Packaging Middle East and Africa - Sep 2013 by Packaging MEA

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vol 2, issue 4. Sept. 2013

Labelexpo draws the Middle East to Belgium Packaging professionals from the Middle East and Africa are gathering at Brussels to find the new technologies that can add value and cut costs in their home markets. p26-43

Screen eyes personalisation opportunity for digital p12

Saudiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s savvy consumers spur a demand surge p16

Cold foil applications take off with new kit p44

How can packaging improve its colour management? p46

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Packaging presents many interesting colour management challenges but also provides opportunities to amaze customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wayne Peachey, business development director, SGS p46

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Editorial Comment Back to the future at Brussels to explore the trends that everyone is talking about – or trying not to... The end of September provides an answer to two eternal riddle: What is there to do in Brussels? Why be there in the first place? For both questions, the answer is Labelexpo. And on 24–27 September, the tradeshow should be answering plenty of more important questions too. Many will relate to digital labelling with inline finishing and converting applications. How mature is this technology? Is it yet time to start performing familiar tasks in an entirely new way? But flexo remains the widely accepted and proven approach where most of Labelexpo’s visitors will be looking for solutions. And the event promises a flurry of flexo innovations, in both prepress and print. Information in this issue will, we hope, spur your interest in these and help you make the most of your time in Belgium. As ever, Labelexpo’s glimpses into labelling’s future will compete for our attention with solutions that are destined to fall by the wayside. Your insights into how products fit into either category will be greatly appreciated – and I will be pacing the exhibition halls to gather your opinions as well as to make up my own mind. But I will also be eager to hear your views on the developments that manufacturers are not issuing excited press releases about. Here, the elephant in the room is the intensifying tussle for market share between European and Asian firms. Since the last Labelexpo, Asian manufacturers have clearly gained ground. But Western firms are responding, with outsourced production and more competitive pricing. It’s a topic I expect Packaging MEA to be discussing in three years’ time at the next Labelexpo too. This issue also highlights some interesting regional and global investments. In the features section, we present some expert views on colour management and cold foil technology. I hope you enjoy all we have to offer!

Published by JJ Media Fz LLC BIZ, Fuj Creative City PO Box 391186 The Iridium, Al Barsha Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone +971-4-387 3575 Chief Editor Benjamin Daniel Editor Piers Grimley Evans Publisher Usha Benjamin Technology Editors Deb Debabatra Dr George Simonian Contributing Editors Grimley Evans NickPiers Coombes Editor Wayne Peachey Art Director Murtuza Umrethwala

Benjamin Daniel Chief Editor

advertising enquiries ben@packagingmea.com +971-55-109 1889 editorial enquiries usha@packagingmea.com +971-55-109 1889

Benjamin Daniel

Piers Grimley Evans

Deb Debabatra

Dr George Simonian

Chief Editor

Editor

Technology Editor

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.

Nick Coombes

Wayne Peachey

Usha Benjamin

Murtuza Usha Benjamin Umrethwala

Contributing Editor

Publisher

Publisher Art Director

Scan QR code to visit us at: www.packagingmea.com

aug-sept 2013

Contents Regional News

06 - 17

Printlink, Dubai RAQAM International, Riyadh-KSA Al Mawrid, Sharjah-UAE AMI Conference, Abu Dhabi-UAE Edale - FES, Dubai-UAE Gundlach Group, Dubai-UAE NDigitec, Dubai-UAE Packaged Foods Market Report, Riyadh-KSA Orpic Oman plastics project, Sohar-Oman Plastic bags ban, Muscat-Oman Al Shera Printing Press, Doha-Qatar INDEVCO conference, Dammam-KSA Screen International, Dubai-UAE Percept Print Solutions, Sharjah-UAE Falcon Packaging Ltd, Mwanza-Tanzania Rotatek-ETG, Dubai Saga Digital Planatol Middle East Sustainable packaging, Rwanda NilpeterME- ABG - Raqam Int’l, Riyadh-KSA

International News

26 - 43 44 - 50

Cold Foiling Colour Management

Upcoming Events

52 - 53

Luxpack, K-2013, Beverage Packaging, Packaging Innovations

New Appointments Kodak, Durst, UPM, BASF, MPS, Innovia Films

aug-sept 2013

Organiser’s comment Exhibitors report

Technology Features

18 - 25

FFEI, UK TRESU Group, Denmark GMG, Germany Smithers Pira, UK Punch International, Belgium X-Rite, USA KBA - Kammann Maschinenbau, Germany Edale and ABG International, UK EFI, USA Tetrapak, Pune-India Amcor, Australia Kodak, USA Heidelberg, Germany Videojet, USA

Labelexpo Brussels 2013

Packaging makes all the difference. People buy things they like the look of. Benefit from this by providing your customers with real eye-catchers. Our ingenious postpress technologies enable you to transform folding cartons into packaging that makes products fly off the shelves and ultimately ensures your order books make for happy reading.

Heidelberg Middle East FZCO P.O.Box 34133 • Dubai • UAE • Phone +971 4 347 77 20 • www.heidelberg.com

News Regional AMI Applied Market Information has announced that the fifth edition of Flexible Packaging Middle East will take place on 9–11 December 2013 at the Sofitel Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Representatives from Mars and Johnson & Johnson have been confirmed to speak at the event, said AMI. The programme includes presentations from: Animesh Bhattacharya, packaging development manager at Mars GCC, UAE; Ahmed Mohamed Habiba, regional marketing manager at Johnson & Johnson, UAE; Dr Marco Dircetti, key account manager at Constantia Flexibles, Italy; and Carlo Ranucci, vice president at Manucor SpA, Italy. Flexible Packaging Middle East is an established forum where all stages of the packaging supply chain meet to discuss key trends and developments influencing market growth and profitability, according to AMI. A market overview will open the conference, followed by a session on material developments, covering topics such as sustainability and nanotechnology in biopolymers. Topics for the technology development session will include recent innovations in cast films, monoaxially oriented polyolefin films, online thickness measuring and simultaneox double bubble extrusion lines. The conference will end with an AMI paper by Research Director Andrew Reynolds on the development of the Middle East packaging markets. Flexible Packaging Middle East 2013 is sponsored by Borouge PTE Ltd, Constantia Flexibles, Piovan, Basell Sales & Marketing Company B.V. and Electronic Systems SpA. 6

Al Mawrid builds its cigarette carton sales after inline flexo switch with Gallus ICS 670 Sharjah After firing up its new Gallus ICS 670 press for manufacturing folding cartons, Al Mawrid Printing has gained in jobs as well as efficiency, says General Manager T K Babukutty. The press was chosen for printing cigarette packets as well as food and cosmetics packaging following the emergence of ‘highdef’ flexo, he told Packaging MEA. “As demand for cigarette packs increased in volume, we began to find that traditional methods of production on the offset presses and die-cutters became less economic, and decided that if we were to develop our business in this product sector we needed to invest in a new type of technology,” he said. While top cigarette brands were using roto-gravure, Al Mawrid decided after meeting press manufacturers that its customers’ work needed offset for half-tones and graphics. Five years ago, the firm discussed flexo/gravure combos with Gallus, but flexo print quality was not yet up to customers’ expectations, said Babukutty. “Once the flexo print quality issue was resolved we knew that inline production was the right way to go for cigarette packs. We agreed to buy the Gallus ICS 670 press that was exhibited at Drupa 2012.” Al Mawrid’s production is now largely packaging, a reversal of its focus on commercial print until recent years. The company runs 10 Heidelberg sheetfed presses ranging from single-colour small format up three B1 Speedmasters. The Gallus line, purpose built for Al Mawrid, stretches more than 50 metres, and is configured

aug-sept 2013

Babukutty: ‘Gallus ICS 670 has attracted a volume of new work’

with an automated reel unwind, a web cleaner, two units for cold foil or laminate application (or flexo printing), two gravure units, six flexo print stations, flatbed die cutting, and a blank separating unit with a shingle delivery. Valued at about €4.5m, the new Gallus’s top mechanical speed is more than 200m/min. Ten weeks into commercial production, the press regularly runs at about 180m/min on a double day shift. With cold foiling, the speed is about 150m/ min, said its operators. These speeds are being achieved on carton boards of 200–250gsm, although Gallus claims the press can handle 600gsm. Babukutty said the Gallus delivers high quality print with both UV- or water-based flexo inks. In fact, his firm has received complaints over the improvement in print quality, which in some markets raises concerns the cigarettes are fakes. Securing new work for the press normally entails some print sampling, followed by a limited run of perhaps 500,000 cartons for test marketing, then a print run that can run into many millions.

Al Mawrid has seen commercial run lengths from 100,000 up to 10 million, with a trend towards narrow packs for slimmer ‘nano’ cigarettes. The gravure units are used on about 20–25% of jobs, mainly for metallics and special colours. “They offer us production flexibility and the capacity to add value, but I do not foresee any significant increase in demand for gravure printing, and we would be unlikely to specify them on any future investment,” said Babukutty. The Gallus is used mainly for tobacco products and cosmetic cartons. Some customers still specify offset printed cartons, made with Speedmasters and Bobst die cutters. Al Mawrid uses its sheetfed capacity where no added value is required or price is a major issue. “Ideally, we need to run the Gallus 24 hours a day for it to be at its most cost-effective. Makeready and waste on a press of this length support medium to long runs with embellishment, and our plan is to schedule two or three days continuous running on one job.

News Regional INDEVCO hosted the International Flexible Packaging Network (IFPN) annual conference on 19–22 May at Napco headquarters in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The event featured discussions on market trends, product and technology innovations, and best practice. It was attended by leading flexible packaging manufacturers from around the world, including Europe, Central, North and South Americas, the Far East and the Middle East, said INDEVCO. ‘Sharing thoughts...’ was the central theme for the conference, aimed at keeping flexible packaging manufacturing companies in tune with the latest developments in plastic conversion, as well as to promote interaction between cultures and business environments. William Battle Wall, IFPN vice chairman, US, described INDEVCO as “a perfect host”. “Our conference sessions and exchanges were quite spirited, informative, and sharing of real experiences,” he said. “The tours of INDEVCO operations were exceptional and demonstrated clearly a living experience of their core values.” During the IFPN Conference, executives from member companies visited Jubail City, a petrochemical hub in Saudi Arabia, and toured Saudi Chevron to gain further industry exposure in the country. Mounir Frem, executive VP at INDEVCO Flexible Packaging (IFP) Division, spoke at the event on INDEVCO’s values and history. Sarkis Dagher, market development director, discussed various aspects of the supply chain and raw materials. Hekmat Seif, IFP vice president, coordinated and attended the four-day event. 8

Al Shera picks Zünd S3 M800 cutting system to deliver bespoke displays and packaging Qatar Doha-based packaging printer Al Shera has chosen a Zünd cutting system featured at Gulf Print & Pack to meet its clients’ demands in sampling and shortrun printing as well as converting on offset and corrugated grade boards. Al Shera Chairman Nasser Al Jaber told Packaging MEA that the company picked a Zünd S3 M800 cutting system after considering various options, including both Asian and Western products. “Zünd was our choice as it was a perfect Swiss product,” he said. “It was at the recent Gulf Al Jaber: ‘our choice as it was a perfect Swiss product’ Print & Pack 2013 show in Dubai we signed this deal, as Colour finished boards –folding carton as well as Byte had demonstrated this machine live on the corrugated – to almost the entire oil, chemical and Canon booth.” allied products sector in Qatar, said Al Jaber. Al Shera has purchased the Zünd S3 M800 “We have a major market share as we source all cutting system with the EngView Package our raw materials and production machinery from Designer Suite Version 5, an integrated CAD/CAM the very best suppliers without any compromise in environment for structural design and prototyping quality,” he added. of folding carton and corrugated packaging driving “This has been the main reason why we are the machine on the front end. the preferred packaging partner with most of the “The cutting system is now up and running and chemical, oil and petroleum and other industry we are very glad and satisfied with Colour Byte, clients as well. the regional distributor of Zünd, which has done a “As these products have a considerable amount fantastic job of installing and also training our staff to of weight, the packaging that we product must have run this machine,” said Al Jaber. good endurance strength, during dispatch, cargo “As we are targeting bespoke displays and and transportation as well as final delivery.” packaging solutions with this machine, we Ralph Busselot, managing director of Colour are confident that the machine will meet our Byte, said the Zünd S3 M800 system is designed so production and quality expectations.” it can be changed, expanded, upgraded at any time. Al Jaber told Packaging MEA that the expansion “Its modular tooling allows for processing a wide of Doha’s packaging sector justifies investment in variety of materials up to a maximum thickness of infrastructure and equipment. 25mm/1,” he said. “The situation in and around the region works “Various levels of automated material handling favourably for us, as Doha and the GCC is growing,” turn the S3 into the perfect all-round production he said. “In Qatar, specifically, the overall trend system. The S3 is fast, compact, and complies with and business growth is very good and it makes the highest safety standards – a true Swiss quality good business sense to invest in infrastructure and product, uncompromising in precision and design. machinery in packaging and converting.” “Al Shera Printing Press has been very Al Shera supplies bespoke and mass production professional in their approach, selection and board and carton packaging from its carton decision in going for the S3 M800 system with the manufacturing facility. The company supplies front end.”

aug-sept 2013

Label Expo Europe : Stand 11S - 103

SPA - ITALY

• The Flexo sleeves & Carrier adaptors for flexo machines wide/ narrow, • Speedwell Rotogravure sleeves with ESA system, • Special rubber rollers for coating laminators for Solvent less dry lamination and hotmelt & wax processes • And various other affiliates.

Truepress Jet L350UV • Leading productivity • Exceptional quality • Wide gamut reproduction • Simplified maintenance • Inline connection to post press equipment

Label Expo Europe : Stand 9G - 50

SPAIN Semi-Rotary & Rotary Presses combining Offset and Flexo With Sleeves, Combi Rotary Narrow Web configurations for producing high quality Multiple Labels, Flexible packaging substrates & security printing products. Label Expo Europe : Stand 5B- 40

YOUR COMPLETE FLEXO WEB LABELS & PACKAGING SOLUTION PROVIDERS

Emirates Trans Graphics LLC. HO: Dubai - UAE Tel : + 971 4 341 99 29 | Fax : + 971 4 341 99 30 | etgdubai@eim.ae ALHASHIMI Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | Tel : + 966 11 410 8803 | Fax : + 966 11 410 0109

News Regional

Edale picks FES to help it break into the Middle East UAE Edale, a UK-based manufacturer of narrow web printing and converting equipment, has appointed Fotedar Engineering Services (FES) as its exclusive distributor throughout the UAE. The partnership was finalised at Gulf Print & Pack in April. Bernhard Grob, Edale’s export sales director, described FES as “a perfect match” due to its “proven record in the flexographic industry”. Vikram Fotedar of FES said he had sought to work with Edale as it is “a professionally managed company, but retains the agility and responsiveness that is usually seen in tightly held businesses”. “The technology of the products is top notch,” he added.

Vikram Fotedar: ‘the technology of the products is top notch’

“Throughout the world, printing is a highly competitive business but I feel that Edale will continue to be well received by companies within the UAE.” Grob described Vikram Fotedor as “a very dynamic and technically minded man”.

“I feel, alongside his team at FES, [he] will really help to promote the Edale brand in this new territory for us.” FES has represented brands for two decades and has a network across the UAE and other areas of the Middle East.

FES’s product portfolio also includes equipment from Ashe Converting and Sung An Machinery (SAM). SAM has diversified from flexo packaging machines to also offer gravure presses, solution coaters and extrusion laminators, said Fotedar. In addition, FES represents Combitool, a tool manufacturer than now makes complete machines for the lami tube industry, said Fotedar. VTH Huebers, another FES brand, specialises in custom-built solutions for epoxy preparation, mixing and casting for diverse applications such as ignition coils for two or four wheelers, resin cast transformer coils, and APG casting of high voltage electrical parts, said Fotedar.

Gundlach Group launches a gravure and flexo tea tag printing plant with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Dubai Gundlach Group has opened an international tea packaging and printing facility in Dubai in partnership with the Dubai Tea Trading Centre (DTTC). The Germany-based company collaborated with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a free zone authority, on the new facility, which will enable the tea trade to source tea tags and envelopes within the region. Both gravure and flexographic printing options for tea tags and tea envelopes are available at the plant. Gundlach Group Chairman Paul von Schubert said his firm sees the Middle East, and specifically the GCC, as “a key 10

DMCC’s Ahmed Bin Sulayem addresses figures from the tea trade

market”. “This is a strategic step for the Gundlach Group to be closer to its customers in the region,” he said. Gundlach exports about 80%

aug-sept 2013

of its products and the new facility demonstrates the firm’s international focus, as well as Dubai’s ability to venture into new markets, said the packaging

and printing company. Gundlach has already established business relationships with international tea brands but is aiming to bolster its presence in the Middle East and nearby regions with the new facility, said the company. DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the packaging and printing factory will strengthen Dubai and the region’s position as a critical hub for the global tea trade. The DTTC provides services, infrastructure and network support to international companies aiming to grow in Dubai, as well as local companies looking to scale up their business.

News Regional

NDigitec aims to establish a niche in ‘digital stickers’ Dubai In line with its focus on developing in digital technology, Namma Int’l Digitec FZ (NDigitec) is seeking to build a market in short-run digital labels. CEO Vatche Kavlakian told Packaging MEA that the company is targeting a wide range of applications, although the market is not yet “ready”. “They consider stickers as printed in offset or on a roll-toroll wide format basis,” he said. “Nobody expects that we can provide them with reel-to-reel flexo quality digital labelling. So the market is not mature as yet.” NDigitec sees two main markets for the product, he added. “One is the end user through advertising agencies, and the

Kavlakian: ‘a must to complete our digital services umbrella’

other target would be our existing prepress customer base,” he said. “If we have a label customer whom we service for-long run plate making, then we can also offer them a digital proofing service.” To clarify that the product

is not long-run and mass production, the company prefers the term “digital stickers” to “digital labels”, he added. “These are digital professional stickers for professional products or just fun stickers like birthday stickers for the kids,” he said.

