Labelling Blog

Universal Converting Equipment have supplied a new CL350 hot melt adhesive coater / laminator to sister company, Universal Adhesive Systems.  This investment in the latest technology strengthens the position of the two companies as leaders in both converting machinery and adhesive application technologies. The new CL350 coater is available for customer trials at Universal Adhesive Systems, Daventry facility.  The machine has been built with a focus on flexibility.  Despite the small footprint of the Universal CL350 is capable of multiple coating types, including slot die proximity coating, CrossCoat curtain coating, high speed intermittent coating, spiral coating, spray coating and Dynafiber coating. In addition to the different coating types customers can trial on the CL350, the machine has been developed to handle a wide range of substrates including films, paper and non-wovens.  The CL350  can operate at production speeds, so by running coating trials at the test facility in Da

Felix Schoeller Digital Media, one of the Felix Schoeller Group‘s business units, supported the Xeikon Café event – held in Lier, Belgium in October - as a business partner. The fact that the event’s main theme was wall decoration gave Felix Schoeller – the Osnabrück-based specialty paper manufacturer - the opportunity to showcase the product portfolio it has put together especially for Xeikon. The paper manufacturer and printing specialists worked together to qualify these nine papers for Xeikon’s presses. The new product portfolio, which has not only wallpaper base but also other high-end digital printing papers, opens up a whole range of new applications and design options for Xeikon customers. Anyone interested in knowing more can simply send an email to ATovar@Felix-Schoeller.com to request a samples book with print examples. In his presentation at the Xeikon Café, Michael Avermann – product manager for this product segment at Felix Schoeller – emphasised the versatility of

he Schreiner LogiData Competence Center has developed an NFC-Nameplate which enables smartphone users to read or write on tags and automatically access defined websites. Producers use the new tag for easier maintenance, targeted e-marketing and compiling inventories. Washing machine as an example: Maintenance and service personnel use a customized app to read the tag with their smartphone and store data locally on the chip. NFC (Near Field Communication) was originally designed for payment systems, but with the number of NFC-enabled smartphones increasing, other fields of application have emerged. Schreiner LogiData's innovative NFC-Nameplate paves the way for producers to benefit from new opportunities. It combines the nameplate or service label with NFC technology and works with all substrates. Users get additional information when reading the tag with their NFC smartphone. "Producers can benefit from entirely new ways of communicating with service personnel and custom

Packaging continues to be a growth market, and within the packaging market, flexible packaging is arguably the fastest growing segment. According to a Smithers Pira report (Future of Global Flexible Packaging to 2020), the global market for flexible packaging is projected to grow by 18% through 2020. But this growth brings with it new challenges for flexographic printers.  Chief among these is the increased diversity of printed packs – smaller lot sizes, a wider variety of products and packaging formats, and a growing desire to regionalize packs as well as vary them seasonally and to support specific events. According to the Smithers Pira report, flexible packaging is the most economical method for packaging, preserving and distributing food and other consumables.  Flexible packaging also carries a lower supply chain cost than glass and metal and can deliver more shelf appeal and product protection. So while flexible packaging is on the rise, glass and metal packaging are on the decl

Faustel announces the TecMaster R&D Coater/Laminator designed to meet small scale, early-stage product, and process development. The TecMaster is a stand-alone coating/laminating line for laboratory and pilot-scale manufacturing used to predict coating and substrate characteristics in various coating/laminating operations before scaling up to production-level equipment. The self-contained line with two coating heads, two unwinds, convection dryer, laminator, and rewind with integrated drives and controls runs web widths up to 175 mm at operating speeds of 0.1-1 mpm. The TecMaster has both a knife-over-roll and mini gravure coating head make it easy to perform coating tests on a variety of substrates. The versatile lab line also includes a dry-bond laminator. Based on data gathered, customers can make adjustments to chemistries, processes, and methods before moving up to larger-scale pilot and production lines. “Making R&D an affordable option is just one way Faustel is

The new partnership established between Colordyne Technologies (Brookfield, Wis., USA) and LasX Europe GmbH (Langenhagen, Germany) has led to the opening of a shared demonstration center and sales office in Langenhagen. The companies invite industry professionals, converters and packaging suppliers to attend the Open House November 11-13 and 18-20, 2015, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., at the new Solutions Center. The two weeks of open days are free to the public and will demonstrate the Colordyne 3600 Series Sprint digital printing press running in conjunction with a LasX roll-fed Matrix Modular Digital Finishing System, forming an all-digital label production system with no need for printing plates or cutting dies. “Due to the excitement surrounding this newly formed partnership between Colordyne and LasX Europe, we have added another three days of demonstrations to show the printing and finishing of more than 30 label designs to the industry,” said Taylor Buckthorpe , Director of Market D

