Packaging MEA - Feb-Mar 2013 by Packaging MEA

vol 2, issue 1. feb-mar 2013

www.packagingmea.com

Setting barriers for success Barrier properties are a crucial consideration in picking packaging materials, especially for the food segment, writes Deb Debabatra p51 Industry profile

Regional News

Technology feature

Regional News

Kimoha blazes a trail for p56 growth with ethics

Future Flex invests €10m in sector’s expansion p06

How to make the right p48 choices in HD flexo

Heidelberg ties up with p22 Fujifilm in the GCC

‘Self-adhesive labelling is a dynamic and creative sector of the packaging chain, offering unparalleled flexibility and versatility.’ Jules Lejeune, managing director of FINAT p58

Final Edited Cover.indd 1

28/02/2013 23:40

With a pair of award-winning flexographic solutions in our portfolio we are confident we can exceed your expectations. The Kodak Flexcel NX System and recently launched Kodak Flexcel Direct System represent the leading edge of innovation, driving outstanding efficiency and quality benefits in flexo printing. Complemented by our bulletproof Kodak Prinergy Powerpack Workflow they position your business to ‘Do More With Less’.

Make a change for the better. Kodak.com/go/ﬂexo

For inquiries: Grapholine Trading | Packaging Solutions Partner UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman | Tel: +9714 2500072 | e-mail: sales@grapho-line.com

HALL 4 - B1 © Kodak, 2012. Kodak, Flexcel and Pringery Powerpack are trademarks of Kodak.

Kodak Ad.indd 1

01/03/2013 01:04

comment publisher

Usha B. Daniel usha@packagingmea.com editor

Piers Evans editorial@packagingmea.com technical editors

Debabrata Deb George Simonian contributing editor

Benjamin Daniel Wayne Peachey art director

Oscar Priyanand webmaster

Siby George advertising enquiries

ads@packagingmea.com +971-55-519 6063 published by

JJ Media Fz LLC, BIZ, RAK Creative City, PO Box 391186 The Iridium, Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone +971-4-387 3575 printed by:

Emirates Printing Press Dubai, United Arab Emirates

© copyright 2013 PMEA all rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Let us share your views on the complex issues the sector faces Dear reader, Many packaging professionals contributed to making the first issue of our publication. Perhaps you were one: if not, we hope you will be one in the near future. It is our goal to fully represent the industry in the MEA region in these pages – and to present the views of a broad section of buyers, printers, converters, manufacturers, suppliers and all the other professionals on which our industry relies. We also hope that the quality of our reporting and the insights our contributors share with us will inspire you to join the Packaging MEA family by becoming print

Usha B Daniel, Publisher

subscribers. If you are not already receiving this industry publication (free), we would be delighted to have you on our mailing list. We welcome you to join this publication by sending us a mail to editorial@packagingmea.com As packaging emerges in the

Middle East and Africa, and confronts a host of complex business and technological decisions, it is vital for it to have a forum to share its experiences. This is your publication and we aspire to be your voice. The next issue of Packaging MEA, in April, will be a special edition in the run-up to Gulf Print & Pack 2013. We will be focusing on the exhibitors and what they have in store for the regional packaging buyers, printers and converters. Please stay in touch. Let us know your plans for this highlight in the region’s calendar and what you need to know to make the most of the event.

Should we still expect Europe to give the template for success? After a distinguished career in his native Germany, Wolfgang Gruening demonstrated his undiminished skills and energy by moving to Dubai and swiftly winning 40 aviation clients at Kimoha Entrepreneurs. So does he miss Europe’s exacting professional standards, or its rigorous environmental and workplace safeguards? Not a bit, as he explains in this issue’s industry profile, starting on page 56. ‘Kimoha is quite far over the average of what all the Europeans do,’ he said. On the whole, printing and packaging is one area where Africa and the Middle East can still look to Europe for solutions. Europe can no longer give lectures to other regions on how to achieve economic growth. But this issue of Packaging

Piers Grimley Evans, Editor

MEA carries several reports of seminars and training sessions in which professionals from Europe shared knowledge as well as sales pitches with regional professionals. It is also axiomatic to the sector’s expectations that the arrival of multinationals will raise requirements in quality of work as well as in environmental and professional practice.

No doubt, though, just as the world’s emerging regions now look poised to eclipse Europe’s economic dominance, innovations will soon be travelling to as well as from the packaging industry’s heartland in Europe. An insight into how European firms might learn from the Middle East and Africa can again be seem in Kimoha Entrepreneurs. In its new HQ in Jebel Ali, the firm weds the professional standards that multinationals expect with a communal ethos poles apart from the West’s individualistic approach. Yet the non-demoninational prayers, yoga and laughing exercises described in this month’s profile could well be one area where Europe can already starting learning from this region.

feb-march 2013

03_editorial page.indd 3

01/03/2013 00:51

Letters UAE We welcome this magazine as it is the only B2B publication purely targeting the packaging industry. Looking into your launch issue, I like the content and the clean layouts. I am sure this initiative would be beneficial to the regional packaging industry. Gilbert Bernard, Production Manager, Express Printing Services llc, UAE

UAE We welcome Packaging MEA as it brings to light the trends in the regional and global packaging industry. Your first issue also gives me a feel that it is a good beginnner’s guide for people, technologies and sectors within the packaging industry. William Levi, Pre-press Manager, Pacman CCL Group, UAE

Egypt I would like to convey my sincere congratulations to all those who let this publication (Packaging MEA) be a reality. No doubt that it’ll be a vital addition to our industry, specializing in one of its most growing and developing sectors (Packaging). My best wishes for a bright future. Dr. George Simoniani, Lecturer, Print Media Helwan University, Cairo, technical editor, Packaging MEA and Print Training & Management Consultant Egypt

Inbox KSA First of all, I like the magazine as a product. The magazine is edited and presented well and is refreshing. I wish this magazine the best of luck in achieving its target audience and meet the set targets. It is really good to have a specialised magazine for the packaging sector as the industry is growing and print for packaging is also growing, especially with growth in the labelling and other specialised rigid print applications. Although it is good to have publications that are addressing the print industry in general, having a specialised magazine for the packaging sector is even better. We hope that Packaging MEA will grow to be a communication platform to address the regional packaging industry. Zeid Al-Jehni, General Manager, Heidelberg Middle East, KSA

Jordan A magazine dedicated for the packaging industry is good for the Jordan market. Although the demand for flexible packaging and labelling is limited here, there is good scope for offset-based rigid packaging such as folding carton and corrugated boards. Through good education and know-how, I feel there is good scope for investments in both flexible and rigid packaging here in Jordan and I hope your magazine could be a knowledge base and a channel. In the future there is good scope for packaging Malek Sabbahg, General Manager and Owner, Malek Factory (Labelling), Jordan

UAE It is a very good idea to have a publication purely for the packaging industry. There is nothing like it here in this market. This initiative by Packaging MEA, I feel would link the packaging buyers, converters and equipment manufacturers and the users. I also feel that this initiative would benefit the regional packaging industry a lot. Munir Millwala, CEO, Al Sama Printing Press llc, UAE

KSA First of all, we feel that Packaging MEA is more active in reporting the latest news and technologies. The magazine is covering the leading packaging events and this is commendable and I can see the magazine reaching many of our important packaging customers. I wish you the best of luck and keep up the good work. Mohannad Naqqasha, Director, Orionco, KSA

MEA Packaging MEA is a great innovation for a dedicated growth section of the MEA packaging market. Packaging MEA to me seems to be more educative and informative in content. And I also feel and hope that the publication will continue to produce news and articles that are beneficial to existing packaging professionals and also new entrants into the industry. I wish you guys good luck. Jack Dean, Area Sales Manager, Mediterranean & MEA, Presstek, UK

UAE We are in a time when commercial printers are moving from light to heavy packaging and converting services. New technologies and trends in packaging needs a medium and platform to the industry and I see this new publication Packaging MEA fitting in as a technology and business education resource. I wish you all the very best. Mazen Haj, Chairman, DCCI Printing & Publishing Group, UAE

MEA You have a very important role in the education and growth of this exciting region. By the way, love your slogan: unpacking the world of packaging. Wishing you good luck. Melis Michael, Sales Development Manager, EFI Jetrion, Belgium

UAE In this fast-growing environment where FMCGs are expanding very rapidly, I believe it is important to have the opportunity to access some insights about new packaging technologies and also understand that packaging is playing a big role in marketing process – and why some brands becomes leader while others follows. Packaging MEA is the first magazine that provides informative insights from both technical and marketing sides. As professionals, it gives us the chance to better fill the gap between design concepts and technical capabilities. Christel Morival, CEO, Lamarq International, UAE

Packaging MEA welcomes your views. Please keep us informed about your experiences in packaging by e-mailing: editorial@packagingmea.com

page 4 LETTERS FINAL.indd 1

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:16

contents

06 19 news 23

06–26 regional 34–47 international

event 28–29 arabplast 2013 32–33 packaging seminar

features 46–47 the HD buzz

38 53

49–51 barrier properties 53–55 self adhesive labelling 56–57 industry profile

subscribe at:

editorial@packagingmea.com for a complimentary copy of

Packaging MEA magazine

jan-feb 2013

CONTENTS PAGE for Ben_Correction.indd 3

01/03/2013 00:52

news

Regional

OrionCo hosts conference KSA Saudi-based packaging industry supplier, service provider and machinery distributor OrionCo has hosted a conference in Riyadh and Jeddah on film making techniques. Aimed at updating the firm’s customers and suppliers, the New Trends in Film Production Conference focused on extrusion and blown film technologies. The event followed the recent launch of OrionCo’s technology centre in Riyadh. Presenters included Francesco Peccetti, from Colines S.PA, who spoke on extrusion technologies. Dr Hans-Jurgen Kittsteiner, of Andritz, gave insights on BIAX technologies. Ender Vural, from Hosokawa Alpine, spoke on blown film lines. In the afternoon session, Darren Pickford from Bobst Manchester gave a presentation on vaccum metallising. Leonardi Marco of Tecnova spoke about recycling machines. Issam Nasr from Orion Service Centre gave a talk on this new operation. Mohannad Naqqasha of OrionCo told Packaging MEA that 40 professionals had attended the event. ‘We had this event both in Riyadh and Jeddah,’ he said. ‘While 29 industry professionals from 19 companies attended at the Riyadh event, 11 industry professionals from 7 companies attended the event at Jeddah.’ Feedback on the conference had been enthusiastic, he added. Members of the audience had expressed gratitude for ‘new prolific information’ and ‘a fruitful time’, he said. Others commented that they were not receiving the same support from OrionCo’s competitors, he added.

page 6.indd 8

Future Flex stakes €10m on new demand for flexible packaging ME Confident that flexible packaging will continue to gain on rigid packaging, Abu Dhabi-based Future Flex has invested almost €10m in new machinery and technology it will start up in 2013. Recent investments at the firm’s new premises include a Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) rotogravure press that will more than double production capacity, said General Manager Mohamad Azzam ‘In the UAE this is the first W&H Rotogravure press,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘The existing Cerutti machine runs at 350 metres/min whilst the W&H machine runs at 500 metres/ min. So we can now increase our production capacity by more than double because of the machine speed. Its printing width is 1300 mm.’ One of three subsidiaries of Future Plast, the firm specialises in the manufacture of multilayer laminated rolls, pre-formed pouches including stand-up, re-closable and lap seal co-ex pouches, butter foil and registered cold seal. Future Flex’s new press is among a series of investments as the firm targets rising opportunities in flexible packaging, in part from the eclipse of rigid packaging solutions, said Azzam. ‘Comparing flexible packaging to rigid packaging, flexible packaging has an expected growth of more than 3.6% per annum, which is more than national rates of GDP growth, and in Saudi Arabia it is even more,’ he said. ‘For the food and beverage market, the trend is towards

Mohamad Azam sees a trend towards flexible packaging

flexible packaging. For example, oil used to be packed in cans but now they use stand-up pouches with spouts. Previously, juices used to come in PET bottles and now the trend is to use flexible packaging pouches with straw or spout facility.’ Technological innovation and environmental concern help drive this shift in the market, he added. ‘Flexible packaging can have a longer shelf life because for food products we have the flexibility to insert an aluminium foil inside the pouch lining, which we cannot do for rigid packaging,’ he said. ‘Flexible packaging reduces waste, energy use and greenhouse gas emission... It provides convenience of handling and disposal after use. It also helps in raw material and cost saving. To pack 1 kg of oil it takes 40 gmm of HDP jar, while with flexible material it takes only 10 gmm. It also saves in transportation costs for export.’ Future Flex completed its factory

at the end of 2010 and started production in mid-2011 with a 8+1 colour Cerutti rotogravure press. For lamination, the firm invested in a Nordmeccanica SuperCombi 3000 combined laminator. The firm has two slitters, one from Atlas Converting (Titan) and one from Lan System, as well as two pouching machines for standup and zipper pouches as well as centre-seal pouches, added Azzam. Including its new W&H rotogravure press, the firm has now purchased additional kit totalling €10m, he told Packaging MEA. ‘For the new setup that we are starting in 2013, we invested almost €10m in machinery and new technology,’ he said. ‘We are going for a new, fully automatic slitting machine from the UK-based Ashe Converting Equipment manufacturer. As for pre-press rotogravure cylinder engraving, we outsource from one of the three available local cylinder engravers in the UAE.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:16

Regional

SPPC’s income surges with ENPI takeover KSA Saudi Printing and Packaging Company (SPPC), a subsidiary of Saudi Research & Marketing Group, has announced a net income of 124.6m riyals ($33.23m) for 2012, up on 36.0m riyals ($9.60m) for the previous year, a rise of 246.1%. The surge in net income for 2012 is mainly attributable to a capital gain of 77.0m riyal ($20.53m) arising from the sale of a part of SPPC’s land in Jeddah’s Dhahban district, as well as the inclusion of financial results for the second half of 2012 of Emirates National Factory for

SPPC recently acquired UAE-based plastic industries group ENPI

Plastic Industries L.L.C., a wholly acquired company,. SPPC recently signed a contract to sell part of its land in

Dhahban, in the Northern Abhur neighborhood in Salman Gulf in Jeddah, an area of 330,000 sq m valued at 215.5m riyals ($57.47m).

The company said in a statement that the cash would finance the company’s acquisition of 100% of shares in Emirates National Factory for Plastic Industries (ENPI) registered in the UAE. SPPC’s earnings per share was 2.08 riyals, compared with 0.60 for the previous year, while the gross profit was 150.8m riyals compared with 75.6m for the previous year, representing an increase of 99.5%. Income from operations totalled 67.2m riyals ($17.9m) compared with 38.9m ($10.4m) for the previous year, an increase of 72.8%.

Lamarq International shares its secrets for establishing strong brand identities in Gulf MEA Amid the Gulf’s explosive growth, packaging can help companies as they struggle to establish strong brand identies, says Lamarq International CEO Christel Morival An. As brands rush to establish themselves they often fail to create an image that sets them apart from their competitors, she told Packaging MEA. ‘From the food industry feeding the growing populations to the construction companies extracting new places for them to thrive, business here is enduring a major restructuring and an influx of products are hitting the market all at once,’ she said. ‘New “brands” are constantly being created and, unfortunately, many do not have an identity strong enough to set them apart from the competition.’

Some of the design and branding works of Lamarq International

But, in her view, how brands are positioned in the marketplace can determine their ultimate success. And packaging can play a vital role, she added. ‘Packaging may seem like a small piece of the puzzle but, in reality, it has the power to create an initial perception of your product that can immediately intrigue or put off a potential

consumer in seconds,’ she said. ‘Marketers and advertisers often overlook or underestimate the impact of a product’s packaging, which is a mistake. Brand impact and visibility are vital to making your product stand out, and they both begin with packaging design. After all, why create a product just to have it sit on the shelves?’ In a market that is so saturated

with conventional products, firms fail to appreciate what it means to create a unique image, she added. ‘At Lamarq, we create our brands methodically and specifically using a strategic approach that includes market and brand analysis, visual analysis, category management, POS, and semantics and semiotics,’ she said. ‘The information we gather gives us vital information about your environment, your product and your target. But whether you are creating a new product or giving a well-known product a facelift, you cannot be afraid to go back to the drawing board, because it is often the source of the problem as well as the solution.’ Lamarq International is a regional branding, packaging and design agency based in Dubai.

feb-march 2013

page 7.indd 8

28/02/2013 23:16

news

Regional

Labelco installs LeoMat kit UAE Labelco International is now running a LeoMat Practice Rewinder, purchased via Heidelberg to complement the Sharjah-based firm’s recent investment in a Gallus press. Over recent months since installation, the new kit has enhanced both the speed and quality of Labelco’s output, said Managing Director Imran Hussein. ‘Labelco International has installed a new Gallus ECS340, which has increased its flexographic capacity and quality,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘We have also installed a new LeoMat Rewinder machine. This enhances the quality checking system for our labels by auto checking individual labels with its new eye sensor.’ Through its new LeoMat Rewinder, Labelco ensures all its customer receive ‘100% perfect labels’, he added. In addition, the new rewinder has raised production capacity, he said. ‘The machine speed has played a major role in enhancing our productivity and quality. The cutting edge technology used on this machine in terms of speed and quality has helped Labelco increase its daily output.’ The LeoMat Practice is a fully automatic slitting/rewinding machine, developed and proven in practical applications with selfadhesive labels, processing and blister foils as well as paper, according to Rotocontrol, its manufacturer. Available in working widths up to 530 mm, the machine has a very rugged construction for high reliability and multi-shift operation, said Rotocontrol, which took the Lableco order through Heidelberg Gulf, which represents Rotocontrol and LeoMat in the UAE.

page 8 and 11.indd 2

Digitec opens new head office at IMPZ and sets out plans for 2020 UAE Flexo pre-press service bureau Digitec is opening a new head office and international pre-press centre at Dubai’s International Media Production Zone (IMPZ) as the firm overhauls its objectives Digitec aims to open the new facility on 1 March but will continue to invest in its current facilities at IMPZ, said CEO Vatche Kavlakian. ‘In general, 2013 will bring restructuring – meaning our facilities, our markets, our internal structure as well as the Digitec will now operate from two premises at Dubai’s IMPZ businesses we need to be involved our expansions in the online venture outside digital, he in,’ he told Packaging MEA. stressed. ‘This pre-built unit in IMPZ reprography side.’ ‘This digital printing is part Alongside Digitec’s new office, very shortly will be our main head office as well as our specialised based at No.65 IMPZ, the firm’s of our service vision. We will state-of-the-art pre-press established premises at No.69 will never venture into conventional continue to operate as a digital printing. Our target in the digital international centre.’ printing section will be to give As part of its new vision for printing centre. ‘For the first time maybe in service to our conventional print 2020, Digitec is also restructuring its operations in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East we will have customers, as in giving sampling has new plans for the Middle East, a professional digital printing digital printing for our corrugated he added. Egypt, Qatar, India and centre, in terms of highest editing, customers, or label samples to platforms, highest our label printing customers. other potential markets are now software ‘in the pipeline’ for development, definitions in photo retouching, So, actually, we want to utilise for which we have hired the most our digital printing facility as he said. ‘We want to reiterate that qualified people and best systems a completing service to our online reprography is the best in the region. We have a very long customers.’ At its established IMPZ solution for perfect service for list of equipment and systems we facility, Digitec also aims to the customers, and accordingly are going to buy.’ Digitec will also invest across launch a professional internal we are taking steps to make our digital technology service bureau – a Packaging and online platforms,’ he said. ‘It various Structural design (PSD) office involves communication, editing suppliers, he added. ‘We try to make our own – to support all the company’s collaboration, online approval cycles, customer demos, online way, our own screens, our own production lines such as digital, marketing, and sending and strategies with the benefit of all pre-press or plate-making. ‘We are evaluating what we did the platforms. This is our vision. receiving files.’ Africa and Nigeria also feature We don’t want to rely on one in the past eight years and we are in the company’s expansion or two technologies because trying to find out our strategy for plans, he said. ‘We are trying to technologies are changing very the next 10 years,’ said Kavlakian. ‘We made a vision for 2020 and have a facility and real operation fast and big suppliers are merging.’ But the company will not are acting accordingly.’ there. We also want to make

