The Packman | July-August 2022 by The Packman

VOLUME 5 l ISSUE 1 l JULY-AUGUST 2022

RS. 150

HP INDIA UNVEILS THREE DIGITAL PRESSES AT PRINTPACK INDIA 2022

BillerudKorsnäs’ design competition PIDA UK

Valser introduces label-free beverage bottles

Carlsberg begins consumer trials of bio-based bottles

Editorial

ndia moved to ban the manufacturing, imports, distribution and sale of single-use plastic (SUP) items across the country from 1 July 2022. The list of items that are set to be banned includes earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene decoration, plastic plates, cups, glasses, forks, spoons, knives, straws, trays among other such items. But are we ready for the ban on single-use plastic? Use of single-use plastic should be minimized in phases, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) national president BC Bhartia and secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said in their communication sent to union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav. The CAIT on 2 July 2022 renewed its request to the government to delay a ban on single-use plastic products by a year and also form a joint committee of stakeholders to develop alternatives. It also called for launching a nationwide education and awareness drive, and a support policy for manufacturing units of such plastic items. Jigish Doshi, president, Plastindia Foundation says that Plastindia Foundation wholeheartedly supports the ban; however, the industry and society will need viable alternatives to single-use plastics products. Doshi says, “One of the major problems being faced by the plastic industry is the proposal of banning the single-use of plastic in India. As is well known, the plastic industry is one of the big sectors in India, which is not only laborintensive but also involves huge capital expenditure (CAPEX) in terms of plant and machinery, and employment opportunities and contributes significantly to the nation’s exchequer. This sector comprises a majority of MSMEs, which involves thousands of business units as well as the employees and their families are heavily dependent on it, for their livelihood. The ban on single-use plastics, particularly for those business units, which manufacture single and standalone products, will be facing adverse impact both on the business as well as the livelihood of the people.” Doshi also highlights that waste management solutions and recycling technologies need to be put in place. “Only then can we combat pollution and protect the environment. Moreover, 99% of plastics are recyclable. The problem is that the ragpickers don’t have the technology or are not incentivized enough to collect small plastic waste like straws. Therefore, the need of the hour is a waste management solution and recycling technology that ensures proper collection and recycling of plastic waste. The ragpickers who play a vital role in this process should also be given proper incentives,” Doshi says. Saurabh Agarwal, senior director and general manager, LPM – South Asia, Avery Dennison, says “The government’s decision to implement a ban on single-use plastic is a welcome move since it supports the green initiative of curbing pollution and health hazards and lead to environmental sustainability. However, in order to make this decision a success, we would need to look at the replacement of plastic products with environmentally-friendly substitutes and more viable alternatives. Also, we would need to significantly invest in research and development and look for more innovative technologies to develop alternative products in the future.” Further, there is a lot of confusion among the public and even some government agencies regarding the items covered under the ban. People think a ban on SUP items means a ban on plastic carry bags and that is why there is an urgent need to create awareness among the public. Enforcing the ban without providing alternatives to people will be detrimental considering the effect of Covid on businesses and inflation. – Mahan Hazarika, Editor, editor@thepackman.in

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CONTENTS Design and Marketing

PAGE 35

PAGE 44

EDITORIAL

LABELS

DESIGN AND MARKETING

Mark Andy to extend Digital Pro line with integration of Konica Minolta Accurio Label 400--------------------------------24

Editorial----------------------------------------------03

Packaging concept for vegan chewing gum wins BillerudKorsnäs’ design competition--- 6 Valser introduces label-free beverage bottles------------------------------------------------- 8

SUSTAINABILITY

Design4Circularity achieves first circular cosmetics packaging concept-----------------10 Michelman collaborates with Bobst and UPM on sustainable packaging innovation--------12 Label liner waste collected by UPM Raflatac to be used in the production of insulation---13

PREPRESS AND SOFTWARE

Kiran Consultants increases client base for its FlexiBiz ERP-----------------------------------14 Kongsberg PCS enjoys double deal success at Printpack India----------------------14

MONOCARTON

RK Printers sets up new plant in IMT Faridabad-------------------------------------------16 Heidelberg India signs deals for two Speedmaster CX 104 and a Speedmaster CX 92-----------------------------18 Robus India launches India-made Instafold folder-gluer-----------------------------20 NBG Printographic sells four machines at Printpack India 2022--------------------------22

J U LY - A U G U S T 2 0 2 2

HP India unveils three digital presses at Printpack India 2022-----------------------------23