Flexcon has collaborated with Action Packaging Systems, Inc. to create a resilient label solution for oil filter container caps. FLEXcon created a polyester label stock coated with a high-performance adhesive that is resilient enough to stick to the textured surface of oil filter container caps and can withstand extreme temperature and environmental conditions. Recent advancements in the design of automobiles have made it more difficult for consumers and mechanics to reach oil filter containers for oil changes and regular maintenance. Innovative companies have introduced textured oil filter container caps, which allow mechanics or at-home car enthusiasts to unscrew the cap by hand, eliminating the need to use a wrench. The textured cap needs an identifying label that is able to withstand extreme conditions – oil, water, grease, weather, etc. Using polyester label stock coated with high-performance adhesive, FLEXcon was able to develop a material that adheres to the oil filter conta

Danish digital press manufacturer Trojanlabel was a smash hit at Labelexpo Europe 2015 in Brussels. With four TrojanTwo digital presses running practically non-stop, visitors came pouring in to see the consistent high print quality and low cost per label, and more than 30 TrojanTwo digital presses were sold during the four-day event. A real eye opener Coined as the world’s first affordable mini digital label press, the compact TrojanTwo, priced at €40,000, runs 18 m/min and up to 1600x1600 dpi, providing both vivid and accurate colour on a wide assortment of media. TrojanTwo features sophisticated algorithms and inline print head maintenance, enabling long runs and consistent high print quality. The user-interface is both easy to learn and operate. TrojanTwo is providing small and medium size conventional label converters with the opportunity to transition to digital label production without compromising quality or making large investments, and opening eyes with many lar

NiceLabel, a leading developer of barcode and RFID labeling software and global provider of enterprise labeling solutions, has been awarded the »Silver Gazelle« award for its fast growth and development. The Gazelle award, presented annually by the Slovenian publishing company Dnevnik, honors the best examples of fast growing companies − the “Gazelles”. This year’s Gazelle trophies went to RLS, NiceLabel and ORO MET, selected by the jury among the top 500 fastest growing companies, based on financial as well as detailed qualitative analysis, including the aspects of employment, innovation and sustainability. NiceLabel was recognized by the jury as a multinational company with dynamic growth and strong culture, focusing their attention on innovation and customer value. Selection Commission recognized NiceLabel’ mission to grow and sustain the business by creating substantial value for customers and distribution partners through improved labeling and marking productivity, based

The Asian label and product decoration market, and the parallel release liner market, are the subject of two new surveys this year from AWA Alexander Watson Associates.   The developing profile of this major regional market is a current major focus around the world, as third quarter Chinese market growth, at 6.9%,  continues to slow. AWA Asian Labeling and Product Decoration Market Study 2015 provides detailed analysis of markets, materials, and technologies – pressure-sensitive/self-adhesive, glue applied, sleeving, and in-mold – and key trends and drivers.   It also delivers informed market forecasts to 2019. AWA Asian Release Liner Market Study 2015 analyses the same region in the broader context of release liner, which spans many more market segments.   It Assesses  market size, growth, material trends and the changing market structure across all the main segments, from pressure-sensitive/self-adhesive labels through tapes, hygiene, medical, graphics, industrial, and other

Edales partnership with FFEI strengthens with the sale of two Graphium Hybrids to Saudi Plastics Factory (SPF), a leading Saudi Arabian producer of Plastic containers and packaging. Edale also welcomed to the stand FFEI and Xaar to exhibit in detail exceptional elements of the Graphium. FFEI expertly demonstrated the Integrated Workflow element, the Graphium Production Workflow. This extraordinary program allows users full end to end automation with intelligent job planning when printing labels. Xaar also worked alongside Edale and FFEI to display the much anticipated Xaar Print Bar System which is versatile, easy to configure and ideal for personalised, variable data, special effects and short-run printing for a range of applications, including labels and packaging. “Working with FFEI and Xaar allowed us to offer potential customers expert knowledge about all the elements of the Graphium Hybrid quickly. It was a great success and allowed us to work closer with our partners when d

With four weeks to go Direct Container Print 2015 announces the complete conference programme featuring 18 presentations from leading industry players. This inaugural event welcomes printers, product managers, packaging designers and developers to join the highly technological talks about the disruptive direct-to-shape decoration on plastic bottles, jars, pots, cups and other containers. DCP is organised by ESMA (European Speciality Printing Manufacturers Association) and takes place on 23-24 November 2015 at the Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel in Düsseldorf, Germany. Delegate spaces can still be booked at www.dcp2015.org “It is an exciting time for the plastic packaging industry – be it in food and beverage, personal care or home care sector”, says Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA. “They all are challenged with the need for innovative yet cost-saving packaging. The direct decoration technologies become a real game-changer that reduces the costs, removes storage burden, allows flexibilit