“I believe that people will start recognising this niche and stickers can be printed digitally on reel material or PE/PP, paper or any other substrate that is used for long runs. We target brand owners, advertising agencies, printers and nonprofessional people as our customer base.” After a few months of development, NDigitec initiated print production in July. “The biggest challenge we are facing is sales and marketing as it is difficult to have professional sales for a small and short run project,” said Kavlakian. “Time and market maturity is essential to make this business run. But this was a must to complete our digital services umbrella.”

IT’S NOT ONLY THE SPEED OF THE STEEL, BUT THE PRECISION OF THE CUT Your finishing operators know this too The new VLI delivers greater precision and speed of inspecting, slitting and rewinding. And that means quicker turnaround and perfectly finished rolls, every time. Speed and precision.

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AT THE CUTTING EDGE

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News Regional

news in brief Percept Print Solutions has launched automated shop floor data collection software and hardware for flexo and gravure machines. Afsal Kottal, business director for the UAEbased firm, told Packaging MEA that the solution provides accurate data that can improve service and product quality. Percept is the Middle East and Indian distributor for GMG Color Management solutions, Hiflex MIS, Techkon, Print Smart and Elpical. “We are committed to work with cutting edge technologies in the field of advertising, printing and publishing,” said Kottal. “We offer total solutions, in the areas of MIS, colour management, digital workflow and customised software solutions for printing companies.”

Djerba, the Tunisian island, is pioneering selective waste collection. Under CIUDAD’s GODEM project, the municipality has enhanced its municipal waste management, taking into account principles of integrated sustainable waste and resource management (ISWRM). The latest development is selective collection of packaging waste and biowaste. Packaging waste is collected weekly in green transparent plastic bags, while biowaste is gathered in small black containers three times a week, and the residual waste in a blue bag once a week. Djerba is seen as a pioneer for door-to-door selective collection of waste in the Southern Mediterranean. Its treatment facilities consist of a compost plant and a sorting centre for the packaging waste. A civic amenity centre is in the planning process. 12

Screen targets ‘gifting’ niche as the MEA packaging sector thaws to digital options MEA Screen International expects personalisation applications to unlock the market for digital in the packaging sector, says Mark Sherman, area director for the Middle East and SubSaharan Africa. Digital solutions such as the Truepress JetSX are not set to take the place of conventional solutions, he told Packaging MEA. “Digital printing in any sector is rarely about replacing something that can be done with conventional methods – offset or flexo remain the most effective way for producing any work in volume,” he said. “Digital printing provides an opportunity to do something different and at the moment this

Sherman: ‘whole new business’

means the Truepress JetSX is a niche product aimed at packaging innovators who recognise the added value that personalisation and customisation can bring. There is a whole new business of ‘gifting’ being developed around the capability of this machine

and introducing the emotion of a personalised message can add significant value to any gift.” But Screen is already making inroads into the regional packaging sector with imaging technoloogy such as its PlateRite FX87011 thermal CTP, he added. “Screen has achieved significant success in the flexo CTP market with installations across the region and in different packaging sectors including labels and cartons,” said Sherman. At Labelexpo in Brussels, Screen will launch its first inkjet press dedicated to producing labels. Running at 50m/min, the press will be one of the most productive machines on the market, according to the firm.

Tanzanian food group’s packaging offshoot invests $2m as it displaces imported packs Tanzania Mwanza-based Falcon Packaging, a subsidiary of the Alpha Group, has injected $2m in a strategic drive aimed at complementing governmentbacked initiatives to improve the performance of business and industrial sectors. The investment is for producing well-designed packaging materials for domestic and industrial uses, said Geneshan Vedagiri, Falcon Packaging’s managing director. “We have decided to come up with high quality packaging materials which can survive stiff competition in both domestic and foreign markets,” said Vedagiri, according to local media. Before establishing Falcon Packaging, the Alpha Group of

aug-sept 2013

Falcon Packaging products

Companies imported packaging materials from Kenya for its fish factories in Mwanza, Dar es Salaam and Mafia. Packaging imports had cost the factories a lot of money, said Vegagiri. Falcon Packaging now produces materials for Alpha’s

factories and exports materials to East African countries including Uganda, said Vedagiri. Falcon has recently invested in an environment-friendly project to convert plastic waste into ‘greenwood’ products for furniture such as school desks, hospital beds and garden chairs, he was reported as saying. The company collects waste from surrounding communities in the project, which create jobs for Tanzanians who supply plastic wastes to the company and supports government strategies to protect the environment, he said. “Today the whole world is trying for tree plantation for saving the environment,” he was quoted as saying.

Rotatek ties up with ETG and plans live Labelexpo demos a global launch, Rotatek will also present compact digital finishing equipment. “These two great machines are suitable for high-range products and printing very short runs for low times of change and adjustment,” said Rodriguez. Applications include wine and spirits labels, cosmetic labels and products that need combinations of processes such as offset, hotstamping, flexo, silkscreen, diecutting and embossing, she said. Rotatek’s new Rotatek flexo machine with servo-driven technology will provide the third demonstration. “It has a totally new concept and design with a 330mm width and shaftless transmission really suitable for short runs due to its easy and fast flexibility,” she said. “We are absolutely sure it’s going to be a great surprise for most of the customers who are interested in this kind of machine.” Rotatek’s presses cover labels, flexible packaging, security printing, cartons, films and sleeves, she said. A modular concept enables customised setups, combining flexo and offset units with other printing, inline converting and finishing processes such as cold stamping, hot stamping, lamination, embossing, delam/relamination, reprocessing and silkscreen. Rotatek narrow web printing presses include semi-rotary/rotary (Brava), offset sleeve technology (Universal), offset shaftless (Perfect NT Shaftless), combined offset-flexo (Combi 420), flexo (Ecoflex, NewFlex, Smartflex) and offset (RK200, MP150, RK250Plus, RK Perfect) technologies.

aug-sept 2013

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 efficiencyand quality benefits in flexo printing. Complemented by our bulletproof Kodak Prinergy Powerpack Workflow they position your business to ‘Do

More With Less’.

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GCC Rotatek, a manufacturer with more than 1,700 installations worldwide, has appointed Emirates Trans Graphics (ETG) as its UAE distributor and is planning three live demonstrations of its presses at Labelexo, including a global digital finishing debut. Bibiana Rodriguez, Rotatek’s managing director, told Packaging MEA that her firm aims to get close to UAE customers through the partnership with ETG. “We can provide an effective and dynamic support in sales, service and after-sales service, increasing our presence and covering all the UAE,” she said. Rotatek is a leading manufacturer of offset, flexo and combined narrow web rotary and semi-rotary presses and digital finishing equipment, she said. “The quality and versatility of our machines gave us great success in the early seventies in machines with continuous form printing,” she said, “as currently with our range of products for printing high quality labels, flexible packaging or film required by booming sectors such as wine/spirits, pharmaceutical, personal care and safety.” At Labelexpo, Rotatek will present three new servo-driven machines: a combination printing press, digital finishing equipment and a flexographic printing press. Each will feature in live demonstrations, said Rodriguez Rototek’s established Brava 450 offset full- and semi-rotary combined machine appears at the tradeshow with a new design and new features such as flatbed silkscreen inline and hot foil stamping unit with foil saver. In

WORKFLOW / PROOFING / SECURITY SOLUTIONS / PLATES & CTP SYSTEMS / PRINTERS & PRESSES

Learn about our Award Winning Kodak solutions live at Labelexpo, Kodak booth #9G30

News Regional

news in brief Saga Digital looks to the expansion in short Potato producers agreed at a runs to develop its market for EFI solutions conference in Kenya that farmers should use bags holding no more than 50kg. At a recent meeting on Irish potato production, packaging and marketing at Nakuru, governors and representatives from 14 counties resolved that from January 2014, farmers should stop using larger bags to conform with international labour law. Officials said a ruling that requires potatoes to be packed in 110kg bags should be reviewed. Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua said the move would protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen. “Regulated packaging will create employment for the youth and women in the country,” he said. Farmers have also been banned from packing their produce in extended bags that were considered to cause waste and cut prices.

African Label Indaba was held on 19–20 August to provide education, knowledge sharing and innovation in southern Africa’s pressure-sensitive adhesive, inmould, shrink and wrap-around label segments. The programme for the Indaba, an African term for a conference, included an overview of the South African labelling market, a brand owner’s perspective on labelling efficiency and effectiveness, labelling and product liability, innovative solutions in the pressure-sensitive adhesive and shrink markets, sustainability and recycling, as well as flexible packaging from a hybrid press perspective. Speakers included: BMI Research, Woolworths, Hahn and Hahn Attorneys, L’Oreal, Rako Labels, Muller Martini, Paragon Inks, Fima Films, Afripack and UPM Raflatac.

Regional nesw.indd 14

Dubai Saga Digital, a new graphics solutions company, is targeting the packaging sector with EFI equipment as well as finishing solutions such as Colex cutters. Director Abdallah Ghalayini said the firm sees a growing market in packaging through an expansion in short runs. In addition to its Jetrion, EFI can offer packagers hybrid printers that are suited to performing short runs for screen or offset printers, he said. “Short run is becoming larger and larger runs over the years, with the introduction of faster printers,” he said. “Look at the HS100 closely and you can see how it could be a solution for a good chunk of a conventional packaging printer. Speeds up to about 100 boards per hour, at exceptional near photo quality resolution, in many cases even

Saga Digital will sell EFI’s complete portfolio of products

better than what the conventional printers need at this point.” A capacity to cure with Arc or LED UV opens up a much wider range of substrates, letting printers use the same substrates for digital and conventional, he added. “If a conventional printer does not have the need or the budget for the HS100, we recommend the GS2000Lx and the GS3250Lx,” he said. Saga Digital also sells EFI’s modular firmware for colour management,

connecting conventional and digital printing, workflow management, MIS and the administrative systems, he added. “On the finishing line, we have our high quality CNC systems, that are very robust and pretty fast production,” he said. “They can cut, V-cut, kiss cut, crease, router cut, engrave automated reading marking made on the printers.” The applications for these systems are used in packaging but also for sign productions, stands and much more.

Planatol Group launches in the Middle East with a subsidiary based in Sharjah free zone

UAE Germany’s Planatol Group has inaugurated its subsidiary Planatol Middle East FZE at Sharjah’s Hamriayah Free Zone in the UAE. Planatol Middle East Managing Director Isam Tanineh told Packaging MEA that the group now aims to announce distributors. “Currently, we are in the process of studying and evaluating the market here in the region,” he said. “Shortly, we will finalise and appoint distributors for the region.” Planatol aims to grow rapidly in the Middle East from a low base, he added.

“We have had a negligible presence in the region with an inconsistent volume of business of about €100,000 per annum, which is nothing,” he said. “Therefore, we have decided to grow fast and also target to have a market share of 20% from the

Isam Tanineh with Dr Hannspeter of Planatol Holding

packaging and perfect binding adhesives and glue business segments.” The firm offers extensive knowhow and competence for gluing difficult papers or boards as well as printed and laminated surfaces, he added. “In addition to specific dispersion adhesives for nozzle and wheel application, our product range also includes packaging hot melts on metallocene and EVA basis. With these adhesives, Planatol offers high-quality solutions for processors and manufacturers of folding-boxes, corrugated cardboard and end-of-line applications.”

aug-sept 2013

9/10/13 12:12 PM

News Regional

Nilpeter makes its maiden AB Graphic International sale with Omega HSR slitter rewinder for Raqam International UAE AB Graphic International has sold an Omega HSR slitter rewinder to Raqam International in Dubai, the first deal through its new distributor Nilpeter ME. The 430mm-wide model was purchased, along with a 330mm-wide Vectra ECTR turret rewinder, shortly after AB Graphic International signed with Nilpeter ME. Matthew Burton of AB Graphic International said the HSR will be equipped with the company’s FleyeVision 100% print face inspection system.

“This comprises an intelligent camera that replaces traditional missing label detection while also picking up matrix errors and major registration shifts,” he said. “The Vectra 330 is equipped with core loader, bowl feeder and core and tail gluing and is suitable for running 76mm and 25mm mandrels.” Kalid Shah of Raqam International said the new slitter rewinder will enhance quality control while the Vectra turret rewinder will enable the company to convert non-

stop at the end of the press, effectively bypassing the finishing department on some jobs. The HSR is a high speed slitter inspection rewinder that benefits from larger unwind/rewind diameters and runs at speeds up to 300m/min. Available in web widths of 330mm, 430mm and 530mm, the HSR is equipped for 800mm unwind and 600mm rewind diameters. The ETCR is available in 330mm, 410mm and 510mm widths and can run at 150m/min, depending on mandrel size.

AB Graphic International supplies both standard and customised label converting and finishing lines.

Shah: enhanced quality control

Success and security for the labelprinter

Hall 5, Stand 5B50 www.gallus-group.com

www.gallus-group.com

Regional nesw.indd 15

A partner of Heidelberg

9/10/13 12:17 PM

News Regional

news in brief JBF Industries, an India-based polyester specialist, is building a PET film plant in Bahrain. A Middle East joint venture led by the firm is constructing a biaxially oriented PET film production plant in Bahrain’s free trade International Investment Park. JBF RAK, the Mumbai-based group’s regional partnership, is now commissioning the first phase. A second stage is set to launch in early 2014 with the final capacity upgrade expected to be ready in mid-2014. JBF’s latest $200m project to manufacture thick, thin and metallised PET films will target the Middle East, as well as export opportunities in the Eurozone and the US, with which Bahrain has a free trade pact. JBF RAK is a partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA).

Bahrain has set mandatory labelling requirements for food packaging. A draft technical regulation, notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO), imposes mandatory labelling requirements similar to EU regulations on plastic materials intended to come into contact with food. The regulation notes that materials should not be affected by heat during filling, closing, storing, transportation, or handling in a way that deforms them or changes their composition, chemical or physical properties; or increases risks of reactions and migrations of monomers or additive materials. In addition, the legislation states that labels should specify the type of plastic material, its purpose and type of application, directions for usage and warnings.

Research and Markets forecasts that Saudi packaged food will keep surging at 8.95% KSA In its new Packaged Foods Market in Saudi Arabia 2012–16 report, Research and Markets estimates that the sector will grow over the period at an average of 8.95% each year. Rising population and a proliferation in media channels will drive expansion, although inflation could weigh on growth. An analyst fro m the report team highlighted Saudi Arabia’s increasing number of young, educated and media savvy consumers, familiar with television, the internet and social media. Young Saudi consumers have an expanding disposable income and are responding to product information and communications

launched its Dream Whip Desserts Stars online campaign, giving people in the GCC a chance to showcase their dessert making talent and win prizes. Initiatives like this are helping to spur the sector’s growth, according to the report. Key vendors in the space include Almarai Co Ltd, Danone SA, Mondelez International, Inc, Saudis respond to new channels and Nestlé SA. The report also covers Abdul from food companies by seeking Kadir Al Muhaidib & Sons healthy packaged food. Group, Americana Group, Mars To reach consumers in Saudi Inc, National Food Industries Arabia, many packaged food Co Ltd, National Agricultural companies are using media Development Co, PepsiCo Inc, channels such as Facebook and Saudi Dairy & Foodstuff Co Ltd, Twitter, said the analyst. IFFCO Group, and Halwani In August 2012, Kraft Foods Bros Co.

Sabic and Tasnee sponsor Saudi PPPP as petrochemical investment hits $960bn KSA Organisers of the 2014 combined editions of Saudi Plastic & Petrochem and Saudi Print & Pack (Saudi PPPP) are underscoring Saudi’s regional dominance in the sector. Saudi PPPP, now in its 11th year, is taking place on 17–20 February at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Investments into Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical sector have hit 3.6trn riyals ($960bn) trillion, said the event organisers. In packaging, the Kingdom holds 70% of the Gulf market. The two concurrent Saudi PPPP shows will feature diverse products, services and technologies from 16 countries across 20,000sqm of exhibition

aug-sept 2013

Saudi to stay dominant in sector

space with nine country pavilions. Leading Saudi firms are supporting Saudi PPPP 2014, including its diamond sponsors: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and the National Industrialisation Company (Tasnee), the Kingdom’s first joint-

stock industrial company to be fully privately owned. Zeyad Al-Rukban, assistant general manager, Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said the event will reflect Saudi Arabia’s expansion in petrochemicals. “It is an important platform for industry leaders, stakeholders and investors to interact and explore the latest and most innovative solutions currently available in the global markets to meet their needs,” he said. “The combined shows also affirm the KSA’s prominent status in the regional and global markets and foster energetic and productive discussions on the current state and future of the Saudi petrochemicals sector.”