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:44

EFI-AD-V2-Final.pdf

6/7/12

3:26 PM

CMY

HALL 1 - M11

Kodak Ad.indd 2

01/03/2013 01:12

news Insulated packaging gets exclusive French chocolates to growing market in the UAE GCC A Pre-Valentines Day Chocolate Tasting event in the UAE highlighted an innovative packaging solution for serving worldwide markets with high-end French chocolates. Z Chocolat chocolates, by champion chocolatier Pascal Caffet, are sold exclusively over the internet, being shipped from France to customers in 244 countries, despite being highly vulnerable to temperature changes, said President JeanPhilippe Khodara. ‘The chocolates do not have any preservatives, are made with pure ingredients, without alcohol and 100% pure cocoa butter,’ he said. ‘This means that they are extremely sensitive to variations

in temperature. Variation in temperature could create migration of the ingredients. A little piece of cocoa butter will come to the outer layer and will cause a white layer.’ Z Chocolat products are therefore delivered in packaging that protects the contents from heat and cold while reinforcing the brand’s luxury image. ‘Although chocolate is our business, the key to this business is the gift packaging that we do,’ said Khodara. ‘Our customers are high profile. Our product is expensive. The boxes are made out of mahogany wood, cut into plates and varnished outside only. We produce 5,000 wooden boxes and

Gift packaging, key to our business

each box takes 10–30 minutes to produce. Inside we have a folding carton packaging.’ A thermal layer, inside the outer packaging, surrounds these boxes and gel packs inside the boxes keep the contents below

22°C, the temperature at which the chocolates can spoil, for 48– 72 hours, said Khodara. ‘While transporting we pack the boxes in ice pack like pharmaceutical products,’ he said. ‘We only experience problems with 3% of deliveries.’ A pre-Valentine’s Day tasting event at Dubai’s One&Only Royal Mirage hotel on 24 January showcased 25 numbered chocolates including a new oriental golden heart recipe, a half-pound chocolate heart filled with praline. Z Chocolat now generates about 8% of its $4m annual revenue from the UAE, where its market is growing faster than in Europe and North America, said Khodara.

Reprotronics upgrades its Flexo pre-press UAE Dubai-based pre-press specialist Reprotronics has invested almost €500,000 in a software and hardware overhaul including a switch to HD Flexo. Upgrading the firm’s Esko CDI flexo imagers to HD Flexo will enhance both quality and productivity, said Sebastian Lonth, general manager of Reprotronics. ‘Now we can have a resolution Sebastian Lonth, “quality plates” range from 2540 to 4000 dpi,’ Reprotronic’s recent upgrade he told Packaging MEA. ‘The speed of imaging has doubled to also covered a switch to Flink 4 sq m per hour and quality has nyloflex Next technology for improved drastically.’ Through its surface screening. In addition to enhanced screening technology, flat-top dots and surface screening, Reprotronics can now give a this offers the advantage that its quality ‘as good as offset’, he LED technology enables a 1% dot to be retained from imaging added.

Page 10.indd 8

through runs as long as 1,000,000 impressions, said Lonth. But he stressed that achieving these technologies’ potential involves working closely with printers. ‘Although these new tech enable us to produce a high-quality plate, the challenge of reproducing the same quality of dots (1% -100%) can be only achieved with the press standards set at real high levels, especially with the right anilox and inks,’ he said. ‘We go the extra mile in closely working with the printer to achieve this high quality print. We have implemented this technology with selective customers who are really quality conscious.’

In Lonth’s view, HD Flexo delivers exceptional printing throughout the entire tonal range: good highlights, stable midtones, smooth gradients and solids, along with higher solid ink densities. Screen rulings can be increased, while the size of the smallest printable dot can be reduced. Special screening technology and the higher imaging resolution result in sharper images, smoother tints and a greater colour gamut, he said. Make-ready time is reduced and plates deliver greater run lengths. Fewer washing cycles also ensure the press is used optimally. ‘We spent almost €500,000 to upgrade all our software and hardware machines,’ he said.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:17

news

Regional

TCS enhances its operations in the Middle East by opening up a new office in Dubai Dubai Techno Converting Services (TCS), which serves printing and converting customers in flexographic and rotogravure printing houses, film production and packaging, has opened an office in Dubai. Since 1996, TCS has expanded from Egypt to cover the Gulf region, recently extending its relationship with Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) to cover the entire Gulf region. TCS Director Abed Zain Alabedin told Packaging MEA of the company’s development in recent years. ‘We are mainly focusing on the flexible packaging,’ he said. ‘We started in Egypt in 1996. In 2001 we opened our office in Syria, in 2006 in Saudi

TCS’s Alabedin sees rising regional demand for flexible packaging

Arabia, and in 2013 in Dubai.’ TCS has 50 employees, mainly electronic and mechanical engineers, he added. Before its recent agreement with W&H covering the entire Gulf, TCS

had already represented the firm in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan, he said. ‘For the last three years we have more than 30 installations of various W&H machines for the

entire Gulf region,’ he said. The market for flexible packaging is increasing within the region, he added. ‘I think it’s growing, because everything needs packaging now,’ he said. ‘We sold really a lot in this region, especially in Saudi Arabia and even in Egypt. We even sold a lot of FFS (form, fill and seal) machines for petrochemicals and sugar industries.’ At the recent Arabplast 2013 tradeshow, TNC sold to ENPI’s Future Flex, a Heliograph 10-colour rotogravure press and a Duplex Compact 450 Solventless Laminator from Nordmeccanica Group, he added. TCS also sold a 10-colour W&H MiraFlex CI flexo press in Egypt to Kobusch, he said.

Kodak appoints ETG for UAE and Lower Gulf UAE Kodak (Near East) Inc. has announced the appointment of Emirates Trans Graphics LLC (ETG) as the authorised distributor for promoting Kodak thermal offset CTP plates and allied prepress consumables in the UAE and the Lower Gulf, specifically Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. A ceremony for the contract signing took place on 12 February at Kodak’s regional headquarters in Dubai and was attended by senior executives from both companies. While ETG will immediately start sales of Kodak pre-press solutions, and is determined to exceed the market expectations, Kodak’s commitment and partnership with the other two channel partners, Gulf Commercial Group and

Kodak and ETG executives met in Dubai for the signing ceremony

Grapholine, will remain intact and will continue as usual, according to Kodak. ‘ETG brings immense value to the partnership with their experience and knowledge of the pre-press market in the region,’

said Komal Sharma, Kodak’s vice president – Middle East, Africa & Turkey. ‘The company is appreciated in the market for their reach, high service standards and customer satisfaction to their broad spectrum of customers.

These qualities are very important for a Kodak partner and we are glad that these are the core strengths of the company.’ Mohammed Al Hashimi, ETG’s managing director, said his company was pleased to be associated with the Kodak brand. It ‘stands for the same values we stand for, i.e. quality, innovation and customer service’, he said. ‘We are confident that with our market reputation and Kodak’s world class solutions we will deliver better solutions that add value to our customers,’ he said Kodak has also announced that it will extend its existing line-up of thermal plates by introducing its new Kodak Sonora process-less plates.

feb-march 2013

page 8 and 11.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:44

news

Regional

Printech snaps back after fire Dubai In January, Dubai-based Printech Middle East LLC beat its performance for the month last year, despite a fire having gutted its premises in November, said Archana Patel, director Organisational Development & Quality. Recovery from the fire, which broke out at 12.15pm on 17 November 2012, revealed the company’s core values, he told Packaging MEA. ‘This was a litmus test for Printech’s leadership team and we are happy to inform you that the business is better than before within one month of the fire – January 2013 was, for us, up by 23% compared with January 2012,’ she said Printech had moved into its new premises, where the fire struck, on 7–8 August 2012. In the aftermath of the blaze, Printech built up its materials through air freight, loans from customers, and urgent shipments from suppliers, she said. ‘We took another office on rent and purchased and set up new furniture, office equipment, phones, internet and all IT equipment within a week,’ she said. ‘Rather than worrying about the fire, which was beyond our control, we focused on the way forward.’ The crisis also taught Printech three key lessons that other firms could share, she added. ‘First, never give up – the other side of the problem is an opportunity,’ she said. ‘Second, maintain a back-up copy of important data and accounts at a remote location. Third, have a crisis management drill every quarter or month, depending upon your requirement.’

page 12[1].indd 8

Al Mansoorah opens packaging plant at Dubai Investment Park UAE Sharjah-based commercial printer Al Mansoorah Printing Company LLC (MPC) is extending its operations with a packaging facility in Dubai. Prominent Printing & Publishing Co. LLC, MPC’s new sister company, will offer comprehensive packaging services at Dubai Investment Park II from February 2013, said Anwar Kazani, managing director of MPC. ‘Our vision is to become the largest packaging press of the United Arab Emirates and that is the reason we have planned to expand our business as per the market requirements,’ he told Packaging MEA. The new company will operate a state-of-the-art Heidelberg SpeedMaster CD six-colour printing machine with inline UV varnish, a Bobst Novacut automatic die cutting machine, a high speed Bobst VisionFold pasting machine with a quality controller and other related equipment, said MPC Business Development Manager Ali Anwar Kazani. ‘We aim to provide something new and unique with our new modern machines, like printing on metallic board and plastic sheets with special applications, and to enter the market of luxury packaging as well to meet the current market demand of our customers,’ he said. ‘We will be the complete solution provider for packaging requirements from the beginning stage till the end.’ The new facility can produce e-flute boxes and houses a creasing and slotting unit from Taiwan

Anwar Ali and Ali Kazani with Heidelberg Gulf’s Rajsekhar

as well as a blade fixing machine from the US, he added. Packaging capabilities will include offset as well as flexible with advanced features such as UV varnish, die cutting, gluing, pasting, gold foiling, blind embossing, hot foil blocking, window patching and blade fixing. MPC’s move into packaging is prompted by the growing number of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) setting up in the UAE and neighbouring countries, he said. The company started at a 7,000 sq ft facility in Sharjah Industrial Area No.3. In 1995, the purchase of a new Heidelberg 2-colour SORMZ-72 press then helped the family-owned business to expand. In 2000, the firm moved into a 40,000 sq ft lot in Sharjah Industrial Area No.15 and invested in a Komori Lithonia 2-colour B1 format press. Emirates Bank – now Emirates NBD – approved a first line of

credit to construct the building on half of this plot, said Anwar Kazani. Then, in 2009, MPC bought a digital press from Xerox to meet rising demand for variable and print on demand jobs. MPC has a well-established distribution network in both national and international markets, said Anwar Kazani. To fulfil its customers’ requirements in quality and price, the firm imports most of its materials, he added. ‘Manufacturing facilities are strictly controlled and conform to quality standards to meet and satisfy customer’s demands,’ he said. ‘Up to date scanners, processors and the latest hardware and software are used to get the required output as desired by our clients. This includes internet-accessible PCs and MAC machines, colour lasers, proofers, various scanners, image setter, films and computer to plate (CTP) etc. We are fully equipped with inhouse graphic designers.’

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:18

news Esko sees rapid growth ahead for markets in the Middle East and Africa through 2013 MEA Esko expects its sales in the MEA to continue soar this year after experiencing growth of over 20% in 2012, says Johan Bastiaen, sales account manager Middle East & Africa. Defying global recession, Esko’s regional market has soared in line with vibrant regional economies, he told Packaging MEA. ‘Everybody had certain expectations about Drupa, though we tried to limit the expectations due to the crisis that was going on,’ he said. ‘During Drupa we saw that the crisis did not affect us too much – 2008 Drupa for us was a record Drupa, and in 2012 we went way over it, way over the 2008 Drupa and way over the expectations that we had. It hasn’t stopped over there.

It has continued to grow in 2012 with double digits – more than 20% – even in the emerging markets such as Africa and Middle East.’ For Johan Bastiaen, healthy regional markets reflect both economic trends and changing attitudes. ‘The main reason is that, first of all, the market is developing and people are getting more aware of what’s happening,’ he said. ‘The population is growing. Young people are travelling more and getting more knowledge. In general, different countries are doing better.’ A positive trend is apparent not only in North Africa or the Middle East but throughout Africa, he added. ‘It is not one particular country

Johan Bastiaen of Esko

and not only about the graphic arts business, but countries like Turkey, South Africa, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East are booming. Countries like Kenya and Nigeria have great potential.’ But he acknowledged that the

UAE markets could be saturated for some products, even though demand in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East remains strong. Esko aims to overcome competition in the region by providing integrated solutions, he added. ‘Esko wants to be a solution provider linking the different parts together,’ he said. ‘That’s why we have one part of the business being the hardware, one part the software and one part the services and we link them together for the customer.’ In MEA he also sees rising demand for upgrades. ‘The demands are getting higher so, if they like it or not, people have to follow. Big brand players like Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, Unilever and Kraft will get a bigger role in the future.’

FFEI aims to take on Esko in the Middle East ME FFEI is poised to launch its RealPro Toolkit at the Gulf Print & Pack show in April as it moves to wrest packaging market share from Esko in the Middle East. Packaging is ‘critically undersupplied’ in software and is ‘crying out for a choice’, said commercial manager Charlie Seccombe. ‘With Esko so strong in the Charlie Seccombe of FFEI market, and they are almost the only supplier, the market is crying out for evaluation time as part of its a choice, options,’ he told Packaging strategy to take on Esko, he said. ‘This [packaging] is an area of MEA. ‘We are not looking to replace any Esko product but trying to offer the market that’s critically underalternatives so that customers can supplied and has yet to make the full make a more informed choice of move for the digital transformation,’ he said. ‘Commercial print is what they actually want.’ FFEI will offer trials and almost completely digitalised but

page 14.indd 8

actually packaging isn’t. So from the market opportunity for a developer company such as ours, I think the timing is absolutely perfect.’ FFEI products launched at Drupa 2012, such as the overview3D Packager product and a packager toolkit, are now becoming commercially available after successful trials, he added. ‘The feedback we have had from our customer trials has been excellent,’ he said. ‘I’ve been to see a number of customers in the UK and am absolutely amazed by the reaction from them. To suggest that they were basically biting my hand off to get hold of the product is not an exaggeration! So we’re absolutely confident that the market is waiting

for this product.’ In the Gulf, where the company is distributed by AGE Graphics, FFEI also sees potential from existing installations, added managing director Andy Cook. ‘The Gulf region is an important market for FFEI, having established a large installed base of Violet CTP over the past 10 years, and so we decided Gulf Print & Pack would be a great place to showcase our new label and packaging solutions,’ he said. FFEI will demonstrate the new RealPro Toolkit live at the AGE Graphics stand. Since debuting RealPro at Drupa, FFEI has responded to feedback by unbundling packages to offer more flexible solutions, he said.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:18

Regional

Octal enters UAE’s date packaging market with DPET sheet for whole dates and paste UAE Octal, an Oman-based supplier of food packaging materials, has announced its entry into the UAE date packaging market through contracts with leading date producers. Producers such as Al Foah Company, Royal Dates Company and Dubai Dates Factory are now using Octal packaging materials, said the firms. DPET sheet from Octal is used for packaging both whole dates and date paste for export to MENA and Asia, said the company. The sheet preserves contents from deterioration while providing high-impact shelf appeal through its suitability for detailed printing designs in both vacuum and

Date firms rely heavily on packaging to differentiate their produce

modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) applications, said Octal. Waddah Alraad, general manager at Royal Dates, said Octal had helped his company differentiate its products from those of rivals. ‘Maximising shelf-

life and maintaining freshness and flavour naturally is a key consideration for packaging dates,’ he said. ‘Octal has been able to understand our requirements and translate them into crystal clear packaging solutions that confront

the challenges we face in the ability to market and differentiate our dates so that customers can appreciate the actual quality of our products.’ Ghassan Sawaya, regional sales manager at Octal, said its packaging material offers an environmentally conscious, re-usable and attractive packaging solution for dried fruits. ‘Date packaging along with other initiatives is part and parcel of the company’s strategy to drive wholesale conversation of global product lines to PET packaging and introduce next generation applications that unlock a broad spectrum of advantages for producers, retails, consumers and the environment,’ he said.

GCC disposable plastics sector set to grow UAE Demand in the Gulf for disposable plastics packaging for lube oil, household cleaning chemicals, personal care products and bottled water is poised to soar in 2013, says Mohammad Nofal, general manager of Dubai-based plastics supplier Duplas Al Sharq. The GCC’s plastics packaging industry grew by 20% in first three quarters of 2012, continuing an established trend, said Nofal, speaking on the eve of the Arabplast tradeshow held in Dubai on 7–10 January. ‘These sectors are growing rapidly, driven by demand that rose by over 25% this year [2012], compared to the corresponding period in 2010,’ he said. But he acknowledged that

‘Overall confidence’ is helping to fuel demand: Mohammad Nofal

factors such as price, market stability and overall confidence could also weigh on the plastics industry in the UAE and the Gulf. ‘I believe resin price stability and reliability of cash flows in the supply chain will be major

factors impacting operations in the Middle East and regional markets,’ he said. ‘However, overall confidence in the region is equally important as stability in the market is partially generated by buyers and

consumers feeling that the market holds potential and the industries still have a lot to offer.’ Arabplast 2013 hosted a record number of firms from 47 countries, reflecting a growing emphasis in GCC countries on strengthening manufacturing, including plastics and rubber, said the event’s organisers. Duplas Al Sharq is a subsidiary of Emirates Investment & Development (Emivest), in which Dubai Government holds 30%. The company sources raw materials from suppliers including Borouge in Abu Dhabi and SABIC from Saudi Arabia. Specific products like polycarbonate and PET are sourced from Europe and South Asia, respectively.

feb-march 2013

page 15 and 20.indd 3

01/03/2013 00:49

news

Regional

Saverglass site opens in RAK RAK Saverglass has opened a new furnace at its production site in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), in the UAE, its first production plant outside France. Initially producing coloured bottles, the new plant opened in January to meet demand in the Southern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere and serve markets such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the US, said the company. The decision to set up the plant in RAK was prompted by the positive experiences of French company ARC international at Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA) and cost savings in construction, energy, labour and transport, said Saverglass. Ludovic de Gromard, deputy project manager of Saverglass LLC, said ARC International’s expansion in RAK, where it now employs 1,800 staff, helped inspire the project. ‘Their positive experience in developing operations with the government authority spawned brand ambassadors for the benefits of working with RAKIA.’ More than 150 million bottles will be produced each year at the facility, which will be run by 120 employees, said Saverglass. In interviews with the French media, Saverglass said the new plant would compensate for an annual production loss of 35,000 tonnes over 2013 and 2014 as two furnaces undergo maintenance. The group is now targeting volume orders of several million bottles over several years, according to these reports. The new facilities would help the firm to manufacture standard bottles profitably, which it currently cannot.

page 16.indd 8

Nilpeter to put the Middle East in its sights at Gulf Print & Pack Dubai Nilpeter Middle East will be exhibiting at Gulf Print & Pack, on 8–11 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where it will present information on its narrow and mid-web printing presses for producing selfadhesive labels and flexible packaging. During the tradeshow, the Middle East subsidiary of the Denmark-based firm will present its expanded line-up of solutions for regional printers, said Nilpeter Middle East (ME) Managing Director Shyam Babu. ‘Since our inception, we have been a committed supplier in offering top-class, narrow-web machines in the Middle East,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘We have had an overwhelming response from customers in the region and were asked to provide additional solutions such as finishing and more.’ At Stand D5, information will be available on Nilpeter ME lines such as: the FA-Line of UV flexo combination presses available in four web widths from 340mm to 570mm, and with a multi-substrate capability; the high-performance FB-3 UV flexo press with a web width of 350mm and top speed of 228 metres/minute; the 420mm wide, servo-driven MO-4 offsetbased platform press with sleeve technology for both flexo and offset printing; the Caslon print system mounted on an FA-4 platform that combines digital printing with UV inkjet for CMYK and spot colour, with UV flexo printing.

