Xeikon Café Europe announces 2019 program

Xeikon Café Europe, a multi-vendor educational & networking event scheduled for 26 to 28 March in Antwerp, Belgium, is shaping up to be the label and packaging industry event of the year. It will feature a Conference program during the mornings of each of the three days followed by an Academy program each afternoon. Visitors can also meet up with preeminent industry suppliers in the Exhibition area where live production of creative label and packaging applications are scheduled to run

Press Release, 26 December 2018

Flint increase prices across all packaging ink products

Flint Group Packaging Inks is implementing a price increase for all products sold within Europe.

Citing the ‘progressively challenging global trading environment’, Flint Group stated that it has had to implement difficult decisions for the security and sustainability of supply. Furthermore, significant cost headwinds have been witnessed in pigments, solvents, resins and freight, placing uninterrupted cost pressure on the Packaging Inks’ business. The price increase will vary depending on each

Staff Writer, 24 December 2018

Uflex launches new products for pharma packaging

Uflex has launched a portfolio of new products in pharmaceutical packaging that includes fast tear strip foil, PET based cold form blister, child resistant and senior friendly foil, and branding products.

Fast tear strip foil is produced in-house to impart easy tearability of the laminate. Uflex has developed a 20 micron pinhole free soft tempered foil that offers high quality printing on a matte finish and multi-color reverse printing designs on PET film in a special PET, foil and PE

Staff Writer, 24 December 2018

Koehler to develop functional surfaces

Koehler Paper Group and Technische Universität Darmstadt have formed a research partnership aimed at developing functional surfaces from sustainable raw materials.

The Green Coating Collaboration, to launch in January 2019, has the objective to replace plastic with sustainable paper options wherever possible and practical.

Within the framework of this collaboration, both Koehler employees, and employees and students from TU Darmstadt will carry out joint research at the university to develop

Staff Writer, 24 December 2018

Esko expands software platform

Esko has unveiled the latest update to the Esko software platform. This newest release delivers a host of platform-wide updates.

"In a fast-moving market, we need to ensure our solutions are ahead of the game," said Geert De Proost, director solutions marketing of Esko. "With that in mind, we are constantly looking to make improvements to all aspects of our software solutions. They may be large or small, but the aim is the same: we want to make sure that our customers receive the utmost in

Staff Writer, 20 December 2018

Comexi hosts flexible packaging seminar in São Paulo

Comexi recently held a seminar in São Paulo attended by nearly 100 professionals from 32 companies in the flexible packaging sector. The event was led by Comexi and the Manel Xifra Boada Technology Center (CTec).

Comexi selected Brazil as the venue for the fifth 2018 technical seminar, confirming the confidence of the company’s owners in the economic recovery of the country. The first four seminars were held in Peru, Mexico, South Korea and Japan respectively. The conference took place at the

Staff Writer, 20 December 2018

Siegwerk to increase price of packaging inks and varnishes in EMEA

Siegwerk will increase prices for all packaging inks and varnishes in the EMEA region, effective starting February 1, 2019.
The company noted how costs for raw material categories, such as photoinitiators, UV monomers, acrylic resins, pigments, isocyanates and specialty additives have continued to rise throughout the year, with further increases experienced in the last quarter of 2018. In addition colored pigments and photoinitiators are expected to remain highly affected by drastic supply

Staff Writer, 20 December 2018

Labelexpo India 2018 reports highest ever visitor number

The organizer of Labelexpo India reported that its 6th edition of Labelexpo India, which took place at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida from 22 to 25 November 2018, was its largest show to date in the region. A total of 9,851 visitors from 55 countries passed through its doors over the four days of the show, 22.7% more than in its last edition in 2016 and the biggest visitor increase to date.

Lisa Milburn, managing director for Labelexpo Global Series, said, “We are absolutely

Press Release, 05 December 2018

Esko and Amtech join forces to bring increased efficiencies to corrugated converters

Esko announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Amtech Software to bring increased efficiencies to its joint customers in the corrugated market. The companies are developing an integration between Esko’s ArtiosCAD, Automation Engine, WebCenter QuickStart for Corrugated solution, and Amtech’s Encore ERP solution to create bi-directional communication that eliminates double data entry and enables further downstream automation of the workflow for corrugated converters.

In an

Press Release, 04 December 2018

Duran Machinery to become Koenig & Bauer Duran in Istanbul

Koenig & Bauer has agreed with Duran Machinery in Istanbul to take over 80% of its folder/gluer business and integrate it into the Group under the name Koenig & Bauer Duran.
With this latest acquisition, the world’s oldest printing press manufacturer is once again strengthening its activities in the growth segment of machines and systems for packaging production. Together with the Rapida sheetfed presses from Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, flatbed diecutters from Koenig & Bauer Iberica

Staff Writer, 04 December 2018

Domino and Multitec seal hybrid press partnership

Inkjet integration specialist Domino and Indian flexo press manufacturer Multitec have announced the joint development of a hybrid UV inkjet-flexo press.

