Labelling Blog

In an ongoing effort to drive global change in packaging, leaders from many of the world’s largest consumer goods companies and major retailers have approved a suggested set of common definitions and principles for packaging in the framework of sustainability. This common language will support a global discourse on packaging in the context of environmental, economic and social impacts. An assembly of The Consumer Goods Forum’s (The Forum) Global Packaging Project (GPP) met in Toronto Canada on January 19th – 20th to establish a common industry language for packaging and sustainability and to outline final terms for the launch of pilot projects. “Sustainability is a shared responsibility,” said Roger Zellner, GPP Co-Chair and Director, Sustainability, Research, Development & Quality of Kraft Foods “By creating a common language and identifying shared global industry metrics this initiative will enable manufacturers and retailers to work together to develop packaging solutions to...

Stora Enso is launching its Ensocoat board with a new recipe that provides improved whiteness, brightness, smoothness and unique printability on both the top and reverse side. Besides, the company is replacing its Ensogloss brand with the new Ensocoat 2S. "We are thrilled to present the new Ensocoat as a result of an extensive development project carried out on Board Machine 2 at our Imatra Mills in Finland," says Jonas Pettersson, who was recently appointed Sales Director, Stora Enso Graphical Board, Europe. "The introduction of Ensocoat 2S in place of the former Ensogloss will strengthen the brand and highlight the uniqueness of the new quality as the industry benchmark. A tribute to perfection, just as our new Ensocoat slogan says." Optimal print results on both sides "We are now running the new Ensocoat on a full production scale and our merchant partners are quickly filling up their stocks. The initial response from the graphical market has been enthusiast...

Being different proved to be a winner for French winemaker Boisset Family Estates. The World Packaging Organization has awarded Constar International a 2009 WorldStar Award, the international packaging industry’s most prestigious honor, for a lightweight, sustainable 750ml PET wine bottle for Boisset Family Estates’ 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau. The annual competition drew nearly 300 entries from around the world. Boisset Family Estates’ Beaujolais Nouveau PET bottle from Constar was one of 11 winners selected from the United States. Formal presentation of the WorldStar Awards took place in Sri Lanka in November 2009. In 2008, the Institute of Packaging Professionals recognized Boisset Family Estates' Beaujolais Nouveau PET bottle from Constar with an Ameristar Award as the top beverage package of 2008. Commenting on the WorldStar Award, Constar CEO and President Mike Hoffman said, “It is very gratifying to be recognized by the global packaging industry with this award. Boisset Fa...

The annual forum for all concerned in the manufacture and use of release liners, the Global Release Liner Industry Conference, hosted by AWA Conferences & Events, takes place this year  in Amsterdam, The Netherlands,  March  30-3 1.   Held in alternate years in Europe and the USA, t he  event   complements   AWA's  extensive platform of market studies on the release liner industry. Program outline The comprehensive  program features market data from AWA Alexander Watson Associates' specialist researches, and the results of the company's annual industry survey.   Expert industry presentations will explore both opportunities and issues in an industry which, as a whole, provides technical functionality across a variety of markets (particularly self-adhesive labels) but which continues to attract concern in terms of its environmental and waste management credentials.   As well as business development prospects, ...

BERICAP starts production for a sports closure suitable for aseptic filling with both wet and dry decontamination and high flow rate at the same time BERICAP’s PUSH PULL Sports Cap Next Generation is a new closure solution for 'On-the-Go' consumption combining an attractive and consumer friendly design with latest, state of the art technical developments. There are sports closures, suitable for the aseptic filling, in the market, which have in many cases low flow rates or require very complex treatment of the closure in the filling and closing process. Due to its new design the PUSH PULL Next Generation corresponds to all requirements for the aseptic filling of beverages as this sports closure is suitable for both, wet and dry decontamination. Of course the use of an aluminum foil is redundant. The advantages for production are supplemented by a great advantage for the consumer: The PUSH PULL Sports Cap Next Generation offers best drink comfort to the consumer due to it...