Shyam Babu, MD (Left extreme) with Nilpeter ME team

Nilpeter ME has recently responded to regional demand by becoming a distributor for AB Graphic International, said Babu. His company now handles sales and technical support in the region for AB Graphic’s Vectra range of turret rewinders, and the Omega and Flytec slitter/inspection systems, he said. Nilpeter’s Dubai-based offshoot is also licensed to sell the Omega Digicon converting line, which can operate inline with Nilpeter’s hybrid flexo and inkjet Caslon label printing module, he said. Countries covered by the distribution agreement include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan and Oman. In addition, Nilpeter Middle East is partnering with Quote & Print Software (Q&P)

from Sydney, Australia. Its software covers the complete requirements of a modern day printer, such as estimating, quoting, job bags, pre- and post-costing, scheduling, manufacturing, inventory and invoicing, said Babu. Q&P describes itself as the oldest and largest Print ERP software company in Australia with 600 current users. Pamarco Global Graphics is also now represented in the Middle East by Nilpeter ME for products including engraving technologies such EFlo, ThermaFlo and LaserFlo. Pamarco claims to be the world’s largest anilox supplier, offering rolls and exceptional technical expertise to embossing and gravure printers for any application including, plastics, films, vinyls, glass, leather, wall coverings and non-wovens.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:19

See you at Hall 4

ABG- World Leader in narrow web Slitter/Rewinders (Omega) Turret Rewinders (Vectra) Digital Converting (Digicon) Laser Die Cutting 100% Inspection Systems Booklet Machines Sheeting Machine Core Cutter

Quote & Print ERP/MIS Solution from Australia. More than 700 installation world wide. which covers all areas of a print company. It is a fully integrated widows based multi-user system and areas FLO : High Performance Anilox covered include: Estimating Anilox Job tracking WorkFlow CORRFLO: Most economical laser roll in the marketplace Production Control LASERFLO: Single hit technology Scheduling Invoicing and Accounts Forms Management and Sales Management

Pamarco, the leader in print services technology for several decades!

news BASF starts up new CSB plant Bahrain BASF has opened a customer specific antioxidant blends (CSB) plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The facility, which opened on 12 December, is the largest of its kind in the world, according to BASF Plastic Additives. Based on proprietary CSB technology, the plant will provide local production and services to the fast growing polymer market in the Middle East with a special focus on key customers in the countries of the GCC, said the firm. New production will complement an existing agreement for CSB with Astra Polymer in Saudi Arabia, which was extended in 2012, said BASF. ‘BASF’s investment in this new site demonstrates our steadfast commitment to support growing industries in the Middle East,’ said Michael Heinz, a member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. John Frijns, head of Plastic Additives Europe/ EAWA, stressed the necessity of local structures: ‘As BASF, we are committed to accompany the growth in the region with technical and flexible supply solutions through local production.’ Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Acting Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome BASF, a leading international company, to Bahrain. Large manufacturing firms like BASF are playing an increasingly important role in our economy and will be a significant part of our plan to create sustainable long term economic growth and high quality jobs.’

pages 18-19.indd 2

New CEO of Orient Links puts the packaging sector in his sights Dubai Dubai-based paper supplier Orient Links aims to develop its packaging business to benefit from the sector’s strong growth potential, says CEO Karunesh Singh. This shift will be a key goal in his new role at the company, he told Packaging MEA. ‘At Orient Links we are primarily into culture paper business and it is high time we move into the packaging and tissue segment,’ he Singh “Packaging growth” said. In the region, Orient Links ‘These segments have great potential to grow in the coming is about to launch a fully years. My primary objective is to biodegradable and compostable strengthen the packaging vertical cupstock board as well as a total and to expand the company liquid packaging solution from operations to other parts of the Lamican Oy, he added. A carton board market of about world.’

2.2 million tonnes per year in the MEA is in the company’s sights, he said. ‘Our focus is to tap this segment that was predominantly fed through European mills but is now dominated by Chinese, Korean and Indonesian mills.’ A move in the industry towards paper-based packaging will also set company’s strategy, he added. ‘Only in paper flexible, the market has grown from 2.8 million tonnes in 2001 to approximately 4 million tonnes, which is showing good potential,’ he said. ‘As the major thrust on paperbased flexible has started in developing countries recently, we will see high growth potential in this segment in the coming years.’

Mobile phone specialist makes plans to pick up in new markets Dubai While established as a regional integrator for phone manufacturers, Dubai-based Workz is now eyeing fresh markets. The recent completion of a series of new packs for a tablet maker may help Workz expand further outside telecoms, said Ana Pelletreau, head of account management. ‘It was a project we really enjoyed and the client seemed to be impressed with our creative thinking so we are keen to work in a range markets providing they fit our key strengths,’ she told Packaging MEA. Workz is active in electronics, FMCGs and telecoms, where it manages the entire end-to-end

Telecom packaging “challenging”

supply chain – from the production of SIM and recharge cards to their packaging, fulfillment and distribution. ‘We are heavily involved in every step from technical development to market delivery,’ said Pelletreau.

Telecoms packaging is also challenging in differentiation and secure data management, she added. Products such as SIM cards are highly uniform so packaging is crucial to how suppliers are perceived. ‘How the product is packed and what is included in the pack is what gives end-users their first tangible impression of the operator’s service.’ Serialised product management is another specialisation. ‘The majority of items handled by our facility are serialised... Each SIM card has it own unique product data and the labelling of each pack has to correspond precisely with the labelling on its packaging.’

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:54

Regional Tetra Pak promises packaging innovations at Gulfood in Dubai Dubai Tetra Pak will announce additions to three of its packaging solutions at Gulfood 2013, providing customers with greater differentiation and operational efficiency, said the firm. Under the theme of ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’, Tetra Pak will showcase recent developments in the Tetra Evero Aseptic (TEA) as well as the TBA/19 and Tetra Tetrapak A3/speed filling machine Pak A3/Speed filling machines at Charles Brand, vice president, Gulfood 2013, which takes place at and Product the Dubai World Trade Centre on Marketing Management at Tetra Pak, said the 25–28 February. The new features will give firm’s 850 sq m exhibition area will customers more choice in meeting feature a range of new products and shifting consumer demands, technologies alongside some of the while enhancing manufacturing firm’s longest-established offerings. ‘Our aim is to show customers efficiency, said Tetra Pak.

how Tetra Pak can support them to achieve their profitable growth ambitions, through a portfolio of packaging and processing solutions that are continually being enhanced to drive greater production efficiency and meet ever-shifting consumer demands for functionality and convenience,’ he said. Tetra Pak describes itself as the world’s leading company for food processing and packaging solutions. The firm offers a complete carton packaging range for fresh products. The packages offer consumer convenience, easy opening, optimal shelf life, while protecting flavours, brands and the environment, said Tetra Pak.

Bobst celebrates 20 years in the Middle East and Africa at Tunis Tunisia Bobst customers and agents from Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia and the UAE met in Tunis on 13 November to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bobst Africa & Middle East, a subsidiary based in Tunisia. Bobst Africa & Middle East – which has regional offices in Egypt and Dubai – aims as a mid-term target to increase its local technical resources in the Middle East and Central Africa to improve service, increase customer satisfaction and raise market penetration, said the company. Bobst CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst told attendees that packaging in

Bobst A&ME 20th anniversary

Africa and the Middle East has a great development potential and that Bobst Africa & Middle East has a strategic role in terms of local language, installed base, culture understanding and human assets. He confirmed his company’s

commitment to continue to invest in local human resources under the spirit of Bobst’s maxim ‘Knowledge and people’, which has been in place for four generations. Bobst claims to be the world’s leading supplier of machinery and services to packaging manufacturers in the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible material industries. Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, Bobst has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 11 production facilities in 8 countries and employs over 5,000 people around the world.

AkzoNobel ties up with Kanoo ME AkzoNobel has signed a joint venture agreement to extend its collaboration with the Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo group of companies to target growth in the Middle East. The new deal strengthens a n existing joint venture between AkzoNobel and Kanoo, which only covers the supply of the AkzoNobel’s International Paint brand, along with coil and packaging coatings. Under the expanded agreement, AkzoNobel will offer products from across its Performance Coatings portfolio, including professional woodcare, automotive refinish, marine, yacht, fire protection, protective and powder coatings. Leif Darner, AkzoNobel’s Executive Committee member responsible for Performance Coatings said the deal would give his firm ‘a firm foothold in the Middle East and a solid platform from which to deliver on our ambitious growth strategy in the region’. Mishal Kanoo, deputy chairman for Kanoo in the UAE and Oman, added: ‘Our relationship with AkzoNobel goes back over 30 years and we look forward to supporting the company in its ambition to be a leading supplier of performance coatings in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.’ AkzoNobel employs more than 200 people across its two main plants in the Middle East. Both sites are planning increased investments to support the enlarged business portfolio, with work on a new powder coatings facility in Dubai already underway.

feb-march 2013

pages 18-19.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:54

news PPG hosts free packaging talk UAE On 25 March, the Seminar Task Group of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s Printing and Publishing Group (DCCI-PPG) will hold a free seminar in Dubai on the packaging industry aimed at offset and digital printers. The seminar, at JW Marriott Marquis (Maijlis 2) in Sheikh Zayed Road Business Bay at 10:30am, will inform printing companies about packaging and how to diversify their capabilities. PPG is collaborating with Bobst Group and Packaging MEA to develop the event. Benjamin Daniel, head of the United Printing & Publishing (UPP) Print Media Academy and a contributing editor of Packaging MEA (the proposed event’s media partner), said the seminar would feature: 1. Packaging’s evolution and history; 2. Packaging industry facts and figures, both global and regional; 3. Regional packaging trends, in both business and technology; 4. Business challenges and the way forward. Bobst Group will be represented by M. Sandro Gubinelli, head of Technical Marketing and Competence Centre, and Member of Senior Management (Bobst Headquarter in Lausanne – Switzerland), who will present at the event on the following topics: 1. Requirements for starting in packaging; 2. Improving packaging skills; 3. New packaging trends.

page 15 and 20.indd 2

Future Pack eyes new markets with Esko HD flexo technology UAE Future Pack is expanding its markets in southern Africa, the UK and the US with HD flexo technology, for which it is now certified by Esko. Part of the ENPI Group’s new printing conglomerate SPPC, label specialist Future Pack launched its HD flexo operations commercially at the end of 2012, said Director Chinnadurai N. ‘Besides offering the best quality to all our existing customers, we also are confident of winning new customers with this new leap in quality and productivity,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘We wanted to be different Future Pack sees ‘productivity and quality’ benefits from HD flexo from the market – this was our operated since 2006, pioneered be oxygen. Only in the absence of concept from the beginning.’ Full HD flexo gives flat-top digital in-house pre-press in the oxygen while exposing you can dots, enabling better results than UAE, according to Chinnadurati. get the flat top. Currently, the ‘We had a chance to go to a typical flexo dot is like a hill. With gravure, offset or conventional flexography processes, although conventional press, which was full HD flexo, only the required the technology has involved cheaper, but we invested in a ink is transferred and there is no upgrading all Future Pack’s digital flexo plate imager Esko excess ink flow on the shoulders. software and some of its Digital CDI. We were the first Also, the dot guide doesn’t affect printer/convertor to invest in a much for a flat top dot.’ hardware, said Chinnadurai. While ready to implement ‘There is a great benefit in this digital flexo plate imaging system upgrade in terms of productivity in the UAE, in 2006. Thereafter HD flexo from September 2012, Future Pack debuted its and quality,’ he said. ‘Today I can our competitors went digital.’ With HD flexo, Future Pack is commercial service in November print jobs starting with 175 lpi, which was not possible before: it now imaging at 4000 dpi, he said. 2012. ‘Our advantage was that ‘Normal digital imagers expose all our machines were of good was only 150 lpi at the most.’ A ‘big leap in quality’ from and image at 2400 dpi,’ he said. quality and are compatible with starting at 175 lpi, and printing ‘So we are literally engraving the the new technologies available,’ some jobs at 200 lpi, has had image at a higher resolution, so said Chinnadurai. ‘Even when we had to upgrade strong support from the market, your quality loss is very much lower than before. It not only our pre-press, we didn’t have to he added. Make-ready with HD flexo helps the images but the solid do anything on our press side, and gives clear dots and better areas also, as they appear as fine we could implement it easily. So now all our jobs are done on HD resolution, while time and waste serif font text.’ A full HD flexo upgrade is flexo with 175 lpi, which gives a is also cut by 5–20%, depending on the intricacy of the job, achieved through both software smooth vignette finish, calm text and exposure, he said. ‘When you and reduction in make-ready and he said. Future Pack, which has expose the plate, there should not wastage.’

feb-march 2013

01/03/2013 00:49

Regional

Xeikon exceeds targets for first year in MEA MEA One year on from tying up with the Ali Al Hashemi Group to expand in Africa and the Middle East, Xeikon has surpassed targets across its wide product offering, says Area Manager (Middle EastAfrica) Vincent Van Horenbeeck. A network of partners across the key markets of Dubai, South Africa, Egypt, Iran and Nigeria has delivered encouraging sales, he told Packaging MEA. ‘Both in terms of offset plate pre-press equipment, flexo pre-press and Xeikon digital labelling, we have reached a good performance within this first year,’ he said.

Vincent Van Horenbeeck

In BasisPrint, Xeikon has three installations in Saudi Arabia and two in the UAE, he added. In its Xeikon portfolio, the company

has recently installed a new digital labelling press at Kimoha as well as an initial large format ThermoFlexX flexo plate imager in the UAE. Xeikon’s success in the region reflects a policy of selecting partners with broad competencies, added Van Horenbeeck, who joined the Xeikon Group in 2010, after working at Agfa Graphics for 10 years. ‘Our target – and my personal target – was to set up a network of partners who not only sell a machine but also the technology, the maintenance, the service and support.’

New Xeikon technology during the firm’s first year in the MEA includes ThermoFlexX plate imaging. ‘We hope strategically to easily enter the digital label and packaging printers with the ThermoFlexX. We also assist printers in going digital the whole way, not only the pre-press way.’ Xeikon is preparing to launch its Trillium nano electro photographic technology in the region, although no date has been set, he added. ‘With its 400% smaller liquid toner compounds, it will keep up quality, yet decrease operational costs while increasing production speed,’

Gallus expects Al Mawrid installation to set benchmark in flexible configuration in MEA UAE An installation of a modular ICS 670 flexo narrow web press at Al Mawrid Printing Press in Sharjah in the UAE will showcase Gallus technology in the region, says Ferdinand Ruesch, owner and vicechairman of the board of Gallus Ferd. Ruesch AG. Al Mawrid has installed a Gallus ICS 670 Flexo narrow web press comprising a continuous unwinder, two gravure print units, cold foil and lamination capability, as well as seven ‘Easy Value Add’ (EVA) units and an inline flatbed die-cutter, he told Packaging MEA. ‘I would say that Al Mawrid Printing Press has been ideal in setting the benchmark for the printing industry here in this region,’ he said. ‘They have the potential of utilising the benefits of this state-

The new Gallus press is inaugurated at Al Mawrid Printing Press

of-the-art narrow web press from printing to finishing. They have the vision to achieve high results from this machine, especially the flexibility between different printing processes.’ Another Gallus machine with a similar configuration has also been installed in the region, he added. In the MEA, Gallus is expanding

from its established market in South African cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town while developing Middle East markets with support from Heidelberg, he said. ‘The biggest advantage we have with our association with Heidelberg is the immediate after sales service and support,’ he said. ‘Although I cannot disclose

figures, we have a very high market share in the entire spectrum of narrow web flexible packaging, especially with our ECS 340.’ In response to the emergence of narrow label digital presses, Gallus sees a complementary relationship between digital and traditional technology, he said ‘On the digital front we have an answer with the Heidelberg Lino Print digital labelling press,’ he said. ‘Although the demand for digital is growing, it still has its own limitations and narrow space as against a huge traditional and conventional process, which is commercially viable and also high on quality. So in short I would say that the traditional and the digital technologies would prevail and grow and will complement each other.’

feb-march 2013

page 21[1].indd 8

28/02/2013 23:20

news GWC to supply Qatar for Eltete Qatar The Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has signed to be the exclusive supplier to Qatar of Eltete Middle East (EME) carton board pallets and transport packaging materials. Eltete, a 35-year-old European pioneer of carton board transport packaging, will service the Qatari market from Dubai, where it has its first production facility in the Middle East. Qatar has ‘a growing market need’ for APPA pallets, said Ranjeev Menon, group CEO of GWC. ‘The APPA pallet is an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to wooden, plastic or other pallets,’ he said. ‘Due to its light weight, you can make significant savings in transport cost, both on land and on airfreight. APPA pallets are ideal for export shipments as they are ISPM-15 compliant and need no treatment as wood does.’ Aiman Al Shehabi, CEO of EME, said the market for carton pallets grows ‘exponentially’ once local production, quality, competitiveness and delivery reliability have been established. ‘The secret of the strength of APPA carton pallets lies in the laminated carton board pallet feet and the top board, which is carefully chosen for each application,’ he said. ‘These pallets are customised in size and strength as per our customers’ requirements; we have full control over this at the production facility.’ Eltete, based in Finland, recently started production in Dubai. ‘Eltete Middle East FZ LLC is a carton board refiner, a supplier of 100% recyclable transport packaging material,’ said Wasef Shakaa, general manager of Eltete Middle East.

page 22.indd 8

Fujifilm picks Heidelberg Gulf as its distributor for the GCC region

Heidelberg and Fujifilm launch their distribution agreement in Dubai

ME Heidelberg Gulf is now the official Middle East distribution partner for the entire Fujifilm graphic arts portfolio. From January 2013, under ‘an exclusive relationship’, Heidelberg Gulf will cover all Fuji products, including workflow, CTP systems and colour management as well as a host of other allied graphic products, said Zeid B Al-Jehni, general manager Heidelberg Middle East FZCO. ‘This is not a new association,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘We have been associated with Fujifilm in Saudi Arabia for the last 25 years and we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Fujifilm as a company. We had great success with their products in Saudi Arabia. So we basically wanted to expand this co-operation to the rest of the Gulf region as well.’ Before the agreement with Heidelberg, Fujifilm had a distribution agreement with Dubai-based graphic art supplier Dynagraph.