News Regional

PrintLink picks Mark Andy 2200 flexo press for UAE hypermarket thermal roll contract UAE Media and advertising company PrintLink has successfully embarked into thermal roll production and advertising for 150 supermarkets in the UAE through a purchase of a Mark Andy 2200 six-colour press. Despite lacking relevant experience, Printlink is now operating successfully in the sector and chasing new thermal roll clients, said Managing Director Mounir Yassin. “This machine was installed in December last year,” he told Packaging MEA. “We started the beta runs in March and now we are running the press on full production.” Printlink is a media and advertising company offering a wide range of digital and large format printing services, he added. “We had a contract with a huge hypermarket that had this huge requirement of thermal rolls,” he said. “We have almost 150 hypermarkets in UAE for whom we do digital printing through our other digital signage arm. We do both indoor and outdoor signage digital print applications. So we decided to open Printlink to do production and advertisements of thermal rolls for these 150 hypermarkets.” Printlink picked the Mark Andy 2200 for low waste, fast changeover, high value addition and high print quality, said Yassin. “We didn’t have any background on production and machines involved in it. In January 2012 we started to research on the best machines for quality and durability in production,” he said.

news in brief VaVaVoom women’s health

Mounir Yassin, managing director, of PrintLink with Pankaj Sehgal

“Besides selling a good press, Mark Andy’s regional distributors Flex Image Graphics (FIG) also gave us experience of flexography as we had little knowledge in this area... Mark Andy has three installations here in the UAE and a lot of installations worldwide and I found a lot of reviews about the machine and about the company.” Pankaj Sehgal, FIG’s general manager for the Gulf Region, said the 2200 is “an ideal machine” for Printlink’s specific needs. “They were looking for a very specific machine that can produce on thermal paper with a very specific requirement,” he said. But Printlink may now move into other applications, said Yassin. “As a long term future plan, definitely we want to expand,” he said. “But for now our main business is advertising. So going onto other divisions and labels is not what we plan now... We may plan after a couple of years to go into labelling.” The press is now running at 24/7 for almost 13 days each month, he said. “From the 17th of every month until the 1st of

the next month, the machine is occupied 100%... Our plan now is to add other hypermarkets and to run another batch of advertisements from mid-month to mid-month to fill the gap. We are targeting hypermarts like Geant or Lulu or Union Cooperative. This will give me 75% productivity.” Sehgal said the installation is the first since he joined FIG. “This has been a very important deal for us... Now during Labelexpo we are hoping to crack a couple of other deals. We are also strengthening our team and we are hiring two other people, one for sales and the other for customer support. We would like to start FIG ME,” he said. “We were able to get back the market within a year, even though the competition like Gallus has been tough. Along with relationship we need to give after sales support. To give our customers confidence, we arrange for engineers to visit every three months... So we are trying to knock every door to show that we are here for a long term. This is to build the market base.”

and beauty stores are launching a recycling campaign in Bahrain. ‘Look good and feel great’ is the message behind an initiative to encourage recycling of used fragrance bottles, lipsticks and mascaras. Collection points at stores will allow customers to deposit used toiletry or makeup packaging, which will be sorted by VaVaVoom into three major recycling categories: glass, metal and plastic. Participating VaVaVoom stores in Bahrain will collect old or used fragrance bottles, lipsticks and mascaras from 8 July through 31 August. Participating customers will get a 10% discount voucher. In-store and online messages will explain, for example, that one perfume bottle can save the energy needed to light a school class for 10 hours.

Al Nisr Publishing LLC in Dubai has commissioned MultiSertDrum and PolyStream technology in its mailroom. The configuration of Ferag’s postpress processing technology features 45,000-generation MultiSertDrum technology and six PolyStream packaging lines, with a capacity for more than 60,000 individual foil-wrapped packs per hour, with content that can reach up to 2kg and 35mm thickness. On the two MSD-M series inserting drums, it is possible to add up to five preprints and inserts to the main jacket and bring the maximum finished product pagination to 300 broadsheet. On the six PolyStream lines, further supplements are added to the newspapers inline before they are packaged, all at a constant production speed in excess of 60,000 copies an hour.

aug-sept 2013

News International

KBA moves further into packaging with a majority stake in glass specialist Kammann Maschinenbau Germany After its takeover of Flexotecnica, an Italian flexo press manufacturer, Koenig & Bauer (KBA) has taken a majority share in Kammann Maschinenbau GmbH in Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. KBA is aiming to expand in packaging to counteract shrinking web press sales as publications are hit by online media. Koenig & Bauer is acquiring 85% of Kammann Maschinenbau, while the firm’s two managing directors will continue to hold a 15% stake. The purchase is still subject to minor formal conditions. Kammann mainly offers presses for decorating hollow containers made from premium-quality glass, plastic and metal. Along

Kammann’s screen printing system for glass, plastic and metal

with screen printing, Kammann’s flexible transport systems can also be equipped with hot-stamping, digital printing and decorating processes. The company also has a substantial service business. Kammann is seen as the global

market leader in systems for directly decorating glass containers. The firm, which owns almost no production facilities, was founded in 1955 and has 175 employees. In 2012 it generated annual sales of over €30m ($39m) and posted a

net profit. Directly decorated glass containers are mainly used for cosmetics, perfume and high-end spirits. Premium glass packaging is growing even in emerging countries such as China, Brazil and Russia. It is seen as a differentiation medium gaining importance as a status symbol. Market forecasts predict above-average growth for the segment. From a process point of view, direct printing with high-quality screen printing systems is the most challenging and costly finishing method due to the mechanical handling of different forms of glass containers. These technological demands prevent newcomers from entering this luxury segment.

Edale and AB Graphic International launch Digicon 3000 for converting materials printed on the HP Indigo 20000 UK Edale and AB Graphic International have launched the Digicon 3000, a 762mm-wide finishing system for converting pressure sensitive labels and flexible packaging printed on the soon-to-be-launched HP Indigo 20000 digital press. Edale and AB Graphic International have collaborated on the converting system after initial discussions in early 2012. AB Graphic International Managing Director Mike Burton said his firm approached Edale for its “proven experience in wider webs and flexible packaging”. AB Graphic International has worked with HP for more than 15 years, and Edale with AGFA Graphics for more than 12 years. 18

Boughton: ‘packed with innovations that will enhance applications’

Edale will manufacture the Digicon 3000 but the machine will benefit from the companies’ combined intellectual property. James Boughton, managing

aug-sept 2013

director of Edale, said the machine benefits from the two firms’ respective technology strengths. “As a result the Digicon 3000 is packed with innovations that will

serve to enhance and broaden the applications possible in midweb digital label and packaging printing,” he said. The HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press is expected to digitally produce the vast majority of label and flexible packaging applications. The press supports a 762mm-wide roll with up to 1,118mm repeat length, ensuring an easy fit into existing production lines. Two machines have already been sold. The first unit is scheduled for installation at Innovative Labelling Solutions (ILS) in Ohio in December 2013. ILS will be running a label and flexible packaging configuration with the HP Indigo 20000 running inline with the Digicon 3000.

News International

FFEI launches Graphium digital UV inkjet press aimed at narrow web for labels, packaging and specialty print UK FFEI Ltd has launched Graphium, which it claims is the industry’s most productive, modular digital UV inkjet press with high opacity digital white for producing labels, packaging and speciality print. Set to be unveiled at Labelexpo, Graphium enables more jobs to be converted digitally, transforming productivity and profitability, according to FFEI. Andy Cook, FFEI’s managing director, said Graphium is “a major step” towards the company’s mission to transform the digital labels, packaging and specialty print market. “Graphium represents a new generation of digital inkjet press aimed at the narrow web

inkjet presses, said FFEI. Supporting up to six digital modules and six flexo stations, Graphium can integrate optional flexo and finishing stations inline for conversion in a single pass, significantly cutting production time and cost, said FFEI. Graphium uses specialist Uvijet Graphium UV curing inks from Fujifilm. FFEI has also worked with Xaar’s R&D team to ensure Graphium maximises the full capability of the Xaar 1001 print head technology. The press also takes advantage of Corona pre-treatment, web clean, inter-colour pinning and Adaptive Screening Technology – all supplied as standard to ensure superior quality digital production.

Cook: ‘the most productive, high-opacity digital white press’

market – low capital investment, high quality print, unparalleled productivity and the most versatile range of applications. Bring all of these factors together and you have a ‘cost-in-use’ that defines Graphium as the most

productive, high-opacity digital white press on the market.” Graphium’s combination of leading-edge technologies allow users to convert complex jobs that are not economically viable with standalone conventional or

EFI reports all-time record financial results for the second quarter of 2013 with its revenue climbing 10% to $180.3m USA Electronics For Imaging has beaten its previous results over the second quarter of 2013 with record revenue of $180.3m, up 10% on the same period last year. EFI CEO Guy Gecht said technological innovation had unpinned the results. “We could not have been more delighted with the record results the EFI team delivered in the second quarter as our product innovation continues to drive demand across our three segments,” he said. “We look to maintain this momentum into the third quarter as customers increasingly turn to EFI to make their businesses more competitive.” Second quarter 2013 non-GAAP net income was $18.3m, up from

$14.2m for the same period in 2012. GAAP net income was $9.4m, up from $7.0m for the period in 2012. For the six months ended 30 June 2013, the company reported revenue of $351.7m, up 9% yearover-year from $324.0m. Non-GAAP net income was $34.0m, compared with $28.3m for the same period in 2012. GAAP net income was $17.8m, up from $13.2m for the same period in 2012. EFI is a worldwide provider of products, technology and services leading the transformation of analogue to digital imaging. Based in Silicon Valley, with offices around the globe, the company’s product portfolio

Gecht: ‘we look to maintain this momentum into the third quarter’

includes digital front-end servers; superwide, wide-format, label and ceramic inkjet presses and inks; production workflow, web to print, and business automation software; and office, enterprise and mobile

cloud solutions. These products allow users to produce, communicate and share information, and enable businesses to increase their profits, productivity and efficiency.

aug-sept 2013

News International

Tetra Pak inaugurates a €120m plant in India doubling its production capacity up to 8.5bn packages per year India Tetra Pak has inaugurated a factory at Chakan, near Pune, in India to cater for growing demand for its products across India, South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. At an investment of €120m (INR7bn), the plant doubles Tetra Pak’s production capacity to 8.5bn packages per year, with the potential of scaling it up to 16bn packages. Tetra Pak President and CEO Dennis Jönsson said the plant marks a milestone in the company’s presence in India. “Tetra Pak started its market operations in India 26 years ago with a strong belief in the country’s growth potential,” he said. “In 1997 we inaugurated our

Singh: ‘urban consumers and middle class transforming F&B’

first factory here. We appreciate the trust and belief that the Indian dairy and beverage industry has in Tetra Pak. Today, India ranks among our fastest growing markets. Investing in

this factory demonstrates our strong commitment to supporting our customers to meet growing consumer demand in the region.” Kandarp Singh, Tetra Pak’s South Asia Markets managing

director, said India’s market is changing fast. “Today’s young urban consumer and the growing middle class are shaping and transforming the Indian food and beverage industry,” he said. “Today’s consumer looks for nutritious and healthy products in a convenient packaging format, something that Tetra Pak is well equipped to deliver.” Spread over 45 acres, the new Tetra Pak plant will have a straw production unit, a processing systems workshop, a filling machine renovation unit and a technical training academy. It will also house a product development centre with a laboratory, a pilot processing plant and a pilot packaging plant.

Amcor plans demerger to separate its Australasia and Packaging Distribution (AAPD) units in December 2013 Australia Amcor’s directors have announced that they are aiming to demerge the firm’s Australasia and AAPD operations to enhance shareholder value by enabling each company to better pursue its own growth agenda and strategic priorities. Amcor CEO and Managing Director Ken MacKenzie said the two companies have little in common. “To be a successful market leader that delivers continuous improvement in customer value a company must be focused in terms of product portfolio and end markets,” he said. “Although Amcor and AAPD are both packaging companies, they are actually very different in terms of product segments 20

MacKenzie: ‘company must be focused in portfolio and end market’

and geographic focus. Amcor has global leadership positions in the flexibles and rigid plastics segments, while AAPD operates in the fibre, glass and

aug-sept 2013

beverage can packaging markets in Australasia and packaging distribution in North America and Australia.” Amcor has invested more than

$1bn over the last six years in AAPD to improve its manufacturing capabilities and ensure it is well positioned for growth, he added. These investments inclue a new recycled paper mill at Botany, a new furnace at the glass bottle plant at Gawler and a new beverage can line in New Zealand. Following the demerger, Amcor will be led by Graeme Liebelt as chairman and Ken MacKenzie as managing director and CEO. The new company, which is yet to be named, will have Chris Roberts as chairman and Nigel Garrard, current president of AAPD, as CEO. Amcor expects completion of the demerger in December 2013, subject to shareholder, court and other approvals.

News International

Slimmed down Kodak exits bankruptcy with a focus on digital imaging after shedding its consumer operations

Kodak now has court approval to exit bankruptcy

USA The Eastman Kodak Company has received court approval to emerge from bankruptcy as a much smaller company focused on digital imaging. Judge Allan L. Gropper of the Federal Bankruptcy Court for the

Southern District of New York has ruled that Kodak can exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which it entered after failing to respond effectively to the emergence of digital camera technology. “It will be enormously valuable for the company to get out of

Chapter 11 and hopefully begin to regain its position in the pantheon of American business,” said Judge Gropper. Kodak’s chief executive, Antonio M. Perez, said the company would have a leaner structure and stronger balance sheet. “We move on to emerge as a technology leader serving large and growing commercial imaging markets,” he said. Kodak has sold assets, including its consumer operations, and will now focus mainly on commercial products like high-speed digital printing technology and flexible packaging for consumer goods. In packaging, Kodak has solutions from packaging concept to creation offering a more

complete brand management and prepress portfolio to brand owners, trade shops and printer-converters. Kodak also aims to provide sustainable solutions for accurate printed packaging that protects and strengthens brand value, across any substrate, through any print process, worldwide. In its bankruptcy, Kodak failed to obtain significant value for its portfolio of patents, which forced it to sell core businesses and reinvent itself. But the bankruptcy resolved a major dispute with retirees over pensions, and it has forged a restructuring plan that, while wiping out shareholders, should pay secured creditors and secondlien noteholders in full.

Heidelberg’s results for the first quarter of its financial year set it on the track for profit over the full 12 months Germany Cost-cutting measures are bringing results at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), which significantly improved its operating result for the first quarter of its financial year. Heidelberg’s results for 1 April to 30 June put the firm on track for meeting its target of a positive net result for the year, said CEO Gerold Linzbach. “The substantial increase in our operating result makes us confident that we will record a profit for the year as a whole,” he said. “In order to achieve this, we are systematically pressing ahead with our strategic reorganisation so as to further improve our margins for new machine sales in the future and adapt our cost structures to the market situation on an ongoing basis.” Group sales in the first quarter were in line with expectations at ¤504m, down about 3% on the figure for the same

quarter of the previous year. Sales fell slightly in all three segments: equipment, services and financial services. While they matched the previous year’s level in most regions, Brazil’s economic difficulties hit South American figures. On the other hand, sustained savings from Focus 2012 and higher profit contributions for new equipment improved results. Incoming orders totalled ¤643m for the quarter, a sizeable dip from ¤890m for the same quarter in the previous year due to Drupa in May 2012. The China Print trade show in May this year went well, but coincided with a reluctance to invest in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region and the South America region, especially in Brazil. At ¤602m, the order backlog at 30 June 2013 was 20% up on the figure for the Heidelberg : substantial increase in operational results previous quarter (¤502 million). aug-sept 2013

News International

news in brief Kodak has relocated to a headquarters in Eysins, near Lausanne, in Switzerland. The move brings under one roof the company’s European headquarters and its inkjet demo facilities, currently in Gland, Switzerland, and the Kodak EAMER Technology and Solutions Centre, currently in La Hulpe, Belgium. Customers can now travel to just one location to meet the Kodak team and explore the company’s products and solutions, said Kodak. Philip Cullimore, regional managing director, EAMER, said: “In a single trip they can meet our team of experts and see demonstrations of our full range of Kodak Solutions. The move also makes commercial sense from a business perspective, as we’ll no longer be running two offices.”

Videojet has added two thermal transfer overprinters (TTO) to its DataFlex product line. The DataFlex 6320 and DataFlex 6420 are designed for flexible packaging and labelling applications in markets such as snack foods, bakery, meat & poultry, and confectionery. The DataFlex 6320, available in both 32mm and 53mm print width, is designed for low cost of ownership and for moderate speed applications including vertical form, fill, and seal. The DataFlex 6420 offers higher throughput to provide more capability for faster marking applications. Offered in both 53mm and 107mm print width formats, the DataFlex 6420 application range spans ultrafast horizontal form, fill, seal and wide format coding applications requiring a significant amount of content. 22

FFEI transfers its operations to a new £2m fully owned production facility in the UK UK FFEI has announced that it is moving to a new facility for its product development and manufacturing operations in Hemel Hempstead, in the UK. The company has invested £2m ($3.1m) in a building with a bespoke fitout, where it is transferring from leased facilities. Managing Director Andy Cook said the move underlines the company’s commitment to product development. “We have a lot of new products being developed both in our digital printing and life science businesses that need both flexible and modern facilities,” he said. Earlier this year the firm won its third Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the innovation category, an

official government recognition. “Building on the success of our inkjet label press, Caslon, we plan to introduce several new inkjet products later in the year, which required a major investment in our infrastructure,” said Cook. “With our strong FFEI Hemel Hemstead plant financial position we felt it was the right be focused on modernising our time to acquire a new building and infrastructure and launching these position the company for growth. new digital printing devices. “With the success of our RealPro “Alongside our market leading Workflow and packaging software CTP product range, we expect products announced earlier this a busy and exciting time for the year, the next few months will organisation.”

TRESU to make and sell coating system for digitally printed Stora Enso folding cartons

Maarssø: ‘raft of innovative coating solutions’

Denmark TRESU Group, the flexo technology provider, has acquired the rights from paper and packaging group Stora Enso to manufacture and market a

aug-sept 2013

new flexo coating system for integration into sheetfed folding carton converting lines. Originally developed through collaboration between Stora Enso subsidiary Stora Enso Digital Solutions and the TRESU Group, the TRESU Digital Sheet Coater will enable folding carton converters to exploit the enormous growth potential for short production runs and serialisation in a number of high-end niches. These include confectionery, direct marketing, gifts and pharmaceuticals. Søren Maarssø, TRESU Group COO, said long-standing partnerships with many of the world’s foremost offset folding carton converters, has given TRESU a wealth of expertise to

enable the successful integration of coating technology into virtually all carton converting lines, regardless of process. “With its capability to offer a competitive means of meeting the demand for shorter production runs, the digital process is important to us and our customers,” he said. “The TRESU Digital Sheet Coater will enable folding carton converters to smoothly transition to the digital process, capitalise on this growth by offering a raft of innovative value-added coating solutions.” The TRESU Digital Sheet Coater will be built at TRESU Group’s factory in Bjert, Denmark, also the location of the company’s global headquarters.

