsdale, Polyplex (UK)
• 14.30 – 15.00 "Future developments in Prepress & Platemaking" Mark Gration, York Reprographics (UK)
• 15.00 – 15.30 "Press room economics - lean developments to optimise the output from narrow web presses" Jacob Sørensen, Nilpeter (DK)
• 16.00 – 16.30 "Converting of thin liner substrates, challenges and solutions" Steve Horne, Kocher + Beck (DE)
• 16.30 – 17.00 "Brilliance on Demand"’ Enhancement of label materials with Hot & Cold Foil Stamping Trevor Hichcliffe, 3M Plc. (UK)
• 17.00 – 17.30 "UV LED curing, the future for label printing" David Johnson, Integration Technology Ltd (UK)

Friday, 9 March 2012

• 08.45 – 09.30 "Towards a common sustainability language for packaging" Rüdiger Hagedorn, Consumer Goods Forum (ES)
• 09.30 – 10.10 "Linerless Vs Traditional labelling" Ian Kendal, Reflex Labels (UK)
• 10.00– 10.30 "Biodegradable films" Andy Sweetman, Innovia Films Ltd. (UK)
• 10.30 – 11.00 "Sustainability considerations from the viewpoint of an adhesive manufacturer" Wolfgang Aufmuth, Collano Adhesives AG (CH)
• 11.30 – 12.00 "Unintended consequences – Ink Technology & Environmental footprint" Jonathan Sexton, Sun chemical (F)
• 12.00 – 12.30 "FINAT Release Liner recycling programme" Mark Macaré, FINAT (NL)
• 12.30 – 13.15 Closing keynote

For full details on the Technical Seminar 2012 go to www.finat.com

drupa 2012 again with Highlights Tours: Custom-made tours for ten current themes

For those visitors who would like to familiarize themselves more with the latest themes and products of drupa 2012, the Highlights Tours are just the right thing. The guided tours cover ten current industry themes and lead the visitors to the relevant exhibitors during the tour. „drupa offers the unique opportunity to get to know the international leaders in technology, their products and services firsthand. However, based on this large range on offer, it is sometimes difficult for the visitors to find an overview of their particular areas of interest. This is where the Highlights Tours offer a unique benefit: Information in a fast and compact form“, says Manuel Mataré, Director of drupa 2012, explaining the special added value of the Highlights Tours. As was the case last year, the tours are organised by the Deutscher Drucker Verlagsgesellschaft.

In small groups (maximum of ten visitors), the tour participants are brought to six to eight selected exhibitors. Competent advisors explain the respective technology and are available to answer questions. „By carefully choosing which trade fair stands should be visited, the tour participants obtain a lot of useful information in a very short time and are thus able to optimise their visit to drupa”, states DD Chief editor Bernhard Niemela, summing up the concept of the Highlights Tours.
The drupa 2012 Highlights Tours are offered for the following ten themes:

1. Creation and production – design, image editing and production control
2. Workflow systems – web and print: Perfect cross medial production
3. Offset print – economic production through automation
4. Value added printing – more value on all aspects of printing
5. Green printing – ecologically efficient production
6. Growth market digital printing – printing and post-printing
7. Large format printing & advertising technology – where printing sets the stage
8. Printing post-production & logistics – The variety of possibilities after printing
9. Packaging and label production – new process solutions and applications
10. Functional print products – the new dimension of printing

The Technology Guides, corresponding to each of the themes, are an ideal completion of the Highlights Tours. As time only allows a selection of exhibitors to be visited within the framework of the Highlights Tours, the bilingual publications (German and English) present the complete overview of the trends, the pioneering technologies and the relevant exhibitors.

The participation fees for the Highlights Tours amount to 45 Euros (40 Euros for DD-subscribers and members of partner associations) when booked before the start of the trade fair.

 

Source:  www.drupa.com

Daco Sign Agreement with Rotary Technology Partnership

Daco Solutions, a British designer and manufacturer of rotary die cutting equipment, inspection / slitter rewinders, turret rewinders and digital finishing equipment, sign an agreement with Rotary Technology Partnership to promote their range of equipment throughout Thailand.

Tony Law, Sales Manager of Rotary Technology Partnership says “Daco Solutions is an excellent addition to our existing printing related products thanks to the strength of the company’s products.”

 

Mark Laurence, Daco Solutions International Sales Manager comments “we are excited to have found a well-respected company in Rotary Technology Partnership to market our equipment in Thailand and to support our existing client base.  Daco during 2012 will be expanding its agent / distributor network and we are always looking for companies or individuals to work with.”

 

Source:  http://www.daco-solutions.com

Mark Andy Performance Series P5 Installed in Perth, Australia

Aldus Engineering has recently installed its 5th Mark Andy P series press in Australia, and the 1st of the newly released P5 version. The press was commissioned just prior to Christmas in LabelForce’s new larger plant in the Perth suburb of Bassendean.

The Mark Andy P series range of presses have excelled on the world market place since their release and in just over 2 years well over 100 presses have been sold, including 5 in Australia.

This latest installation, a 17”/430mm wide 8 colour P5 compliments the Mark Andy 2200 servo flexo press purchased by Labelforce at Pacprint, Melbourne in 2009.

The P5 press includes many of the features of the P7 version, including servo drives, unique quick change print head and short web path, and is equipped with full GEW ebrick UV drying, chilled impression rolls, dual sided Enercon corona, delam/relam, Trucolor web video, Harper ceramic anilox rolls and Rotometrics tooling.

The P5 was chosen over other competitive presses for its quick change features and low make ready costs and minimal material waste, and the client reports that even after such a short period, the press has exceeded their expectations and far surpassed the performance of the tried and proven Mark Andy 2200.

 

Source: http://markandy.com