Rotometal’s bespoke magnetic and print cylinders for flexographic press---------------25

PAGE 50 FOOD AND BEVERAGES

Bottled with a pinch of technology------------40 Carlsberg begins consumer trials of biobased recyclable bottles------------------------42 Juustoportti extends juice portfolio in onthego combismile carton pack from SIG--------43

Vinsak launches two machines at Printpack India 2022-----------------------------26

INKS AND CONSUMABLES

FLEXIBLES

Considering water-based printing ink technology in the wake of high-rising solvent price--------------------------------------------------45

Vacmet India increases BOPP films capacity to 120,000 MTA-----------------28 Ultimate Flexipack buys its sixth blown film line from W&H-----------------------29 Echaar highlights CI flexo press at Printpack India 2022-----------------------------30 manroland’s web offset press for carton and flexible packaging------------------31 Naph Graphics launches drum slitter rewinder and flexographic press--------------32 UFlex closes Jan-March quarter with series of new offerings--------------------33 The race for viable alternative solutions begins-----------------------------------34 Plastindia 2023 launch event at Le-Meridien, New Delhi-------------------------35

CODING AND MARKING

Domino and Futamura collaborate to produce sustainable laser coding-------------36

Toyo Ink India scales up its interventions toward a sustainable future--------------------44

H.B. Fuller introduces innovative adhesives at Printpack India 2022-----------46 Toyo-Morton launches epoxy silane-free laminating adhesives--------------46 INX launches INXFlex Contour flexographic ink system-------------------------47 Siegwerk launches UV-curing deinking primers for labels and sleeves-----48

LOGISTICS

“The protective packaging market in India is in a very nascent stage” – Pavan Kumar of Storopack India-------------50

EVENTS

15th Printpack India was again a successful event----------------------------------52 drupa 2024 is well on track---------------------54 Interpack 2023 is fully booked-----------------54

FILLING AND SEALING

Syntegon sells its 300th packaging system for bars------------------------------------38

INDUSTRY NEWS

UPM Raflatac enters new product segments by acquiring AMC-------------------56 Cosmo Films appoints Justin Glass as president for North America operations-----56

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Design and Marketing

z PACKAGING DESIGN IMPACT AWARD

Packaging concept for vegan chewing gum wins BillerudKorsnäs’ design competition

osh Curtis from Ravensbourne University in London triumphed in the UK Packaging Design Impact Award (PIDA) and earned this year’s Gold Award. His entry ‘Ritini’ impressed the jury with its shape, branding and versatility. Ritini is an eye-catching package, a branding tool and a clever dispenser all rolled into one. The word Ritini is Greek for resin and the tear-shaped package design is inspired by the drops of resin that are the key ingredient of the vegan chewing gum. “They are the Tears of Chios,” says Curtis. “The package is designed with a color palette that is typical of Greece. It’s user friendly, easy to dispense the gum and fits perfectly in your hand.”

‘Spirocious’ was awarded the Highest Level of Innovation Award. A unique packaging concept for fruit-flavoured chocolates

The design project ‘Canción Coffee’ won the Highest Level of Sustainability Award – a packaging solution for sustainability-themed coffee

The Highest Level of User Friendliness Award went to ‘Dried Delights’, a clever packaging concept for dried fruit

The design project ‘Ritini’ – a packaging concept for natural chewing gum–won the PIDA Gold Award at the UK PIDA 2022 event

At PIDA, design students from universities and colleges from seven countries compete with their creative packaging designs. The competition is organized as five separate events – the USA, Sweden, France/Belgium, the UK, China, and Germany/Austria. The winners of the Gold Award at each event will meet in a Grand Finale at Luxe Pack Monaco in October. Every year, the contestants get a new brief. At PIDA 2022 the title of the brief is ‘It’s a Wild Life,’ encouraging the students to find inspiration in nature for their packaging concepts. As for Curtis’s Ritini entry, the jury noted, “The complete package, sustainable product well branded & unique cartonboard packaging shape and product dispenser, a fully deserved winner.”