NewPage Corporation today announced the introduction of EcoPoint™ Plus, a new high-performance bottle label paper featuring 10 percent post-consumer waste ( PCW ) recycled fiber. EcoPoint Plus is third-party chain-of-custody certified to the Forest Stewardship Council ® (FSC) (BV- COC -953662), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative ® ( SFI ) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes. “We designed EcoPoint Plus to meet the growing demand for recycled fiber content label papers in bottled water applications, and to deliver the quality and performance our customers have come to expect from the NewPage family of beverage label papers,” said Ed Buehler, general manager for specialty papers. “In addition, the availability of tri-certification reflects our commitment to sustainability, and demonstrates our intent to remain a forerunner in specialty paper innovation.” Available in 70, 75 and 80 grams per square meter (gsm) basis weights, EcoPoint Plus featu...

The beverage packaging industry is experiencing a period of increasing innovation in design, materials and efficiency intended to meet cost and environmental concerns while enticing splintering consumer groups, according to “Beverage Packaging Market Assessment — A Benchmark Study,” conducted by Proactive Worldwide, Inc., on behalf of PMMI, the leading packaging and processing supply chain association. “Single-serve containers are particularly strong market drivers. Consumers are seeking ‘grab and go’ convenience at retail, and they’re increasingly looking to packaging for portion control – even with beverages,” notes Charles D. Yuska, president & CEO of PMMI, which produces the PACK EXPO trade shows. “Sustainability is also a market driver as consumers expect brands to play a role in helping the environment.” Top beverage packaging trends PMMI expects to impact the market include: Eye-catching single serve packaging; Cost-effective “green” packaging, driven by manufacturers’ ...

L’Oréal has utilised RPC Bramlage-Wiko’s expertise in technically challenging personal care packaging solutions, in the manufacture of the bespoke application system for the latest skincare innovation from Garnier. Part of Garnier Skin Naturals bodytonic range, the new Cellulite Crusher Roll-On uses a unique formulation that targets unwanted cellulite quickly and effectively to suit the busy lifestyles of modern consumers. The gel is applied by means of an ergonomically designed rollerball, which gently massages the skin to ensure optimum penetration exactly where it is needed. The applicator’s complex construction required precision manufacture to ensure that the highest standard of functionality was matched by the premium image expected of Garnier. L’Oréal turned to RPC Bramlage-Wiko based on their excellent long-term relationship in bringing innovative packaging solutions to market. The application system, patented by L’Oréal, consists of five injection moulded parts includi...

Product Decoration Market & Technology Assessment 2009 is the second assessment of the status of one of the world's leading label end-use markets, and details trends in the market by label format, materials, and technologies, with particular emphasis on the changing structure and developments within this key area of use for labels and other forms of product packaging and decoration. This new study focuses on the important aspects of changes that are occurring, especially in the markets and materials used, as well as in the production and distribution of envelopes.The report covers all types of preformed envelopes. Traditionally these are made with papers, but we also include preformed envelopes made with films. In addition, we assess the impact of alternative envelope systems such as plastic wrappings and business mailers; as well as alternative communications media. The geographic coverage of the report is Europe. We have sub-segmented the European market into the following ...

The world market for beer filled in PET bottles and closed by plastic screw caps is steadily growing. Starting some years back in Germany several countries, mainly in Eastern Europe, have meanwhile introduced beer in PET bottles. To secure the quality of the beer BERICAP introduced in Europe an oxygen scavenger, which absorbed the oxygen in the headspace of the PET beer bottle. This was an important development as beer is an oxygen sensitive product and to absorb the oxygen was an important step to secure the quality of the beer during its shelf life.   BERICAP introduced the DoubleSeal SuperShorty ® Crown O 2 scavenger closure suitable for the neck PCO 1881 for beer in PET first in the German market. Outside Europe it is now the Chinese market, which converts to the PCO 1881 neck and to BERICAP’s DoubleSeal SuperShorty ® Crown O 2 Scavenger.   MARTENS China together with his joint venture partner FEG and the collaborator SUNTORY from Japan have set up a new filling line ...