Heidelberg, which had distributed Kodak graphic plates and associated consumables, will integrate Fujifilm products with its own pre-press portfolio, said Al-Jehni. ‘We basically have complementary products,’ he said. ‘Heidelberg is mainly in the sheet-fed offset business. Fujifilm’s products are in the important newspaper sector of the industry. Fujifilm CTPs, which we are promoting in the market, are mainly violet photopolymer based imaging, while Heidelberg CTPs are mainly thermal imaging devices. Also Fujifilm CTPs are mainly for the newspaper section. So we can handle both and this is why I call them complementary products.’ To support the new Fujifilm portfolio, Heidelberg will expand its current team, which includes Saudi Arabia-based staff specialised in newspaper printing, he added. ‘We already have an excellent service support team in-house

handling Fujifilm CTPs and also in Saudi Arabia we have a very efficient team working on a 24hour basis as the newspaper industry works in the night and is a critical area,’ he said. ‘We are going to expand our team further with more trained technicians.’ In the packaging sector, Heidelberg Middle East is about to announce a deal to supply ‘a leading regional packaging printer’ with several presses and allied systems for rigid packaging print, he told Packaging MEA. Heidelberg’s 2012 financial year, which closes in March, has seen good results in the packaging sector, he added. ‘2012 has been a good and successful year for us,’ he said. ‘And as for the Drupa 2012, we had an excellent show with good achievements. We have covered several milestones in Drupa 2012 in securing key specific accounts, one of which is in the main sector of packaging.’

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:21

Regional SIG Combiblock at Gulfood 2013 UAE SIG Combibloc Obeikan (SIG CBOB), a leading aseptic packaging solutions provider, will exhibit its range of flexible packaging solutions at the Gulfood trade fair on 25–28 February at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. In addition to showcasing its comprehensive aseptic carton packaging for food and beverage, SIG CBOB will unveil the combiXSlim and the combidome – new formats that from part of this year’s exhibit theme ‘Great packs come in all shapes and sizes’. With combiblocXSlim, SIG CBOB answers the current market trend in the Middle East, Africa and Asia for more kid-friendly carton packs. The new, extra-slim small-format carton pack comes in seven volumes from 80 ml (a world first) to 180 ml, all of which can be filled on the same filling machine from SIG Combibloc. ‘This year we are excited to introduce two new aseptic carton formats,’ said Martin Schmedes, SIG CBOB’s cluster head for the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. ‘We wouldn’t like to reveal the scoop on the combidome but let’s just say the convenience of a bottle meets the flexibility of aseptic carton pack and will definitely get your consumers “thirsty” for more. ‘It gives us no greater pleasure than to invite our customers to visit the SIG CBOB team at the Gulfood and discuss ways to work together to ensure consumers everywhere reap the benefits of packaging that not only protects their food and beverages but is also environment-friendly.’

Colour Byte targets packaging sector with specialist products GCC Dubai-based digital graphics industry service provider Colour Byte is moving into mainstream packaging with a series of products for packaging printers and converters. Alongside a shift from its established specialism in digital printing and finishing solutions towards workflow solutions, Colour Byte is moving into packaging, said Managing Director Ralph Busselot. ‘Work-class packaging solutions’ the firm is now offering to regional clients include EngView Package Designer, which can be combined with a Zund Cutting System, he told Packaging MEA. EngView Package Designer, which was developed by a Bulgarian software company, is a CAD/CAM system to design packaging from carton and corrugated cardboard, as well as to produce cutting instruments such as dies, he said. Its system covers the entire production cycle, starting from the designer’s idea for a structural design, through prototyping, production preparation (layout), and then on to the preparation of die-cutting instruments. EngView is built as a set of modules and offers packaging professionals the freedom to make up their own sets of functionalities. The software’s latest edition, Version 5, includes integration with Adobe Illustrator. By combining Engview Package Designer with a Zünd cutting system, users can gain enhanced functionality, creativity and flexibility, said Busselot. Zünd offers a large range of table sizes, an open and modular architecture and is upgradeable

Ralph Busselot has ‘world-class solutions’ to offer the sector

on site with elements such as transport systems, a sheet feeder, a roll unwind and table extensions, he said. A wide range of tools which can be added throughout the life of the machine and a large database of material parameters are built into the Zünd Cut Centre software, he added. Packaging presses using either or both of these systems include: Al Khat Packaging, Kuwait; Express Pack Print, Jebel Ali; Sahari Pack Print (Arabian Packaging), Jeddah; Al Kiffah Carton Box Factory, Dammam; Emirates Printing Press, Dubai; Al Hayat House for Printing & Packaging Co. Ltd, Riyadh; Banawi Container Group Ltd, Jeddah; National Packaging Industry, Ajman, said Busselot. Colour Byte is also aiming to grow in packaging through coating systems from TecLighting USA, he added. Its systems allow a combination of both UV and IR curing methods for most printed

media, including rigid and flexible, both before and after die cutting, and support all print techniques, he said. The wide range of TecLighting products offers different formats and levels of automation, and will open new markets for printers who seek to diversify their client base. Specialist coatings include properties such as anti-bacterial for health care products, antifungal for food packaging, with more specialist coatings being developed. Other benefits include high productivity, instantly ready to use output, extreme ease of operation, offline or inline configuration, no wastage and a low operating cost. A benefit is the quality improvement the UV coating process adds to a print, he added. The UV coating adds ‘pop’ to an image and brings the colours to life on any print, he said. Shadow areas are instantly given greater density, which brings an important secondary benefit of ink saving for volume printers.

feb-march 2013

page 23.indd 8

28/02/2013 23:21

news Gulfood forum opens debate Dubai Packaging professionals are invited to participate in the Food Packaging & Packaging Forum on 26 February, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre during the Gulfood tradeshow and conference. With soaring commodity prices and fragile consumer confidence, food players today are faced with the daunting task of delivering safe, affordable products while maintaining and improving profitability to stay ahead of the competition, say the event’s organisers. The Food Processing & Packaging Forum will discuss the key challenges facing manufacturing, processing and packaging industry professionals in today’s economy. Topics to be covered at the forum include: the impact of government pressure on food companies, with increased control, inspection and regulation in the areas of nutrition, health, quality and price; the sector’s need to innovate amid an increasingly complex global context; the challenge of balancing the conflicting goals of quality and quantity; designing cost-efficient factories by applying advances in control, automation, packaging and manufacturing technology; sustainable business growth through strategic innovation; how packaging specialists can reduce food waste; cost management through strategic planning and sourcing. Attendees will approach the topics through a combination of case studies, keynote sessions, interactive discussions and educational workshops.

page 24.indd 8

Gulf Print & Pack 2013 registers rise in its ‘niche sector’ bookings GCC In the build-up to Gulf Print & Pack, which takes place on 8–11 April at Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers report a surge in booking from ‘niche markets’ across the sector. While advance bookings suggest the show will expand on last edition (2011), exhibitors are increasingly emerging from sectors such as digital print and labelling, said Gulf Print & Pack Managing Director Roger Pellow. ‘Gulf Print & Pack 2013 will again offer a wide cross selection of packaging and commercial print exhibitors,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘Digital is one of the sector’s largest growth areas and we are seeing this trend worldwide not just in terms of printing, but also in workflow processes. Labels and package printing is also an enormous growth area with printers honing their offering all of the time by moving into catering for short run, highly personalised print runs.’ But with the shift from mainstream printing technology to these emerging segments, he acknowledged that some leading firms could choose to promote their products through highly targeted such as open house meetings rather than exhibitions like Gulf Print & Pack. ‘The commercial printing sector is still buoyant, but niche markets do seem to be offering more commercial opportunities worldwide,’ he said. ‘While some manufacturers might be investing in marketing and targeting their services to

Roger Pellow sees ‘enormous growth’ in labels and packaging

smaller, vertical markets, others such as Canon are maximising their presence at the show because it reaches a wider audience who are predominantly the purchase decision maker. By mid-February, the show looked set to attract more than 300 exhibitors to repeat the success of with last year’s edition, he said. ‘The show is currently about the same size – even with two months to go – and 82 of the exhibitors are there for the first time,’ he said. ‘Following 2011’s success and moving to a new venue, many exhibitors have returned for 2013 and have significantly invested in larger stands, such as Canon, which will be occupying 1000 sq m.’ A surge in visitors is also expected, he added. ‘Visitor numbers are looking healthy too with pre-registered

visitor numbers up by nearly four times on 2011 so far – and we should attract in excess of 9,000 total visitors to the show,’ he said. Within the packaging sector, interest has defied the global economic downturn, he added. ‘Package printers account for nearly 40% of the show’s total audience and we anticipate this number growing again as we’ve experienced a similar increase across other sister events,’ he said. ‘As I’ve said, this niche market along with labels presents the largest area of growth within the current printing industry and this trend is widely reflected around the world. ‘Confirmed package printing industry suppliers who are exhibiting at this year’s show include Anoop Plastics, Bobst, Flex Europa Middle East, Kodak, Mark Andy and Nilpeter.’

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:21

Regional Sarah expands its ink portfolio UAE Sharjah-based ink maker Sarah Manufacturing Fze is extending its activities with waterbased and metallic ink ranges, as well as a recent tie-up with EFI Jetrion. While established as a major ink supplier for sheet-fed and web offset presses, Sarah Manufacturing will now be an agent for Schlenk metallic inks, Chimigraf liquid inks and True inks as well as for UV inkjet digital technology from EFI Jetrion, said Director Ali Mohammadlou. ‘Sarah manufacturing has dedicated itself to bringing the most advanced technological solutions to this industry,’ he told Packaging MEA. At Drupa 2012, the firm announced it had became the Middle East agent for EFI Jetrion digital label printing machines. In its inks business, Sarah Manufacturing is moving towards water-based inks and has introduced a metallic ink range. ‘We have been marketing our own inks, and now we are moving towards aqueous inks starting with water based for flexography and gravure applications,’ he said. ‘The ink manufacturing is the result of a joint venture between Sarah Manufacturing and Chimigraf in Barcelona. Currently our agreement with them is to distribute flexo inks for the corrugated market.’ Metallic Schlenk Inks have also entered Sarah Manufacturing’s portfolio to cater for specialist applications. ‘Schlenk Ink focuses on the business areas of metal foils, coatings and plastics industries, printing and graphics industries, building material and chemical industries, and the materials industry,’ said Mohammadlou.

Dubai Print Awards seek more contenders for packaging prizes MEA Sparse entries for a narrow web flexo award at Dubai International Print Awards (DIPA), on 9 April, reveal the packaging industry is yet to fully embrace the event. DIPA’s two packaging categories – rigid packaging and narrow web flexo (water-based or UV-based) – have received markedly different responses, said Sebastian Lonth, general secretary of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) Printing and Publishing Group (PPG). ‘In the box category, every year the entries are increasing and getting very competitive because the luxury packaging has high demand in this region,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘However, as for the narrow web flexo category, we started this category last year. Barely five to six printers took part. The awareness for this category of awards is still primitive and will improve.’ DIPA, to be held at Madinat Jumeirah’s Johara Ballroom during Gulf Print & Pack 2013, is expanding this year to cover the Levant region and will feature new categories. A new award will cover the flatbed digital inkjet category. As part of this addition, flat-bed printer manufacturers will now be able to participate and demonstrate their point-of-sale free-standing unit printing materials. Mazen Haj, chairman of the PPG, described the DIPA as ‘the only print award in the GCC’ and ‘the definitive platform from which to gauge the quality and

Narrow web flexo printers are still passing up DIPA’s prizes

excellence of the region’s printing and publishing industry’. ‘There are some exciting additions to DIPA 2013, such as the new venue and date, which allows printing professionals to attend the awards during their visit to the Gulf Print & Pack 2013 exhibition, the addition of a new award category, and the inclusion of entries from the Levant market,’ he said. In its seventh year, DIPA will increase on last year’s tally of 900 entries from eight countries, say the event’s organisers. Mahdi Al Mazim, director, Customer Service Centers, DCCI, said DIPA caters for the chamber’s strategic objectives of supporting the development of business and promoting Dubai as an international business hub. DIPA is ‘a significant motivation for publishing companies in the country’, he added. ‘It encourages all printing establishments to compete for quality excellence and receive their fair share of

recognition in the industry, locally and regionally.’ In collaboration with Dubai Chambers and organised by the Printing and Publishing Group, DIPA is the largest event of its kind in the region that recognises exceptional talent, innovation and excellence in the regional printing industry, according to its organisers. Mazen El Tibi, sales & marketing director for Heidelberg Middle East FZCO, said his company is continuting as Gold Sponsors of DIPA, in view of ‘the serious commitment of the printers in the region and outside to this special event’. DIPA 2013 is being sponsored by Heidelberg as Gold Sponsors and Khaleej Times as Media Partner. Canon, Giffin Graphics, Prestige Graphics, Print Week, Gulf Print and Pack (Tarsus Group) and Xerox Emirates are Silver Sponsors while Packaging MEA, Kodak, AGE Graphics and Gimpex are Bronze Sponsors.

feb-march 2013

page 25.indd 8

28/02/2013 23:22

news

Regional

DuPont hosts seminars in East Africa to promote flexo printing Africa DuPont Packaging Graphics has conducted the second in a series of flexographic printing seminars in East Africa in conjunction with associates such as Tesa, Esko, Chespa and Windmöller & Hölscher. Held in Nairobi, Kenya, the seminar ‘Quality at its Best – Advancing Flexography in Africa’ covered the DuPont Cyrel flexographic systems and was attended by about 50 printing experts from over 20 companies in Eastern Africa, said DuPont. East Africa is among the world’s fastest growing regions and has a significantly increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions as well as rising expectations in

Over 250 African professionals have attended DuPont’s seminars

quality, said Hans-Peter Hormann, business development manager DuPont Cyrel EMEA. ‘Flexographic printing is delivering sustainability, productivity and quality to help

packaging printers address these needs... We estimate that more than 250 attendees from Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya have gained important insights from these seminars to date.’

Nampak to invest $180m in two beverage packaging businesses GCC Nampak, a South African packaging company, has announced plans to invest ZAR1.6bn ($180m) in two of its core beverage packaging businesses. At its glass bottle business at Roodekop, Germiston, South Africa, Nampak will invest almost ZAR1bn ($112m) for an additional furnace. A third furnace at the business is expected to improve overall manufacturing efficiencies and enable the site to supply a broader range of bottles. In a second project at Nampak’s Springs plant, the firm will invest almost ZAR600m ($68m) to increase aluminium beverage can

page 26[1].indd 3

Hot weather is spurring demand

capacity and convert existing lines to aluminium from tinplate. A new high-speed line is also being installed for commissioning in May 2013, which will be followed by the conversion of the other existing lines.

Nampak Chairman Tito Mboweni said the company expects further performance improvement in 2013 in South Africa, where it generates about 70% of its revenue, despite the challenging economic conditions. ‘These two projects strengthen our position in the beverage can and glass packaging sectors in South Africa and show our commitment to growing the South African economy,’ he said. Nampak said the region had seen mixed demand for packaged products in 2012, but hot weather across most of the region during the festive season has ensured good demand for beverage packaging.

Egypt lifts duty on Saudi PP ME Egypt has withdrawn the anti-dumping duty it imposed on polypropylene (PP) imports from Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabian Assistant Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has said, according to Arab News. Egypt had imposed a duty on PP imports from several Saudi Arabia firms including Advanced Petrochemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC), National Petrochemical Industrial Company, PetroRabigh and National Industralization Co., to protect its domestic industry, said the Saudi Press Agency. But a probe by Egyptian authorities, which was initiated in April 2012, has concluded that the tariff would be ineffective against the problem. The Egyptian Government rolled back the anti-dumping duty on 24 December 2012, said Prince Aziz. Last year, India ended levying of anti-dumping duty on polypropylene imports from Saudi Arabia. Turkey also dropped anti-dumping claims against monoethylene glycol imports from SABIC last year after concluding that the company was fulfilling all the norms. Saudi petrochemical firms are considered to benefit from the cheaper availability of their feedstock within the Kingdom. This price advantage lends them a competitive edge over other producers using naphtha, a crude derivative, whose prices have a directly correlation with oil prices.

feb-march 2013

01/03/2013 00:35

Arabplast 2013 Arabplast hosts $3bn in machinery deals as it attracts 900 exhibitors from 42 nations GCC Arabplast 2013, held in Dubai on 7–10 January, prompted machinery deals worth more than $3bn, say its organisers. Driven by Doha’s need for plastics for constructing facilities to host World Cup 2022, the Gulf’s soaring demand also fuelled record figures, said Satish Khanna, general manager of the show’s coorganiser Al Fajer Information and Services. The tradeshow gets underway ‘The Gulf states command an 11% share of the $600bn global countries in the world.’ Arabplast 2013 grew by 34% petrochemical industry,’ he told on the previous edition in 2011. Packaging MEA. ‘Gulf states could develop a Exhibitors rose from 783 to top domestic market for consuming 900, drawn from 42 countries. The their petrochemicals instead of tradeshow occupied 45,000 sq m exporting it to almost all other and visitors came from over 110

Arburg targets Hidrive at Gulf ME At Arabplast 2013, Arburg presented its hybrid Allrounder 720 H in a packaging version. Adapted for the packaging sector in the Gulf, the machine has a clamping force of 2,900 kN and a size 1300 injection unit. A 4+4-cavity stack mould produced thin-walled IML tubs in a cycle time of under five seconds during the tradeshow. Hybrid Allrounders provide high productivity, speed and energy efficiency cover a clamping force range from 600 to 5,000 kN, according to Arburg. Since 2009, the German machine maker has run a sales and service office in the UAE, which cover consulting, maintenance, spare parts and training.

page 28 and 29.indd 2

countries, said Khanna. For the packaging sector, he highlighted scope for greater use of plastics. ‘It is only going to increase as the quality of plastic is getting better and the cost of producing plastic is more economical than for rigid substrates,’ he said. ‘With good packaging, food wastage is reduced by even up to 90% less – there is a lot of scope in packaging.’ India continues to play a leading role in the plastic packaging sector, he added. ‘For India, packaging constitutes a major chunk of exports, about 10% of its exports, most of which is flexible packaging – rigid can’t be exported much because freight makes it competitive,’ he said.

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, guest of honour during the opening of Arabplast 2013, stressed the importance of plastics and petrochemicals to the UAE as one of three pillars to its industrial sector, along with steel and aluminium. Petrochemicals are vital in bridging the import-export imbalance between the UAE and North America and Europe, he said. Arabplast 2013 emerged as the sector’s leading show in the world by value of machines displayed and in the sales of raw materials, said joint organisers Messe Düsseldorf Germany and Al Fajer Information and Services.