News International

GMG and Studio404 to unveil their colour collaboration at Packaging Innovations Germany At Packaging Innovations, in London on 1–2 October, GMG Color will be teaming up with Studio404, a specialist packaging design graphics studio, to show the synergy between innovative design and ‘brand critical’ colour. Both companies aim to achieve industry-standard colour and visitors to the show will see how this is implemented in Studio404’s design, prepress and 3D mockup services, all enabled by GMG innovative technology. Studio404 was the UK launch customer for the GMG OpenColor software package, which Studio404 Technical Director Allan Bendall describes as “a vital technological

breakthrough for us”. “Traditional colour management techniques have very successfully controlled the four-colour process but the print world increasingly wants to be able to control more than four colours to build flexibility into the supply chain,” he said. “GMG OpenColor enables us to measure the colours spectrally, rather than taking traditional colour measurements. This is a huge step forward, as it takes into consideration the level of transparency or opacity associated with any given ink.” Continuing its ongoing partnership with Epson, GMG will be demonstrating its industry leading proofing solution GMG

news in brief X-rite now offers a premium

GMG offers spectral measuring

ColorProof on an Epson Stylus Pro WT7900. The 24” printer uses white ink to add clarity and colour to package proofs and is ideally suited to the GMG ColorProof software which offers precise and predictable spot colour simulation.

Smithers Pira forecasts folding cartons market will grow to total $184bn by 2018 UK The global market for folding cartons is growing by 5.1% annually, and will reach $184bn by 2018, finds a major new study by Smithers Pira. Growth will be drive by rising demand for healthcare products, cigarettes, dry foods and frozen/ chilled foods, especially in the emerging economies. The Future of Folding Cartons to 2018 expects three key technologies to add value in the folding carton market between 2013 and 2018: retail-ready packs (mainly in microflute), anticounterfeit systems and barrier coating technologies. Retail-ready packaging is a growing trend amongst retailers striving to reduce their costs and comes in the form of corrugated/

microflute systems, rigid plastic and some rigid board products. Anti-counterfeit technology used in folding carton applications is expected to almost double with high growth expected, especially in the healthcare sector. Developments in waterbased coatings, nano-materials, bio-polymers and antimicrobial compounds are leading the growth for barrier coatings. Smithers Pira expects a global trend towards smaller packs

Punch Intl & Bencis have

to be offset by greater demand for single serve portion packs. Smaller packs tend to use more packaging material for the same volume of packed product. The need for continual brand differentiation in a crowded marketplace is the impetus of growing demand for innovation in printing methods, with an increase in such technologies as QR codes, holographic images, Fresnel lenses and other 3D devices.

Several factors will help expand packaging’s global markets

support package with eXact spectrophotometers including a one-year licence for NetProfiler 3.0 so that instruments worldwide can be calibrated to the same virtual standard. The new eXact spectrophotometer is designed to solve the problem of measuring and matching colours on various substrates and surfaces. With split-second measurement times and improved accuracy to simplify workflow, it lets customers measure true daylight conditions by supporting all the M Standards inclusive of the complete M1 for both ink and substrates, said X-rite. Through being offering the NetProfiler option in a support package, eXact customers can optimise, verify and ascertain on a regular basis that their instruments are calibrated to a single virtual standard, said X-rite.

announced that they have reached a conditional deal for Punch to sell to Bencis, a private equity firm, its 65.68% share in Xeikon at a price of ¤5.85 per share. If the sale goes ahead, Bencis must make a mandatory offer for all remaining Xeikon shares. But the agreement between Punch and Bencis sets several conditions that must be met no later than 17 September. These include the severing of current ties between Xeikon and Punch. Punch International will acquire customer receivables from Xeikon up to €6m for machines supplied by Xeikon that customers have not fully paid for. The property where the offices and production facilities of the Xeikon pre-press division are based will be transferred by Accentis to Xeikon for €9.2m.

aug-sept 2013

News International

news in brief Hubergroup has expanded production of MGA inks in Munich to meet demand for low migration inks for food packaging. The ink bases, formerly produced at a subsidiary in Ireland, will now be ground at Michael Huber München, where they can be finished to form process colour inks as well as spot colour inks. The production of MGA water-based coatings, characterised by a special material composition and by its GMP compliance, has been expanded as well. To meet HACCP requirements and operate all-embracing hygiene management, Michael Huber München focuses on high-quality products. This shift speeds up production, brings supply chain synergies and improves on availability and response time in Europe, said the company.

Tesa tape has expanded its line of plate mounting tapes for narrow web. Tesa’s Print & Web Processing Team has added to its line of plate mounting tapes for narrow web flexo printing applications. The new product – tesa Softprint 52018 Plus Plate Mounting Tape – is an enhanced version of a product announced just one year ago. But the original product has been improved by enhancing two key product components: the tape’s adhesive system and its foam backing system. The resulting product is a fully optimised tesa Softprint 52018 Plus Plate Mounting Tape designed exclusively for adhering thick printing plates (.067”– .107”) onto narrow diameter print cylinders, and producing superior finely screened print images. 24

Xeikon to introduce its ICE toner for heat sensitive substrates and thermal labels Belgium At Labelexpo, Xeikon will launch ICE toner for its digital label presses before making the new product available to customers over the last quarter of the year. Part of Xeikon’s Label Suite, the new toner is ideal for heat sensitive substrates including PE facestock (polyethylene) and thermal labels, opening up a whole range of new applications, said Xeikon. PE’s good flexibility and pliability makes it widespread for the surface of packaging on regular and irregular containers that have to be kept away from humidity and chemical solvents. Typical examples include tubes

Deprez: ‘a real breakthrough’

and bottles that need to be squeezable, or bags that need to be pressed. “Until now, dry toner technology was not expected to be able to work with substrates for this type of jobs,” said Lode Deprez, VP Consumables & Process Group at Xeikon. “Xeikon specifically developed the ICE

toner to be suited for heat sensitive materials. We pushed back the boundaries in toner development and digital label printing. ICE toner is undoubtedly again a real breakthrough in dry toner technology.” ICE toner is based on Xeikon QA technology, bringing the renowned benefits including top printing quality, high lightfastness, top opaque white quality and being able to print on conventional substrates without the need of specific priming. ICE toner will run on all new and installed Xeikon 3000 Series digital presses, and has already undergone extensive tests in the field with a number of customers.

Atlantic Zeiser celebrates as Turkish firm is delivered the 100th Cardline Versa system Germany Atlantic Zeiser, a global solutions provider of dedicated personalisation and coding systems, has installed its 100th Cardline Versa system, reinforcing the company’s leading position in the personalised card production market. The 100th Cardline Versa – along with a second system – was delivered to a customer in Turkey for use in producing multi-voucher and lottery tickets, as well as gift cards and magnetic-stripe cards. Atlantic Zeiser’s Cardline Versa Flexo system can run multivoucher pre-paid telecom ‘scratch cards’ at high speed, as well as standard CR80 gift cards with magstripe encoding, said the firm. In addition to CR80-size cards and hang tags, the system can

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Stoerk: ‘best-selling solution’

print tickets up to A4-size on paperboard, said Atlantic Zeiser. It features four flexo-stations to imprint individual scratch panel elements, with full production and variable data monitoring performed by an Atlantic Zeiser inline Vericam camera system. It also produces tickets and cards at much lower costs than scratch-off labels or hot foil, said the firm. “Cardline Versa is the world’s best-selling solution for personalised mag-stripe cards and

scratch-off multi-vouchers,” said René Stoerk, sales director Card Systems for Atlantic Zeiser. “With a throughput of up to 30,000 cards per hour, it delivers optimal speed and high net production per shift, even when running different card formats. Our Turkish customer will now be able to print a wide range of tickets and cards more economically and efficiently, with his two new Cardlind Versa systems replacing five existing machines.”

News International

Creed Engineers highlights opportunities in brand protection at LMAI conference India Ranesh Bajaj, managing director of Creed Engineers, underscored the opportunities in brand protection for label converters at the Label Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI) on 26–28 July in Goa in India. As much as 10% of all goods and services sold worldwide are counterfeit, and 7–10% of global pharmaceuticals, he said. “The grey market is affecting brand owners and the entire economy,” he said. “Plus it is having a serious impact on brands and brand owners in the form of a loss in market share.” Global annual losses due to

Bajaj: ‘serious impact on brands’

counterfeiting have recently been estimated at $600bn, he said. Affected sectors include auto components, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, computer hardware, FMCG, mobile phones and tobacco. Along with a deterioration in

news in brief Soma Engineering

brand image, conferteiting brings a loss in control over supply, he said. But Bajaj also looked at how the label industry can protect brands. “Wherever possible, build counterfeit deterrence, product authentication and brand protection technologies into the design of the label or pack,” he said. “Combine technologies to provide the most effective overall solutions. If possible, make each label/pack unique. Keep ahead of the counterfeiters by changing the solutions used on a frequent basis.” He then listed 20 types of print applications and technologies that can help protect brand owners from counterfeiters.

Bobst India honours first graduates from three-month folder-gluer operator course India Bobst India has completed a maiden three-month operator training programme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students. The initiative is aimed at bridging a technology gap to get high-speed machines running at optimum speed, said the firm. Upendra Deglurkar, president and local entity head of Bobst India Pvt Ltd, told Packaging MEA that the company aims to go beyond supplying machinery to its customers. “We want to be part of their pride and happiness in serving their end customer by minimising cost and increasing quality at the same time,” he said. This course will run at least

Bobst is bridging technology gap

three times a year and with a capacity of four students per batch, said Subhasis Roy, director of sales. “It is our effort to contribute to the skill-based training needed in the industry,” he said. “In future we will add few more courses for ITI students.” On Switzerland’s national day, certificates were awarded in the

has integrated QuadTech web inspection and waste management press controls into its CI flexo press programme. The solution combines QuadTech’s Inspection System with SpectralCamTM, PDF verification software and a waste management system, which communicates with the Soma slitter-rewinder to remove defects from the printed web. The Inspection System with SpectralCamTM provides 100% defect inspection and true spectral colour measurement using a 31-channel spectral sensor, said Soma. The system can measure multiple colour targets and then analyse the data to ensure there is no deviation from the target aim points. The result is greatly reduced waste, according to the manufacturer.

Zünd Cut Center Software ZCC

presence of Werner Nievergelt, Consul General of Switzerland, and Wilfried Schnider, Deputy Consul. Subhasis Roy spoke on the importance of trained manpower to meet critical demand for quality and volume in converting. Having designed and manufactured folder-gluer lines since 1942, Bobst claims a wealth of experience in this field. From its original PCR 382 machine, right through to today’s high productivity models, the company aims to apply its staff’s know-how, along with input from users, and extensive R&D, to produce equipment that advances what can be achieved using this inline process, said Bobst.

2.0 has won the EDP Award for ‘Best Workflow Management Solution 2013’. This is Zünd’s fifth consecutive EDP award, said the firm. In 2007 the firm won for Best Cutting Equipment, in 2009 for the G3 line of cutters, in 2011 for Zünd Cut Center software 1.0, and in 2012 for the S3 cutterline. ZCC Digital Cutting Software is completely tailored to customers’ needs, said the firm. Zünd cutting systems together with ZCC 2.0 guarantee an optimal workflow from original file to finished product, said the firm. Zünd Cut Center is designed to prepare cutter-ready files created in commonly used design programs. Files from many popular RIP and nesting programs can be processed without additional manipulation.

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Pre-show report Organisers’ Comment

Labelexpo Europe 2013 aims for record figures

This year’s Labelexpo event in Brussels on 24–27 September is poised to be the largest yet, with new features including an Inkjet Trail to put rival technologies to the test.

abelexpo Europe 2013, set to be the largest in the show’s 33-year history, returns to Belgium on 24–27 September with new features including an Inkjet Trail, a face-to-face showdown of rival technologies. This year’s Package Printing Workshop, in partnership with Xeikon and Nuova GIDUE, will also give insights into using digital and conventional printing for folding carton, lid laminate and standup pouch decoration. While the 2011 edition of the expo had a show floor covering 29,670sqm, this year’s event will occupy seven halls at Brussels Expo with a total of 31,500sqm, of which 30,142sqm is already sold. Big name exhibitors are also increasing their presence at the event, said the organisers. AB Graphic, Avery Dennison, Codimag, Domino, Durst, EFI, Gallus,

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HP Indigo, Mark Andy, MPS, Nilpeter, Nuova Gidue, Omet, Prati, Stork Prints, UPM Raflatac and Xeikon are some of the industry’s leading companies that will be showcasing their latest innovations and solutions, said show staff.

The Inkjet Trail Debuting at this year’s show, the Inkjet Trail will put inkjet technologies under the spotlight by comparing their results when producing identical label designs on the same label stocks. The standoff will feature six of the industry’s leading inkjet press manufacturers: Domino Printing Sciences, Durst Phototechnik, EFI Jetrion, Epson Europe, Heidelberg Linoprint and Stork Prints.

Each will produce a selection of food, pharmaceutical and industrial labels using the same sets of origination, on the same range of substrates. Origination, colour and die-cutter files for the different jobs will be prepared by Esko, while UPM Raflatac, FLEXcon and Herma will provide common paper, film and foil substrates for the range of printed labels being produced. To enable a comparison with toner technologies, Xeikon will also be producing the same label designs. With no separate entry registration or entry fee, this exclusive opportunity will allow show visitors to compare each of the manufacturers’ outputs at the same time in the same place. Visitors can simply follow a trail around the exhibition floor throughout the event’s duration. Brochures

we hope to demonstrate how straightforward and uncomplicated it can be to service packaging production jobs which, like labels, require short runs, personalisation and multiple variations.”

Participation in Labelexpo

Lisa Milburn, MD, Labelexpo Global Series

Labelexpo is set to host many innovations

including full technical details will be available for collection on entry to the show, while samples of all the sessions’ printed products will be available from each of the participants’ stands. A full timetable of when each participant will be running their live demonstration can be found at www.labelexpo-europe.com/ inkjet-trail. Lisa Milburn, managing director of the Labelexpo Global Series, said the Inkjet Trail will give show visitors a valuable opportunity to contrast the various presses being demonstrated and compare each one’s final results for print quality and ink migration. “As with previous show features, the live demonstrations are expected to be busy and very informative,” she said.

an inline die-cutting and stripping unit built by Switzerland’s Bograma. Printed in CMYK in one pass, along with Durable Clear to provide extra protection to the print in a single process, the web will then be sheeted, using a full rotary process with a variable repeat length to reduce waste. It will then be fed into a rotary die-cutting station with magnetic plates, with waste stripped and the printed cartons stacked. Nuova GIDUE will be printing a lid laminate for a ‘My Moment’ honey pot and ‘Hey Pesto’ stand up pouch. The Nuova GIDUE Combat M3 Digital Flexo press has been upgraded to include the company’s digital flexo technology for a wide range of supported and unsupported substrates. Digital flexo is a system developed to transform many of the press setup and configuration operations from a manual to an automated process, meaning printers no longer need carry out certain prepress operations and register adjustments. With no separate entry registration or entry fee, the workshop will provide label printers with valuable technical demonstrations that should help them diversify their business into short- and medium-run package printing. Sessions will run for 30 minutes at 11am and 3pm on the first three days and at 11am on the last day. Sample folders will be available for collection on entry to the show with job description sheets and printed samples of all the sessions’ printed products available in hall 12. “The Package Printing Workshop sessions should be a really beneficial addition for label converters and printers looking to move into package printing,” said Lisa Milburn. “By showcasing the capabilities of both a digital and conventional narrow web press,

Package printing workshop Diversifying into package printing will be a key topic at Labelexpo Europe 2013 and the focus of a Package Printing Workshop in hall 12 run in partnership with Xeikon and Nuova GIDUE. The workshop will demonstrate how both digital and conventional printing can be used in folding carton, lid laminate and standup pouch decoration. Xeikon will showcase digital printing of carton packaging using a 3500 model, while Nuova GIDUE will demonstrate a Combat M3 Digital Flexo press producing flexible packaging. Xeikon will look at the “most compact Roll2carton solution”, as a part of its folding carton suite, said Labelexpo’s organisers. The Xeikon team will be printing a label to be applied to a glass jar and a carton carry pack that holds three jars. The Xeikon 3500 digital press will be equipped with a digital varnish print station applying Xekon’s Durable Clear toner and

Labelexpo’s team have gathered endorsements of the upcoming event from leading industry figures. Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager of Indigo Division, HP, said the show provides “an excellent showcase for our technologies” as well as a global forum to engage leading companies in the market on the opportunities presented by digital print. “We look forward to Labelexpo Europe 2013, where we will be showing a full product line, including the latest B2 packaging presses, and working with our customers to bring in the end brand and demonstrate how HP Indigo and its partners are enabling a revolution in packaging in a digital world,” he said. Judy Abelman, vice president of communications for Avery Dennison Materials Group, said her company has had great success at Labelexpo Europe over many years of participating. “It is a significant investment for us but well worth it as it provides a valuable and effective opportunity to introduce new products, network and build relationships with existing and new customers,” she said. “Visitors are always from a wide geographic spread and of a high quality and we expect Labelexpo Europe 2013 to be another fantastic show.” Lisa Milburn said strong stand sales include more than 90 new exhibitors at this year’s exhibition. “Labelexpo Europe is firmly established as a must-attend event for exhibitors and visitors alike,” she said. “As the label industry’s largest dedicated tradeshow, there is nowhere better to see the latest product launches, compare technologies, network and do business. Even though we’re a mature show, we continue to experience strong growth year on year which is a firm indicator of how buoyant the label and package printing industry is and how much innovation is going on in the marketplace.” aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

ABG to demonstrate converting lines with Digiflow and Digilase software to load job parameters automatically UK UK-based AB Graphic International will exhibit an extensive range of developments from its comprehensive label converting and finishing lines at this year’s Labelexpo in Brussels on 24–27 September. At the event, AB Graphic International will demonstrate several of its Digicon Series 2 digital finishing lines. Exhibits will range from entry-level Digicon Lite machines to high-end equipment for beverage and cosmetic markets. AB Graphic will also display two laser cutting lines: one standalone system and a system integrated into a Digicon Series 2 platform. Both lines will feature the firm’s new Digiflow and Digilase

AB Graphic is planning to showcase an extensive range of products

products, software that is incorporated within machinery to identify and load job parameters automatically. The system is able to report live production activity to an MIS system every 30 seconds through JMF files.

