Environment
Other: Rotomec focuses on sustained biodegradable packaging
Rotomec, a packaging machines manufacturer recently conducted an open house focussing on rotogravure printing and laminating machines. The theme of the open house was "Sustainable Technologies & Biodegradable Materials".
The theme was based on machine's energy efficiency and waste reducing performance when processing substrates derived from renewable sources for producing biodegradable compostable flexible packaging.
The event was attended by 170 visitors from 21 countries on 15 � 17 June 2011 in company's Technology Center in S. Giorgio Monferrato, Italy.
Demonstrations were carried out on a RS 4003MP HS gravure press and a CL 850 laminator. The manufacturer claims that the use of biodegradable materials in the flexible packaging industry is a topical subject.
The manufacturer emphasised: "Producers of films, inks, adhesives and resins are actively involved in research on new materials from renewable sources that are compostable, hence whose disposal can limit their environmental impact. However, the physical properties of raw materials derived from various vegetable resources are different from those of conventional films. This has a bearing on their machinability, which is of primary importance to a converter's operations."
The RS 4003MP HS gravure press in demonstration printed a typical job structure on a 20-micron biodegradable cellulose-based NatureFlex NK transparent film by Innovia with certified inks produced by Flint Group.
The company showed TAPS (Total-Automatic-Pre-register-Setting) sequence which takes only 4 to 5 minutes to complete the pre-register. The lamination demonstration was carried out with biodegradable adhesive.