Borouge set to hike its PE and PP production from the end of 2013 ME Plastics supplier Borouge aims to hike its regional production from the end of this year. Advanced packaging products will feature in the expansion, said Hussain Sultan Lootah, senior vice president Middle East Africa in a press release on the eve of Arabplast 2013 in Dubai. ‘With the significant capacity coming on stream at the end of Boroughe aims for ‘leading role’ 2013 and the opening of our new Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi, production of polyethylene (PE) and we will also dramatically expand polypropylene (PP) from 2 million our business in film and fibre tonnes up to 4.5 million tonnes by and moulding applications in the mid-2014, under the firm’s Borouge advanced packaging and healthcare 3 project. A joint venture between the markets,’ he said. Borouge’s complex at Ruwais in Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Austria-based Abu Dhabi is set to raise its annual (ADNOC)

chemical and plastics supplier Borealis, Boroughe recently spotlighted its technology and investments at Arabplastic 2013 tradeshow on 7–10 January. Packaging solutions on display at the firm’s 300 sq m stand included thin wall packaging caps and closures and machinery demonstrations of blown film and injection moulding. Arabplast gave Boroughe an opportunity to reinforce its ‘leading role in the Middle East plastics industry’, said Lootah. ‘We will present our innovative plastics solutions and the investments we are making to highlight our strong commitment to the Middle East and Asia regions,’ he said.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:48

Regional Event

Windmöller & Hölscher appoints TCS as dealer for the entire Gulf MEA Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) announced that Techno Converting Services (TCS) will now sell the firm’s flexible packaging machinery across the complete Gulf region. TCS has already represented the firm in some regional markets but will now extend its responsibilities, said W&H Sales Director Thomas Lengenberg. ‘As from January 2013 a regional restructuring has taken place. Techno Converting Service, which has represented us already for a couple of years in Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia, will now assume sales responsibilities for the complete Gulf region as well,’ he told Packaging MEA.

Thomas Lengenberg, W&H.

Speaking at Arabplast 2013, he said the region is increasingly important for the Germany-based specialist in extrusion, printing and conversion. ‘Business for W&H in the Middle East & North Africa keeps on growing, with many

successful installations completed in the region,’ he said. TCS Director Abed Zain Alabedin told Packaging MEA that W&H enjoys a good reputation in the market. ‘We have represented W&H even before in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan and here in Dubai too,’ he said. ‘We are now representing them for the entire Gulf. W&H is a renowned company and doesn’t need any introduction. It is a family-run business for more than 100 years. W&H has blown and cast film lines, flexographic and gravure printing presses, surface finishing machines, paper converting machines, film and woven plastic processing machines and FFS packaging systems.’

Atlas presents a new generation of slitter rewinders at Arabplast ME Atlas, a specialist in slitter rewinder technology for processing BOPP film, presented its new Atlas CW series at Arabplast 2013. The CW1040 & CW3600 series introduce more compact film slitting solutions in web widths from 2.5 to 10.4 metres. The machines offer higher efficiency, increased productivity and reliability, higher Atlas claims next-generation update to its BOPP film technology quality rewind reels, reduced noise levels and more effective, operator- Electrical cabinets are integrated into featuring three separate machine machines to reduce space required modules of unwind, slitter and friendly control systems, said Atlas. In addition, the new kit features for installation with ‘under floor’ rewind sections. Converters need wireless rewind arm positioning, service trenches no longer needed for only change the rewind section from a duplex shaft (DS) to a single automatic knife positioning, direct primary slitter rewinders. Atlas also presented its new turret (ST) or dual turret (DT) drive web path rollers and running speeds of up to 1,500 metres/min with Titan SR9 Series slitter rewinders, configuration, to meet increasing more precise web tension control. aimed at cutting downtime through production requirements.

Showcase for metallocene ME ExxonMobil Chemical showcased its Exceed and Enable metallocene polyethylene (mPE) resins and Vistamaxx propylenebased elastomer (PBE) at Arabplast. Exceed mPE resins provide a balance of film toughness and strength, outstanding film impact resistance, and exceptional sealing performance, said the firm. These properties may deliver film downgauging opportunities and reduce film breakage, according to ExxonMobil. Enable mPE resins provide film processing and higher alpha olefin (HAO) performance benefits, said ExxonMobil. Converters can benefit from stable operations, improved film line output and simpler resin sourcing. Extruding at lower melt temperatures, Enable mPE resins can save energy and, allow faster processing, and may increase output by up to 20%. Enhanced film toughness may also enable downgauging. Vistamaxx PBE creates new possibilities for flexible film, extrusion coating and lamination applications as it can be used to tailor, enhance and balance a combination of properties – including adhesion, cling, elasticity, sealability, softness, toughness and transparency – in polyethylene film and polypropylene formulations, said ExxonMobil. Packaging converters can benefit from low seal initiation temperatures and higher hot tack to speed up packaging lines, said the firm. Excellent adhesion properties and high bond strength can produce stronger packaging for downgauging opportunities.

feb-march 2013

page 28 and 29.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:48

news

New Appointments

Heidelberg shuffles managers in its packaging business units

Please keep us informed

Germany Since early 2013, Stefan Hasenzahl (50) has been in charge of Heidelberg’s new Very Large Format and Postpress Packaging business area, a unit covering activities associated with the Speedmaster XL 145

and XL 162 presses and postpress systems. Meanwhile, Jason Oliver has become head of Digital Printing at Heidelberg and is now responsible for all its Linoprint systems for commercial and packaging printing. Stefan Hasenzahl had previously been responsible for establishing a Heidelberg factory in Qingpu near Shanghai in China. Jason Oliver joined Heidelberg from a US digital print supplier, where he covered global sales of digital inkjet printing systems. ‘The appointment of these two executives underlines the commitment Heidelberg has made to the large-format and

packaging printing/digital printing business areas. It also carries forward our programme of expansion in these areas,’ said Stephan Plenz, member of the management board for Heidelberg Equipment.

Nour Labidi, Sales Manager,

Christian Korte, Senior VP, Esko

Marian Zincke, VP, Esko Digital

Ron Voigt, President, X-Rite

Nour Labidi has rejoined Bobst Africa and ME as Sales Manager – Business Unit Sheet-fed. Labidi worked for Bobst A&ME as Area Sales and Marketing Manager in 2006–09 before moving to Abu Dhabi-based Al Amal Printing as General Manager and Sales Director. ‘These are interesting times in the packaging industry and I am glad to be a part of this growing trend towards packaging representing a company like Bobst here in the region,’ he told Packaging MEA.

Christian Korte has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President Sales. In this role he will oversee sales, marketing and service activities worldwide, with a focus on extending reach into new segments at existing customers and in adjacent markets. ‘I look forward to helping all participants of the print and packaging production supply chain realise the full potential of Esko’s comprehensive portfolio of solutions,’ he said.

Marian Zincke has joined Esko as Vice President Digital Finishing. ‘This is a tremendous opportunity for me to help a strong customerfocused organisation improve even further,’ he said. ‘The opportunities for growth in digital finishing across both the print and packaging sectors, along with the efficiencies made possible by our best-in-class solutions, are areas I’m excited to be a part of.’ Zincke has spent the past eight years with other firms in the Danaher group.

Ron Voigt has been named as president of X-Rite, a Danaher Corporation firm, succeeding from Tom Vacchiano on 1 March. For a smooth transition and strong focused start to the year, Vacchiano took on an advisory role in early 2013. Over his 25year career, Voigt has held global leadership positions at Danaher and Delphi. Most recently, he was President of Commercial and Services Operations at Tektronix. Prior to that, Voigt was President of Kollmorgen.

Stefan Hasenzahl

page 30[1].indd 8

about new appointments in your organisation Jason Oliver

by e-mailing: editorial@packagingmeacom

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:24

RESULTS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE Eskoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s solution â&#x20AC;&#x153;weWith can quickly and easily share color information. This saves us many hours previously required for color conversions and retouching. David Piercy Production Director VCG CONNECT

Your deadlines get shorter. Your colors need more consistency. You must supply more value to your customers. Whether you produce packaging, signs, displays or more: you need a trustworthy partner. A partner that supplies the best tools and shares years of expertise. Esko is that partner. Deliver results that make you smile. Come visit Esko at drupa 2012.

www.esko.com

Event

Attendance at the seminar in Dubai topped expectations, according to its organisers

UAE hosts packaging technology seminar

Kodak Near East, in association with Grapholine and Packaging MEA, recently held a seminar to update UAE packaging printers and converters on the industry’s latest developments, reports Usha B Daniel. On 28 November, professionals from across the UAE’s packaging sector gathered at H Dubai hotel for a series of presentations about their industry’s opportunities and challenges. Komal Sharma, Kodak vice-president for Middle East, Africa and Turkey, spoke on how solutions such as his company’s square dot technology can deliver a commercial advantage. ‘The resolution that was possible only by using gravure, for example, you can get it with Kodak Flexcel NX,’ he said. ‘This is about adding differentiation and quality to your output.’ His presentation prompted many inquiries about the technology, which he sees as adding a lot more differentiation that ThermoFlexX, he told Packaging MEA.

page 32 and 33.indd 2

Imran Abdullah, director of Grapholine Trading LLC – recently appointed a Kodak partner in the Middle East – highlighted the importance of proofing in flexible packaging and discussed how to improve proofing systems. Kris Capiau, Kodak’s business manager Commercial South Africa and Turkey, spoke on how firms can pick the right technology and partner. Under the theme of delivering ‘outstanding shelf impact and production efficiency’, he highlighted the benefits of the company’s award-winnng Flexcel NX system. Capiau stressed that flat-topped dots reduce on press stress and wear. Kodak Spotless Flexographic solution’s accurate process recipes using spot colour replacement

combine with Flexcel NX to provide savings and efficiencies that do not detract from visual impact, he added. Capiau also presented the Kodak Flexcel Direct System as a new approach in direct engraving of elastomers for flexographic printing, designed to suit both printers and prepress service providers. Asif Farooqui, head of Packaging Supply Chain at Shan Foods (Pvt) Ltd in Pakistan, spoke on how Kodak Flexcel NX had helped his company and its local partners Kompass Pakistan (Pvt) Limited to cut development time, setup and shade matching, while delivering superior coextruded PE, a smaller gauge and lower loading and usage of inks. After the event, Rashid Pasha, marketing

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:49

Packaging Seminar 2012 manager for Kodak, MEAF, told Packaging MEA that the event had exceeded his company’s expectations in its attendance. ‘The icing on the cake was when many attendees spoke about how useful they found the seminar sessions to be for their business and for knowing more about how production efficiencies can be improved with Kodak,’ he said.

Middle East packaging looks ahead Benjamin Daniel, head of UPP’s Print Media Academy and contributing editor of Packaging MEA spoke at the event on the sector’s bright outlook, if it can overcome looming technological and business challenges. In the tougher years since 2008, few sectors have faced the future with the same confidence of the pre-crisis era. But packaging ranks among the industries with least to fear from A series of presentations highlighted the benefits of Kodak’s Flexcel NX system the coming decade. Yet regional packaging trends are even more improved barrier properties, which open up The global packaging industry is now valued at about $500bn, of which rigid, flexible encouraging. A fundamental factor propelling wide applications for food. However, business challenges are also and allied packaging contribute about 80%, the sector’s fast emergence in the Middle East while industrial and transportation packaging includes a heavy reliance on imports, which complicating the sector’s expansion. Often, in fact, the sector growth outpaces the availability need to be branded and labelled locally. provide 20%. Demographic factors also come into play, as of skilled employees. Meanwhile, new regulations are being the region’s many single men prefer processed food to fresh produce. And a time-poor imposed to govern employment and safeguard working population, of both sexes, is likely to the environment through restrictions on landfills, greenhouse gas emissions and energy prefer packaged products. At the same time, the Middle East and North use. Automation is taking off while large volume Africa has one of the world’s fastest growing populations. Since 2000, its inhabitants have jobs are becoming rarer, as packaging becomes increased by an average of 1.8% a year. By more regionalised and increasingly focused on contrast, the population of North America end-users. Digital opportunities are emerging fast. and Europe crept up by only 0.6% a year in the same timeframe, while the world’s population Print can now be managed with many variables. Consumer marketing is increasingly growth averaged 1.2%. For the UAE, in particular, these specific, prompting shorter runs and raising opportunities are enhanced by its function as a the appeal of flexo over gravure. Against this backdrop, the Gulf is also base, with excellent infrastructure and air and sea links, for packaging and re-exporting to the seeing a migration of commercial printers into rest of the region – a role further augmented packaging, propelled by a glut in their market by the disruption wrought by the Arab Spring and falling margins. But the packagers who will harvest the in less stable parts of the region. Amid the sector’s overall expansion, though, sector’s enticing opportunities and avoid its a shift in technology is underway. Most pitfalls must expect to focus on package design, Packaging looks sure to grow in the Middle notably, flexible packaging is gaining ground while complying with stricter environmental East, Benjamin Daniel told the seminar over rigid packaging. Plastics now are not only regulations and achieving faster turnarounds By 2014, the sector is on track to total easier and faster to process than materials and shorter runs. $550bn, with its growth running at about 5%. such as glass, metal and plastic. They also offer

jan-feb 2013

page 32 and 33.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:49

news Placon anti-fog deli lids roll out US Placon is all set to launch its new anti-fog lid technology on its entire line of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cold deli food packaging containers, said the firm. The ‘crystal-clear’ anti-fog lids bead moisture to improve product visibility in cold food displays, said the US-based company. Placon PET deli food containers are produced with Ecostar RPET-F, FDA-approved for direct food contact, extruded sheet from kerbside-collected post-consumer bottles and thermoforms. Made completely from recycled materials, the containers are 100% recyclable, said Placon.

CCL Industries signs to take over Scottish spirits label converter Scotland CCL Industries has signed a heads of agreement to buy shares to take over John Watson & Company, a privately owned label converter in Glasgow, Scotland, with estimated sales of about £12m ($19m) in the current year. John Watson & Company produces labels for leading distillers of Scotch whisky and other spirits and will complement the global network of CCL Label Wine & Spirits operations. The transaction is subject to contract, with terms based on the financial performance of John Watson & Company for the

management teams of John Watson & Company and CCL Label Wine & Spirits business units. Geoffrey Martin, President and CEO of CCL Industries, said: ‘The wine and spirits sector continues to be attractive for us... Guenther and his key people have held John Geoffrey Martin, CCL Industries Watson & Company in high regard for a long time and believe the calendar year of 2013. Details will great team that John assembled be disclosed with the transaction’s will allow us to get closer to global customers planned completion in early 2014. important Until then, the two firms will co- located in Scotland. We also plan operate, led by Guenther Birkner, to support the planned acquisition president, Food & Beverage with further investment in the Worldwide, together with the operation in Glasgow.’

Unilever compresses deodorant cans to cut their carbon footprint US US supermarkets are now starting to stock 75 ml ‘compressed’ cans for Sure, Dove and Vaseline female deodorant designed to last as long as previous 150 ml cans while using only half the propellant. Switching to the new cans will bring environmental benefits, including an average 25% cut in each can’s overall carbon footprint, said Unilever. Across the three brands, the new-look cans use on average 25% less aluminium, while 53% more cans fit onto a pallet, which should mean 35% fewer lorry journeys. Amanda Sourry, chairman, Unilever UK & Ireland, described the new cans as ‘a genuine shift change in the way aerosol deodorants can be manufactured’. ‘The reduced environmental

page 34 and 35.indd 2

Goose pharma tracker debuts

India Pharmaceutical business re-engineering solutions provider Goose has launched a new 2D serialisation barcode, the Goose Tracker, aimed at drug packaging authentication. A choice of online or offline solutions protects consumers as well as the pharma companies, said the firm. Multilevel authentication features are designed to allow tracking throughout distribution, Unilever sees the cans as ‘a genuine shift’ in aerosol manufacturing including warehouse to customer retail chain. impact of providing consumers them as the first major packaging Goose Tracker suits GS1 global with a smaller can will take us reduction initiative for aerosol traceability guidelines and creates, another step closer to realising our deodorants since they were manages and tracks unique serial global ambition of doubling the introduced in the late 1960s. numbers on tertiary, primary and Unilever aims by 2020 to halve secondary packages, said Goose. size of our business while reducing our environmental impact,’ the greenhouse gas impact of its The solution provides accurate products across the lifecycle and detection of 2D on carton and she said. The new cans reflect years of also to halve waste associated with optical character verification of research, said Unilever, which sees the disposal of products. overprinting details on cartons.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:50

International

Heidelberg forecasts growth for the global packaging industry Germany A whitepaper on packaging trends commissioned by Heidelberg from market researcher Smithers Pira finds that the sector is on track for continued growth. Smithers Pira expects global packaging sales to rise from $670bn in 2010 to $820bn by 2016. Growth will be driven by the increasing prosperity and growing populations in developing nations as well as greater competition and variety at point of sale in the West. The US was the world’s largest packaging market in 2010, with sales of $137bn, followed by China

EFI picked for ERP contract US Southeastern Printing has picked EFI Radius as its new ERP software for its roll-fed label business, EFI announced recently. Established nearly 90 years ago, Florida-based Southeastern Printing produces high-quality commercial and digitally printed materials but has shifted its focus to roll-fed labels in the downturn. After growing into its third label manufacturing facility, it needed an integrated, packagingspecific ERP system. EFI Radius is a powerful ERP software platform designed to offer end-to-end, automated business process management from order inquiry to cash receipt for label, flexible packaging, converting and folding carton businesses.

with $80bn. according to Smithers Pira. But China is expected to take over the top spot by 2017. India is also becoming a strong growth market and is expected to be among of the top 10 packaging producers by 2017. Its demand for

Sector on track for expansion

packaging is predicted to increase to $24bn within the next five years. Paper and board packaging accounts for the largest share of the industry. Global folding carton production has grown by around 2.5% per year since 2005 and this trend will continue. The trend is no longer only toward shorter runs. It is vital to use the optimum run length for each job to meet growing demand from producers of branded goods for ECR (Efficient Consumer Response) and JiT (Just-in-Time) production concepts, according to the whitepaper.

Luxe Pack New York set to grow in 2013 US Following a remarkable 10th edition of the trade fair, Luxe Pack New York continues to grow, and is on track for a promising 2013 edition on 15–16 May, say its organisers. A record number of exhibitors – about 150 – are expected, including the very best global packaging manufacturers, according to the tradeshow team. Increasing demand from packaging manufacturers has Visitors explore Luxe Pack also prompted a new venue spirits, fashion/accessories, arrangement, said the organisers. Now on the 2nd floor of the watches and jewellery. Luxe Pack New York describes Metropolitan Pavilion, the new location allows 20 complementary itself as the North American event companies to take part. More for brands and designers to develop than 150 exhibitors will represent their creative packaging ranges, all sectors, including perfume/ bringing together every resource cosmetics, fine food, wines and imaginable under one roof.

QR code on US clementines US US-based produce sourcing and logistics company CH Robinson Worldwide has launched packaging on Tropicana clementines to support the Drive to End Hunger initiative. A quick response (QR) code redirects users to a AARP Foundation website where direct donations can be made to the initiative. CH Robinson fruit category manager James Rasmussen said: ‘This programme not only offers unique packaging to shoppers to raise awareness, but also allows us as a company to give back to an important cause.’