Xeikon, a division of Punch Graphix, has strengthened its China operation by partnering with one of the region’s leading distributors, United Printing Equipment Corp. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, United Printing will support Xeikon in the labels and packaging printing market, providing sales and service support for the Xeikon 3000 and Xeikon 3300 digital presses, as well as the company’s finishing, workflow and substrate solutions for labels market. Filip Weymans, Business Development Manager Labels & Packaging at Punch Graphix, comments: “At drupa 2008, we made a clear commitment to the labeling market with the introduction of the award-winning Xeikon 3000 and 3300 digital presses. The appointment of a distributor dedicated to the labeling sector underlines this commitment. It will ensure Chinese printers have access to leading digital labels and packaging printing technology and receive outstanding customer support.” Shangai-based United Printing Equipments (...

When BrewDog Brewery was looking for a striking new bottle for its latest beer, Rotherham glass manufacturer Beatson Clark was able to provide the perfect solution, with Beatson’s 330ml amber glass beer bottle. BrewDog is currently the major brewing success story to come out of Scotland. Founded in 2007, their innovative products and approach to their craft has secured the brewery numerous awards and made local and national headlines. Now firmly established as Scotland’s largest independent brewery and with volume predictions set to double, BrewDog needed a bottle manufacturer who would be flexible enough to cope with their demands and maintain their position as ‘Top Dog.’ “The new 330 ml bottle for BrewDog is another example of our ability to work not only with high product volumes but also with smaller companies producing niche brands.  said Beatson Clark marketing manager Dawn Pugh, “our flexibility means we can cater for the changing requirements of customers like BrewDo...

Allied Glass has recently reinforced its creativity in the field of new product development with the production of a striking bottle for C L World Brands' Angostura Rum. The stylish 700ml bottle uses an elegant profile, as a reminder of the superior quality of the rum and intricate embossing on the front panel, to reinforce the heritage of the brand. The unique bottle has been further enhanced by the application of a distinctive label, which compliments the containers premium image.  Alison Gibb, International Brand Manager, for Angostura says: "We worked very closely with Allied Glass to deliver a package that not only meets our initial design brief but also adds on-shelf appeal and perceived added value. The final product has a very strong visual identity which sets it aside from other rum brands." Rum is one of the UK's most exciting categories, demand growing for the last five years, with consumers being particularly interest in aged rums where they seek ou...

Branding made personal When Coca-Cola Israel planned a campaign to refresh its Sprite brand, the company decided to consult its customers. “Our idea was to involve consumers in the brand campaign in a wholly new way,” says Merav Dvori, category marketing manager at Coca-Cola Israel. “For the first time, customers could design their own product label.” The campaign invited consumers to visit the Refresh Your Sprite website and work with different elements to create a can design complete with branding, barcodes and other required information. The campaign attracted submissions from consumers from age 10 to 60 and resulted in more than 100,000 individual can designs. Meeting the challenge of innovation Involving customers was just the start of the Refresh Your Sprite campaign. The Coca-Cola team also wanted to print the top designs, but the tight turnaround time and small quantities made conventional can printing unsuitable. The team turned to HP digital printing for the solution. U...

Hammer Packaging won  nine  awards in the 35th International Gallery of Superb Printing competition, produced by the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAPHC). The IAPHC awards are recognized globally as one of the highest honors given in the graphic design and print industry. Hammer received the following awards:  Gold  – Fruitopia, JoJo Energy and Chadwick Bay Grape Juice;  Silver  – Ovaltine, Cell-Nique and Nika Water;  Bronze  – Snapple Tea;  Honorable Mention  – XO Energy and Arctic Power. Shrink Sleeve labels brought in over half of the awards for Hammer. Featuring our variable sleeve offset printing (VSOP) technology, Chadwick Bay by Cliffstar Corporation brought home Gold, highlighting Hammer’s expertise in this new, innovative technology. Kevin Keane, president of IAPHC, commented: "Our event has been the beneficiary of seeing the growth of Hammer Packaging in terms of technical execution, range of produ...