Esko ( www.esko.com ) announces it is rolling out its newest release of ArtiosCAD, an important release of one of its leading structural design editors for packaging and displays. The updated version showcases Canvas Design which, thanks to a series of new features, significantly improves the workflow for anyone designing and producing multi-component displays and packaging. The enhancements are the result of substantial customer input, eliminate the pain points customers were facing related to designing and producing multipart designs.   "Displays are becoming ever more complex, with more and more pieces and parts. Designers like to create all parts on a single 'document' so they can see how each piece will interact and fit with each other. Imagine if you have a fifty-piece display built with several different substrates or materials.  Designing them individually presents a true challenge trying to keep track of all the pieces," explains Richard Deroo, Esko

In choosing to install the first Sidel Combi Predis™ FMa Capdis™ on the island, Taiwan Hon Chuan Enterprise has gained further advantages in the fiercely competitive Taiwanese/Chinese marketplace.  The introduction of the new line has created the capacity required to provide flexible aseptic production to meet the fast-changing tastes and demands from consumers for sensitive products. “As a co-packer, the challenge for us is to improve our production efficiencies to help our clients get their products on the market as and when they need to,” says Mr. Keith Dai, Chairman of Hon Chuan.  “Improving our capacity and maintaining flexibility to respond to the needs of the market are key to our success.” A competitive marketplace Competition in the already competitive beverage industry has further intensified following the last two years’ slowdown of the Chinese economy.  In 2014, the volume growth rate of the beverage market was only 7% - a fall of 2% compared to the previous year. 

Colordyne Technologies (Brookfield, Wis., USA) and LasX Europe GmbH (Langenhagen, Germany) have partnered to bring together complementary core strategies and a wide knowledge of the digital printing and finishing industries to offer stronger solutions. The companies have been working together for the past five years in the Americas market offering the 3600 Series Laser Pro which makes use of LasX’s state of the art laser die cutting solutions. This year’s Labelexpo-Europe was the first time Colordyne and LasX Europe were represented as a partnership, exhibiting in a shared stand on the show floor. Both companies have solidified efforts in the European, Middle Eastern and African markets, and in doing so have opened a shared demonstration center and sales office in Langenhagen, Germany, just north of Hannover. The new demonstration center and sales office will showcase the Colordyne 3600 Series Sprint and LasX’s Matrix digital label finishing system, and will serve as an outlet f

MPS Systems North America, Inc. (MPS) has hired Michael Weyermann as its Area Sales Manager Northeast USA, along with an office manager at its U.S. corporate office. Weyermann comes to MPS with more than 15 years of experience in the printing industry. He previously worked for Kocher + Beck, a leader in the die manufacturing industry, as both a regional sales manager and a national product manager. Weyermann has also worked at Sancoa International as a process engineer. According to Denny McGee, president of MPS America, Weyermann’s appointment is part of MPS’s North American growth plan. The company has been very successful in building its North American organization and business (sales, service, machine manufacturing, demo center, etc.), which has resulted in a significant increase in press sales. “Michael has a lot of knowledge and experience when it comes to our industry and he is great at advising our customers and helping them excel,” said McGee. “He has an extensive net

Sidel’s international centre of excellence for PET packaging development and blowing solutions in Octeville, France, recently made an important contribution to sustainability through an innovative research project in plant-based performance plastics. Sidel consulted with its PET packaging expertise in the BioHub ® programme as the selected representative for the beverage industry. This open innovation programme has enabled the development and production of new chemicals using renewable agriculture materials, such as cereals which are a sustainable substitute for well-known fossil-based chemicals.  The new bio-based forms of polyester have many possible end-user applications, including packaging in which Sidel was recognised for its PET packaging competence.  The programme was undertaken by international French biorefining group, Roquette, a global leader in the processing of plant-based raw materials, and subsidised by BPI France, the French agency for industrial innovation. Luc

X-Rite Incorporated, a global leader in color science and technology, and its subsidiary Pantone LLC, today reported that UK-based packaging converter Ultimate Packaging has leveraged X-Rite/Pantone solutions to better serve its client Asda, a Wal-Mart subsidiary, in the delivery of high quality flexible packaging for fresh and chilled foods. The company participated in an Asda pilot project using PantoneLIVE and ColorCert as part of Asda’s effort to engage key suppliers in a more streamlined and color-accurate manufacturing process. Ultimate Packaging reaped a number of unexpected benefits in doing so. “X-Rite/Pantone solutions gave us visibility into problems we were not aware we had, including with our ICC profiles, ink formulation and proofs,” said Vincent Whatley, X-Rite Coordinator at Ultimate Packaging. “We have implemented ColorCert: X-Rite Edition on our newest F&K flexible packaging press where 20% of the work produced is for Asda. We are reporting on all of the wor