Matrix unveils new machines US Matrix Packaging Machinery is set to introduce its form-fill-seal machine, which can run at up to 140 bags per minute. The new Mercury HS machine’s standard features include stainlesssteel construction and Matrix ‘SmartJaw’ ST horizontal sealing technology, and it forms, fills and seals bags with widths ranging from 1.75” in to 11” and lengths from 2.5” to 15”. A smaller footprint than other high speed machines helps economise floor space, according to Matrix Packaging. Each machine offers a selfcentring film drive down system, automatic edge guide film tracking and short travel, angled incline film upwind, all of which provide precise film movement and trouble-free operation.

feb-march 2013

page 34 and 35.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:50

news Esko aims at the tag and label market with its new CDI Spark 2420 flexo plate imager Belgium Esko has added to its family of CDI flexo plate imagers by launching the CDI Spark 2420, designed for narrow web label converters. Combining a different image size with greater flexibility in plate material, the new product is ideal for the growing tag and label market, said Jan Buchweitz, Esko senior product manager, Digital Flexo. ‘According to FINAT, global label demand across all print technologies is expected to continuously grow in the coming years, while world label demand growth for 2012/13 is approximately 6–7%,’ he said. ‘To help small to medium printing operations capitalise on

The 2420 is aimed at operators who might otherwise pick the 2530

these growth opportunities, we introduce this new size CDI. It’s the perfect complement to our existing range.’ While the CDI Spark portfolio already includes the CDI Sparks 1712, 2120 and 2530, the new

machine provides a more costeffective solution for customers that might otherwise pick the larger CDI 2530, he said. The CDI Spark 2420 is designed to image plate sizes up to 609x508mm (24” by 20”) and

DuPont hikes prices for its Cyrel products on raw material costs US DuPont Packaging Graphics has announced a global price increase for its DuPont Cyrel products, effective from 4 March 2013, to reflect rising raw material costs. DuPont Packaging Graphics is continuing to pursue ways to increase its manufacturing productivity and is engaged in cost reduction initiatives to offset higher raw materials The price rise follows similar increases in 2012 and in 2011 costs, said the firm. DuPont Packaging Graphics’ In 2011, from 16 May, the On 2 April 2012, DuPont Packaging Graphics announced company raised prices on all its Cyrel portfolio includes DuPont a similar global price hike for Cyrel products by up to 7% while Cyrel photopolymer plates, Cyrel all its Cyrel products, with a net introducing an energy surcharge, FAST processing equipment, increase of up to 5%, depending linked to the price of fuel and Cyrel round sleeves, mounting and finishing products. increased transportation costs. on the product.

page 36 and 37.indd 2

also handle a wider range of plate materials, said Esko. CDI Spark 2420 suits materials including digital flexo plates, chemistry free film, digital foilbased letterpress plates, digital metal-based letterpress plates and digital silk screens, according to Esko. Its operation is aided by EasyClamp, which securely holds flexo plates of any thickness on the vacuum drum. Esko is providing an imaging resolution upgrade path on the CDI Spark 2420 so that customers can choose the standard 2000–2540 ppi or upgrade to high res, at 2540– 4000 ppi, or HD flexo, at 4000 ppi in combination with high definition screening.

X-Rite rolls out eXact trade-in US X-Rite Incorporated aims to accelerate upgrades with a worldwide trade-in programme for its eXact spectrophotometers. Customers can receive a €550– 800 rebate for buying a standard, advanced or densitometer version of eXact with each instrument they send in on a specified list. The programme ends on 30 June. Qualifying instruments include X-Rite models 400 series, 504, 508, 518, 520, 528, 530, 918, 939, 938, 948, 968, X-Rite (or GretagMacbeth) SpectroEye and SpectroEye LT, GretagMacbeth (or Gretag) D19C / D196, X-Rite (or GretagMacbeth) DensiEye 100, 700, 750 and some models from competitors.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:50

International

BS Labels picks Xeikon 3300 for food-approved toner technology UK UK-based self-adhesive label specialist BS Labels has invested in a Xeikon 3300 on the grounds of its quality, food-approved toner technology and flexible performance, said Xeikon. Xeikon QA-I toner is FDAapproved for specific indirect and direct food contact applications and therefore fits perfectly into the BS Label approach, said Xeikon. Tony Pickering, managing director and owner of BS Labels, said the toner’s compatibility towards food contract requirements was ‘a key driver’ in the purchase decision. ‘The Xeikon 3300 solution is ideal to complement our large flexo operation,’ he said. ‘Not only will it make us much more

Xeikon 3300 label press: “Food approved toner technology”

competitive for short to medium runs, it will also allow us to take away the pressure on the flexo and letterpress department for quick turnaround jobs.’ BS Labels supplies self-adhesive labels for the food, industrial,

commercial and retail markets. With eight flexo and three letterpress presses, it sets itself apart with a rapid delivery of quality labels on a wide range of materials, offering all leading production techniques required, said Xeikon.

Videojet debuts 5-litre inkjet BFS US Videojet Technologies Inc. has introduced a 5-litre bulk fluid system (BFS) on its 1000 Line continuous ink jet printers. The BFS benefits customers with high-volume print applications such as bottle and can as well as wire, cable and pipe production lines, said Mark Breunig, continuous ink jet product manager for Videojet. ‘With fewer cartridges to change, customers can enjoy longer runtimes and less intervention with their Videojet continuous ink jet printers, which delivers greater efficiency to operations,’ he said. As an upgrade or standard option, the BFS is designed to integrate into continuous ink jet printers including: 1610, 1620, 1610DH, 1520 and 1710 (make-up only).

SWG opts for Kodak’s Flexcel Direct System Germany Germany’s Sächsische Walzengravur GmbH (SWG), a Janoschka Group company, has invested in the new Kodak Flexcel Direct System for direct laser engraving of elastomer sleeves and plates. Jörg Günther, SWG’s sales director, said the system will be key in using flexographic printing for high-end packaging. ‘The Flexcel Direct System’s SWG eyes 30% market increase high resolution and innovative beam shaping mean we can SWG is aiming to raise its achieve a significant improvement sales of flexo sleeve and plates to in engraving quality compared customers in the high-resolution with CO² laser technology, and packaging field by about 30% at the same time increase our through using the Kodak Flexcel Direct System. productivity,’ he said.

SIG Combibloc presents bottle made of cardboard: Combidome looks like a bottle, and thanks to its shape, stability and smooth pouring action, it is as easy to handle, claims its maker. But the new product is entirely made from a paperboard composite, giving benefits in product protection, environmental and economic considerations.

feb-march 2013

page 36 and 37.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:50

news Mark Andy extends its support programme to offer rebuilds and to accept traded-in kit US Mark Andy has expanded its support offerings to include trade-ins and rebuilds. Under this new programme, the company will accept select pre-owned equipment and provide credit toward the purchase of a new Mark Andy press or Rotoflex rewinder. Alternatively, a converter not in a position to purchase a new machine may search the rebuilt inventory to find a pre-owned machine that suits their needs. The trade-in programme is a direct result of rising demand for new technology, as well as increasing inquiries for secondhand leadingbrand equipment in growing

Purchasing new kit not always the best option, says Mark Andy

economies, said Mark Andy. A team of professionals will conduct a complete overview and provide a suitable trade-in price or design a rebuild plan to bring the machine to like-new condition, said the firm.

The rebuild team works sideby-side with the OEM team to bring the project to fruition. Each rebuilt machine is fully tested, run through the same acceptance tests, and held to the same standards expected of

UFLEX starts up ‘largest film line in the US’ at new Kentucky plant

The new 8.7-metre-wide BOPET film line can turn out 36,000 tonnes of film per year, said UFLEX

US UFLEX has started commercial production at its new state-of-the-art polyester film plant at Elizabethtown in Kentucky, US, in January 2013. A 8.7-metre-wide BOPET film line at the plant is larger than any other film line presently operating in the US and can turn out 36,000 tonnes of film per year, according to UFLEX.

Page 38 and 39.indd 2

The new film line is complemented by a plasma enhanced high-barrier metalliser that can convert 6,000 tonnes of film per year. This plant, located in the heart of the world’s largest and most advanced packaging film market, will help the firm to service North American film users and ensure

that just-in-time deliveries of freshly manufactured films are made to them within seven days of receipt of their orders. A second 8.7-metre-wide BOPET film line and high-barrier metalliser are planned at this facility and work on this will commence soon, said UFLEX.

all new equipment, according to Mark Andy. Ken Daming, director of Aftermarket Sales said Mark Andy recognises there are times when a capital purchase of new equipment may not be in the best interest of a converter, or they may need to divest a legacy piece of equipment in order to purchase new. ‘In these instances, our trade-ins and rebuilds programme is an ideal solution,’ he said. The programme extends beyond presses and rewinders to accessories such as laminators, screen units and curing systems. A full list of available inventory is at www.markandy.com/rebuilds.

Amcor extends ROPP to PET Australia Amcor Rigid Plastics has expanded the use of its roll-on pilfer-proof (ROPP) finish design to aluminium screw-cap PET bottles for wine and spirits. New 1.75 l and 750 ml stock PET bottles offer lightweight and smooth conversion from glass, said the Australia-based firm. The new bottles will be incorporated into Amcor’s DeLite brand, a range of PET bottles with aluminium screwcap closures for the wine industry. ‘We expect that this expanded offering will encourage more premium spirits brands to consider PET as a replacement for glass,’ said Amcor Rigid Plastics spirits and wine business director Lynne Brophy.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:51

International

Bobst to showcase its web-fed machinery at ICE Europe 2013 Germany Bobst has announced details of the web-fed kit to appear at its ICE Europe exhibition stand (638, Hall A6) in Munich, Germany, on 19–21 March. For lamination, the CL850/ CL1000 multi-technology laminators and the SL 850/SL1000 solventless laminators will be on display, said Bobst. Production lines like the Rotosil, Rototmelt, Rototacky and Rotocoat, for labelstock and release liners, adhesive tapes and pre/post metallisation, will also feature. Information will be available on gravure printing presses, including latest configuration of Bobst Rotomec 4003 gravure printing lines with shaftless cylinders.

Bobst plans to display a broad range of kit at ICE Europe 2013

In flexo, the focus will be the F&K 20SIX, which premiered at Drupa. In metallising, the new General Registron Hawkeye monitoring system will be presented. In addition, information will be available on the AlOx process,

under which oxygen injected into aluminium vapour produces aluminium oxide (AlOx), which can be transparent under controlled conditions. The application is available for coating films including PET, BOPP, CPP and PLA.

Henkel plans a ‘green’ hotmelt US? Henkel has teamed up with DaniMer Scientific, LLC, to develop hotmelt adhesives from bio-based raw materials, initially for consumer packaging applications such as end of line and labelling. The alliance aims to develop a technology platform with a family of bio-based hotmelt adhesive formulations supplied globally. Daniel Carraway, CEO and founder of DaniMer Scientific, said the renewably sourced feedstocks for these hotmelt adhesives are not derived from any direct food chain resources. ‘They are also unique in that we have enabled the use of recycled renewable content in certain adhesive grades which allows us to further diversify our supply chain,’ he said.

Finat announces 2013 agenda for labellers Belgium Finat, the international association for the self-adhesive label industry, has announced 2013 key labelling events culminating in Labelexpo Europe in September. With a deadline of 8 March, entries are now invited for the Finat Label Competition, with details at www.finat.com/awards. On 21 March, Finat will hold a workshop on ‘Lean Manufacturing in the labelling industry’ at Finat identifies labelling talent the Porsche Facility in Leipzig, Germany, to show how the label Germany, will inform delegates industry can learn from lean across a broad range of topics. On September 24–27, at manufacturing in the car industry. On June 12–14, the joint Finat/ Labelexpo Europe 2013 at Brussels VskE Congress ‘Label Your Future’ Expo, Finat will occupy a hospitality at the Grand Westin Hotel, Munich, stand and hold workshops.

Grupo Yoli, a bottler with a presence in Mexico, has agreed to merge its operations with Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF), one of the world’s largest public bottlers of Coca-Cola products, in a transaction estimated to value $700m. Coca-Cola FEMSA CEO Carlos Salazar Lomelin said the merger reflects a commitment to expand in Latin America.

feb-march 2013

Page 38 and 39.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:51

news Flint Group holds training conferences on its nyloflex ACE printing plate technology Germany Flint Group Flexographic Products recently held two regional technology events for German-speaking flexo printers at Memmingen in Allgaeu and in Damme in Northern Germany. Both conferences focused on the company’s nyloflex ACE photopolymer printing plate, which was launched in the middle of last year. Flint claims the new product offers benefits such as sharper details, high contrast images and smoother vignettes. Aimed at the quality end of the flexible packaging, corrugated preprint, beverage packaging and label printing markets,

Flint featured its nylofex ACE plates at its recent events in Germany

nyloflex Ace exhibits outstanding longevity and is extremely stable on the press, according to Flint. With fewer press stops for plate cleaning and reduced downtimes, the new plate can

cut start-up waste, and so save production costs. In the pre-press area, nyloflex Ace plates exhibit a more controlled back exposure, providing an even smoother plate floor with a more consistent

Global BOPET film demand forecasts predict average UK According to a latest study by UK based PCI Films Consulting Limited, the world BOPET film demand has been growing by an estmated 7.2% since 2007 and reached 3.2 million tonnes in 2012. Global BOPET film demand forecasts predict average world growth of 6.8% p.a. with Asia continuing as the powerhouse. Other report highlights included; 1. The Central and East Asian region, which includes South Korea, Japan and China, remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of BOPET films accounting for 55% of total demand. 2. Flexible packaging applications for BOPET film now account for

Page 40 and 43.indd 2

World BOPET demand to surge

54% of world demand. The thin film market is expected to grow at an average rate of 6.7% per annum, over the next five years. 3. BOPET film producers have invested in capacity to keep pace

with demand growth and increased by 53% the size of the industry since 2007. 4. Demand for thick films has grown the fastest in recent years but volume growth is slowing. 5. PCI ‘conservative’ forecasts show world demand for BOPET films will continue to grow by an average of 6.8% per annum to reach 4.4 million tonnes by 2017. Growth in Asian demand is expected to account for almost 80% of world growth over the next five years. 6. Capacity additions announced and expected, will expand the world BOPET film industry by another 34% over the next five years with Chinese producers accounting for

relief, according to its maker. In addition, the light finishing times (UVC) become shorter – only 2-10 minutes - so the plate can be used even sooner. Nyloflex Ace has been especially designed for nyloflex NExT, and will show its greatest strengths when used with that exposure technology, said Flint. Launched in 2011, nyloflex NExT exposure technology enables an excellent printing quality and much better ink laydown, according to Flint. The technology is applicable for all digital flexographic printing plates and can be easily implemented into the existing digital workflow, said the firm.

Sales & income growth for BASF Germany BASF maintained its good performance in 2012. The company exceeded the 2011 record levels in sales and income from operations as it earned a premium on the cost of capital. Dr Kurt Bock, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, said for the year 2012, BASF increased sales to €78.7 billion, up 7% compared with 2011. Sales in plastics increased due to higher volumes and prices as well as positive currency effects. BASF is one of the leading manufacturers of poly amide, which finds its application in a vast variety of barrier film applications due to its high barrier properties and favourable mechanical properties. The company also supplies raw materials as well as other aids for the production of flexible packaging.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:51

Innovative 3D Design Tool for Packaging Professionals

HALL 4 - A6

Achieve rapid & visually stunning soft prototyping of your packaging design in 3D. A new, innovative way to communicate with clients. Integrates seamlessly with Adobe Illustrator.

RealVue 3D Packager 7KH GH多QLWLYH ' YLVXDOLVDWLRQ VRIWZDUH IRU IDVW FDUWRQ SDFNDJLQJ SURWRW\SLQJ

www.ffei.co.uk / www.realvue3dpackager.com Q4-102, P.O.Box-120270, SAIF Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Phone: +971 6 5579924/26, Fax: +971 6 5579925, Email: jay@age-graphics.ae, Mobile: +971 50 4570520

Kodak Ad.indd 3

01/03/2013 01:16

International McDonald’s debuts designs with QR codes giving nutrition facts US McDonald’s is unveiling new packaging designs on all carry-out bags and fountain beverage cups with QR codes that give consumers nutritional information. The launch began in the US in mid-January and will continue rolling out worldwide through 2013, with the text being translated into 18 different languages. A blend of text, illustrations and a QR code will deliver interesting facts about the brand and make nutrition information easily accessible from mobile devices, said the global fastfood giant. ‘Our new packaging is designed to engage with customers in relevant ways and celebrate our brand,’ said Kevin Newell, McDonald’s chief

Customers want to know more about their food, says McDonalds

brand officer. ‘Customers tell us they want to know more about the food they are eating and we want to make that as easy as possible by putting this information right at their fingertips.’

McDonald’s Global Advisory Council, a group of advisors in nutrition, public health and fitness, also emphasised the importance of providing access to nutrition information, said the firm.

Philippines city to ‘ban’ plastic Philippines Makati, in the Phillipines, has clarified that a plastic ban will take effect in June, with businesses being monitored so they gradually cut plastic and styrofoam stocks. The city’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) teams have begun visiting establishments to check on container and packaging inventories, said a spokesman. Firms selling dry and wet goods must use biodegradable and/or recyclable plastic bags, according to guidelines, which cover all supermarkets, public markets, shopping malls/department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, fast food chains, canteens and eateries.

Plain packs will deter smoking, finds study UK A study has found that within two years of introducing generic cigarette packaging, the proportion of UK adults who smoke could fall from 21% to 20%, and the portion of children who try smoking would fall from 27% to 24%. Interviews with 33 tobacco control experts – 14 from the UK, 12 from Australasia and 7 from North America, countries where plain packaging for tobacco products is being considered or has been implemented – suggest plain packaging would cut the rate of adult smoking by an average of 1% within two year, said the University of Cambridge Behaviour and Health Research Unit.

The UK is mulling new rules

A public consultation was conducted by the UK Government from April to August 2012 on the possible introduction of a plain packaging policy for tobacco products.

Bob’s Burger Chain Features Edible Packaging: This fast-food chain in Brazil wants to show that people love the burger joint’s food so much that they can’t even wait to unwrap it before digging in. In fact, the restaurant’s tagline is : ‘Não dá pra controlar,’ which translates to something like, ‘You cannot control.’

feb-march 2013

Page 40 and 43.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:51

news Eisai renamed in Bosch tie-up Japan As of January 2013, the Eisai Machinery companies in Germany, China and North America were renamed as Bosch Inspection Technology. At the same time, Bosch Packaging Technology K.K. in Japan and its Japanese subsidiary Eisai Machinery Co. Ltd completed their merger into Bosch Packaging Technology K.K. With this move, Bosch Packaging Technology has completed the next step in integrating subsidiary Eisai Machinery into the worldwide Bosch network. The name Eisai Machinery remains unchanged for now as a product brand.

