Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September, 2013

Multilayer Bowl Offers Increased Convenience

A range of ready meals from one of Germany’s best-known brands, namely Erasco, is being packed in a custom-moulded multilayer bowl from RPC Bebo Plastik. This new format offers enhanced consumer convenience and microwaveability, two benefits of increasing importance in the context of today’s busy lifestyles.  In particular, the product can be consumed straight from the container. The 113mm diameter tubs with a filling weight of 380g are thermoformed in PP/EVOH/PP with the EVOH acting as an effective oxygen barrier to provide an ambient shelf life of 12 months.  In addition, the stability of the bowl means it is fully retortable.   For maximum shelf impact, the tubs are decorated with attractive thermo shrink sleeves that are cool to the touch after removal from the microwave.  The complementary caps are manufactured using RPC Bebo’s advance Bebo Print facility, where the film is printed prior to thermoforming to create an all-over decorative effect across both the lid and

Smithers Pira study : Major Printing Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa

In 2012, the Middle East and North Africa print market was valued at $17.4 billion and is forecast to grow 7.2% per annum reaching $26 billion by 2018, according to a new report from Smithers Pira. Recent dramatic fluctuations in the oil market are putting increasing pressures on the region to diversify their economies. As a direct effect of governments' diversification initiatives, the printing and publishing industry has seen an increased investment. New machinery has been continuously replacing the old equipment, which had limited capacity, and was often installed 50 years ago. With the new technology, the automation process is spreading. This growth offers huge opportunities for printers, raw material suppliers and print equipment suppliers, but the instability in the region has meant that the amount of information available has declined. The need to acquire insight into the current print market is high as ever. To help identify these opportunities, Smithers Pira has publ

First Xeikon 3050 with in-line laser finishing for C5 Design in Mexico

Xeikon announces that its customer C5 Design in Mexico installed and tested the first Xeikon 3050 digital press combined with a DCoat converting unit including a laser cutter. C5 Design is rapidly growing in both the high quality, short delivery time self-adhesive label and specialized label markets like heat transfer. Xeikon was the only supplier to provide the integral label production solution including finishing and financing. Listen to customers and understand their needs “Xeikon simply did a better job in understanding our needs and was the only digital supplier providing an integrated, productive solution!”, says Jorge Gonzáles, owner of the Mexico-based digital label printer C5 Design. “We were very fond of their approach as a total solution provider, including the appropriate financing package. Xeikon perfectly reflects all of our core values depicted in our name where the 5 C’s in Spanish stand for creativity, knowledge, quality, commitment and determination.”    

Xeikon 3030 brings constant high quality at constant production speed to CEI in Mexico

– Xeikon installed the latest Xeikon 3030 digital press at Cintas y Especialidades Impresas or CEI company in Mexico. Decisive arguments in the decision making process were high quality, constant production speed and the capability to meet new customer and market requirements. “Our strength is quality. High quality!” “At CEI, superb quality refers to 2400x3600 dpi print resolution, high light fastness, unique one-pass opaque white, FDA compliance for use with food, extensive use of color control and color management, all the way up to the use of several security features inside the labels. The digital technology has to match and preferably beat the conventional quality. That ‘s what our Xeikon 3030 does”, states Jesus Ramirez, owner of CEI in Mexico.   Consistent and reliable label production CEI needed a full rotary printing solution constantly delivering high productivity independent of either the number of colors or the repeat length of the job. Their digital press had

Altrif Label diversifies and boosts production with second Xeikon 3500 in two years

Xeikon announces that Altrif Label– one of the most important digital label printers in Europe – invests in a second Xeikon 3500 in two years. Altrif Label installed their first Xeikon 3500 in 2011. Since early July Altrif Label is testing Xeikon’s ICE toner, designed to print on heat sensitive substrates such as PE. The convincing results of the new toner and the capabilities of the Xeikon 3500 answered Altrif Label’s current needs for extra production capacity perfectly. The existing advantages of increased productivity and cost efficiency are now extended with the capability to print on a broad range of heat sensitive substrates like PE and direct thermal labels.   The Xeikon 3500 is a five color digital label press that prints on substrate widths of up to 516mm wide, and is ideal for oversized labels. It is a full rotary roll fed press with a maximum printing speed of 19,2m/min. The printing speed is independent from the number of colors printed. “Altrif Label chose the

Sustainability of the self-adhesive label market finally guaranteed.