Recently, Beiersdorf (Thailand) Co. Ltd. set out to revamp the bottle design of its Nivea® body lotion. Our Global Co-Ex pressure-sensitive film played a key role in helping these plans take shape. Beiersdorf selected Global Co-Ex™ film as the best solution for its new curvy bottles. This matte clear product not only conformed well to the bottle’s unique shape, but it also provided the reliability and shelf appeal that Beiersdorf wanted. Based on sales to date, the decision to switch to Global Co-Ex film is shaping up to be a success for Beiersdorf and Avery Dennison. Source:   Avery Dennison

OYSTAR Benhil consolidates long-standing customer relations in Kazakhstan. The Eurasian Foods Corporation has now bought a Copparapid 6000 – the third machine from OYSTAR Benhil altogether. The Copparapid 6000 cup filling and sealing machine from OYSTAR Benhil is based on a modular machine concept and thus provides for the greatest flexibility possible. Both the cup format and station allocation can be individually arranged, depending on customer requirements. OYSTAR Benhil is currently building a further Copparapid 6000 for Eurasian Foods, the leading provider of margarine and mayonnaise in Kazakhstan. Eurasian Foods plans to fill both oval (200 g) and rectangular cups (250 g) using this machine. The Copparapid 6000, which is manufactured completely from high-grade stainless steel and equipped with Rockwell ControlLogix servo drives will produce up to 200 cups per minute. A change in format can be carried out both quickly and easily. The tried and proven as well...

Chadwicks has created three cartoon animal-themed shrink sleeves for Villa Drinks’ newly launched ‘Wild Juice’ range. Wild Juice is a fun new soft drinks range for children and is an extension to Villa Drinks’ existing Wild Waters range of flavoured still mineral water for kids. The drinks manufacturer appointed Chadwicks to handle its shrink sleeves after being impressed by its innovative approach and excellent turnaround on previous sleeving projects. To appeal to its target market Chadwicks produced three cartoon animal-themed shrink sleeves for the range, which includes three flavours; Tangy Tiger orange, Cool Croc apple and Party Parrot blackcurrant. Wild Juice now benefits from a 50 micron extra high shrink PVC, high gloss reverse printed with a visibility window.  Kursat Uysal, business development manager at Chadwicks, said: “We have built a fantastic working relationship with Villa Drinks after recently working on several interesting projects...

EFI(TM) (Nasdaq: EFII), a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today unveiled the VUTEk(R) QS220, a direct-to-substrate, two-meter UV-curing flatbed printer with High-Definition Print (HDP) quality and superwide productivity that boasts lower ink running costs than traditional wide-format printers and unique application abilities that allow print businesses to expand into higher-end, premium-margin applications. The QS220 is ideal for businesses that want to fuel profitability by adding flexible, production-level equipment that will support their growth. "More and more businesses are exploring out-of-home advertising as a way to reach customers, but unfortunately many print businesses are forced to choose between high production speeds and high image quality," said EFI VUTEk senior vice president/general manager Dick Wissenbach. "The QS220 is an all-in-one printer; it has the speed to print 16 4'x8' boards per hour as well as the ability...

Trebnick Systems ( www.trebnick.com ), a leading custom process label and tag manufacturer, has purchased a new Mark Andy Performance Series P7 press for its Springboro, Ohio, facility. The Mark Andy P7 is an 8-color, 17 inch (430 mm) water-based press with a final UV station and was installed in December, 2009. The press features two (4) die stations, a web turnbar and chilled impression rolls, with the capability of running clear film applications. Primarily purchased to improve efficiencies over existing equipment, the P7 was selected because of its high-quality production capabilities, significant material and overhead savings, and quick changeovers. Trebnick was interested in a press that would expand their capabilities to prepare for new markets and opportunities including unsupported film and flexible packaging. The press is also fully upgradable to address any future requirements. "Mark Andy is excited to offer this technology to our valued customers like Trebnick Syst...