CCL buys Avery Dennison label converting business for $500m Canada CCL Industries Inc has signed a binding agreement to acquire the Office & Consumer Products and Designed & Engineered Solutions businesses of Avery Dennison on a debt free basis for $500m in cash, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transaction, expected to close by mid-2013, has the potential to transform CCL Industries ‘at many levels’, said Geoffrey Martin, its president and CEO. ‘We are acquiring the Avery brand as part of the transaction to build on the franchise established for many decades for labels and other printable media that

CCL aims to build on franchise

consumers and businesses use in digital computer printers around the world,’ he said. ‘In addition, we are significantly

MWV signs MoU to invest $184m in packaging industry in Gujarat US MWV, a global leader in packaging and packaging solutions, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat Government to invest $184m over three to five years in India’s packaging and paperboard industry. This investment includes the purchase of Vapi-based Ruby Macons Ltd, as well as plans to raise production at the facility through installing a new machine to manufacture new paperboard products and grades. The investment and expansion plan is already underway and should hike production from this calendar year.

expanding our CCL Label market sectors with our entry into the North American durable goods market. This acquisition is the largest in CCL’s history and takes the company’s pro-forma annual revenue above $2bn for the first time.’ A syndicate of banks has committed to providing debt financing to close the transaction. The two businesses had combined revenues of about $910m with an estimated adjusted EBITDA of $110m in the calendar year of 2012.

‘Breakthrough’ from OxySense

US OxySense has released a ‘breakthrough’ Sidewinder Invasive Measurement Needle to measure headspace and dissolved oxygen in closed and opaque containers . The Sidewinder needle allows users to perforate rigid containers (cans, bottles and PET packages) and flex packs and take measurements without extracting a sample, thereby cutting the risk of pulling in external oxygen and contaminating the sample. Built of heavy gauge stainless MWV sees big opportunities in India as its middle class expands steel, each Sidewinder needle John Luke Jr, MWV’s chairman as well as in many consumer is good for hundreds of and CEO said his firm sees categories such as food, beverage, measurements, even in metal cans significant opportunities in India healthcare and personal care, or through metal caps, said the for higher quality and more ‘largely due to the emergence of firm. The technology also requires innovative packaging solutions in modern retail and a fast-growing virtually no maintenance and no corrugated or industrial markets, middle class in India’. annual calibration, said OxySense.

Visit us at Hall 1 : Stand M12 44

page 44 and 45.indd 2

jan-feb 2013

01/03/2013 00:43

International

Nestlé starts to roll out QR labels with health, social and eco facts UK Kit Kat multi-packs in the UK will offer smartphone users instant access to facts about their nutritional value and their social and environmental impact as part of a new global initiative from Nestlé. Scanning a quick response (QR) code takes consumers to websites where they can find more detailed information about the product than is normally available on a pack. Nestlé plans to roll out the QR codes across its product portfolio in both emerging and developed markets to help people make more

informed choices about what to purchase or consume. Additional information accessed through the QR code will relate to how the product fits into a healthy lifestyle, including portion guidance, recipe ideas and its role in a balanced diet. Facts will also be available on the product’s impacts, such as how much water or energy Nestlé: ‘wealth of information’ is used in its entire life cycle. ‘We hope that consumers, and sales. ‘We have a wealth of wherever they are in the world, information about the nutritional will use these QR codes to learn value and the environmental and more about our products,’ said social impacts of what we produce, Patrice Bula, Nestlé’s head of and it makes sense to share that strategic business units, marketing with consumers.’

Composting choc wrapper

Indian packaging set to hit $44bn by 2016

Italy An Italian consortium of organic producers and farmers has chosen compostable NatureFlex from Innovia Films to wrap its range of Fair Trade chocolate. Alce Nero has switched from standard plastic without sacrificing its products’ condition, said its marketing manager, Nicoletta Maffini. ‘Metallised NatureFlex from Innovia Films was a perfect fit for us, due not only to its environmental attributes but also its excellent barrier properties to keep our organic Fair Trade chocolate in premium condition.;. NatureFlex films are made from wood-pulp from managed plantations, with a typical renewable biobased content of 95% by weight of material.

India India’s packaging industry is expected to reach $43.7bn by 2016 in terms of sales turnover, says the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP). Packaging industry turnover in the country now totals $27.6bn, while the global turnover is about $550bn, said IIP chairman SK Ray. India’s packaging industry India still lags in per-capita use has been growing by 12% a year, outstripping 5% global growth, N C Saha said the industry he added. Yet per-capita annual offered ‘scope for innovation, packaging consumption is only entrepreneurship, as well as 4.3 kg, far less than Germany’s logistical advancements’. Across the industry, has about 42 kg and China’s 20 kg. The IIP is calling for initiatives 22,000 packaging companies, to transform large unpacked of which nearly 85% are micro, commodities into processed and small and medium enterprises packed commodities. IIP director (MSMEs).

FDA launches nutrition label US The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a label to help Americans protect their hearts. The Nutrition Facts Label, on all packaged foods and beverages, is intended to help consumers avoid high blood pressure and heart disease caused by excessive sodium, fat and cholesterol. By using the percent daily value (%DV) listed on the label, peoople can assess if a serving of food is high or low in these nutrients. Individuals can also make healthy choices at every meal by using the %DV to compare foods and their nutrients, said the FDA.

Multivac starts up in Pakistan Pakistan Multivac has now started its Pakistan operation, where it will target the food market, said Amir Sotoudeh, managing director Multivac Middle East. ‘We want to facilitate the food sector of Pakistan with better packaging facilities especially in the sectors of ready-to-eat meal, fresh and frozen meat, seafood and bakery products,’ he said. Multivac makes machines for packaging fresh or processed food, sterile goods and other medical products, with more than 3,300 employees in 55 countries. In the Middle East, Multivac can help the food packaging industry make a valuable contribution to reducing food wastage,’ he added.

Visit us at Hall 1 : Stand K06 feb-march 2013

page 44 and 45.indd 3

01/03/2013 00:43

feature

Demystifying the HD buzz…

Anyone investing in flexographic platemaking technology right now will have a difficult time in comparing products to each other and in justifying ROI (return on investment). Solutions are evolving exponentially, and identifying the ‘right’ technology that will serve over the time of the investment needs lots of research, some blind faith, and possibly a HD flexo has a ‘confusing array’ of variables crystal ball!, writes Wayne Peachey.

he first ‘flat-topped dot’ plate solution challenged the industry to compete, and the varying solutions that have emerged have to go through a few more cycles of development before an actual ‘winner’ is announced. Imagine picking the winner of the 2016 Baseball World Series based on today’s youth players?

round-topped dots. It is believed that their more stable structure helps to provide consistency and quality. The results vary less due to impression, and so they can be more forgiving of variance. Oxygen inhibits polymerisation (yes, this is the technical bit), and so when exposed to UV light, the dots form normally except near the surface of

flat-topped dots that perform much better on press in certain situations. No doubt for patent infringement reasons each manufacturer has created their own method for achieving a flattopped dot, hence the choice in the marketplace. A normal plate is processed by first imaging the black carbon layer, then by exposing the plate to UV light, and then by washing out using

Plate production advancements Not so long ago, flexo plates risked becoming a commodity. Solvent-washed plates, imaged on a CDI, were quite similar to each other as the key processing variables were limited. Choice of plate depended on past performance, cost, service, plus one or two intangibles such as the colour of the photopolymer (oh yes it did!). The advent of new technologies (broadly referred to as ‘HD flexo’, although this is a vendorspecific term) has really changed the face of flexo. Improvements have led to a greater diversity of product, and so a more confusing array of variables needs to be considered. Flat-topped dots The first technical change came about thanks to the realisation that the halftone dots of a plate can be a very different shape if made in the absence of oxygen. These are now referred to as ‘flat-topped dots’, and it has been proven that these dots lay down the ink in a more consistent and ‘better’ way than conventional

page 46 and 47.indd 2

Realisation that absence of oxygen alters the shape of halftone dots has altered HD flexo

the plate where the presence of oxygen means they become rounded. In the early days (about 15 years ago), it was assumed that a rounded dot was a good thing as the previous alternative was a very broad-shouldered dot. Since then, we have found that with the new technologies available we can create very precise

solvents or heat. The typical techniques for eliminating oxygen are: a. Imaged film is laminated to the plate. b. A film laminate is attached to the normally CDI-imaged plate. c. The normally imaged CDI plate is UV exposed within a non-oxygen environment.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:52

Flexo Platemaking

The emergence of 4,000 dpi imaging reveals that a typical 3% dot looks like an asteroid

Each method is typically matched with the plate manufacturer’s own products (broadly speaking) but an additional alternative approach has emerged. One manufacturer provides LED lights within the light exposure frame (in addition to UV lights), and this approach creates flatter topped dots. So, flat-topped dots are an advance in technology, and when we image a plate (or similar) we are now ‘holding it all’. This is sometimes described as 1-to-1, and there are lots of arguments surrounding the concept of true 1-to-1. High-resolution imaging The next technology to proliferate is 4,000 dpi imaging. Now that we are ‘holding it all’, we are finding that a typical 3% dot is not that pretty; it is shaped more like an asteroid! We like the higher resolution HD television, and we love seeing the dimples on a golf ball when watching the PGA, so why wouldn’t we enjoy better resolution on our flexo plates? As it turns out, we do! Highlights Higher resolution also allows us to be more precise with our highlight dots. Many technologies have been available for many years in an attempt to reduce the appearance of highlight breaks – where the minimum dot (in a vignette, for instance) stops. Samba and other screening techniques have been around for a long time. Thanks to flat-topped dots and 4,000 dpi imaging, our highlight screening choices are greater, and these now perform better than ever.

Solid ink laydown The next constant in flexo is the difficulty in achieving a good solid ink laydown. Typically, we would need to separate the job to add extra colours, use different backing tapes based on the graphic, use different plate types based on the graphic, or just live with the reduced density and pin-holed solids. The first offerings of plate cells and grooves in solids overcame many of the issues, and such techniques have been greatly improved thanks to flat-topped dots and higher resolutions,

Our customers are now able to achieve higher densities, higher line screens, and smoother highlights.

offering an even greater choice of options. Putting it all together SGS has worked with many printers across many different presses, testing a range of HD-type solutions. SGS has been involved in each of the technologies from an early stage. ‘We have many locations across the globe,’ explained

Steve Babb, managing director at SGS in Hull, UK, ‘and so as a group we are always looking at the latest ideas and reporting back. This makes it easy to assess and qualify future investments. We also have the best technical and support staff, and they continually work to evolve the application of new technology. ‘When we tested and noticed unsuccessful characteristics in one flexo solution, it immediately became an opportunity for us to learn from those results and try another. For instance, plate durometer is important to our customers, and not all HD-type plate solutions have the choice that we require. ‘We think we have evolved to a stage in which we can easily challenge gravure on quality, whilst letting the natural benefits of flexo almost sell themselves.’ David Skinner, senior sales manager at SGS agrees. ‘We are seeing the impact and colour of gravure, but offering the turnaround of flexo. Some of our customers are used to waiting three months for gravure cylinders; our flexo print customers can respond within a matter of weeks or even days. Artwork changes for size, ingredients, or marketing repositioning are more often in this challenged economy, and so the benefits of flexo come to the fore. ‘Our customers are now able to achieve higher densities, higher line screens, and smoother highlights. The look and feel is much more sophisticated, it has generated a lot of interest and orders,’ says Dave. ‘We were able to reduce the number of colours within a project in one instance from eight to five, because we did not need to separate tone work from solids, and the higher densities meant special colours were not required. That means only five plates, reduced mounting time and material, reduced setup time, and a simpler print job. These are key advances within a competitive market.’ ‘We are calling our approach HD Plus,’ says Wayne Peachey, business development director at SGS International. ‘It is not a single solution; it is the application of the right solution for our customer depending on their needs. This right solution will include flat-topped dots, high resolution, solid screening, and special highlight treatments, but we are not limited by one plate type or one technology and so we can find the solution that will work best for our customer. ‘Key to our approach is that we will always offer the best solution, leave the ROI to us!’

feb-march 2013

page 46 and 47.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:52

Printing & Publishing Group Cordially invites you to attend a FREE interactive seminar focused on

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moving to/or Improving your Packaging Skillsâ&#x20AC;? March 25, 2013 (Monday) in JW Marriot Marquis (Majlis 2) at the Sheikh Zayed Road Join us and learn more about their packaging techniques and gain news, insights and knowledge on how to keep up with the packaging industry trends. 10:30 am - 11:00 am

Welcome Drinks & Registration

11:00 am - 11:30 am

Welcome Speech by Mr. Vijay Menon (PPG Committee Member) Presentation by Mr. Benjamin Daniel of UPP Print Media Academy and Packaging MEA Evolution and History of Packaging

11:30 am - 12:00 nn 12:00 nn - 12:30 pm 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm 1:00 pm onwards

Presentation by Mr. M. Sandro Gubinelli of Bobst Group Requirements to Start Packaging Improving Packaging Skills New Packaging Trends Questions and Answers Ending Remarks by Mr. Mazen Haj (PPG Chairman) followed by lunch at Kitchen 6 Restaurant

RSVP Please confirm your attendance to Ms. Roxanne Tandoc E-mail: info@ppg.ae or visit our website: www.ppg.ae Tel: 04 305 0853 - Fax: 04 305 0601 Sponsored by

Media Partner

feature

Barrier properties and packaging choices

Barrier properties are a crucial consideration in picking the best packaging option, although each choice can have drawbacks as well as advantages, reports Debabrata Deb.

In packaging, barrier properties are a critical issue for brand owners, supply chain partners, retailers, regulatory agencies and, most importantly, consumers. Preventing deterioration is especially vital for food. It can be many days or even months before food products, duly processed and packed, are consumed. In the meantime, they can be damaged in countless ways. Deterioration can occur through a loss of aromas and flavours or through picking up taints and foul odours from packaging or the environment. Toxins can migrate from and through packaging to the food. There can be scalping of food additives and flavours into the packaging. Oxygen can enter bringing oxidative rancidity. Moisture can enter,

causing sogginess, loss of crispiness and hydrolative rancidity. Food can dry up. Light, UV radiation and free radicals can create a range of degradation products. Microbes can attack, especially under hot, humid and unhygienic conditions. Or a variety of factors can combine to affect the food, which can lose its fresh appearance, change its colour and end up tasting stale. But each product category sets its own requirements. Cosmetics also need to be protected. Shampoos should not dry out and lose their fragrance. Face creams are vulnerable to light and moisture. Talcum powders require barriers from moisture and aroma.

Barrier qualities of different formats Barrier properties depend on the packâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface area to volume ratio, the seal integrity, the outer packing, the storage and transit conditions, conditions prevailing at the point of retail, and in-use parameters such as single use vs. multi-use, refrigerated vs. non-refrigerated and so on. Metal container packaging eliminates many of these factors, although headspace oxygen and moisture could still be matters of concern, particularly with sensitive products like baby food. Glass bottles provide an exceptionally good barrier, except to light. For this reason, beer bottles may have to be amber coloured and wine bottles may be given a blue tint. Other concerns relate to the closing system and the air tightness and food contact property of the closure. Corks in wine bottles, wads in RSPP closures, caps and crown corks and protective lacquers in metal closures or additives and colourants in plastic closures must be evaluated carefully. With plastic jars, light usually presents the only barrier property issue, which can be resolved through a suitable colourant such as yellow or blue. But plastic bottles require greater care. Barrier can be an issue when â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;necking inâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of the bottle takes place or where ribbing is done along with stretch blow moulding. The thinnest point becomes the point of ingress or exgress. Such weak points are hard to detect without computer simulation, which is now being used to evaluate all bottles used in major food brands. Thermoformed containers necessitate similar precautions. The final thickness

feb-march 2013

page 49-51.indd 1

28/02/2013 23:52

feature S.No

Film Type

Thickness um

Oxygen Transmission Rate 100% Oxygen cc/m2/24 hours at 25 Deg C and 45% RH

Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate gms/m2/ day at 38 Deg C and 90% RH

Polyester

140

Metallised

0.5

PVDC Coated

Plain Cellulose

8-130

3500

NC Coated

PVDC Coated

LDPE

8000

HDPE

3000

EVA

10000

BOPP

2200

Metallised BOPP

100

0.5

CPP

4200

Cast Nylon

140+

Cast Nylon 66

80+

180

Oriented Nylon 6

260

Oriented Nylon 6

260

EVAL F

0.2

EVAL E

1.8

Plasticised PVC

2000+

200+

Rigid PVC

260

Extruded PVDC

Oriented Polystyrene

2500+

170

Oriented Polystyrene

2500+

170

Nitrile Barrier Resin

120

after thermoforming and the corners of the container are weak points. The barrier property of the lidding material and the integrity of the seal of the lid to the container are important. The container must provide sufficient ‘lipping’ for a proper seal area and seal surface. Cups present varying barrier qualities. PP cups give good moisture barrier but paper cups with poly coating are generally suitable for immediate one time use and not for long storage. Aluminium tubes give long shelf life. Laminated tubes incorporate aluminium foil for sensitive products such as toothpaste. See-through tubes have an EVOH layer for barrier.

page 49-51.indd 2

In aseptic packaging, maintaining aseptic conditions throughout shelf life is challenging. Aseptic packs are made of 5–to– 7-ply thick materials, which include barrier materials. No pack is totally aseptic but commercial aseptic conditions are achievable, if the headspace is minimised or eliminated altogether by suitable pack design. With cuboid or rectanguloid aseptic cartons, ingress is usually from the corners due to cracking of paperboard and/or aluminium foil. Poor handling in transit can increase such corner pinholing and lead to turbidity in products such as orange juice. For flexible packaging, the main barrier problem comes from thin substrates and

Perishable foods have high barrier needs

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:52

Barrier Properties For the given pack, MVTR/day = 3.5x0.0064 = 0.0224g Theoretical Shelf Life = 2.25/0.0224 = 111 days The biscuit manufacturer can safely claim a three-month shelf life, which would be quite adequate for a fast-selling glucose biscuit. In fact, the actual shelf life would be somewhat higher due to: the outer HMHDPE bag; the slowing down of transmission as more and more moisture vapour transmits into the pack and the concentration difference across the laminate reduces; likely storage at about 25–30°C and not 38°C (the transmission rate halves with each 10-degree drop in temperature). Packaging for fresh meat must feature good barrier properties

the extensive use of plastics that provide a limited barrier compared with metal. Improving barrier properties The table above, which displays the barrier properties of various substrates, show how metallisation dramatically increases the barrier qualities of plastic films. HDPE has far superior barrier properties compared to LDPE. BOPP and CPP provide a good barrier to moisture vapour but a poor one to oxygen. Polyester and nylon films, on the other hand, are good oxygen barriers and poor moisture barriers. A laminate of polyester with BOPP would give balanced oxygen and moisture vapour barrier, while EVOH is an excellent oxygen barrier. But PVDC is the only polymer that is both a good oxygen and good moisture vapour barrier – a reflection of its chemistry and its exceptionally high crystallanity, which exceeds 95%, while that of most plastics is between 40% and 70%. In general, increasing density and increasing crystallanity improves barrier qualities. Aluminium foil can provides excellent barrier properties, although these can drop rapidly with creasing, crumpling and pinholing in transit. Metallised films are similarly at risk. But the shelf life of various materials can also be increased by techniques such as

modified atmosphere packaging, vacuum packaging, oxygen scavenging, slow release of anti-oxidants, bag-in-box, bag-in-bag, cold chaining, hot fill, pasteurisation, sterilisation and so on. Calculating shelf life The barrier properties of a laminate typically follow Ohm’s Law: 1/OTR Lam=1/OTR Sub1+1/OTR Sub2+1/ OTR Sub3 1/MVTR Lam=1/MVTR Sub1+1/MVTR Sub2+1/MVTR Sub3 Factors such as initial moisture content (IMC) and critical moisture content (CMC) can be combined with barrier properties calculate the theoretical shelflife of a product. For example, if a 75g biscuit pack has an area of 100x100mm with 10mm seals, an IMC of 2% and a CMC of 5%, and a 20 BOPP/20 white opaque HS BOPP structure is employed, a simplified calculation (based on an assumption of linearity in transmission rate) would be: Area in m2 = (100-20)/1000x(100-20)/1000= 80/1000x80/1000 = 0.080x0.080 = 0.0064

The need to test Yet calculations of shelflife are complicated by factors such as pack format, shape, size, colour and structure selection. And the complexity of the multiplicity of variables means verification through accelerated shelflife tests and validation from transit trials and organoleptic and physic-chemical tests is essential for each and every product and each and every SKU. Shortcuts may end in disaster. Debabrata Deb is the director of Future Formats, based in Vadodara, India e-mail: ddeb_in@hotmail.com

Calculations of shelflife are complicated by factors such as pack format, shape, size, colour and structure

3% of 75g = 2.25g 1/MVTR Lam = 1/7+1/7 = 2/7 MVTR Lam = 7/2 = 3.5g/m2/day

feb-march 2013

page 49-51.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:52

Brought to you by

Dubai International Print Award 2013 Acknowledged as the first quality benchmark for the printing industry in the UAE and across the world, the Dubai International Print Award identifies and rewards the companies with the best achievement in various print categories

Deadline for Entry submission

27th of March 2013

Join us at DIPA 2013 and be part of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuing success.