Commented Ajay RaoRane, assistant vice president, Digital Printing Solutions, Domino, "We chose to work with Multitec because they have a good technology know-how, a good penetration in the Indian market with excellent relationships with customers, and a hunger to do more. We complement each other."

Amit Ahuja, director of Multitec, added

Staff Writer, 29 November 2018

Avery Dennison and Smag partners to drive RFID adoption

Avery Dennison and French converting equipment manufacturer Smag Graphique have partnered to facilitate easier market access for label converters looking to offer RFID conversion options.
As part of this partnership, Avery Dennison’s customers can visit Smag Graphique’s showroom in Savigny sur Orge, France, where the machine manufacturer showcases its dedicated RFID inserting machines for roll-to-roll RFID insertion and encoding.
Label converters who are new to conversion of RFID labels can

Staff Writer, 29 November 2018

Labelexpo India opens sixth edition

The sixth edition of Labelexpo India opened its doors today at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR.

Of the current edition, Lisa Milburn, managing director, Labels Group, said, "I am delighted to be back at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida to open our sixth edition of Labelexpo India. This is our second time here, and our biggest event yet in the region. With 250 exhibitors, this year's show is 28 percent bigger than our last edition in 2016."

"This increase is in part down to the

Staff Writer, 22 November 2018

Lombardi announces two press sales at Labelexpo India

Vinsak, the exclusive distributor of Lombardi Synchroline presses in the Indian sub-continent, has announced the sale of two presses on the first day of Labelexpo India 2018.

While Delhi-based Polylam Printers has opted for an 8-color Lombardi Synchroline 430 flexo label printing press, Ahmedabad-based Prakash Printers has invested in an 8-color Lombardi Synchroline 530 press. Both presses are on display at the show floor from November 22-25.

The Lombardi Synchroline 430 press is equipped

Staff Writer, 22 November 2018

India hosts L9 meeting

In the lead-up to Labelexpo India 2018, Label Manufacturers’ Association of India (LMAI) hosted the L9 meeting attended by label associations from across the world, including Finat, Ametiq, JFLP, PEIAC, Salma and TLMI.

The heads of the various associations spent three days together, hosting discussion meetings, conference presentations and networking events.

Sandeep Zaveri, past president of LMAI, welcomed L9 association presidents to the meeting, followed by an address by Thomas Hagmaier, L9

Staff Writer, 22 November 2018

Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica doubles market share as flexible packaging printing continues to grow

The market for flexible package printing continues to grow, according to Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica, which has reported a full order book.

Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica recently hosted an open house for customers at its plant in Tavazzano near Milan for the first time since the takeover by Koenig & Bauer in December 2013. Over two days, around 300 visitors from 20 countries were treated to live demonstrations of the Evo XD CI flexo press and received information about printing with

Staff Writer, 22 November 2018

Esko opens new flexo platemaking facility

Esko has opened a brand-new facility in Itzehoe, Germany, to consolidate its flexo platemaking business under one roof, including research, engineering, product development, testing and production.

The facility features a customer experience center where customers and industry partners can immerse themselves in the technical and business details of flexography. The new center is set up to demonstrate and teach how Esko masters the entire flexo platemaking eco-system, from design and prepress

Staff Writer, 22 November 2018

Lintec offers tamper evident labelstock

Lintec Europe is launching Securafol, a non-PVC, destructible labelstock designed to counter product tampering, warranty fraud and asset theft.
Securafol can be used for multiple applications, such as asset labels, security seals, product warranty labels and pharmaceutical box seal labels.
Securafol has a 50% higher tensile strength than conventional destructible vinyl and has low internal strength once the labelstock is applied to the surface. This unique balance makes Securafol easy to convert

Staff Writer, 20 November 2018

Kodak reaches agreement with Montagu for sale of its Flexographic Packaging Division

Eastman Kodak Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Flexographic Packaging Division to Montagu Private Equity LLP, a leading private equity firm. After closing, the business will operate as a new standalone company which will develop, manufacture and sell flexographic products, including the flagship KODAK FLEXCEL NX System, to the packaging print segment.