Two totally new slitter rewinders will also debut at the exhibition, featuring integrated vision systems manufactured within the AB Graphic International group. In addition, the firm will unveil new features for the Omega converting lines and Vectra

automatic turret rewinders including a new automatic core loader. New vision inspection systems and pharmaceutical rewinders will also feature on the ABG booth, along with a Booklet label machine with new modifications and options. Inline finishing systems will also appear on the HP and ETI booths. AB Graphic International recently named Nilpeter ME as its Middle East distributor, handling sales and technical support for Vectra turret rewinders and Omega and Flytec slitter inspection systems and also selling the Omega Digicon converting line in tandem with its Caslon inkjet label printer.

ASHE to launch a ‘no settings required’ Opal T3 turret rewinder and to present a low-cost inspection machine UK ASHE Converting Equipment will use Labelexpo to demonstrate a ‘no settings required’ turret rewinding machine aimed at enabling operators to switch between core sizes without additional changes. Although machines are increasingly sophisticated, the requirement for skilled and computer literate operators has also risen, according to ASHE. For instance, when the rewind core sizes are changed on automatic machines this involves a long and skilled routine of changes and test runs for the desired finished roll quality, said the firm. But ASHE aims to enable operators to move between core sizes without additional 28

adjustments through machines that automatically set themselves to the required parameters and positions. ASHE claims no machine demonstrates this better than its Opal T³ automatic turret machine, designed for offline and inline use. The machine can run alternate core sizes on its four spindles and the patented glueless operation needs no operator adjustment, reducing changeover times and scrap winding to achieve the ‘ideal’ setup, said ASHE. The transfer of the slit webs onto the new cores is done at line speed giving non-stop continuous speed operation. To open up lucrative automotive and pharmaceutical work to more label producers, ASHE

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also produces a low-cost 100% inspection machine that can operate as a standalone machine, inspecting high value-added 100% inspection materials or operating as a normal rewinder.

This machine has all the highend facilities for inspection and is easy and intuitive to use, so small runs and job changes are a quick and easy operation, according to ASHE.

ASHE sees a demand for easier changes in rewind core sizes

AV Flexologic prepares to showcase FAMM HS for narrow web along with Cosmoline processor and Toboyo plates

AV Flexologic: faster mounting

Netherlands AV Flexologic is aiming to showcase various technologies at Labelexpo including the FAMM HS for narrow web, which can mount flexo printing plates for a full eight-colour job on the cylinders or sleeves in one sequence of less than eight minutes, according to the Netherlands-based company. The cylinders are positioned on the carousel and the printing plates on the belt, said AV Flexologic. The machine mounts plates on the cylinders or sleeves and checks the plate positions. AV Flexologic describes its machines as highly efficient and fast with process control and rapid ROI. For processing water washable printing plates from Toyobo, AV Flexologic has developed a new smaller inline processor: the Cosmoline. The Cosmoline can handle plate sizes up

to 900x1200mm and results will be displayed at the firm’s stand at Labelexpo. Complete filter installations for these units are available on request. Representatives from Toyobo will be also present during Labelexpo to answer questions on Toyobo Cosmolight and Printight printing plates. AV Flexologic will also present its AquaSupreme platemaking solutions, which the company describes as fast while giving excellent results. The advanced two-step filtration system means operators need not change the water during platemaking, said the company. In only 40 minutes a complete plate is processed from exposure to washing to drying and detaching with plain water, said AV Flexologic. This helps deliver more environment-friendly, faster and excellent printing results, said the firm.

Epson to launch SurePress L-6034VW single-pass digital label press and take part in the Inkjet Trail with L-4033AW Netherlands Epson has a major presence at LabelExpo 2013, where it will launch the innovative SurePress L-6034VW single-pass digital label press, demonstrate the versatile SurePress L-4033AW digital label press and show sophisticated digital proofing and prototyping for a variety of packaging applications. The SurePress L-6034VW was first unveiled as a prototype at Drupa 2012 and is the first Epson product to use LED-curable UV ink. Designed to handle both shortand medium-run jobs, the press can print on a wide range of film and paper substrates. More details will be revealed with its global launch at Labelexpo Europe. Epson will also demonstrate

Ferguson: ‘presses that enable companies to access new markets’

its SurePress L-4033AW press printing high-value, high-quality labels for premium products. This seven-colour SurePress L-4033AW inkjet digital label press with white ink delivers excellent print quality and accurate colour reproduction on a wide variety of standard label

substrates, including clear and metallic materials, said Epson. Using Epson SurePress AQ ink set with green, orange and white inks, the press delivers precise colour matching and accurate reproduction of spot and specialty colours, according to the firm.

The SurePress L-4033AW lets print firms and label converters print short-to-medium volumes of premium quality labels ondemand, said Epson. Epson is also taking part in the Inkjet Trail, where visitors can compare labels printed on the same substrates by different presses. Epson will print food, pharmaceutical or industrial labels on the SurePress L-4033AW. “At Labelexpo we will show our strong commitment to developing a range of professional label presses that enable companies to grow their business and access lucrative new markets with confidence,” said Duncan Ferguson, director Pro Graphics, Epson Europe. aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

Esko to premiere its Full HD Flexo for Labels at Brussels Belgium Esko’s array of solutions for the label and tag industry at Labelexpo Europe 2013 will include the newest release of its Full HD Flexo solution, Full HD Flexo for Labels. CDI digital flexo plate imagers will also feature on Esko’s stand and the company will give updates on Suite 12 prepress and workflow solutions and applications. Following the release of Full HD Flexo for Flexible Packaging in April of this year, Esko is launching Full HD Flexo for Labels at the show. It features adapted screening and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the label and tag industry, and delivers very high quality with impactful solids, smoother highlights and expanded colour gamut.

Gougay: ‘opportunity to provide industry education on advances’

Full HD Flexo for Labels delivers enhanced print stability and cuts gear marks with geardriven presses, said Esko. Armand Gougay, VP EMEA at Esko, said the label and tag industry remains of strategic

importance for Esko. “In that respect, Labelexpo Europe is a pivotal event to showcase our dedicated technologies and solutions,” he said. “We will take the opportunity to provide industry education on the latest

advances in our solutions – and show how these deliver results that make customers smile.” Esko’s presence in its own stand and those of partners will cover all areas of label and tag creation: from design and workflow automation to flexo platemaking, digital printing, finishing and more. Esko is teaming up with a long list of partners at the show including CERM, CHILI Publish, Dantex, Domino, DuPont, Durst, Epson, HP, Stork and WINK. Esko’s integration capabilities will also feature in the Labelexpo technology workshop. Themed around inkjet and labels, the workshop guides visitors to the stands of participating inkjet press manufacturers.

FINAT to host European network of label associations and L9 community of regional associations at its stand Netherlands FINAT, the international association for the self-adhesive label industry, will welcome at its stand the European network of national label associations – now represented by a national association board – along with the L9, a global body for regional self-adhesive label and narrow web converting associations. At the FINAT stand, visitors will get in-depth information and advice on topics including environmental issues, testing methods, liner recycling, as well as education and training. The winners of the 2013 FINAT Label Competition will also be exhibited at Labelexpo and will benefit from a promotional 30

initiative across Europe. This will extend later to entries that also succeed in the World Label Awards, particularly the ‘Best of Best’. A marketing/promotional partnership deal with Labelexpo organisers Tarsus – which is particularly valuable for the biennial European shows – now extends to 2019. FINAT was founded in Paris in 1958 but has its headquarters in the Hague in the Netherlands. It is a worldwide association for manufacturers of self-adhesive labels and related products and services. With 600 members in more than 50 countries, FINAT aims to provide opportunities to network and to exchange information to

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Finat aims to give advice and information across several topics

label converters and all suppliers to the labelling industry, acting as an ‘umbrella organisation’, bringing

together the international supply chain of the self-adhesive label industry.

Gallus Group to showcase Linoprint L drop-on-demand digital print system for the first time at a tradeshow Switzerland The Gallus Group will be presenting the Linoprint L drop-on-demand system from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at Labelexpo, the technology’s first appearance at a trade show since the group acquired the sales licence in June 2013. Two of the digital printing systems in different working widths will produce challenging variable short runs at the Gallus Group stand. While a 210mm system and the Gallus ECS C will be integrated into the Gallus Print Shop for hybrid label production, the 315mm system will give visitors an insight into the higher print quality made possible by the new digital front end.

Linoprint L digital system delivers high-quality four-colour prints

Other features of the system include zero waste following interruptions to the production run, precise insetting on prediecut rolls and printing at up

to 48m/min. In tandem with a printing width of up to 315mm, this speed ensures optimum productivity in digital printing, said the Gallus Group.

The Linoprint L augments Gallus’s portfolio of flexo, offset and screen printing solutions by adding a digital printing solution for short and/or variable runs in the label sector, said the company. Thanks to its UV inkjet technology with 600dpi native resolution, the Linoprint L digital print system delivers high-quality four-colour prints with fonts down to 2 point and hidden security elements. The Heidelberg Prinect Digital Print Manager Label – the digital front end developed by Heidelberg for this printing system – draws on the Prinect workflow technology already in use in offset printing for over 10 years and supports the use of Heidelberg colour management.

GIDUE’s M3 Digital Flexo press picked to feature in live demonstrations at workshop in Package Printing Zone Italy GIDUE is participating at Labelexpo through exhibiting its printing and converting machines both on its own stand and at the Package Printing Zone, where Tarsus has organised a workshop with selected manufacturers. The workshop will feature live machinery demonstrations to show how narrow- and mid-web conventional and digital presses can be used for short- and nicherun packaging applications. In light of the rising demand for advanced printing machines that can give great results and personalisation opportunities with short lead times, during the entire exhibition GIDUE and Xeikon will be highlighting

new ways of adding values to printing business and demonstrating how to produce flexible packaging and folding cartons. For this special workshop demonstration, GIDUE will exhibit its new M3 Digital Flexo press, which will be presented as one of the available models of GIDUE advanced printing machines featuring digital flexo technology that enables the press to print on a wide range of supported and unsupported substrates with practically no more need for manual intervention from the operator, according to GIDUE.

GIDUE aims to show ‘digital flexo’ benefits

This innovative solution delivers closed-loop automation of the press operations, standardisation of press performance, digital flow

networking, all-in-one-pass production and the best productivity and setup times ever seen in the label and packaging printing industry, claims GIDUE. aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

Durst debuts Tau 330 high-speed UV inkjet label press Austria At Labelexpo Durst plans to launch solutions including its Tau 330 high speed UV inkjet label press as well as Tau Low Migration UV inks from SunJet. The Tau 330 press will be showcased with inline digital laser finishing incorporating laser diecutting technology from Spartanics, with a 1000W laser and automatic job changeover for multiple jobs in a single run. UV coating and lamination can be added for a complete finishing process. Durst will also introduce Tau Low Migration UV inks from SunJet. In combination with a specially designed curing system, the inks can achieve migration limits of <10ppb, said Durst. Along with the Durst Tau 330,

Durst’s Tau 330 will feature alongside Tau low migration UV inks

these inks will expand suitable applications for unsupported foils to items such as blister packs and yogurt lids, said Durst. Tau 330 users can use standard Tau UV inkjet inks for all industrial applications. To cover a broader range of

applications, the Tau 330 is now also suitable for applications using non-PS materials. A second Tau 330 press will be demonstrated at the Durst booth with built-in chill roller for printing on unsupported films and foils. A Nikka high-resolution video

inspection system to detect defects during printing will also be on display. To increase the Tau 330’s modularity, it can be installed with external unwinder and rewinder units as well as other finishing devices. A connection box provides all related signals to synchronise with external devices. The Tau 330 has a maximum print width of 330mm and prints at up to 48m/min for an industryleading capacity of 950sqm/hr. Its standard colour configuration CMYK can be complemented with optional white and two optional process colours, orange and violet, essential for label applications that require accurate pantone colour matching.

Erhardt+Leimer to demonstrate ELCAM pattern guiding system and a matix and missing label detection system Germany Erhardt+Leimer will introduce new web guiding and inspection technology at Labelexpo including an ELCAM Pattern Guiding System for ‘cutto-mark’ applications. The Erhardt+Leimer ELCAM Pattern Guiding System allows the operator to control the position of labels during the slitting process. In many applications, it is essential the position of the print is exactly referenced to the slit position to avoid problems in applying the label to the final product. In addition, the system can simultaneously measure and control the position of the printed image in relation to the die. The system can be 32

E+L has developed ELCAM to tackle cut-to-mark applications

integrated very easily into any digital E+L web guiding system and so permits accurate positioning during different stages of the production. Erhardt+Leimer will also display the ELCAM Matrix and Missing

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Label Detection (MMLD) system, designed to replace conventional arrays of ultrasonic or optical sensors. After a teach-in process, which only takes a few seconds, the camera reliably detects any missing

label or unremoved matrix, said the company. When a defect is detected, a message is sent via a digital interface to the machine controller, which stops the web in exactly the right position on the splicing table. E+L’s real time editing (RTE) workflow solution for the NYSCAN 100% print inspection system involves editing inspection results in real time on the printing press to achieve production-optimised finishing. A camera-based varnish detection system will also be showcased for detecting defects in the transparent coat of varnish applied to labels after the printing process.

Kodak teams up with MPS and Reproflex 3 for ‘offset-like’ quality on narrow web UV flexo without spot colour inks USA Kodak, MPS and Reproflex 3 have planned a day of live presentations at the MPS stand to convince visitors that impactful offset-like quality can now be achieved with narrow web UV flexo without the use of spot colour inks. Olivier Claude, Kodak’s GM for Print & VP Commercial Business EAMER, said the demonstrations will show “just how far flexo has come”. “Visitors will see incredibly challenging design being produced without the use of spot colour inks,” he said. “The end-users, the brands, just want the highest quality at the lowest cost, regardless of the print process.

Claude: ‘challenging designs produced without spot colour inks’

Our revolutionary Kodak Flexcel NX System and Kodak Spotless Flexographic Solution provide the technology to make that possible.” On 25 September, narrow-web press manufacturer MPS will host 15-minute live print demonstrations.

Designs for the event target personal care and household product applications that normally need at least seven or eight colours with traditional flexo. But these will be printed without spot colour inks and at 300lpi.

Andrew Hewitson, joint MD of Reproflex 3, which is providing the prepress expertise, said the firms want to show it is possible to eliminate spot colour inks and still overcome colour gamut, colour stability and registration concerns. “A couple of the labels would normally be considered ‘offset’ designs, but it is the final design for a laundry care range that will prove to be the most talked about example,” he said. “It will be printed both with four colour process and seven colour process on the same web and visitors will be asked to consider whether the extra colours are worth the extra cost.”

Apex debuts hard- and soft-coated plate mounting and adapter sleeves alongside UltraCell rolls and GTTLABEL Netherlands At Labelexpo, the Apex Group of Companies will be targeting the label and narrow web market with its lightweight series of UltraCell anilox rolls and GTTLABEL, for high-quality printing, as well as its new hard- and soft-coated plate mounting and adapter sleeves. Visitors to Labelexpo will be among the first to see Apex’s new plate mouting and adapter sleeves. Developed by and manufactured at Apex, this latest product offers the same quality standards that customers are accustomed to from the company’s anilox rolls, said Apex. Apex describes the sleeves as “a stateof-the-art product for future-oriented printers”. Apex will also be featuring at its stand the company’s GTTLABEL rolls.