Date : April 9, 2013 Time : 7:00pm Venue : Madinat Jumeirah (Johara Ballroom) Gold Sponsor

Media Partner

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Media Partner Media Partner

For more information: Tel: +971 4 305 0853 / e-mail: info@ppg.ae For entry forms visit: www.ppg.ae

Technology Feature

Self adhesive labels

Self-adhesive labels continue to evolve

Self-adhesive labelling is a dynamic and creative sector of packaging, in which FINAT’s Industry Trends sub-committee, headed by Ferdi Ruesch of Gallus, see several key trends, writes Jules Lejeune, managing director of FINAT.

Global label demand across all technologies is expected to exceed 50 billion m2 by 2015 according to Labels & Labeling International

Self-adhesive labels add value to product packaging in several ways: as a source of information on pack contents; as a location for barcodes and other track-and-trace and authentication devices; and as a promotion and decoration. In all these spheres, the convenience and versatility of the selfadhesive laminate have been key contributors to product packaging. They serve manufacturers across the whole spectrum of products, providing a valuable and easily accessed tool for product development and marketing, particularly for direct-label goods. Even in the 21st century, self-adhesive labels are adding value to products and brands

in new and developing ways, in partnership with an ever-changing base of packaging materials. Global label demand According to Labels & Labeling International, global label demand (across all technologies) is expected to exceed 50 billion m2 by 2015. Global demand for labels is expected to increase in 2012–13 by about 6–7%. The prime volume markets are foods, beverages, personal care products and pharmaceuticals, with growth driven by emerging economies – particularly the BRIC countries.

Self-adhesive labels, along with glueapplied labels, still represent together nearly four fifths of the total label market, but face competition today from sleeving and in-mould labels – both are expanding, particularly in the food and beverage markets. In Europe, recent dynamic development in eastern countries has slowed but remains key to the region’s market growth. North American self-adhesive label demand growth has been driven primarily by VIP applications. Asia-Pacific takes the largest global share of the overall label market today, and here selfadhesive labels demonstrate healthy growth, with new label laminating companies, as well

nov-dec 2012

page 53-55.indd 1

28/02/2013 23:53

Technology Feature as converters, proliferating. The newest label market, Africa and the Middle East, combines both mature and unstable economies, but is showing healthy overall growth for selfadhesive labels. The push to downgauge With its complex make-up, self-adhesive labelstock is particularly susceptible to raw material price hikes, which have hit the market for nearly two years, creating margin pressures at every level of the value chain. Prices for platinum – the initiator for silicone release coatings – remain extremely high, and crude oil prices continue to raise concern, particularly in relation to plastic films. While paper labels and release liners continue to dominate self-adhesive label use, film facestocks and release liners are gaining market share. Environmental concerns and the quest for sustainability are encouraging the use of ‘downgauged’ self-adhesive labelstocks to reduce material usage, cut costs, reduce inventory storage space and save on transport costs. Lower-gauge film facestocks and release liners are key players in this arena, with significant reductions in basis weight achieved. Secondary use of materials In papers, the manufacturers have fewer opportunities to downgauge, but are concentrating on specialties, like washoff labelstocks for bottles, security papers embedded with forensic and other taggants, and wine label laminates offering ‘ice bucket’ performance. The proven recyclability of glassine release liner is now beginning to encourage the continuing use of paper labelstocks. At the same time, papermaker skills are increasingly employed in the ‘cradle to cradle’ repulping of glassine release liner, although the label industry and its customers have yet to fully take advantage of such schemes. The remainder of the waste stream created by converting self-adhesive labels – namely the matrix waste – has yet to find a ‘cradle to cradle’ solution – although it can be used in industrial incinerators for waste-to-energy recycling.

page 53-55.indd 2

Label converters today are at the centre of an intermingling of technologies

The continuing popularity of the ‘no label look’, created using clear film label facestocks, is not the only driver for film usage in selfadhesive labels today. Film release liner, PET or PP, is increasingly a choice today. The combination of film facestock and film liner enables serious downgauging of label laminate, to deliver more labels per reel, fewer roll changes on press and on the labelling line, and therefore significant time and cost savings. Cost savings are additionally enhanced by recycling the film release liner: world shortages of PE granulate and high demand have made recycled liner a financially viable commodity. Film-based labels However, it is in the realms of film that self-adhesive labels today see their greatest competition. Film-based shrink sleeve labels, stretch and wrap-around sleeves, and in-mould labels are today enjoying faster growth rates. Yet these technologies are opportunities as well as threats, and self-adhesive label converters today are embracing the concept of ‘one-stop shopping’ – offering their customers not only the self-adhesive path, but also the non-adhesive technologies which can be profitably and ably printed on their narrowweb presses.

Broadening the agenda Label converters today are, indeed, at the centre of an intermingling of technologies in the packaging chain, offering both web-fed selfadhesive labels and sheet-fed wet glue labels, as well as flexible packaging and tube laminate. They are also experiencing, in the M&A arena, buyouts by flexible packaging firms wishing to expand their offering, and also mainstream packaging companies purchasing self-adhesive label converters to develop their capability to provide personalised packaging. Digital challenges flexo In recent years, the narrow-web presses that characterise self-adhesive label production have mostly employed the flexographic print process, most recently coupled with speedy UV curing.

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:53

Self adhesive labels Designed to enhance the consumer’s experience of a product’s packaging and create shelf ‘stand-out’, they partner highly engineered permanent and removable adhesives to deliver the perfect performance for the brand owner’s needs.

Jules Lejeune, Managing Director, FINAT

But the fast-developing narrow-web digital colour print options – particularly the HP Indigo and Xeikon – are dramatically changing the face of label print. As brand owners and retailers opt for shorter production runs of their products, delivered more often, as well as multi-versioning of products using the same basic packaging, so the speed, the flexibility and shorter-run capability of digital print is proving itself. Tarsus report that there were 75 different digital label printing machines exhibited at Labelexpo Europe last year for ‘standalone’ use in the print room, or for use in combination, inline, with ‘traditional’ label presses. It also expects to see 40% of the installed base in narrow-web printing presses being in digital by 2020.

Connecting the global industry In an increasingly global label market, there is a real need for a ‘living’ network for the whole base of industry players, sharing information and knowledge, transcending the boundaries of countries and languages. Over less than three years, the L9 – the global collective of label industry associations, of which European trade body FINAT is a founder – has made enormous strides in this direction by sharing knowledge and experience on sustainability and recycling; jointly promoting the label industry’s ‘best-in-class’ at the World Label Awards and introducing benchmarking and standardised best practices.

Linerless revives Linerless self-adhesive labels – which briefly enjoyed popularity in the 1980s – are enjoying a resurgence of interest, especially for supermarket catch-weight food pre-packs, where technology advances have made them a real success. While limitations on label shape have held this format back, developments are ongoing and this is an area to watch.

New content Label content is increasingly important as the requirements of brand owner and retailer are transcended by the legislation on information and food safety, security and logistics input, and customer-accessible additional information via QR codes and similar devices. As a result, label size has increased and leaflet labels are increasing used, particularly for pharmaceuticals, where use of Braille and security and track-and-trace devices is extensive. This context offers opportunities for label printers to engage with commercial packaging companies – in cartons, for example – to add value in terms of enhanced customer experience and engagement with a particular brand. Selfadhesive labels can enable mainstream sectors of the packaging industry to benefit from 21st century brand identification strategies without changing their core technology.

Technology and the brand experience On-press trends include an ever-broader tool case of special finishes for labels, such as photochromic and high-gloss metallic inks; time-temperature indicators; holograms; and tactile varnishes.

Corporate strategies The self-adhesive label converting industry emerged as small businesses, initially serving regional or specialist markets. The international nature of today’s leading brands and growing globalisation has altered the industry through a continuing stream of mergers and acquisitions.

But the industry values its origins, and there is a strong desire to retain the ‘family’ aspects of the business. Label converters can learn a lot from oldestablished industries like paper and board, and from new packaging formats like flexible packaging. Their successes can be analysed, and could indeed be replicated in part in label converting businesses. Succession planning is a key factor today: many companies were set up in the 1980s, and their senior management needs now to embrace the younger generation. In this context, cross-border/cross-specialty business partnerships can create a viable alternative to formal M&A activity, and is an increasingly popular choice for label converters today. Other complementary strategies are available. Label companies can decide to stay local, serving a local market with an intensely focused service platform. Alternatively, they can specialise in high-end solutions for specific markets such as pharmaceuticals. They can enter into different kinds of partnerships to create flexibility, manage complexity and share risk. One option is to develop international business alliances with other label companies of similar status to build a network – perhaps to supply major global brand owners. Another is to partner with similar companies in creating commodity ‘buying centres’, with which all participants can enjoy reduced costs through leveraging economies of scale. A dynamic and creative sector Packaging has come a long way since the original paper bag – and labelling has had to move with the times to embrace developments that have encompassed tin cans, plastic bottles and flexible packaging. Self-adhesive labels have proved themselves perfect, innovative partners in all these developments. They continue to represent a dynamic and creative sector of the packaging chain, offering unparalleled flexibility and versatility. What is more, they are the product of a value chain that is deeply committed to sustainability, lean manufacturing, and – above all – meeting the buyers’ needs in terms of aesthetics, applied performance and price.

feb-march 2013

page 53-55.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:53

Narrow-web Flexo

Kimoha’s new headquarters has raised production capacity by 25% while winning a groundbreaking LEED environmental award

Dubai’s label pioneer

With a distinctive ethos that nurtures employees as well as natural resources, Dubai-based Kimoha aims to lead the Gulf’s packaging sector towards a more sustainable approach in business and technology, reports Piers Evans.

t the start of 2013, Kimoha can look back over an outstanding year in its swift evolution as a company. Over the last year, the leading printer-converter of paper, self-adhesive labels and flexibles passed a series of professional milestones. ‘This year has seen the chairman get a president award, the SME award, the green building award,’ said Vinesh K. Bhimani, managing director of Kimoha Entrepreneurs Ltd. ‘So it is a lot of good news coming out. If you do good, good things come back. That’s what I see.’ Characteristically, the tally of last year’s successes features commercial successes along with official awards, reflecting how the firm has integrated social responsibility into its push for growth. Indeed, for Chairman Kiran Asher,

page 56 and 57.indd 2

as global firms flock to the UAE, the firm’s commercial and ethical excellences combine. ‘When you are the first, you’ll be preferred and in that we have an advantage over our market segment,’ he told Packaging MEA. ‘The region is central in terms of infrastructure. The multinationals are coming in, and their basic requirement is “who is supporting what”.’ In print technology, Kimoha set the pace for the Gulf region by investing at Drupa 2012 in a Xeikon 3300 with inline DCoat 330 finishing unit, aimed at speeding up turnaround times for short-run jobs. The order is considered the first digital label press to be installed in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Kimoha’s commercial dynamism has garnered national and international recognition. In January 2012,

Managing Director Vinesh K. Bhimani

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:53

Industry Profile working week is punctuated by meals and meetings that reinforce the firm’s ethos, said Bhimani. ‘We treat every employee as family,’ he said. ‘We start each day with a non-denominational prayer in the morning, everybody together. We have some positive thoughts and then somebody will speak. Sometimes we do a laughing exercise. Sometimes we do yoga.’ What’s more, along with encouragement and birthday treats, employees gain substantial material benefits from their firm’s commitment to its staff. ‘My workers here get an educational allowance,’ he said. ‘My driver’s daughter is studying chartered accountancy. My forklift driver’s daughter is studying medicine.’ The working environment in Kimoha’s new HQ provides plenty of space and light

Kiran Asher was presented by Indian President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil with the Pravasi Bharatiya award, an honour for expatriate Indians who have made an exceptional contribution to their chosen field. Then, in February 2012, the company was placed highly among Dubai’s 73,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) at Dubai SME 100, which ranked the firm 38th overall, third in the category of innovation and tenth for International Orientation. Environmental commitment August 2012 brought further kudos with the award of a ‘Gold’ LEED certification to Kimoha in recognition of the environmental performance of the firm’s new 18,000 sq m headquarters in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone. Officially inaugurated in November 2011, the new base not only boosts the firm’s production capacity by 25% but also incorporates a host of f e a t u re s s u c h a s n a t u ra l l i g h t i n g, environmentally responsible air conditioning and motion sensors to slash its environmental footprint. As Vinesh K. Bhimani acknowledges, the financial cost is not insignificant – ‘the air conditioning and its attachments cost about a million [dirhams] more than we would normally spend’ – but fits with the firm’s wider ethos. ‘If we are picking up that additional investment in environment, you never can work out a return on investment like that from buying a high-speed machine,’ he said.

‘But we believe in the long term we will have a return on investment through saving energy. With insulation, we cannot cover that cost in one year or two years, but we see on the longer run.’

Colourful posters on the walls in offices and warehouse areas deliver reminders of Kimoha’s goal to be its customers’ first choice

A family ethos Concern for the longer term is also clear in the new headquarters’ design as a working environment. Since its foundation in 1988, Kimoha’s payroll has grown from three to about 245, yet the firm continues to treat staff as members of a close-knit team. In tune with that approach, employees operate in a spacious, bright environment. Colourful posters on the walls in offices and warehouse areas deliver reminders of Kimoha’s goal to be its customers’ first choice. For both workers and management, the

Looking ahead To ensure the team will continue to have these successes to celebrate, Kimoha aims to stay ahead in technology, said Bhimani. ‘As multinationals’ requirements are very special, it is not easy for everybody to compete – and the technology and expertise gives us an edge,’ he said. ‘One of the key advantages is a much faster turnover. You cannot put this in monetary terms. And that’s why Kimoha is different. We want to be our customers’ first choice.’ But fresh environmental achievements are also in the company’s sights. ‘The next stage is a full waste extraction system which takes all the wastage, sidetrims, matrix fully automatically and cuts it, which will reduce the volume of waste significantly, he said. Meanwhile, Kimoha is in the process of becoming FSC-certified during the course of this year, he added. That said, the firm has already overtaken the environmental standards of most of its counterparts in the West, says Wolfram Gruening, executive director, who has brought skills developed in his native Germany to help Kimoha win more than 40 airlines as customers for its niche aviation products. ‘How does this company compare with Germany? Kimoha is quite far over the average of what all the Europeans do,’ he said. ‘We are all one and we are very blessed to have a common understanding of business, the environment and human factors – and that is something which is just amazing.’

feb-march 2013

page 56 and 57.indd 3

28/02/2013 23:53

Events

Diary

Gulfood 2013

RFID World Asia 2013

Feb 25-28, 2013

Apr 24-25, 2013

Dubai World trade centre,

Terrapinn Pte. Ltd

Dubai,UAE

Marina Bay Sands Expo &

www.gulfood.com

Convention Center, Basement 2

Singapore.

Sino Pack 2013

T: +65 6222 8550

Mar 4-6, 2013

E: enquiry.sg@terrapinn.com

China Import and Export Fair

W: www.terrapinn.com

Adsale Exhibition services LTD

Asian Packaging Summit

T: (852)28118897

May 7-8, 2013

E: pfp@adsale.com.hk

TBC

W: www.chinasinopack.com

Singapore

T: +65 6933 9370

Complex, Guangzhou, China.

Propak Africa 2013

+44 (0)20 7202 7690

W: asiapackagingsummit.com

Centre, Nasrec, JHB, South Africa.

Propak Asia

T: +2711 835 1565

Jun 12-15, 2013

E: michelle@specialised.com

BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand.

W: www.propakafrica.co.za

T: +66.0.2615.1255

W: www.propakasia.com

International Converting Exhibition

PackPrint 2013

19 -21 March 2013

Aug 28-31, 2013

Mack Brooks Exhibitions Ltd

BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand. Messe

T: +44 (0)1727 814 410

Dusseldorf Asia

International Food & Technology

Sep 5-7, 2013

Gulf Print and Pack

International Expo Centre Lahore,

April 8-11, 2013

Lahore, Pakistan.

Dubai World Trade Centre,

Pegasus Consultancy Private Ltd.

Dubai, UAE

W: www.gulfprintpack.com

Mar 12-15, 2013 Specialised Exhibitions, Expo

ICE Europe 2013

E: info@ice-x.com W: www.ice-x.com

T: +971 4 603 3320 W: www.gulfprintpack.com

page 58 events diary.indd 1

feb-march 2013

28/02/2013 23:38

Gallus ICS 670 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Efficient board converting Print, add value, die-cut in a single pass Gallus ICS 670 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Efficient board converting Print, add value, die-cut in a single pass

www.gallus-group.com

Kodak Ad.indd 4

A partner of Heidelberg

01/03/2013 01:22

WHY WAIT AROUND?

MAKE-READIES HAVE NEVER BEEN QUICKER... OR EASIER... THAN WITH

EXPERTFOLD In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high pressure carton making business, the amount of time it takes to change from one gluing job to the next has never been more important. EXPERTFOLD has been designed with a host of clever features that makes job changeovers quicker and easier than ever before. Folding equipment that can be left in position whatever the carton style, quick setting infeeders, and a modular design that allows you to conďŹ gure your

www.bobst.com

line around your exact requirements, all mean that the time lost waiting for your folder-gluer to make ready is drastically cut. And with a range of clever peripherals that offer everything from in-line Braille embossing to the checking of every carton for print defects, EXPERTFOLD is the perfect machine for every high throughput carton plant.