The Klöckner Pentaplast Group, the largest European producer of rigid PET films, is pleased to announce that its new PET production capacity has commenced operation at the company’s Crumlin, UK, manufacturing facility. The new line produces high-performance polyester films for food and consumer packaging applications, in particular to support the fast growing UK market. Klöckner Pentaplast invested £3 Mio (€3.4 Mio /$4.4 Mio USD) for the expansion with the support of the Wales Assembly Government (WAG). The expansion included production capacity and a building expansion. “This PET capacity expansion demonstrates Klöckner Pentaplast’s continued support of the growing global demand for high-quality PET films, especially in the UK,” notes Dr. Hans-Joachim Kogelnik, president and COO, Klöckner Pentaplast/Europe. “Despite the difficult economic climate, we are committed to servicing the market and our customers with a highly flexible supply capability and new product development.” About ...

Here is a list of the main manufacturers of robot for In mold labeling.  If you are not in this list, please send us your data and will include you. Australia Extreme Automation Brazil Star Seiki Canada Aptig Germany Ilsemann Technotron Waldorf Technik Greece Novotec Inpack Italy Dalmaschio Sytrama Netherlands Almation Portugal Mastermatic Spain IML Robotics Lenticular 3D Switzerland Swiss Robotics Muller IML Beck Automation Sweden IML Turkey Tepro Sarac UK PCE AUTOMATION USA Autotec IDESIGN Witmman Complete Plastics  Sepro Robotique

The latest addition to the machine equipment of the Brazilian packaging printer Brasilgrafica in Baruerí, near São Paulo, is a six-color ROLAND 900 in format 6. The large format press ROLAND 900 with cardboard printing option will be used to print large packaging printing runs for food, hygiene and cleaning products. The company’s well-known customers include Bauducco, Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Melitta, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, and Unilever. With this order, Brasilgrafica puts its trust in manroland do Brasil, the market organization that has been in charge of sales and service in Brazil since May 2009. Franz Freiherr von Fürstenberg, Managing Director, is pleased with the successful start: “Despite a number of challenging conditions, we have been able to win back our customers for the manroland brand – thanks to its people and technology. Our entire team is highly motivated and we have an excellent product. Service is one of our biggest priorities. Our success – especially with ...

Olympus Labels Ltd is significantly to increase its UV-flexo capacity at its plant in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. It has ordered an 8-colour Nilpeter FA-4 and a 4-colour FA-2500 for delivery early 2010. The former press will be its second FA-4, while the FA-2500 is the third of this type to be installed at Olympus by the Danish press manufacturer. In production terms, operating two FA-4 presses with web widths up to 420 mm (16.5 inches) and a top speed of 175 m/min. (575 feet/min.) represents a significant boost to the company's capacity. The modular, high-performance press can handle a wide range of multi-substrate packaging and labelling materials. It is aided by a servo-driven infeed, servo-drives on all print units, as well as a mid-feed pacer and servo die-cutting units. Printing is by either conventional flexo plates or lightweight photopolymer sleeve constructions. Easy-load plate and anilox sleeve technologies reduce job changeover times. The well-established FA-2500 will...

The  pharma range  now features a new clear-on-clear product combination optimized for  transparent vials, syringes and ampoules . The new super-clear  RD 200 L  adhesive has been combined with a thin and clear polyester face –  Pharmaclear PET TC 36 D  – to provide excellent performance on small diameters. RD 200 L is suitable for  autoclave sterilization  and has a luminescent additive  for missing-label detection. With a  PET 36  liner for a smooth adhesive wet-out, this clear-on-clear construction provides the ultimate in clarity. SOURCE:   UPM RAFLATAC

This marks the first commercial application of Constar’s wide-mouth, hot-fill PET containers with Vertical Compensation Technology™. Life is full of trade offs. To get one thing, you often have to give up something else. You want fuel efficiency, you  get  a smaller car. You want dessert, you skip the appetizer. But in the case of  LiDestri Foods and the conversion of its Francesco Rinaldi brand of pasta sauces to a new PET container from Constar International Inc., the company didn’t give up anything. Instead, they gained a unique branded design, a consumer friendly package, significant production efficiencies and a lighter PET package. Who needs trade offs? Constar is supplying LiDestri Foods, a leading U.S. producer/co-packer of pasta sauce, salsas and other jar foods, with a custom-designed, 45-ounce, hot-filled, monolayer PET plastic jar for Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauces. A stock version of the jar also is available for private label pasta sauces. Consumer...