At the occasion of the Labelexpo 2013  tradeshow in Brussels, the Belgium based company RecuLiner has unveiled the launch of a unique recycling system for paper release liners from the self-adhesive label market. Paper release liners are not recyclable with the conventional equipment and methods used in the industry.  In order to reuse the cellulose fibre material for paper production,  costly installations are required to separate the silicone layer from the base paper layer thereby limiting the use of this process. The worldwide patented RecuLiner technology is based on a completely different concept and does not see a cradle-to-cradle approach as an end in itself.  Thanks to a completely different approach based on  out-of-the-box thinking, RecuLiner has developed a method to reuse waste paper release liners as raw material for the production of cellulose insulation material.  An impressive life-cycle analysis (LCA) score is thereby obtained outperforming all other existing sol

SunJet to demonstrate its latest inkjet technology at Labelexpo 2013

SunJet, the global inkjet division of Sun Chemical and its parent company, DIC Corporation, will present its portfolio of single pass inkjet inks at Labelexpo 2013, 24th – 27th September at Brussels Expo. On stand 5E80, SunJet will demonstrate its wealth of products and expertise in single pass inkjet, showcasing its brand new low migration product to add to its expanding and diverse range of inkjet inks. Visitors to Sun Chemical’s stand will see presentations of the new low migration inkjet technology for printing labels, flexible packaging and foil. Information will also be available on SunJet’s range of EtiJetTM products including ink technology designed for Konica Minolta, Kyocera and Xaar printheads.  SunJet will also demonstrate its capability in the joint development of ink solutions for single pass inkjet in label, packaging and pharmaceutical applications, together with OEM partners and in collaboration with all of the major print head manufacturers. SunJet’s range of

UPM Raflatac’s Fit range: Future standards for food, retail and logistics today

UPM Raflatac has introduced a range of next generation products to offer fit-for-purpose performance for the main end-use segments. The Fit range combines increased production efficiency and sustainability credentials with no compromises on printing and dispensing performance.   Raflacoat Fit PEFC Raflacoat Fit PEFC introduces much needed efficiency to high-volume food applications. The new PEFC-certified mid-gloss label face is sustainably sourced, and the thinner 63 µm in caliper yields up to 30% longer rolls, substantially reducing downtime during roll changes. The labelstocks are equipped with adhesives for all food labelling temperatures, including the EU 10/2011 compliant next generation hotmelt RH 6 optimized for chilled conditions but equally capable in room temperatures. Raflacoat Fit PEFC is available with three liner options. The HG65 and HG45 glassine liners are PEFC-certified like the label face. The ProLiner PP30 option maximally reduces the labelstock thickness to

X-Rite Pantone and Sun Chemical Make It Easier for Printers and Converters to Use PantoneLIVE

X-Rite Pantone and Sun Chemical Corporation have made it easier for smaller printers and converters to access PantoneLIVE™ libraries that cover the majority of substrates used in the packaging industry, including corrugated brown kraft, transparent film, carton board and labels. X-Rite Pantone now offers several turnkey solution packages including PantoneLIVE licenses so that any printer or converter can access the 22 PantoneLIVE libraries to meet the needs of customers that want to harness the efficiency of cloud-based, spectral color data. The new turnkey solution will also be available through Sun Chemical, PantoneLIVE’s preferred ink supplier. Sun Chemical’s global color platform allows every ink color to match exactly with PantoneLIVE and is fully integrated with PantoneLIVE. This system enables the user to operate seamlessly in a fully digital workflow to produce real colors on real substrates with real printing processes. Printers and converters have sought access to the

Xeikon to launch digital IML Suite at K-Messe 2013

Xeikon announces its presence at the K-Messe 2013. Xeikon will show the Xeikon 3050 digital press printing live at the show, the ThermoFlexX 30 and numerous plastic containers decorated with various digital printing techniques. The trend of ever shorter runs and more different versions cannot be neglected anymore. In an attempt to defend their market share, brand owners are looking for ways to differentiate themselves. Short runs and more specifically special versions of their packaging are a way of doing that. Digital printing can make decoration affordable for smaller runs: it brings the fastest time-to-market and it has the highest print quality. Digital label printing has a proven track record in label production. At the K-Messe Xeikon will show a broad range of solutions for short run plastic decoration. Xeikon will be printing live on IML (in-mold) and transfer printing substrates, and will highlight the value of each decoration method in combination with digital printing. T