Apex GTTLABEL offers ‘most consistent volumes’

These employ a radical ‘Open Slalom Ink Channel’ geometry that allows ink to “flow” precisely onto a printing plate, according to Jaaco Pijper, sales manager for the European label market. “Due to GTT’s unique slalom geometry and the most precise 3D microscope measurements, Apex GTT rollers hold the highest and most consistent volume across the surface of the roll, roll after roll,” he said. But for printers that have no need for the high quality and precision achievable with GTT [Genetic Transfer Technology], Apex will be presenting at Labelexpo its UltraCell and UltraCell+ conventional anilox rolls, which offer an improved ceramic layer and make all surface engravings possible, such as hexagonal, positive, tri-helical or elongated, according to the company. aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

Gallus showcases its Print Shop concept that combines digital with conventional to offer cheaper, faster labels Switzerland Gallus is participating at Labelexpo with its Gallus Print Shop concept to demonstrate how digital and conventional printing methods can be combined to produce labels faster and more costeffectively. The Gallus Print Shop at the show will feature the new Gallus ECS 340 with the ‘Plus’ update package, the Linoprint L digital drop-on-demand (DoD) system from Heidelberg with the Gallus ECS C digital finishing solution, and the Gallus EM 430 S with the high-tech short-web concept. The Print Shop will combine and control the entire order planning and processing workflows of the three machine systems via central MIS workflow software. In cooperation with its industrial partner Siegwerk, Gallus will also be demonstrating the benefits of LED UV drying technology on the Gallus EM 280 using the latest UV LED inks from Siegwerk. While Gallus will soon have installed 200 of its Gallus ECS 340s, the version at Labelexpo features a new ‘Plus’ update package, delivering key technical improvements that pave the way for new applications. A recent international sales and service agreement for the Linoprint L digital printing systems from Heidelberg has enabled Gallus to add the Linoprint L digital DoD system from Heidelberg to its portfolio. The Linoprint L uses the drop-on-demand inkjet method and supports a resolution of 600dpi and a printing speed of up to 48m/ min in four-colour mode. This makes the system an ideal addition for high-quality flexographic, offset and screen printing applications where small batches need to

Gallus Print Shop will feature the new Gallus ECs 340 with ‘Plus’ update

be produced cost-efficiently as and when required or variable data needs to be printed on prefabricated labels. The digital printing system is also suitable for new applications such as smart labels, security printing or trackable labels. At Labelexpo, the Linoprint L will be demonstrated with the Gallus ECS C digital finishing solution. Based on the revolutionary Gallus ECS 340, the Gallus ECS C offers minimal changeover times and virtually waste-free job changes through front loading, a sleeve system, chambered doctor blade, presetting and an extremely short web path, said the firm. The Gallus EM 430 S featured at the Print Shop cuts costs by up to 30% through maximum flexibility and shorter web path of 2.2m, according to Gallus. Waste is 40% less than with conventional label printing machines, said the firm. The combination printing press can be configured to meet

the highest demands and enables UV flexographic printing, rotary screen printing, hot foil embossing, cold foil printing, relief embossing and die-cutting, said Gallus. Gallus will also be using Labelexpo to showcase a Gallus EM 280 equipped with a complete LED UV drying system that uses the latest UV LED inks from Siegwerk and state-of-the-art radiators. Gallus claims it will be the only manufacturer to demonstrate live production of a label that combines the benefits of digital and flexographic printing and is dried entirely with LED UV technology. At Labelexpo, Gallus also aims to highlight the multiprocess capability of its Gallus RCS 330/430. A wide selection of Gallus Screeny Genuine screen printing plates will also be on display. Their unique microstructure delivers optimum print quality for the finest of lines, solid areas or relief printing, maximum print speeds and easy cleaning when reusing screens, according to Gallus.

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Pre-show report MPS will present its new EB cost-effective press, the EXL-Offset press and two new innovative technologies. Furthermore MPS will present together with Kodak and Reproflex 3 Next Generation Flexo Printing. MPS announced it will unveil its new EF Flexo press line now available in three versions ranging from cost-efficient, to advanced, fully-automated machinery at Labelexpo Europe. Also presented for the first time will be the EB cost-effective press along with the EXL-Packaging line and demonstrations of the revolutionary EXL-Offset press. Additionally, MPS will introduce Led UV dryer technology and a Track-andTrace functionality which is connected and integrated into machine job memory. The theme in the MPS stand at Labelexpo Europe will be “The Choice is Yours” to illustrate the wide range of press solutions now offered by MPS in response to market demand. MPS will present the entire range of EB, EF and EXL press lines whilst the EF APCAdvanced Press and the EXLOffset press will show daily live demonstrations. Eric Hoendervangers, MPS Commercial Director commented: ‘We are pleased to present the broadened EF flexo and the new cost effective EB press lines at Labelexpo Europe, to maximise the world’s largest event for the label and package printing industry. We recognize that printers have different requirements when it comes to press technology. Our range of press solutions and level of automation give printers a choice.’ 36

Kodak to showcase a raft of its solutions to help packagers to ‘Do More with Less’ Switzerland Kodak is taking part at Labelexpo under the theme ‘Do More With Less’ with a stack of solutions aimed at delivering outstanding quality on the shelf through more cost-effective label production methods. Kodak’s Flexcel NX system and its Flexcel Direct system and Spotless flexographic solution will appear at the tradeshow supported by the firm’s Prinergy PowerPack Workflow prepress automation tools designed to improve packaging productivity and connectivity. Prinergy PowerPack Workflow helps increase production efficiencies, quality output and speed up cycle times with tools that streamline throughput, processes and load balancing from file to press with complete visibility, said Kodak. “Some customers have compared the results possible with Kodak flexographic solutions to the difference between normal TV and HD,” said Olivier Claude, general manager for Print & VP Commercial Business, EAMER. “It is that more intense definition we will be demonstrating to visitors at Labelexpo. For example, flesh and skin tones used to be challenging with flexo, but this is no longer the case with Kodak technology, where higher line screens and smaller minimum dots are all possible. More importantly, the Kodak solutions drive a step-change in stability and efficiency for flexographic printing, making more profitable short runs a practical

aug-sept 2013

Claude: ‘Kodak flexo like difference between normal TV and HD’

reality, without compromising quality. That coupled with the production gains afforded by Prinergy PowerPack Workflow, which can be customised for each individual operation, enables them to become more competitive and in turn profitable. The possibilities are opening up lots of exciting opportunities.” Kodak, MPS and Reproflex 3 are teaming up for live presentations on 25 September on how to ‘Do More With Less’ through new flexo printing capabilities. The firms aim to show that impactful offset-like quality can now be achieved cost effectively and efficiently with narrow web UV flexo without the use of spot colour inks. “We are looking to change the mindset of what is achievable in flexo today,” said Claude. “Visitors will see incredibly challenging design being produced without the use of spot colour inks and have outstanding shelf impact.” Throughout the day, narrowweb press manufacturer MPS will host 15-minute live print demonstrations and presentations showing how its

innovations in press technology complement the Kodak prepress technologies to enable fast changeovers and unparelleled colour stability. Eric Hoendervangers, commercial director of MPS Systems, said that high quality dots play an important role in the Spotless Printing solution. “Our Crisp.Dot technology guarantees a minimum of dot gain, full round dots, solid ink coverage and sharper printing of smaller fonts,” he said. “Additionally, our Multi-Drive technology provides perfect registration for a broad range of materials, which is essential in achieving a stable and spotless colour gamut.” The designs selected target challenging applications in the personal care and household product sector, normally requiring at least seven or eight colours with traditional flexo. But Kodak’s demonstrations will not only print without the use of spot colour inks but also at 300lpi. “We carefully selected designs that would normally be a real challenge for flexo,” said Andrew Hewitson, joint MD, Reproflex 3, which will provide prepress expertise for the demonstration.

One stop shop

Graphic communication technology solution provider Automated, cost effective, shop floor data collection software and hardware for flexo and gravure presses Helps in finding accurate data on; ยก Make-ready time ยก Good copy time ยก Yield of roll stoppage ยก Assures service and product quality enhancement www.perceptprintsolutions.com

Visit us at: Stand: 12W73 Division of Percept General Trading Co. L.L.C, M-1, Al Masaood Tower, Mina Road, Umm Al Taraffa, P.O. Box 26475, Sharjah, UAE, Tel: +971 6 563 9535,Mobile:+971 55 4722 397.

Pre-show report

Stork Prints to show UV inkjet printing and direct laser engraving plus rotary screen-printing modules and screens Netherlands Stork Prints aims to highlight its expertise in rotary screen and UV inkjet printing for labels and packaging industries at Labelexpo. On the 50th anniversary of its invention of the rotary screen, the firm will showcase UV inkjet printing and direct laser engraving (digital pre-press) as well as rotary screen-printing modules and screens, with plenty of demonstrations and sampling. Stork Prints sees itself as a global leading company in textile and graphics printing. The firm aims to provide total system solutions: from screens, lacquers, inks and digital engraving to a broad range of rotary screen and digital printing systems.

Stork Prints aims to deliver ‘total system solutions’

As an expert in electroforming, Stork offers highly reliable rotary screen technology along with an extensive programme of precision metal products, said the firm. Continuous innovation and a powerful distribution network add

significant value to its customer’s processes and products, said Stork Prints. Over the past six months, the firm has sold several DSI UV inkjet systems to customers in the US, Canada, Norway, Italy, Spain,

Germany and the Gulf States. The diversity of these clients, who range from five to more than 5,000 staff, shows the huge potential of the DSI digital label system, said Stork Prints. In digital printing, the firm claims to have notched up over 4,000 inkjet systems installations worldwide. The Stork Prints DSI UV inkjet label printer offers photographic quality with a rotary screen “look and feel” for everything from shortto medium- and even long-run jobs, said the firm. The unit is ideal for markets ranging from food and personal care to beverages, wine and spirits, household goods and outdoor applications, according to Stork.

Vinsak to give live demonstrations of its LSR330 label inspection slitter rewinder and VIS 1200 inkjet system India At its maiden appearance at Labelexpo Europe, Vinsak will launch and run live demos of its LSR330 label inspection slitter rewinder along with its VIS 1200 inkjet system, and also showcase brand protection solutions. “We will be launching the all new Vinsak LSR 330 label inspection slitter rewinder,” said Neeraj Sharma, executive director, Creed Engineers. “This has been a result of our research and development through which we are able to introduce many products that we know will be of high interest for many customers.” The LSR330 is manufactured for ease of operation and PLCcontrolled to ensure total reliability 38

Sharma: ‘many products of high interest for many customers’

and flexibility, said the firm. Vinsak is presenting its VIS1200 modular wide format inkjet printing system for printing on a variety of different papers, such as various offset papers, coated paper

aug-sept 2013

and gloss papers. The user interface is easy to handle, offers a good overview and with its Windows technology is truly intuitive, said Vinsak. Brand protection solutions

from the firm cover security inks, security software, security substrates, hot stamping and track & trace. Relevant applications include tickets, ID cards, passbooks, driving licences, certificate and permits and tax revenue stamps, with features such as anti-copy, void pattern, micro text, hidden images, guilloches, relief effects and latent images. Substrates include security threads and fibres along with track & trace. Hot stamping and embossing products will appear with counterfeiting solutions for event tickets, gift vouchers, lottery tickets, labels for brand and asset protection, taxation documents, access control passes and labels.

Xeikon aims to win converts for digital printing with its ‘See the Proof’ programme and launches ICE dry toner Belgium Xeikon is participating at Labelexpo with a goal educating about label and packaging markets of the benefits of digital, said Filip Weymans, director business development and marketing labels and packaging. “In that spirit, we are launching an innovative programme called, ‘See The Proof’ that gives converters first-hand experience with the technology,” he said. Through the programme, label converters can upload their own label files at www.SeeTheProof. com to receive labels printed on five substrates – including a PE substrate using Xeikon’s brandnew ICE toner – which can be retrieved at the Xeikon stand

during Labelexpo. Xeikon’s ICE dry toner will debut at the show. “Xeikon ICE is the first dry toner capable of printing on PE, a label substrate that is particularly important in the health and beauty segment,” said Weymans. The firm will feature at its stand the 3300 and 3500 digital label presses. The Xeikon 3300, built Weymans: ‘the first dry toner around the commonly capable of printing on PE’ used 330 mm/13” web width, will be running with an of material up to 516mm/20.3” inline converting unit, including a wide, and will be running in a roll laser from GM. to roll configuration. The Xeikon 3500 allows the use Xeikon will demonstrate the

capabilities of its digital label presses by printing labels used for wine & spirits, industrial, pharma, health & beauty, food and beverage applications. At a Software Corner, the firm will feature solutions including ColorControl, ColorMagic, Vectorizor and MyPress. Xeikon will also be demonstrating its unique Web2Label workflow and folding solutions with a Xeikon 3500 running the Alpine 516 fuser, with inline Bograma finishing unit.

Percept Print Solutions presents tools to help packaging printers discover time and money savings in production UAE Percept Print Solutions, a regional distributor for X-Rite, GMG Color Management and other firms, will showcase at Labelexpo software tools for cutting printing costs, says Afsal Kottal, the firm’s business director. “It’s high time printers in our region know how efficient their equipment, material and operations are and take informed decisions and invest in the right technologies,” he told Packaging MEA. “Our product range helps printers to know where they lose money, time and material, and then take corrective actions with our solutions, which will help them improve quality,

productivity and save on costs.” Products on show at Percept Print Solutions’ stand will include its inhouse developed ‘Know Your Productivity’ solution to tell label printers when a production started and its time for makeready and good copies, along with paper consumed for makeready and good copies, as well as stoppages and the reason for them, yield of paper rolls, number of web breaks, waste copies and good copy count. The company will also feature its inhouse developed Print Smart MIS software for label printers. As an X-Rite partner for the Middle East and India, Percept will showcase X-Rite’s

Kottal: ‘high time printers know how efficient their equipment is’

hand-held devices, scanned measurement and closed loop colour management for packaging printers. As a GMG Partner for the Middle East and India, Percept will also help visitors at Labelexpo understand how GMG

Color Management Solution can help them improve quality and productivity while saving on costs. “We will also take details of clients who would like to meet us back in their Middle East and Indian offices,” said Kottal.

aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

Sun Chemical to unveil PantoneLIVE for label market plus new UV flexo colours and extended low migration options USA Sun Chemical will debut PantoneLIVE for the label market at Labelexpo along with a broader range of UV flexo inks and new options in EB and UV low migration inks. PantoneLIVE for the label market, on display for the first time, is a cloud-based solution that enables the universal Pantone colour language to be accurately communicated across the entire packaging workflow – from design concept to retail store shelves, said Sun Chemical. PantoneLIVE extends the Pantone Plus Series Colour Library, mapping critical colour information to packaging-specific substrates, said Sun Chemical, which describes itself as the

Sun Chemical is extending Pantone colour language across labelling

preferred partner for ink supply and a key contributor to the technology. A new and improved UV flexo ink range will also be launched on the Sun Chemical stand. Promising enhanced printability and colour range, the new series

of inks will deliver customers optimum opacity white and dense blacks, said the firm. In addition, Sun Chemical will present an extended range of EB and UV low migration inks for flexible packaging including high opacity flexo white inks,

overprint varnishes, laminating adhesives and metallics. Visitors to Sun Chemical’s stand can also view a new range of overprint varnishes for digital print finishing. Jonathan Sexton, sales and marketing director for screen and narrow web Europe, said the company wants to be seen as offering quality solutions as well as inks. “As leaders in this sector, we will also demonstrate the latest brand protection offering through our effects portfolio on the Sun Chemical stand,” he said. “More than ‘just’ an ink supplier, we offer our customers quality solutions through our impressive range of products.”

OMET marks its 50th anniversary with innovative booth and presents XFlex X6 with offset groups with sleeves Italy At this year’s Labelexpo, OMET is marking its 50th anniversary by participating with an “innovative booth using uncommon materials and a daring architecture”. But the firm also promises three technological highspots: an international presentation of the XFlex X6 with offset groups with sleeves; the return of the XFlex X4; and news on the firm’s tailored offering for flexible packaging converters. OMET’s X6 will be presented at Labelexpo in a configuration that mixes flexo and offset technology. New offset units are equipped with light sleeves to enhance rapidity of change, user-friendliness and general 40

OMET is debuting its XFlex X6 in widths of up to 670mm

ergonomics, said the company. The XFlex X6 with sleeve offset is aimed at packaging printers who need offset for maximum replicability. The mix of offset

aug-sept 2013

and flexo also allows for cheap prepress, ease of ink management and the inner process flexibility. In the flexo+offset configuration, the XFlex X6 is offered in widths

up to 670mm. Meanwhile, the XFlex X4 on show in Brussels will handle print jobs that enhance the potential of the machine in quality and reliability, said OMET. To offer an alternative for packaging converters using sheetfed or CI presses, OMET is also now offering Varyflex presses in larger widths, up to 850mm. With the overhaul, OMET is aiming for the machine to compete directly with traditional larger presses for packaging printing by offering faster startup, reduced wastage at makeready, interchangeability of processes and all-in-one-pass quality printing results, said the firm.

POLAR exhibits cutting system and invites customers to LabelDays event at its Hofheim plant during the expo Germany While participating at Labelexpo with its CuttingSystem 160 and Highspeed cutter N 92 PRO, POLAR is organising its LabelDays 2013, which runs on 23–27 September at Hofheim, Germany, in parallel with the Brussels tradeshow. POLAR is inviting its customers to Hofheim to inform themselves about its systems for producing square-cut and die-cut labels, as well as systems for securities printing. Kit on display at LabelDays will include the LabelSystems DC-11 and DC-11plus for inline production of banded die-cut labels with minimum staff. POLAR will also feature its LabelSystem SC-21, for square-

POLAR is holding a parallel open day to showcase its solutions

cut label manufacturing at up to 3,185 packs per hour with minimum staff. In addition, the firm will exhibit its Autocut 115, designed for cutting precision with lateral and front gauges.

POLAR LabelSystem SC-25 will also be showcased, offering the capacity to process two gangs of strips simultaneously and to band up to 1,560 packs in an hour.

The firm’s High-Speed Cutter N115 PRO TwinClamp, developed for securities printing, will also be on show at Hofheim. At Labelexpo, POLAR will present its CuttingSystem 160, with a LW 1000-4 stack lift, an RA-2 automatic jogger and DC-M solo die-cutter. POLAR’s Labelexpo stand will also feature the N 92 PRO highspeed cutter, which includes a swivel backgauge to compensate for inaccurate materials and to help if the printed image is not correctly arranged on the sheet. A downholder will feature in front of the knife and cutting programs will be generated via P-Net service Compucut off the cutting machine.

