SPGPrints to present its RSI III at Labelexpo

SPGPrints will present solutions for rotary screen printing workflow for label and packaging applications with its new RSI III rotary screen integration unit taking centre stage on its stand at Labelexpo Europe from 24 September in Brussels.

According to a press statement, the RSI III unit is a fast, cost-effective way of applying value-adding functional and visual effects in a single pass at speeds up to 150m/min (492fpm). The unit is particularly suited for adding white ink of the highest

Staff Writer, 12 September 2019

Industrial packaging market in MENA to witness 5.2% CAGR

Future Market Insights (FMI) in its latest report revealed that the industrial packaging market in the MENA region stood at $3,372.5m in 2016 and is estimated to reach a valuation of $5,053m by the end of 2024. Revenue from the sale of industrial packaging products in the region is expected to increase at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period (2016–2024).

According to the report, the demand for industrial packaging in the Middle East and Africa is likely to remain robust owing to the

News Editor, 07 August 2019

Polar unveils new software to make automated cutting posible

Polar Mohr, a high-speed cutting machine manufacturer from Hofheim in Germany, launched its Compucut soft-ware which makes automated cutting possible.

“Nowadays, companies have multiple jobs daily and combination sheets often require complicated cutting runs that involve numerous programming steps. The software ensures that the increased set-up times caused by manual creation of cutting programmes for low-volume print runs are eliminated,” stated a press statement from Polar.

Compucut uses

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

New overlaminates for product packaging applications by Mactac

Mactac recently announced the launch of three new overlaminates for product packaging applications. “Designed to give product-packaging labels added protection, dramatic appearances and superior shelf appeal, the new overlaminates are ideal for packaging applications in markets such as health and beauty, household goods and food packaging,” stated Mactac.

The new products include: LTC01275 – a 0.7-mil matte clear soft touch overlaminate. Features a high clarity acrylic adhesive, a 50# white

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

Lecta reveals its new range of Diva Art Duo

Lecta recently launched its new Diva Art Duo range of two-side coated paperboard with silk finish. “It is designed for creative graphic arts projects and luxury packaging,” stated the press release from Lecta.

The press statement added: “Diva Art Duo is Lecta’s new two-side coated paperboard with an outstanding silk finish noteworthy for its printability and rich colour reproduction in offset and digital printing, in addition to its perfect folding characteristics and exceptional resistance to

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

‘Smart labels market is expected to deliver dynamic progression’

According to a report titled ‘Smart labels Market published by 2026’ by Mindaspire Market Research (MAMR), the global smart labels segment is expected to create incremental opportunity of more than $10,000 million from 2016 to 2026. In terms of volume, the RFID segment is expected to register a CAGR of 17.1% over the projected period, owing to many factors.

The market is segmented based on technology type, end use, printing technology type and region. Based on technology type, the market is

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

Miraclon hosts forums to push flexo package printing sector

Miraclon, the new independent home of Kodak Flexcel, recently hosted a series of Flexo Forums in the Americas, Europe and Asia bringing together customers, industry influencers, channel partners and Miraclon team members from around the world.

Kodak announced earlier this year the formation of its flexographic division called Miraclon. It is now seeking to forward its strategy to drive innovation in the flexo package printing sector.

The Forums’ agenda covered topics ranging from sustainability

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

When selecting products, it is the label that counts, says Dr Guy Boxall

OKI Europe’s Dr Guy Boxall, senior manager for industry print propositions, explores how brands and creative identities heavily rely on the colour white on their products for instant impact and recognition.

From neo-minimalism to geometric patterns, eye-catching serifs and the creative use of negative space, current design trends are having a far-reaching impact and brands are adapting with timeless, sophisticated designs.

You’ll notice a common thread particularly when it comes to brands and

Staff Writer, 22 July 2019

Smurfit Kappa makes multiple upgrades at its flagship mill

Smurfit Kappa continues to extend its paper portfolio production capabilities by investing in its flagship paper mill in the Netherlands.

The Roermond Paper Mill has made a series of upgrades to its Paper Machine 1 (PM1) during the last two years including rebuilding the winder, the press section, the drying section and the film press.

The final enhancement, which was completed earlier this year, was to install a state-of-the-art shoe blade gap former, a rebuild of the approach flow system and an

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Stora Enso to recycle paper cups for magazine paper production

Stora Enso aims to start recycling used paper cups at its Langerbrugge Mill in Belgium. Based on production trials, Stora Enso possesses the technical feasibility to recycle paper cups for use in other paper applications. The firm is now looking into partnerships for the collection and sorting of used paper cups to ensure that this high-quality fibre material is captured and given a second life.