Label Industry Global Awards winners revealed

The brightest and best of the label industry’s international community were celebrated last night as the sector’s elite, including many senior executives of leading press and material manufacturers gathered for the prestigious Label Industry Global Awards 2013. Held as part of Labelexpo Europe, the awards celebrated its tenth edition as it returned to Brussels’ Event Lounge to honor those label companies pushing the excellence boundaries in service and product design and performance. Ritrama S.p.A ’s Tomas Rink received the program’s highest bestowed accolade, the 2013 R. Stanton Avery Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Avery Dennison. Recognizing the vision and values of Stan Avery and his pioneering efforts, Tomas Rink joins fellow label industry leaders including RotoMetric’s Steve Lee, Helmut Schreiner and Lars Eriksen from Nilpeter. Eshuis and its Coca Cola ‘Share a coke with…’ project triumphed in the European Converter of the Year Award, sponsored by Flint Gro

The Uteco Group Announces New Flexographic Print Solutions Integrating KODAK Technologies

Uteco integrated solutions create the ideal mix between flexo and digital printing with the installation of two KODAK PROSPER S20 Imprinting Systems on a UTECO ONYX 810 flexo printing system.   Giuseppe Tripaldi, Printing Technologies & Converdrome Manager, Gruppo Uteco Stefano Russo, COO (Chief Operations Officer), The Uteco Group Manuel Cortizo, Digital Printing Systems, Strategic Account Sales Manager, Kodak Eamer Aldo Peretti, CEO del Gruppo Uteco Riccardo Passerini, Sales Director & Category Manager Digital Printing Solutions di Kodak Italia Mario Gazzani, Sales & Operations Manager, Business Unit 3S, Gruppo Uteco The buzzword in all sectors today is integration. The Uteco Group's integrated solution allows flexo printing to be united with digital printing. The result is an innovative system that expands the print possibilities offered by this dynamic combination of the two technologies. The Uteco Group, based in Colognola ai Colli (VR), Italy,

Afera promotes limitless range of self-adhesive tape applications in new website

Afera, the European Association for the Self-Adhesive Tape Industry, announced today the go-live of the first phase of its new website, www.afera.com . Afera’s website is aimed at raising the profile of tape as a functional solution able to outperform many other fastening and assembly methods in the design and manufacture of appliances, automobiles, building supplies, electronics, medical supplies, industrial products, packaging, etc. Taking afera.com live marks the launch of Afera’s social media initiative to foster greater contact and awareness of the many forms, uses and benefits of self-adhesive tape among engineers and manufacturers in order to grow the market. Afera’s target audience for its website is the end clients of its membership, which include companies and organisations along the entire self-adhesive tape value chain: tape manufacturers (including SMEs), OEMs, raw material suppliers, national tape organisations, research institutions and converters. The enhanced websit

Multi-Color Corporation Acquires European Label Specialists John Watson & Company Limited and Gern & Cie SA

Multi-Color Corporation (MCC), (NASDAQ:LABL) today announces it has entered into agreements to acquire 100% of John Watson & Company Limited, based in Glasgow, Scotland and Gern & Cie SA, based in Neuchatel, Switzerland.  Both acquisitions are expected to be completed on 1st October 2013 and are expected to be immediately accretive.  Combined annual revenues are approximately USD 20 million. John Watson & Company is the leading wet glue spirit label producer in the UK.  Based in Glasgow, Scotland the business is ideally located for its key customers and complementary with MCC's existing Glasgow business (formerly Labelgraphics) the leading pressure sensitive spirit and wine label producer.  Gern & Cie SA is the premier wine label producer in Switzerland, located in the French speaking wine region of Neuchatel with the same customer expectations and technologies as the existing French operations.  MCC President and CEO Nigel Vinecombe, stated, "These acquisi

Domino's K600i presents full width high resolution VDP inkjet capabilities

Domino Printing Sciences is presenting the benefits of its single colour K600i piezo ink jet solution on its stand (Hall 9/F70) at Labelexpo Europe 2013. Designed to integrate digital variable data printing within existing sheet, web-fed presses and finishing lines as well as delivered as a standalone digital press, the K600i delivers 600dpi high resolution UV curable print at speeds of 50 to 75 metres (246ft) per minute, double the speed of most high resolution digital systems. At Labelexpo Europe 2013, Domino will demonstrate the K600i with a double print head bar for the first time, which enables the press to print at speeds of up to 150 metres (492ft) per minute.   Capable of covering the full web with a single digital ink jet module, the variable data functionality of the K600i supports a range of linear, 2D (including QR codes), numbers, graphics, logos and personalised data. This flexibility to deliver high resolution, high speed VDP meets the growing demand for variable