MORE AWARDS Besides the PIDA Gold Award, three other prizes were presented – for innovation, user friendliness, and sustainability. The winners were selected by

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Design and Marketing a jury of prominent industry professionals, who were amazed by the overall high quality level of the entries. The award for Highest Level of Innovation went to ‘Spirocious,’ designed by Kumaresan Sathiyamurthy from Sheffield Hallam University. The entry is a curious spiral-shaped pack of fruit-flavored chocolates. The jury were “very impressed with quality of this innovative packaging shape and the cartonboard engineering used to produce the internal and external structural design.” Aqib Mirza from Ravensbourne University won the Highest Level of User Friendliness award for his project ‘Dried Delights,’ a clever and intuitive packaging concept for dried fruit. The jury’s notes read, “Well branded and clever structural design solution, jury

impressed with the sharing element when pack opens and displays dried fruit.” The Highest Level of Sustainability prize was awarded to ‘Canción Coffee,’ a package design for coffee endorsing the protection of an endangered bird species. The jury said, “A good focus brand promoting Songbird habitat preservation packaged in a recyclable paper lined bag with a promotional board base. Canción Coffee was designed by Kristian Owen from Ravensbourne University.

A CREATIVE ARENA FOR THE PACKAGING COMMUNITY BillerudKorsnäs, the company behind PIDA, arranges the competition in cooperation with leading universities and design colleges in Austria, Belgium, China,

France, Germany, Sweden, the UK, and the USA. The competition gives the students an opportunity to work on a real packaging design project under the same conditions as an authentic assignment. It’s also an opportunity for design students to show their talent to established professionals who attend PIDA for ideas and inspiration. “No wonder that many industry professionals see PIDA as the highlight of the year,” says Anders Gathu, marketing manager cartonboard, BillerudKorsnäs. “It’s truly amazing to see so much thoughtful and creative packaging design and so much valuable talent. These are the designers of the future who will shape tomorrow’s brand perceptions, and we are proud of being part of the development of good packaging design. We are very much looking forward to the Grand Finale at Luxe Pack Monaco in October.” z

z LESS PACKAGING, MORE SUSTAINABILITY

Valser introduces label-free beverage bottles

alser, a Coca-Cola brand, has launched beverage bottles without labels, which feature the product information and logo embossed into the bottle with the barcode printed on the top of the lid. The first Valser products to be offered without a label will be its VALSER Sparkling, VALSER Still, and VALSER Still Calcium & Magnesium, which the company says are already available and will be tested on the market. The bottles will also be offered in a new 750 ml size. According to Valser, the product information and logo will be embossed onto the bottle body. Meanwhile, the barcode required for retail sales will apparently be printed on the top of the lid. The company claims that dispensing with labels allows it to reduce the amount of packaging material used, in turn requiring less water and allowing for a reduction in CO2 emissions.

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Thomas Krennbauer, general manager of Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland, comments: “In our view, label-free bottles are the future. With Valser, Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland is once again setting the standard with innovations for sustainable packaging.” In 2019, Valser launched 100% rPET bottles, claiming to be the first mineral water brand in Switzerland to do so. The company has also used purified CO2 captured from the air to carbonate its beverages, in partnership with Climeworks. The Danone brand, Evian, has also previously revealed a 400 ml bottle for its mineral water made from 100% recycled PET (excluding the cap) and without a label, featuring an embossed logo on the bottle body. z

And it’s not just the simple and fresh design with improved ergonomics that stands out, but also the new size of 750 ml – ideal for at home and on the go

Sustainability

z MOVING CIRCULAR PLASTIC PACKAGING FORWARD

Design4Circularity achieves first circular cosmetics packaging concept

n a first and unique collaboration for the personal care industry, Clariant, Siegwerk, Borealis, and Beiersdorf are combining expertise to tackle the challenge of creating recyclable consumer packaging, based on 100% retrieved plastic packaging waste, for cosmetics applications. The initiative, named Design4Circularity, is providing innovations and insights for the different design aspects to encourage others to also follow design for circularity principles.

PCR quality and protect against polymer chain breakdown at each recycling step. This delivered a suitable, high-value PCR material to repeatedly hit the high-end criteria of personal care-related consumer packaging. The circular solution additionally focuses on a colorless bottle option to increase PCR quality after recycling.

The cross-industry collaboration is targeting the achievement of truly circular packaging by incorporating full life cycle thinking in each development step, to create a new standard for the industry. Circular packaging supports reduced plastic waste, less use of new/virgin plastic material, and reduced climate impact, which are critical challenges facing our planet. Richard Haldimann, chief technology and sustainability officer, Clariant, says, “This collaboration was possible because all participants are dedicated to circular economy, with company-wide programs and holistic understanding of the systems involved. Achieving circularity needs a complete shift in designing product packaging and packaging raw materials, considering sortability, recycling and packaging end-of-life.” Stefan Haep, technology head brand owner collaboration at Siegwerk, adds, “Our initiative is a front-runner in uniquely assessing circularity in every design parameter, from additives to bottle material to inks, mapping industry competencies, potential gaps, and feasibility proof points to open up viable, ultimately circular solutions.” The mission was to design a packaging solution that creates a cleaner input waste stream and finds its way back into the loop in high-value applications. It should also allow for the high-quality visuals and distinctive shapes consumers associate with cosmetics packaging and brands.