Recycled fibre is a vital raw material for Stora Enso as it is aligned with the company’s commitment

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Xerox unveils Nuvera kit for stock handling

Xerox has launched a new lightweight kit for its Nuvera series of digital production printers to extend its stock weight range down to “ultra-lightweight”.

Nuvera users with models which were manufactured in the last three years can order the retrofittable kits for their machines, which adjust both the hardware and software of a device’s print engine to allow it to print stock as light as 44gsm, down from the previous minimum of 52gsm.

While the modification is not standard on newly purchased

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Asahi Photoproducts will unveil CleanPrint at Labelexpo 2019

Asahi Photoproducts will be exhibiting its full array of flexographic plates at Labelexpo 2019 at Brussels.

Featured at the show will be Asahi’s CleanPrint, a technology for clean flexographic printing.

“Since Asahi first brought to market its innovative flexographic plate technology, which enabled complete release of ink onto the substrate for a cleaner image and fewer press stops for plate cleaning, our thoughts about the value of the technology have evolved,” said Dr. Dieter Niederstadt

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Lintec labelstock for challenging surfaces

Lintec has introduced a new labelstock, UH5070, which includes a “highly aggressive” adhesive enabling placement on challenging surfaces. The polyester labelstock is targeted at professionals that require labels for high-end applications and industrial components.

UH5070 provides superior adhesion to rough and textured surfaces, and is used for information and identification labels used on consumer devices and industrial components. It also offers high adhesive-to-adhesive strength, allowing

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Ronald Britton introduces the world’s first plastic-free glitter

Metal powders and glitters manufacturer Ronald Britton has launched what it claims is the world’s first plastic-free and certified biodegradable glitter.
Based on natural materials rather than plastic, Cosmetic Bioglitter pure is designed to decompose completely, like a leaf in the natural environment.

The product is the first glitter to be verified microplastic-free by the EU and officially certified OK Biodegradable Water by TÜV, meaning it is guaranteed to biodegrade in natural freshwater

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Tetra Pak introduces connected platform ​

Tetra Pak has announced the launch of its connected packaging platform, which will transform milk and juice cartons into interactive information channels, full-scale data carriers and digital tools.​

Driven by the trends behind Industry 4.0, and with code generation, digital printing and data management at its core, the connected packaging platform will bring new benefits to food producers, retailers and shoppers.​ For producers, the new packaging platform will offer end-to-end traceability to

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Marky Andy ups programme

Press manufacturer Mark Andy has ramped up its educational programme in recent weeks, with a series of events designed to provide details of its technology portfolio to a wider audience.

This has included a presence at the Graphics Canada trade show in Ontario in early April, where the company reported interest in its entry-level digital prime label printing technology from Canadian offset printers looking to diversify into the narrow web roll label market. The three-day event allowed Mark Andy

News Editor, 23 May 2019

Lintec Europe launches easy-to-apply bubble-free labelstocks

Lintec Europe has introduced a range of easy-to-apply labelstocks featuring a ‘micro-canyon structure’ that prevents the formation of air bubbles beneath the label upon application. The labelstock is claimed to be particularly effective for information labels on home appliances or electronic devices, as well as large labels in the graphics market that require a high level of air-release performance. A UL-recognized product, the labelstock is also resistant to blistering caused by outgassing

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

MetsäBoard upgrades its boxboard portfolio

Metsä Board – part of Metsä Group – has created a new, enhanced folding boxboard portfolio, designed specifically to help brand owners and packaging converters tackle the big issues in packaging: saving resources, reducing carbon footprint and ensuring product safety.

Besides being better for the environment through lightweighting, the improved product range offers customer benefits by boosting brand appeal with its enhanced and balanced visual properties. The refreshed, simplified selection of

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Xeikon partners Technograph

Xeikon has signed a distributor partnership agreement with Polish packaging and converting specialist Technograph for its dry toner presses.

Specifically, the agreement, finalized at Xeikon Café 2019, will see Technograph distribute the Xeikon Cheetah series and Xeikon 3000 presses for packaging production.

Technograph owners Konrad Staroscik and Piotr Mrozek. Staroscik commented: “The Polish packaging production market is still very much dominated by offset print processes but as brands move

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Durst, Koenig & Bauer form digital packaging printing JV

Durst and Koenig & Bauer have signed a 50/50 joint venture agreement to develop single-pass digital printing systems for the folding carton and corrugated fibreboard industry.

Durst is a manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies. Koenig & Bauer is the world’s second-largest printing press manufacturer.
The signing of the agreement paves the way for the joint development and marketing of single-pass digital printing systems for the folding carton and corrugated

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Flint Group launches nyloflex FTH plate

Flint Group has launched a new flat top dot plates, the nyloflex FTH digital plate for flexible packaging printing.