Domino launches N610i at Labelexpo 2013

Domino has expanded its successful N-Series range of advanced digital colour ink jet label presses with the worldwide launch of its next generation N610i, which includes the ability to print opaque white ink. Taking the productivity of flexo and precision engineering of digital to its most advanced levels, the N610i is packed with Domino i-Tech intelligent Technology. This optimises output of the UV curable label press to maximise production efficiencies and provide extended colour capabilities while delivering the highest quality print resolution.   Central to the appeal of the N610i is the new opaque digital white ink, specifically formulated by Domino to run with the press. The ink delivers a silkscreen-like finish, and provides high opacity white when printing at 50 metres (164ft) per minute. Operating at speeds of up to 75 metres (246ft) per minute with a 600dpi native resolution, the N610i offers double the print speed of most high resolution digital systems. This capabili

5SeptEtiquette sets out to win business in very short print runs with the Xeikon 3300

Xeikon announces that 5SeptEtiquette, which specialises in the production of adhesive labels, decided to invest in a Xeikon 3300 to support its development of digital technology. The Xeikon 3300, the flagship model of the 3000 series, is suitable for roll widths up to 330mm. It reaches a maximum speed of 19.2 m/min, and production capacity of almost 400 m²/hour. The Xeikon 3300 became one of the reference models for label printing, winning the Label Industry Innovation Award and the Intertech Technology Award for Innovation Excellence. Located in Courthezon, near Avignon, France, label printer 5SeptEtiquette (with €8.2 million turnover) employs 50 people, and serves a client base of manufacturers in the food, cosmetics, beauty and viticulture industries. Equipped with three waterless offset presses, two flexo presses and equipment for silkscreen printing and finishing, 5SeptEtiquette decided in June of this year to also develop its digital printing business. Objective: target the

Raflex Pro – new MDO film for personal care labelling

UPM Raflatac has launched a new, 50-micron film for the personal care market. Raflex Pro Clear brings a quality no-label look to contoured, flexible and squeezable containers, and Raflex Pro White has high opacity as a foundation for high-quality decoration. These MDO films combine the best properties of PE and PP; looks and functionality, high stiffness for productive label dispensing, good conformability on contoured packaging, and lasting squeezability.   On a thin PET23 release liner, Raflex Pro offers a 40% reduction in thickness and grammage compared to conventional PE85 on HD70. PET23 is a robust choice for running at high speeds and in humid conditions, without downtime from web breaks. Thin film labelstocks reduce total applied costs starting with more labels per roll for fewer roll changes, giving higher productivity in conversion and dispensing. PET23 also provides better raw material efficiency at the start of the labelstock lifecycle, and is commercially recyclable a

VIDEOJET® presents coding expertise at MEDIPLAS show

Today’s traceability, serialization, quality and supply chain complexity requirements present numerous challenges for suppliers to the medial plastic industry. Videojet Technologies will be demonstrating how its portfolio of solutions can provide the all-important answers at the Mediplas Show, Birmingham NEC, on September 25 and 26. Videojet will demonstrate the Videojet 1000 small character continuous inkjet printer series and the Videojet 3020 solutions on stand H5. These are supported by CLARiSUITE, Videojet’s code assurance Solution that ensures the correct code is applied in the correct location on the correct product and packaging.   “The show is uniquely focused on the highly specialised area of manufacturing plastic parts for the medical industry, many of which require high quality, integrity assured, coding,” says Tom Hawkins, sales director UK and Ireland. “We will showcase just how creative our portfolio of solutions can be when required to meet very specific marke

VIDEOJET® presents coding expertise at NEW UK

Peace of mind with assured product integrity and coding, combined with maximum uptime, are essential for any efficient, cost effective and profitable operation. This is exactly what is offered by the Videojet Technologies range of solutions being presented at NEW UK, University of West England, Bristol, on September 25 and 26. On stand 9, at the event presenting solutions and expertise from specialists in the embedded, electronics or electronic manufacturing sector, Videojet will showcase the Videojet 1520 small character continuous inkjet printer and the Videojet 7310 fiber laser. “There are some specific challenges presented by this market sector and we are keen to show how readily our solutions can address them,” says Tom Hawkins, sales director UK and Ireland. “NEW UK is a great platform to do that and we are looking forward to showing how our simple to use, easy to integrate solutions can help any operation - large or small.”   First in a new line of printers that sets

Landa Reveals Print Quality Enhancements and Press Design Upgrades

Landa announces major developments to its Landa S10FC and S10C Nanographic Printing™ Presses, enhancing print quality and upgrading the press design. The new changes firmly place Nanographic Printing™ presses as a production-oriented digital printing solution for mainstream applications. Landa Founder, Chairman and CEO Benny Landa says, “We have been working closely with our customers to ensure that our Nanographic Printing presses will provide the performance, print quality and feature set for high-speed production. In addition, the new Landa Operator Cockpit will set a new standard for operating any production press, whether digital or offset.” New Landa Operator Cockpit redefines operator user experience Detailed research and close customer collaboration have led to a new concept in press operability and the addition of several important features. The Landa Operator Cockpit, an integrated production management center located at the delivery end of the press, enables operators