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To deliver on all these factors, the innovation centers on a colorless polyolefin bottle with 100% PCR content, full body sleeved in a printed deinkable shrink sleeve. All materials are technically fully recyclable with the potential to be recovered and used for the same high-value application.

DESIGNED TO BE RECYCLED AGAIN AND AGAIN Critical design parameters included polymer and additive composition, material selection of sleeve and bottle, sortability and deinking of sleeve material, recyclability, and PCR quality. To give packaging waste a second life the packaging material needs to retain its highest value through multiple lifecycles. Here, Borealis brought its expertise in advanced, transformational mechanical recycling technology by offering high quality PCR based on proprietary Borcycle M technology. Additionally, Clariant brought expertise in design for recycling additive solutions to ensure targeted additivation to protect

To achieve differentiation of the packaging despite using an uncolored bottle, the collaboration decided on a full body shrink sleeve as the ideal way to allow for the unique design of individual brands. Leading ink manufacturer Siegwerk was able to provide ink systems, which in collaboration with Beiersdorf and a sleeve manufacturer allowed printing of the sleeve to realize a full body, colored and appealing cosmetic sleeve. Additionally, the chosen new ink composition was designed to allow deinking of the sleeve within a recycling process, increasing the circularity of the packaging. The bottle and shrink sleeve combination is intended for removal at a materials recovery facility. First sorting trials in existing recycling infrastructure proved the sortability of the full body sleeved HDPE bottle, achieving a high recovery of the bottle’s material. Additionally, the project team conducted trials with full body sleeved, transparent PET bottles and achieved similar results. Further advancements in sorting technology are needed to achieve the ultimate goal of circular economy to give colorless bottles a second life back in colorless applications retaining their highest value. Technologies such as digital watermarking or artificial intelligence could help such sustainability goals to be reached. z

Key Clients

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Sustainability

z HIGH-BARRIER, FIBER-BASED FOOD PACKAGING

Michelman collaborates with Bobst and UPM on sustainable packaging innovation

n June 2022, Bobst hosted a webinar to discuss an innovative new solution for the creation of high-barrier, sustainable, fiber-based food packaging, developed in conjunction with Michelman and UPM Specialty Papers. Called oneBarrier FibreCycle, its base substrate is UPM Solide Lucent, a responsibly sourced and recyclable kraft paper especially well-suited for packaging, thanks to its high density, folding performance, and overall coatability. The paper’s smoothness, porosity, and mechanical performance make it an excellent foundation for achieving optimum barrier properties. As noted by Janne Varvemaa, director, products and technology, UPM Specialty Papers, “By itself, our Solide Lucent paper is not ready for end-uses where high barriers are required, so a major focus of the cocreation project was developing the coating layers.” The coating system, developed by Michelman, is built around a novel, multi-functional coating with excellent adhesion to the paper. This single base coating provides oxygen, moisture, and mineral oil barriers, oil and grease resistance, and print receptivity, while aiding the metallization process. This mitigates the need for additional, separate coatings at the priming step and helps to maintain recyclability and food contact compliance. In addition, as part of the total packaging solution, Michelman has developed a range of heat seal coatings, optimized for different seal initiation temperatures (SITs) and further enhancing moisture barrier properties, taking into account coefficient of friction (CoF) requirements for different packing lines. These coatings are applied over the metallization layer to protect the metal and ensure a tight seal on the package. To complete the system, a Michelman-designed overprint varnish (OPV) with additional moisture barrier properties is applied over the print, bringing the

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overall performance into the required range for high barrier food packaging with an extended shelf life.

the table complemented one another,” explains Nick Copeland, research and development director, Bobst.

Putting the substrate and coating system together successfully is Bobst’s expertise in equipment design, application know-how, and optimization of the converting process, necessary to obtain the smooth, pinhole-free surface required for subsequent vacuum metallization. This hinges on selecting the best coating method and tailoring the drying profile to the primer chemistry, resulting in optimum film formation and barrier properties.