The Cartes 2015 specialist trade fair takes place from 17 to 19 November in Paris. At this global event for payment, identification and mobility, Schreiner PrinTrust will be presenting two of its highlights: the "Best Product" NFC-Sticker and a groundbreaking new development in the field of vehicle identification – the ((rfid))-Windshield Global Secure label. Both solutions allow consumers to experience mobile, contactless payment in its simplest form. The NFC-Sticker fits perfectly into the portfolio of card producers who wish to follow the NFC payment trend as early as possible. The behind-glass label is one of the first on the market to offer dynamic encryption, which identifies vehicles in the UHF range with great reliability. This makes parking tickets a thing of the past. The EMV-compliant NFC-Sticker with integrated SLE 77 chip by Infineon meets even the most exacting performance and security criteria and offers an efficient solution to close the gap between stand

At this year’s Labelexpo Marabu was showcasing its advanced label and direct printing solutions for the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industry, including its well-established ink series for rotary and flatbed screen printing. Label and packaging designs with screen or digitally printed haptic effects played an increasingly important role among the visitors. High-quality no-label-look with tactile effects Product packaging needs high-class labeling for decoration, inscription, or designation – and sophisticated tactile effects are in high demand. Ultra RotaScreen UVRS has been developed for all common rotary label printing machines, and is perfectly suited for combination printing with UV letterpress and UV offset. The ink series comes with an Ultra RotaScreen UVRS 912 Relief Varnish which is highly reactive, transparent, and flexible, suited especially for relief printing with a suitable stencil. The transparent tactile printing varnish enables bubble-free 3D effects at a fav

eikon, an innovator in digital color printing technology, is proud to announce that leading UK label producer Abbey Labels Ltd has chosen the Xeikon CX3 digital label press to expand its digital production services and reduce pressure on capacity. The Xeikon CX3, based on Xeikon Cheetah digital print technology and officially launched for worldwide availability at Labelexpo Europe, is the fastest five-color digital label press in its class. As for the choice to invest in the Xeikon CX3, Tom Allum, Chairman of Abbey Labels is clear, “We acknowledged that with our existing digital equipment, we were getting to over-capacity and our lead times were drifting because of the great success of our digital department. We aim to turn jobs around in four days, but it was stretching to a week. The Xeikon CX3 is adding exactly the digital printing capability we need. It will help us to stay one step ahead and keep up to speed with market requirements.” Digital gives more options “We specia

In all 40 international branches of the huber group, employees celebrated the 250-year anniversary of this global printing ink manufacturer on Tuesday, 29th September 2015. This day is the officially registered formation date of the Munich-based company that still remains under the same family's ownership. Management staff members of the huber group thanked their colleagues during this celebration for their unfailing support and commitment. "Without you, the success of the last two and a half centuries simply would not have been possible," was the message that the regional managers gave to their staff members on behalf of Ulla Borgmann, member of the huber group Management. In her welcome speech, she recalled the company's founding years, challenging periods, and the expansive development in the last few decades, entertaining everyone along the way with a few anecdotes. The festivities for the approximately 3,500 employees varied in line with the respective local

Bronco, a new printer from Graphic Products, gives new meaning to the word ‘workhorse.’ The desktop printer is no wider than a sheet of paper but packs a powerful kick – 4-inch safety and compliance signs and labels for pipe marking, arc flash, hazard communication, barcoding, and more.   The compact machine is the latest in the DuraLabel line of industrial label and sign printers. The thermal transfer printer is a partner to the network-independent printer, Toro, and uses interchangeable supplies. “Bronco and Toro have become the dynamic duo,” said Josh Ball, product manager with Graphic Products. “The two printer system means you’ll have plenty of supply on hand and never have to worry about a print backlog in the office or on the construction site.” Bronco can be shared over a network so anyone can print to it. The 300 dpi print resolution ensures that small print is sharp and easy to read. Whether printing on premium vinyl, wire wraps, or even cold storage labels, messag

At Labelexpo Europe, FINAT (Europe’s leading trade association for the self-adhesive labelling and adjacent narrow web converting industry), and TLMI (the premier association for the label and package printing industry in North America) presented the first results of their joint Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) project for the self-adhesive label industry. The project, executed by LCA authority PRé Consultants BV, will provide a common understanding of LCA and the environmental hotspots within the self-adhesive label industry, as well as create a harmonized sector approach for LCA. “FINAT and TLMI recognize the need for guidance for our industry as customer demand for sustainability continues to grow,” commented FINAT President Thomas Hagmaier. Calvin Frost, TLMI Environmental Committee Chairman, added: “One of the reasons harmonization is so important from a global perspective is that we are all on the same page and we don’t have China doing one thing, Europe another, and North America