Under its new ownership, the business will have the same organizational structure, management team and growth culture

Staff Writer, 13 November 2018

Industry joins together for Global commitment

Suppliers from across the labels and packaging supply chain have signed up to a new global initiative to combat plastic waste and pollution.
The New Plastics Economy Global Commitment has been established to combat plastic waste and pollution by uniting over 250 businesses, governments and other organisations from around the world behind a common vision and a set of 2025 targets to address the problem at its source. It is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Koenig & Bauer to help printers

Koenig & Bauer has introduced ‘Gold Star Roller Service’, a roller service initiative to help printers improve press performance and maintain print quality.
The company identified that a press with rollers in poor condition or incorrectly set can cause major production and quality problems for printers. Resolving these problems can be time consuming and requires an identical skill level across all press crews.
To overcome these issues and assist its customers, the ‘Gold Star Roller Service’

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Constantia Flexibles adds new portfolio

Constantia Flexibles has developed Ecolutions, a new line intended to combat the volume of waste produced every year through packaging.
Quoting figures from World Bank and the UN, Constantia Flexibles noted 2.12 billion tons of waste is produced every year. In 2050, it is anticipated 3.40 billion tons of waste will be generated in cities alone. The supplier’s own research, conducted by marketagent, found that 80 percent of end consumers prefer eco-friendlier packaging over a regular one and

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Rotoflex introduces DF3 digital finishing unit at Labelexpo 2018

Rotoflex has launched DF3, a configurable off-line digital finishing and converting machine.
Debuting at Labelexpo Americas 2018, the Rotoflex DF3 is servo-driven from unwind to rewind with print and die cut units in between. It has been designed to deliver efficient operation and a full spectrum of off-line decoration and finishing in the fast-growing digital and hybrid world.
“The DF3 is ideal for a business that currently operates roll-to-roll digital label presses and is ready to its optimise

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

RadTech adds new free course

RadTech has added a new email-delivered training course on UV LED to provide an introduction to the technology.
This is the second course in a series of free, email-based courses from RadTech, an association for UV and EB technology, to deliver educational lessons on various aspects of UV and EB technology. Each course features several lessons sent in a weekly email that should take roughly 10 minutes to read or see.
The new course on UV LED technology will cover the following topics: Ultraviolet

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Tetra Pak introduces plant management service to boost customer profitability

The Swiss-based food manufacturing company, Tetra Pak, has unveiled Tetra Pak Plant Secure which is a new plant management service aimed at providing profitability improvements for customers.
Tetra Pak’s service will allow for an extended audit of the equipment and systems utilised across the entirety of the customer’s value chain.
The findings, along with Tetra Pak’s in-depth knowledge of the industry and data on food manufacturing, will enable its specialists to accelerate improvements across

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Mondelez commits for recyclable packaging

Mondelez International recently announced a new commitment to make all packaging recyclable and provide recycling information by 2025. The company will work in partnerships so that packaging can be collected and recycled in markets around the world. This new commitment is part of the company’s strategy for a circular packaging economy and will help deliver its long-term vision for zero-net waste packaging.
The announcement reflects the company’s new purpose to empower people to snack right by

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

MPS customers celebrate awards

MPS congratulates various international customers for winning awards for labels printed on an MPS press. At the recently held FlexoTech Awards, Label Industry Global Awards and the South African GAPP Awards, MPS customers celebrated award-winning labels.
At the Label Industry Global Awards, held during Labelexpo Chicago 2018, Japanese customer Takara (parent company of Takara Pac) won the ‘Best of the Best’ Award for their Merry Christmas wine label, printed on their MPS EC flexo press. At the

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Carlsberg chose hubergroup as main supplier for their beer labels

Carlsberg chose the global ink manufacturer hubergroup as main supplier for their beer labels. As part of Carlsberg’s ambitious sustainability programme “TogetherTowardsZERO”, the company is making its products more sustainable and ensuring that consumers can live more sustainable lives. To that end, Carlsberg looked at the entire value chain to improve every part of its packaging, and that also included the ink for their beer labels. To help with that, the company chose hubergroup as the main

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Trelleborg has signed agency agreements with Pamarco and Bingham Flexo Services (BFS)

Trelleborg has signed agency agreements with Pamarco and Bingham Flexo Services (BFS) for the distribution of its Axcyl flexographic product line in the US and Canada. The three companies will be working together to promote Trelleborg’s Axcyl plate mounting sleeves, bridges and adapters for flexographic press applications. Thanks to the very close connection between Pamarco and BFS, the whole US and Canadian territory is to be ‘very well covered’. This will provide strong support to the North

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018

Neenah has launched Kimdura Universal HC Synthetic Label Facestock

Neenah has launched Kimdura Universal HC Synthetic Label Facestock, the newest addition to the Kimdura Synthetic Paper portfolio for durable labels. Kimdura Universal HC enables end-users to print highly durable labels, using compact desktop printing technologies, without any additional lamination or overcoat. Kimdura Universal HC Synthetic Label Facestock is optimised for full-colour print-on-demand applications with demanding durability requirements, such as laboratory, anaesthesia (OR)

Staff Writer, 12 November 2018