First Digital Label Press introduced by Epson

Epson America has expanded its digital label press product line with the introduction of the SurePress® L-6034VW .  The L-6034VW is Epson’s first single-pass industrial press, the first to use Epson’s new PrecisionCore™ linehead technology, and the first to use Epson’s new LED-cured UV ink with in-line digital varnish technology. Available in two models – CMYK with digital varnish and high-opacity White ink (SurePress L-6034VW) and without white ink (SurePress L-6034V), the compact digital label press delivers precise quality with maximum reliability, flexibility and performance. “The SurePress L-6034VW joins Epson’s current SurePress L-4033A/AW and puts Epson in the unique position to offer two very different digital label press solutions with two different ink sets – aqueous for short-run labels, especially on uncoated and textured paper, and now UV for short- to mid-run labels on a wider range of substrates,” said Mark Elsbernd, North American region sales manager, Epson America,

Esko solutions are all-around at Labelexpo Europe

In addition to its own stand 5B25, Esko will showcase its innovative label design, prepress, workflow and printing solutions with a variety of partners who work with Esko to enhance their packaging and label solutions. “At Esko, we know what delivering ‘results that make you smile’ means," comments Esko CEO Carsten Knudsen. "It's not just about providing the best tag and label solutions, but also develop long-term partnerships with other industry leaders to expand the benefits of those solutions. The results of these joint efforts can be seen at Labelexpo where Esko as present on the stands of dozens of partners. If it’s happening in the tag and label industry, Esko is a part of it.” Digital Printing with HP Indigo (stand Patio), Domino (9F70), Epson (9H50), Durst (9H57) and Stork Prints (6H40) As market transitions to digital solutions, manufacturers of digital printing equipment are looking for digital front-end (DFE) alternatives that can effectively address workfl

UPM Raflatac presents 'Label Life' - Make sustainable choices based on the most comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment in the industry

At Labelexpo Europe 2013, UPM Raflatac introduces the ‘Label Life’ concept together with a new, user-friendly tool to help label printers and end-users understand the life cycle impacts of different labelstock products and get credible information on the environmental performance of their labels. Based on the most comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) in the industry, the Label Life tool delivers reliable and easy to understand information to help customers make more sustainable choices. Performed in accordance with internationally recognized ISO 14040/44 standards, UPM Raflatac’s LCA helps understand the environmental performance of labelstock products in terms of carbon, water, energy and the end-of-life impacts of liner recycling. It has been developed in cooperation with PE International and is consistent with the methodology used by major brand owners to evaluate their own environmental impacts.   “We have taken full benefit of our in-house expertise and capabilities to

Esko and Wink join forces to deliver staggered label solution

Demos & details how the partnership brings greater efficiency to label production scheduled at Labelexpo Europe 2013. Esko ( www.esko.com ) and German leading supplier of die-cutting tools Wink Stanzwerkzeuge ( www.wink.de ) bring together their soft- and hardware expertise to create a highly-efficient staggered label solution. The combined solution enables label converters to optimize label production, increase production speeds, enjoy material savings and produce highly accurate print and die-cutting results. Both companies’ will highlight the benefits of this partnership at Labelexpo Europe, September 24-27 in Brussels, on Esko stand 5B25 and Wink stand 6G92.   The partnership combines Wink's innovative die-cutting technology with Esko’s 'staggered cut' software and Esko Kongsberg cutting tables, resulting in the ProShift® technology. ProShift® enables impressions to be arranged more flexibly and make full use of the entire printing area. This is done using W

UPM Raflatac at Labelexpo Europe 2013 - Engineered with Raflatouch

UPM Raflatac invites label printers and brand owners to visit stand 5D60 at Labelexpo Europe on 24-27 September in Brussels. This year’s main theme ‘Engineered with Raflatouch’ highlights UPM Raflatac’s commitment to develop high-performing and sustainable label materials delivered through the best performing supply chain in the industry. “Profound engineering expertise and excellent customer care is a unique combination,” says Tapio Kolunsarka, the newly appointed Executive Vice President of UPM Raflatac. “We take pride in providing first class technical expertise with the most attentive service in the industry. That’s what our customer promise ‘Engineered with Raflatouch’ is all about. Labelexpo visitors are warmly welcome to meet our technical experts and to discuss the latest solutions and capabilities for innovative branding, higher productivity and environmental performance.” UPM Raflatac presents ‘Label Life’ – Sustainable choices based on the most comprehensive Life Cycle A