A solvent-processed plate with a smooth surface designed for use with surface screening, the new flexo plate provides high solid ink density and superb highlight performance for ultimate overall print results.

The inherent flat top dot surface of the nyloflex FTH digital plate is achieved without additional processing steps or consumable items. Exposure with either standard tube or

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

DNP unveils new resin

DNP Imagingcomm America Corporation has introduced the V300 Versatility Defined Resin.

Unlike other thermal transfer ribbons, V300 resin prints on substrates ranging from paper and polypropylene to PET. It images equally well on all types of laminates, varnishes, and top-coats.

This product is also capable of producing crisp, dark images at both low and high print speeds. V300 has the potential to increase the productivity of resin applications with the ability to print up to 50 percent faster

News Editor, 23 May 2019

Kodak flexo division rebrands as sale done

Kodak has now completed the sale of its flexo business to Montagu Private Equity in a deal ultimately valued at $340m.  Confirmed as complete on 9th April,  following an initial announcement in November when it hoped to sell the business for up to $390m, the sale will see proceeds of circa $320m go to Kodak once agreed indebtedness, other items and delayed proceeds are factored against the gross purchase price.

The Flexographic Packaging Division was put up for sale by Kodak in August, with

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

News in brief

Smurfit Kappa cleared to acquire Bulgarian packaging maker. Smurfit Kappa has obtained the regulatory approval of Bulgaria’s competition watchdog Commission of Protection of Competition (CPC) to take over local company Vitavel, manufacturer of corrugated board, paper bags, and various packaging products, among others. The value of the planned takeover was not disclosed. The Bulgarian firm operates a production facility in Lukovit, in the country’s southern part. The factory is ISO 9001

News Editor, 23 May 2019

Epson confirms new regulations

Epson has confirmed that ink used in its SurePress digital inkjet label presses and ColorWorks on-demand colour label printers are compliant with EU Regulation framework (EC) No. 1935/2004, Good Manufacturing Practices Regulation (GMP) (EC) No. 2023/2006, Plastics Implementation Measure Regulation (EU) 10/2011 and included in Swiss Ordinance (RS 817.023.21) on Food Contact Materials for food packaging printing inks.

"Epson’s SurePress and ColorWorks printers are used worldwide by converters and

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

Flexofit GmbH celebrates “Silver Jubilee” in the capital of Egypt

The Flexofit GmbH celebrated their 25th successful seminar in Cairo, Egypt on the 12th March. This first of a kind event in the Mashrek region drew a highly interested expert audience from all over Egypt to the capital.
International company representatives from Chespa, Renzmann/TCS and Esko presented latest industry news and developments in printing and packaging. The plate supplier Lucky regaled the local top convertors and trade shops representatives with a lecture on printing plates.
The home

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

AR Packaging’s new board

AR Packaging has presented a gas tight pressed board tray packaging for chilled foods as a replacement of plastic trays, which the company says is the first on the market and offers an efficient solution well suited for giving a shelf life of at least 18 days.
The increasing demand for sustainable packaging has led to work on a gas tight carton-based trays. The solution now launched is based on technologies and materials from CC Pack and Flextrus, both plants situated in Sweden.
“We have invested

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

KODAK FLEXCEL enables time-saving workflow

KODAK FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution at W&H Printing Technology Center enables time-saving flexo workflow.
Kodak partnered in the “Experience the Future of Flexo” Open House event held by Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) on March 27 and 28, 2019 in Lengerich, Germany. At this event, it attracted customers and prospects from the global flexo printing industry, Kodak showcased its new, innovative KODAK FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution for the first time outside the United States. The W&H Printing

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Stora scales back Oulu conversion plan

Stora Enso is consulting with employees over revised plans to convert Oulu Mill to packaging board. The latest proposal would involve shutting one of the site’s paper machines with the potential loss of 400 jobs.
Last summer the biomaterials group announced a feasibility study into converting its entire production of more than a million tonnes of Lumi coated woodfree paper into brown-based cartonboard and kraftliner on the two paper machines at the Oulu site in Finland, involving an investment

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Turkish packaging company becomes new member of GPA

The Turkish packaging manufacturer PrintPark is a new member of the Global Packaging Alliance (GPA). The global alliance now unites nine independent packaging companies under its roof with the aim of enabling uniform brand presences for FMCG market leaders worldwide. The latest expansion is not only an opening towards the Bosporus, but also offers the GPA a presence with a view to the strategically important markets in the MENA region.
“With PrintPark, we are pleased to expand GPA’s position in

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019