Berkeley presents Apollo, Comet and Autoflex ranges in its joint participation at Lapelexpo with Polygraphica UK UK-based machinery supplier Polygraphica will be exhibiting at the Brussels expo in association with Berkeley Machinery, an independent manufacturer of narrow web presses for the printed packaging industry. Polygraphica represents Berkeley for its new equipment but also supplies pre-owned label equipment from all of the world’s leading manufacturers. Berkeley’s products includes the Apollo series of stack flexo presses, designed to be compact and userfriendly. Apollo printing and converting machines can be built to suit individual client requirements and produce a wide range of packaging and industrial products, according

Berkeley will present kit alongside the supplier Polygraphica

to their manufacturer. Berkeley also produces the inline Comet range for labels, special packaging materials and folding box cartons, with web widths from

270mm to 530mm. Equipped with an overhead rail system that allows different converting models to be added, the range offers fast makeready with

a slide-out ink tray cassette, and tool-less changeover for the anilox metering and print cylinders. Top of the Berkeley range is the servo-driven Autoflex series of presses, manufactured to provide a wide range of printing and converting solutions, and available in web widths from 270mm to 1800mm. Each Autoflex press is bespoke to customer requirements, and with side frame widths up to 80mm, the range is designed for heavy-duty work environments. On the stand and available to discuss these products in detail will be Andrew Lapish and Mike Kennedy from Polygraphica, and Matthew Berkeley-Hill, the owner of Berkeley Machinery. aug-sept 2013

Pre-show report

Prati showcases its STARplus glueless technology plus SA dual turret rewinder and Alhena in-mould labelling Italy Prati Company is targeting low value added labels with its STARplus machine at Labelexpo, while catering for traditional segments with its SA dual turret semi-automatic rewinding system, said Sales Director Chiara Prati. The firm will also present its Alhena in-mould labelling kit. In commodity labels, Prati is eyeing the low value added segment, where it expects its STARplus machine to prove revolutionary. Prati claims to be one of very few manufacturers that can provide an alternative solution to customers that do not need an inspection system. STARplus uses a glueless technology during lane’s hooking and uses labels (with optional ID)

Prati spots an opportunity in low value added commodity labels

to close the rolls, which gives big savings in consumables and makes the entire process very clean and eco-friendly, while ensuring perfect tensioning of the finished reels, said Prati. The STARplus off-line turret

(four shafts) works inline with any printing and converting machine, said the firm. Full-servo technology suits it for ECO very thin materials and quick, automatic spindle change ensures high speed and perfect cycle continuity. A

complete job changeover needs only 15 minutes, said Prati. With an eye on more traditional segments, Prati will present the SA Dual Turret semi-automatic rewinding system, which fits to the Saturn and Jupiter models, raising production by 50% through its double shaft, said Prati. The device is on show with a die-cutting unit for pre-printed and plain labels for optimising working cycles. In addition, Prati will display its brand new Alhena IML series for in-mould labelling (IML). Alhena converting machines accommodate large mother reels and are equipped with re-register die and a conveyor unit to convey labels to the stacker, said Prati.

Rotoflex gives European premiere for its VLI rewinder featuring an URC 2.0 control system as well as eDrive USA Rotoflex will demonstrate a full set of offline finishing solutions at Labelexpo, including its Rotoflex VLI, debuting in Europe. The VLI is a fully redesigned, highly precise film and packaging rewinder available in widths up to 28.25” (700mm). The unit features a large easy-access touchscreen display as well as well-placed auxiliary controls for an exceptional operator friendly experience, said Rotoflex. As well as the latest URC 2.0 control system, the unit has an easy-to-use operator interface that delivers unmatched defect detection and automatic sensor calibration, according to Rotoflex. The VLI includes eDrive, a Rotoflex web handling system for faster acceleration and deceleration with maximum control, running at up to up to 950fpm (290m/ min). 42

aug-sept 2013

Rotoflex will also display its VSI series, which the firm considers to be the most widely used model in traditional label and printed roll-to-roll inspection and rewinding. The VSI will also feature the URC 2.0 control system. Open access to the vertical web path maximises setup and improves changeover efficiency while low working heights provide easy access and efficient operator use. A demonstration of the DSI 330 will feature the 13” (330mm) machine being used for cost-effective die-cutting, showcasing a profitable workflow for blank labelling as well as other die-cut applications. The machine will be die-cutting a pressure-sensitive material at speeds up to 750fpm (230m/min) throughout the show days. Rotoflex staff will be on hand to answer application or support question.

Rotoflex aims to show a full set of finishing options

RotoMetrics to debut its Accu-Series flexible die product line-up with three options for full gamut of applications USA RotoMetrics will unveil a new flexible die product line-up at Labelexpo – the Accu-Series. For typical short- to mid-run projects, the range’s AccuSmart offers the most economic choice, said the company. The AccuPrime offers more cutting options for converting a wider range of substrates and liners. But the most challenging applications can be tackled with the AccuStar UltraFilm, which delivers the most exacting cutting precision to the most challenging synthetics in today’s market. Meanwhile, AccuStar Life targets the most abrasive materials converters might face today. RotoMetrics claims to offer

RotoMetrics will premiere AccuSmart, AccuPrime and AccuStar

the industry’s most complete product offering, as well as market-leading technology for rotary and flexible cutting dies, print cylinders and sleeves, adjustable anvils and die station

modules and converting systems. With manufacturing operations on four continents and the industry’s strongest sales and technical support team, RotoMetrics aims to be the ideal

choice for the best value, highestquality tooling, said the firm. Local technical support teams can assist packaging and converting firms in testing, creating and implementing rotary converting solutions, whether for developing ‘no look’ labels on advanced film substrates or meeting the challenges of expanded content and tamperevident packaging, according to the company. RotoMetrics’ entire team understands that its clients’ success depends on the rotary tooling products and support that it delivers, added the company in a press release announcing its lineup at Labelexpo.

Screen’s Truepress Jet L350UV makes European debut alongside CTP and software for labels and packaging UK Screen will give the European commercial launch for its Truepress Jet L350UV digital UV label press at Labelexpo alongside sector-specific CTP and software for the label and packaging markets. The Truepress Jet L350UV has been developed to meet soaring demand from major brands for value-added packaging that can increase product differentiation. Shown as an early prototype at Drupa 2012, the press offers photo-realistic quality, fast job turnarounds and stable output that requires almost no daily maintenance, according to Screen. The new press prints widths up to 322mm (12.6”) at up to 50m/ min (164ft/min) with productivity

of 16.1sqm (173.2sqft) per minute. Lamination, die-cutting and other post-press processing devices can be connected inline to automate label production from beginning to end, said Screen. Combined with advanced colour management technology based on Screen’s EQUIOS universal workflow, the press creates smooth, vivid gradations, according to the firm. Screen’s UV inks also provide a wider colour gamut than is typical with the four-colour process, said Screen. Optional opaque white ink further boosts colour vibrancy and enables printing on transparent film and metallic foil. The press incorporates singlepass greyscale piezo printheads

Screen Truepress Jet L350 UV Digital

with a minimum droplet size of 3 picolitres. Alongside the new press, Screen will show products including the EQUIOS workflow, a range of

thermal PlateRite CTP devices for both flexo and offset printing and the Truepress JetSX sheet-fed B2 digital label press for personalised carton and label printing.

aug-sept 2013

Technology Feature

Cold foil technology offers new packaging options Maturing cold foil technology can offer substantial advantages to packagers, including speed as well as several finishes that hot foil stamping cannot deliver, writes Dr George Nubar Simonian.

hile hot foil is established across a wide range of prints and applications, including labels and cartons, its role is being challenged. Cold foil technology has proved its value with rotary narrow-web presses and is now an increasing mature technology with wider applications. Label converts with rotary webfed flexographic UV technology are among the new users of cold foil technology, which they apply in labels featuring high-end designs. These presses require only one unit and can apply before or after printing and in any desired design configuration. Matching colours Recent innovations in using cold foil with sheetfed lithography are entering the market as an alternative to metallised board. A tacky adhesive is applied in the first printing head, then the foil is nipped to the adhesive and the carrier is stripped away leaving the foil covering the board where required. For this process, Heidelberg and MAN

aug-sept 2013

Roland have each developed cold foil equipment specific to their own presses. Heidelberg’s offset solution Heidelberg’s FoilStar cold foil technology is used with the Speedmaster CD74 and Speedmaster CD102 and Speedmaster XL 105 presses. Unlike previous effect foil applications, which require a letterpress or flexographic unit, FoilStar applies the cold foil using two conventional offset printing units. The first unit uses its inking unit and an ordinary offset printing plate to apply glue either as a spot application or to the entire sheet. The second is the actual cold foil unit, with take-up and take-off units for applying the foil. Along with the sheet, the foil is fed into the nip between the blanket and the impression cylinders and applied by pressure to the parts of the printing stock coated with glue. When the backing is removed, the metal layer remains on the sheet. Subsequent overprinting of the foil enables a great variety of colour shades to be achieved.

The flexibility of using up to six foil webs and varying its width enables foil consumption to be precisely adapted to the current job. Web tension in foil take-up and take-off and the individual reel diameters is automatically recorded by sensors and constantly monitored. A further benefit is that both printing units can be changed over rapidly and are then immediately available for printing. Systems are installed in the first and second printing units of the press and can be used for regular offset printing when the cold foil units are not engaged. The unused foil remains on the carrier layer, which is rewound by the rewinding station, typically mounted above the third printing unit. In this printing unit and subsequent ones, the areas of the sheet not covered with foil can be printed with absorption-drying inks. Lithographic printing blankets are manufactured with differing degrees of hardness – or compression – and the choice of blanket will influenced the appearance of the finished foil.

Cold foil Technology If a textured material is used, it would be normal to use a blanket with a lower compression than one for foiling onto a hard surface such as plastics or a cast coated board, where the half-tone effect of foil is also partly determined by blanket compression in conjunction with the smoothness of the substrate. Applying cold foil on the lithographic sheetfed press should be viewed as an extension of the use of foil to embellish the printed surface. Cold foiling on sheetfed presses has limitations and is unsuited for many applications where hot foil stamping would excel: 1. Foil usage is one-to-one with the substrate. In other words, the foil pull must run the same length of the substrate and cannot be indexed as with the hot foil process. 2. The cold foil process is more suitable for coated stocks than dry, porous stocks, where hot stamping far excels. 3. The process is a flat application only and cannot be combined with stamping and embossing. 4. Greater brilliance can be achieved through hot foil stamping.

Roland’s InlineFoiler Prindor The Roland InlineFoiler Prindor, winner of the PIA/GATF 2006 InterTech Award, can be installed on the Roland 700 press. As in the Heidelberg system, two printing units are required. In the first printing unit, the areas of the substrate where foil is to be applied are printed with special adhesive ink via the inking roller system using a conventional offset printing plate. This adhesive ink is coloured so that the amount applied can be objectively measured with the aid of a densitometer. In the second printing unit, above which the foil unwinding station is mounted, the blanket cylinder presses the foil onto the areas of the sheet covered with the adhesive ink. The unused foil remains on the carrier layer, which is rewound by the rewinding station above the third printing unit. In this printing unit and subsequent ones the substrate and foil can be printed on.

Overprinting enables interesting effects through combining foil with different coloured inks. The best configuration for inline cold foil transfer is the Roland 700 with six printing units and a coating module. This permits cold foil transfer plus four-colour printing and coating, or the press can be used for normal six-colour printing with inline coating. The quality achievable with this foil transfer method is very impressive – and is achieved with normal temperatures and is, above all, an inline process. Provided all parameters – foil, substrate, adhesive ink and the subject – are well coordinated, even large solid areas of foil can be transferred in outstanding quality at high printing speeds. The Roland InlineFoiler can process many different types of foil: from gold or silver effects, through special patterns, right up to Iriodin effects. Virtually any results one can wish for are possible. Key pointers Some key points have to be remembered when applying cold foil. The most important factor is the paper on which the inline cold foil process is applied. Cold foil is always applied on a coated paper and is not suited for uncoated offset paper or cardboard types. Also, the shinier and/or more coated the paper type, the greater the shine effect of the foil and the greater the mirror or metal effect. Basic foil is silver foil. As silver is a neutral colour, nearly all metallic effects, including gold shades, can be achieved with CMYK printing on this silver. A maximum of 250% CMYK ink limit can be achieved on the foil, aside from the 100% adhesive ink limit.

Cold foiling’s advantages Cold foiling technology’s advantages over hot foiling include: 1 Speed, which can be seen as the key benefit because cold foiling usually runs more than twice as fast as hot foiling. 2 Overprintable foils can enable subsequent printing units to apply ink on top of the foil in a single system. 3 No stamping dies are required with all cold foil technology. 4 Shorter makeready times, with plates being changed in minutes. 5 Large, solid areas of foil can be produced with no gassing issues. 6 Small, reversed out areas of type as thin as .05mm can be created. 7 Foiled half tones can be produced. 8 Textured substrates (such as a linen stock) retain their texture after foiling, which offers further design opportunities. 9 Multiple colours of foil can be printed at the same time. 10 Precise registration. 11 Substrates not suited for hot stamping can be used. 12 Not only can thin films be foil stamped but foil can shrink or expand slightly without cracking. 13 Cost is cut by higher running speeds and lower stamping die costs and makeready times. 14 Investment costs are also cut. 15 Foil can be applied either to part or to the entire sheet. 16 No thermal stresses on the substrate. 17 No shadows appear on the reverse side of the sheet. 18 Printing units can be used for either cold foil or normal offset applications. 19 Energy costs are diminished. 20 Market demands can be met fast, because new printing forms can be made easily, quickly and inexpensively. 21 Less manpower is needed, as the technology is generally applied by the press crew.

aug-sept 2013

Technology Feature

How can packaging improve its colour management approach? Experts can make colour management for packaging sound complicated – that’s because it is, reports Wayne Peachey of SGS International.

eneral litho printing mostly involves flat printed pages. Packaging involves converting substrates into product containers, and printing onto those substrates involves inks that can resist heat, rubbing and gravity and will not spoil the contents. Packaging’s primary purpose is to preserve products from creation to consumption. Packaging needs to withstand the external forces of heat and cold, transport and handling, as any breakdown can result in the contents being contaminated or destroyed. But the next purpose of packaging is to sell its contents. It is the final advertisement a customer sees before buying a product. If the right message is conveyed, the customer will make the purchase. Colours are chosen by marketers and designers who use psychology to trigger the buying response – so colour is critical to a product’s success. Just stroll down a supermarket aisle: our arena, our battleground, our field of dreams. You will be continually struck by the variety and ingenuity of packaging. Beyond being functional, the shape and graphics of packs must be eyecatching, and these mini-billboards must convey the direct and subliminal messages that induce the buying response. Note how often you never see the product, just the package, and note how many different substrates and print processes are used.

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Substrates Packaging substrates can be paper, paperboard, corrugated board, polypropylene, shrink film, foil etc. Structures can be paper laminated to foil, paper laminated with clear film, clear film laminated to white film, film backed by white ink, surface print etc. Inks need to achieve printability in each instance while maintaining integrity under stressful conditions. Therefore, for colour management to work, each scenario needs to be tested and understood so that the right information is available to create a realistic prepress proof.

Press characterisation

The importance of colour consistency cannot be underestimated. Supermarket displays will feature the same product in many sizes and shapes of packaging. If the colours are inconsistent, then how consistent are the contents? Doubts like these can turn the buying decision towards the products with the more consistent packaging, which has a value. Some customers are prepared to pay more for products that are perceived to be of a higher quality.

Most technical information on press characterisation describes a threestage process. The first stage tests the various parameters, the second uses typical elements that help to create prepress curves, and the third includes a spectral target for creating a printer-specific profile. That’s all very well in theory. In practice, if we have an opportunity to test, it’s normally a one-shot deal. The question for colour professionals, when analysing the results of this one-shot deal is: How typical are these results? What is the degree of variance from run to run, or press to press? You never really know until you’ve run a few jobs. It’s not that printers go out of their way to provide skewed results, but it can’t be disputed that some printers’

Colour Management processes are under better control than others. ISO standards for ink help with proper ‘fresh ink’ standards that provide predictable density and tone values. Also, other variables such as impression rolls, doctor blade types and angles really help to get back to the press characterisation conditions when properly controlled. The rewards are in less makeready time and better consistency due to applied process control. Each prepress company will want to run their own characterisation, which is timeconsuming and tedious for printers. Also, due to a lack of standardisation of prepress techniques and proofing methods, the printer may be forced into running work from one prepress supplier differently to another. The answers to these issues lie in the recognition of standards and in all parties accepting responsibility for their parts. Colour proofing systems can match within an average Delta E of 1.00. While systems’ differences are now measured in fractions of Delta Es, it must be remembered that any system is only as good as the repeatability of the prepress and the consistency of the midnight print shift! The frequency of print transferring from one print process to another is exponential. The global packaging printing marketplace sees work repurposed among litho, gravure and flexo on a daily basis. The economics surrounding supply and demand, coupled with the natural strengths of each process in relation to run lengths, means we are being constantly challenged to match colour between print processes. We also see items printed on a narrow web press transferring to wide web, or other variables being changed for normally sound reasons. Each change will invalidate or diminish previously current press characterisation information. Keeping up with print scenario changes requires effort, but the printers who stay on top of their changes (which may invalidate press characterisations) point to a return on investment that always exceeds ten to one. For a purchaser, the decision to change supplier or print process can often be a matter of comparing costs. But transferring that work to achieve the same appearance is

where colour science really comes into play.

Brand colours Shelf impact is greatly enhanced by special colours that fall outside the normal CMYK colour gamut. Products shout ‘Me, Me, ME!’ as they compete for attention because colour can convey excitement, sophistication and information such as flavour. Brand colours that consumers recognise can elevate the perception of a new product. Differences can be coded through colours to convey flavour, low fat, sugar free, caffeine free etc. Brand colours are like team colours. Most

sports fans can recognise a Miami Dolphins Turquoise, or a Manchester United Red, or a Toronto Maple Leafs Blue. But if players wore different hues or shades of their team’s colours, the brand would become quickly diluted. We would also lose confidence in their abilities and their cohesiveness as an organisation. Similarly, a brand’s colours can raise the same questions if different versions of a colour appear side by side on a supermarket shelf. Darker versions may suggest a stronger flavour, lighter may suggest a ‘lite’ or low sugar version. Lighter colours can also suggest that a product has been on the shelf for too long and that the label has become bleached.

Matching colours

Questions for the printing process:

1. How do we convey colour standards? 2. Can ‘working to the numbers’ achieve the desired results? 3. What about the many substrate/ inkprint process combinations? 4. Metallics? 5. How do we achieve a meaningful proof? 6. How do we communicate the standards of a colour-managed system? Challenges:

• Special colours can be difficult to predict without data gathered from the press run. • Colours will appear differently under different light sources. • Pigment differences will show up somewhere. Matching the hue of solid colours does not guarantee that the midtone hues will also match. • Thinner ink layers produce ‘more colourful’ colour, thicker ink layers produce more contaminated colour.

The root cause of these complexities lies in the range of demands we place on printing ink. Ink is comprised of pigment, resin, solvent and additives, and these will change with print processes, substrates and ink functions or packaging process stresses. Pigments are chosen for colour, lightfastness, gloss, flow, printability, resistance properties, and compatibility with resin. Resins are chosen for adhesion to substrate, gloss, flow, solvent release, lamination bonds, and compatibility with solvent. Solvents are chosen for drying rate, solvency power, solvent retention and printability. Additives could include plasticisers and waxes. Matching ink colour, although important, is often of secondary importance to considerations such as heat or bleed resistance. As in many aspects of printing, when you try to understand something, it suddenly becomes much more complex! Achieving colour match between two print results, or between proofs and press, relies on matching a number of different but related measurables.

Some of these are: • Substrate appearance • Solid colour lab values (under different light sources) • Tone values • Midtone ink hues • Solid (or other) ink traps aug-sept 2013

Technology Feature When comparing two printed items, if one of these aspects is different, it will show up as a visual difference. So is it possible to manage special colours? The short answer is yes. But every CPC finds its own way based on its priorities. For some, special colours are only used as solids, others have 500+ colours used as solids and as process. For others, CMYK is important. For others, it is metallics. The main way of creating a realistic colour target is to create a drawdown using actual ink printed onto the actual substrate. This is the perfect way, but it is cost prohibitive. I remember once receiving a quote to produce a number of colour standards. It was five print ‘scenarios’ x 200 colours x 1000 standards, and the quote was for $6,000,000! Therefore, the following ‘lessthan-perfect’ techniques are used: • Inkjet colour targets produced by the ink supplier, based on an actual ink drawdown. These are becoming very good and more frequently used. • Use of X-Rite MIF files to communicate target spectral data with Delta E and/or metamerism tolerances. • Limited use of ink drawdowns produced using real ink applied on the actual substrate using a K-Proofer or similar. • Use of ‘paint’ chips that are robust and light-safe, although ‘appropriateness’ is sometimes questioned as they do not truly represent print. • Layered ‘dot-type’ proofs.

Pass/Fail techniques at pressside are: • L*a*b* (and/or spectral data) with specified Delta E, density and/or metamerism tolerances. • Midtone tone value targets and limits. • Visual lightbooth pass/fail under one or more light sources. • Drawdown submission to a colour manager for approval. • Quality documentation required to support any shipment. As with any system, there is always an element of self-regulation. It’s always important that standards are communicated to everyone in the process chain, not only to 48

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quality personnel, because the risk (threat) that a shipment will be rejected is always present. It’s easy to create a system with too many ways to fail. The skill is in creating a minimal system that achieves the necessary accuracy.

Colour Proofing Due to the print scenario complexity already discussed, no perfect contract proof exists for packaging. For customers who focus on CMYK (or fixed process set), spectrally profiled inkjet devices provide accuracy, cost effectiveness, and repeatability. Some special colours fall outside of the normal inkjet colour gamut. Therefore, a compromise and interpretation of some colours – such as bright orange – is required. Colour-managed inkjet devices can replicate special colours using L*a*b* colour information. In this area we have seen many recent advances. For customers with a special colour bias, a proof such as Waterproof or Kodak approval provides more accurate colours in some instances. But we have mostly moved away from these relatively costly devices. A common mistake is to mix and match proofs and expect them to all look the same. Each proof type has strengths and weaknesses, and these differences will show up. However, with some thought, less-costly proofs can be brought into a workflow to provide sometimes a more representative target.

Multicolour systems I refer to the hexachrome/opaltone/EGtype techniques as ‘the Hawaiian shirt of prepress’ because they never quite achieve universal acceptance but never go entirely out of fashion! We can easily provide our customers

with ‘more colour’ with the addition of up to three colours into the process set, but the real benefits are in the reduced tooling costs and production improvements – such as quick changeovers. Litho has used these systems for years, flexo in some isolated cases, and gravure seldom. Flexo platemaking techniques have helped to provide stronger colours, and mixing and matching four, five, six or more colours within a reduced ink set is an approach adopted by many of our customers. There are some limitations to using a ‘multicolour’ system, the artwork conversion process at the prepress stage takes longer and the print process needs to be very accurately calibrated. The advantages can be huge, in reduced press makeready time, a reduced inventory of inks, and better consistency once the process has been ‘dialed in’. Simple calculations show that press ‘uptime’ can be increased by 50–100% depending on the product mix. For gravure, multicolour separations will bring brighter colours, but they will not bring reduced makeready times, and they may make for challenging registration issues. Multicolour systems may offer the opportunity to gang up jobs that use very different special colours, and that may be of benefit in some circumstances.

CMYK The principles behind CMYK printing are still true. Cyan, magenta, yellow and black combine to create a large number of other colours (4.3 billion variations in theory). The challenge is that our eyes differ from cameras, which differ from image capture devices, which differ from monitors, which differ from proofs, which differ from printing presses. Using ICC profiling (and L*a*b* as a common language) we can match our devices closely. Working back from the press (the ultimate target), we can calibrate our proofs and monitors to replicate results. Inkjet-type proofing devices lend themselves to these calibration techniques, which explains their popularity. As everything is calibrated back from the press, the fingerprint (press characterisation) is very important.

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Technology Feature Consistency is the key. Just as a stopped watch is right twice a day, so a fingerprint may only represent a moment in time. It is crucial that results be repeatable if the fingerprint process is to be of any value. Typically, a spectral target is included – this is read in using a spectrophotometer – and the data is used to create an ICC profile. Then, any future proofs use this result to ‘shape’ the colour of the proof. Sometimes this can mean our proofs look flat or not colourful enough, but we guarantee that the proof represents the final printed result. We don’t want to disappoint the customer on press, we want to disappoint them way before that point! In reality, seeing a proof that looks ‘flat’ gives us an opportunity to use our retouch skills and take advantage of the available colour space before we get on press. The one mystery in our business is why CMYK ink standards are ignored. ISO provides targets for every print process, and very few people are aware of these. Another mystery is the ‘one curve, one profile’ approach. This approach simplifies prepress production, but relies heavily on the wizardry of pressmen to achieve colour. One disadvantage of gravure is that it is possible to increase or reduce dot size using ink viscosity and drying speeds, which leads people to think everything is calibrated. But this approach typically means that makereadies are very long, compromises are made between proof and press, and consistency can be an issue. G7 colour calibration is one method for achieving the print standard ISO12647-2 (more about standards later), alongside SWOP and Fogra. It has been adopted in some areas of litho as the method of achieving the same midtone results from press to press, and its adoption in flexo is gaining momentum. The main impetus behind G7 comes from one paragraph in the ISO12647-2 documentation that states: ‘4.1.7 Grey balance: Unless otherwise specified, the grey balance should be given by the following tone value combinations. •Cyan /Magenta /Yellow Quarter tone : 25 % / 19 % / 19 % Mid tone: 50 % / 40 % / 40 % Three-quarter tone: 75 % /64 % / 64 % 50

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Brand colours My point is… if our customers approve a designer’s proof, and that matches ISO12647-2, and if the press matches ISO12647-2, then things should match, shouldn’t they? Yes, they should and they do. SGS International has adopted this approach with many customers and also used similar methodology to bring the flexo and gravure print processes under control. It is my opinion that the various standards for different print processes are only tenuously linked, encouraging process to process differences.

improvements to the printing process. However, it has its limitations, and we should never underestimate the abilities of the printer to make jobs look ‘right’, despite some of the shortfalls in the proofing process. The reason we succeed is because of our mutual support. With ongoing forward planning and a team approach, we will continue to satisfy our customers and continue to succeed as an industry.

Image retouch The often-overlooked area of colour management is in colour retouch. Operators work on files to correct colour, but often this is also an opportunity to make files more robust. Skill in this area can make a design much more forgiving, resulting in better consistency throughout the print run and potentially faster press performance.

Summary Packaging presents many interesting colour management challenges but also provides opportunities to amaze customers with results. Understanding the complexities is obviously key to unlocking the potential and, as described, the complexities are multiplied by the number of aspects of a printed package. We know that we keep achieving new levels and are continually raising the bar. We also know that without a structured approach, it is difficult to go into a project with any confidence. Colour management has brought massive quality, cost, and speed

Wayne Peachey is business development director for SGS International, based in the UK. Wayne graduated in graphic design before moving into the technical aspects of prepress production. During 13 years in Canada he held production, quality and technical positions. He has focused on colour management for flexo and gravure and has managed colour for packaging graphics for many large consumer product companies. He created and implemented a global colour management system for a major CPC, and more recently implemented a web-based graphics management system for a large multinational.

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Upcoming Events

Luxe Pack Monaco aims to deliver expert insights into the top end of packaging technology and applications Monaco The 26th edition of Luxe Pack Monaco, an international trade fair held on 23–25 October 2013 at the Grimaldi Forum, will cover creative packaging with the goal of offering an outstanding trading platform for all professionals in the industry. Luxe Pack Monaco covers glass, plastic, cardboard and metal packaging and this year has almost 400 exhibitors, a record figure for the event. A full programme of conferences and exhibitions aims to meet the needs of brands across all sectors in search of new ideas, thinking, trends and innovation. An internationally recognised perfumer will attend

Monaco’s Grimaldo Forum with host the event on 23–25 October

as a guest of honour. Other highlights include Luxe Pack Essentials, free consulting sessions in semiotics, and an exhibition on sustainable packaging in 2020. Exclusive insights into

packaging trends will be provided through the traditional Luxe Pack Trends Observer, enriched by the participation of experts from a range of backgrounds. In Luxe Pack Essentials,

the event will also provide a packaging development guide, which will be available to all brand representatives after the show. Through an eclectic and selective range of exhibitors, Luxe Pack Monaco aims to provide a careful analysis of the luxury market and reveal the state of the art. The show sets out to give a representation of the increasingly complex global packaging world. Design and trends specialists will share the fruits of their discoveries and reflections, giving an expert view on promising new products, technical innovations and brand new know-how.

K 2013 sets out to reveal innovative solutions and cover the entire global offering in the plastics and rubber sector Germany With more than 3,000 exhibitors, K 2013 on 16–23 October in Dusseldorf is back again after three years with the target of providing an undisputed flagship event for the industry and hence the ideal business and contact platform for inspirational ideas and forwardlooking decisions. Leading companies in the plastics and rubber industries will be presenting everything the industry has to offer at the highest international level, according the event organisers. In the last edition in 2010, K attracted 3,094 exhibitors from 56 countries and 222,486 trade visitors from 109 countries, with 57% of them from outside Germany. 52

K 2013 is back at Dusseldorf on 16-23 October across 168,000sqm

This year’s edition takes place across more than 168,000sqm of net exhibition space in 19 exhibition halls. Everything from global market leaders to young spin-offs, from

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standard to high-tech solutions, and from proven processes to visionary approaches will be featured, say the organisers. K 2013’s main focuses will be on raw materials, auxiliaries,

semi-finished products, technical parts and reinforced plastics, machinery and equipment for the plastics and rubber industry, as well as services. K stands for diversity and unsurpassed innovation density, say the event team. Innovation Compass will provide a forum for presenting major innovations from exhibiting companies. At k-online.de, participants can obtain information on special new products and systems that will be presented at K. About six weeks before and during K, visits can search for specific pioneering innovations in the categories of materials and machines, equipment & processes.

October 2013

Beverage Packaging conference to tackle shelf impact, sustainability, design innovation, cost and interactivity Belgium Beverage Packaging 2013 has announced the return of the Annual Beverage Packaging conference, scheduled for 29–30 October at Brussels, Belgium. The conference will expand on last year’s debut edition, according to the organisers. The event will focus on the most significant challenges faced by the beverage packaging industry, including achieving shelf impact, enhancing sustainability, promoting innovation in design, driving down cost, and developments in interactive packaging. Beverage Packaging will also feature case studies from CocaCola and SABMiller as well as presentations from high profile industry players.

Beverage Packaging is back with its second edition

The event will look closely at changes and achievements within the industry over the last year and examine practically the opportunities for beverage companies moving forward, said the organisers.

In addition to the opportunity to mix and mingle with leading figures in the beverage packaging world, sharing ideas and gaining contacts, the conference will also give insights through a unique mix of speakers, said the show team.

Some of the key topics centered around packing include: Evaluating global beverage packaging trends & drivers 2013; Assessing how to use innovative multi packs and taster kits to boost your brand; Ensuring your packaging reflects your product to build consumer trust and promote transparency; Assessing what consumers want and how to suit the brief. A panel discussion will cover: the pros and cons of each packaging material; applying a life cycle assessment. The event will also look at the sustainable value of PET and cartons and how to build a brand through innovative packaging to succeed in a crowded market.

Packaging Innovations team claims the upcoming London tradeshow will feature growing international participation UK Packaging Innovations, in London on 1–2 October, will be more international than ever before, according to the tradeshow’s organisers. More than 30 overseas packaging suppliers have signed up to exhibit at the show, which takes place at the Business Design Centre, said the team. Major names from territories as diverse as Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland and the Netherlands, will participate, according to event staff. GMUND, Dapy Paris, Papeteries de Montsegur, Texido, SmartSeal, Favini and Bandall International will all be exhibiting, said the organisers. Areas beyond mainland Europe

Packaging Innovations will take place on 1–2 October

will be represented by Knoll Prestige Packaging and the Direct Source Packaging Company, both from the USA, as well as Glamour Box from Hong Kong. Alison Church, Packaging Innovations’ event director,

said growing international representation reflects London’s global status. “London is known as a marketing and design hub, a central point where developments for many of the

world’s most famous brands begin,” she said. “It is also the luxury brand capital of the world. Our show taps into that by being the only event that brings together the top decision makers working in these areas under one creative roof. “London is at the heart of the design, brand and innovation community; it’s the place where many designers and buyers working for major luxury brands go when looking for new ideas.” Packaging Innovations London at the Business Design Centre is co-located with Luxury Packaging and the Brand & Design Village. A host of show features include The BIG Packaging Debate and a host of learnShop seminars. aug-sept 2013

New Appointments

Pratik Sardesai is Kodak’s new marketing manager for the Middle East and Africa Region (MEAF). A former technical editor for the Middle East and Africa edition of PrintWeek, he will now be responsible for increasing the Kodak brand’s visibility in the region. Sardesai is a qualified engineer specialised in printing technologies. Before joining PrintWeek MEA, Sardeai was marketing manager at Vista Um International, in Mozambique,

where he helped develop business lines and targeted Africa’s largest paper traders. Earlier in his career he was a technical executive for FujiFilm Sericol International, in India, where he ran product demonstrations across the country. “I am looking forward to communicating to print houses in the MEAF region how Kodak technology can help them grow their business, despite the difficult economic climate,” he said. Komal Sharma, MD and VP sales for Kodak in the MEAF region, said his arrival would be a major boost to the company’s marketing team. “His helicopter industry knowledge will be of great benefit when helping local print service providers to find what they’re looking for in their suppliers. He will help us communicate even more effectively with print houses in the region.”

Tapio Kolunsarka, executive vice president, UPM Raflatac

Thomas Hartmann, managing director, BASF Coatings GmbH

Tapio Kolunsarka has been appointed executive vice president of UPM Raflatac. He moves from senior vice president of UPM Raflatac EMEA. Since joining UPM Raflatac in 2002, he has held various positions in operations, supply chain and business management. Current head Jussi Vanhanen is leaving UPM after 18 years to pursue his interest in writing and to act as a management advisor at a leading consulting company.

Thomas Hartmann is the new managing director of BASF Coatings GmbH. He succeeds Eva Müller, who will assume a new position. Hartmann will continue to be global head of Human Resources. After graduating in law, Hartmann joined BASF in 1993 and worked at its headquarters in Ludwigshafen before taking on the management of Human Resources at BASF Coatings in April 2009.

Pratik Sardesai, marketing manager, Kodak (MEAF)

aug-sept 2013

Durst has appointed Christoph Gamper as CEO of Durst Phototechnik AG and its subsidiaries. He succeeds Dr Richard Piock, who has led the group for more than 20 years and now joins the Board of Directors as president of Durst Phototechnik AG. Christof Oberrauch, a representative of the owner family, said Gamper’s task would be to continue the company’s transition into a globally leading producer of industrial inkjet applications. “It is now Christoph Gamper’s

task to continue this development, to access new markets and to advance our internationalisation,” he said. Christoph Gamper grew up in South Tyrol, an autonomous region of northern Italy. After studying business management at the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) he attended Boston Business School. Since July 2011, he has been responsible for the industrial segments of Durst Phototechnik AG and the organisation and development of the new textile division. Prior to his career at Durst, Gamper, who is a passionate photographer, was vice president of the listed colorimetry company Datacolor AG. In Zurich and New York, he was responsible for developing the company’s European business activities, and later for the division’s global expansion.

Otto Muskee, global sales director, Multi Print Systems

Jörg Hofmann, market manager labels, EMEA, Innovia Films

Otto Muskee has been appointed sales director for Multi Print Systems (MPS). He will manage MPS’s worldwide distribution sales activities and provide direction to the entire sales team. Muskee has held several positions in sales management and led various companies. His background includes studies in export and marketing management and graphic technologies at the Royal Academy of Arts in the Hague.

Jörg Hofmann is now Innova Films’ market manager for Labels, EMEA. He will remain based in Germany but will support the label business throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He reports to Wayne Middleton, who said Hofmann brings a wealth of experience, with nine years in the BOPP films industry and 12 years in label production, with both pressure-sensitive and inmould labels.

Christoph Gamper, CEO, Durst Phototechnik AG

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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 configure your

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.

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