Thierry Van Migem, sales director, EMEA, Michelman, says, “By working together and not in silos, we are able to identify issues and adjust rapidly, promoting an agile way of working and improving speed to market. By uniting our respective expertise, the total performance of the oneBarrier FibreCycle solution is better than we could have achieved separately.”

“UPM’s Solide Lucent paper was a strong basis from which to start the development and only required a few modifications. We supplied the AluBond and AlOx (aluminum oxide) technologies, and Michelman produced the primary topcoat materials. Overall, the in-depth technical understanding we each brought to

Varvemaa concludes, “It was very inspiring working together with Bobst and Michelman, who are true experts in their respective fields. I found the cooperation fruitful and open, with straightforward and trusting communications. I believe that together we managed to create a world-leading barrier solution that offers brand owners a packaging solution that is not only sustainable, but also delivers on functionality.” z

Sustainability

z WASTE TO WEALTH

Label liner waste collected by UPM Raflatac to be used in the production of insulation

PM Raflatac has announced that the PET plastic liner waste collected through its recycling service will be processed into a raw material by Inosence Polyol and used by Finnfoam to produce insulation. UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle recycling service collects waste such as used PET label release liners from its customers and end-users. The company says around 80% of the backing materials for self-adhesive labels are paper with an established recycling process, but the remaining 20% are PET-based with an extremely thin layer of silicone applied to the plastic that can make them difficult to separate and recycle, leading to them being incinerated instead. As part of a new value chain collaboration, the PETbased label liner waste collected by UPM Raflatac will reportedly be processed into a raw material via a process developed by Inosence Polyol. Finnfoam will then use the raw material for its polyisocyanurate or FF-PIR insulation. Juha Virmavirta, director of RafCycle Solutions at UPM Raflatac, says, “Disposable or short-lived products are often made from PET recycled plastic. In our solution, the recycled raw material is made into an insulator, e.g., a durable product that binds carbon for decades. “Our value chain fulfills even a critical review, and in addition we are making the label industry much more sustainable.” Henri Nieminen, CEO of Finnfoam, adds, “The solution we developed together with UPM Raflatac and Inosence Polyol is a great example of the potential of chemical recycling. It allows many difficult-to-separate

UPM Raflatac’s RafCycle recycling service collects waste such as used PET label release liners from its customers and end-users. The company says around 80% of the backing materials for self-adhesive labels are paper with an established recycling process, but the remaining 20% are PET-based with an extremely thin layer of silicone applied to the plastic that can make them difficult to separate and recycle, leading to them being incinerated instead.

materials to be separated and recycled. The new economic and environmentally responsible recycling methods will also drive the legislative changes and further increase the obligation to recycle and reduce waste incineration, which is naturally a very good thing.” z THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Prepress and Software

z MOVES TO NEW OFFICE IN NOIDA

Kiran Consultants increases client base for its FlexiBiz ERP

iran Consultants is engaging globally and in India to tap opportunities. Recently, the company implemented its flagship Flexibiz ERP solution in seven companies across India and Africa. Today, the company is working with clients engaged in packaging solutions across food and beverages, pharma, agro, cement, e-commerce, and more. Last year, the company also shifted to a new and bigger space at ATS Bouquet. Sector 132, Noida. Vaibhav Bansal, director, Kiran Consultants said that the company has implemented FlexiBiz ERP software at several companies recently. In India, the company implemented its solution at Jupiter Group, Sonipat; FoodPro Packaging, Manesar; LSKB Aluminium Foils, Murthal; Vijayneha Polymers, Hyderabad; and Vista Packaging, Mumbai. Meanwhile, in Africa, the company implemented its solution at Nigeria-based Crownpack Nigeria; and Tanzania-based Omar Packaging Industries. Crownpack is into the production of flexible packaging and monocartons while Omar Packaging is into the production of flexible packaging. Omar Packaging is a part of Bakhresa Group which has interest in diversified businesses. Speaking about the recent success, Bansal said,

Bansal shared that over the last year, they have also come up with some important updates and enhancements in their software bringing in more flexibility and a range of user-defined functions. These include updates and enhancements in plant operation, accounts and finance, and general system enhancements. “Our ability to stay relevant to customers has helped us to be able to deliver on their growth aspirations. Our focus is always on bringing business and technology together – hence our product development team is always on the go.” Vaibhav Bansal, director, Kiran Consultants

“Today more and more companies are looking to change their traditional ways of working. They want to overcome the traditional limitations and adopt a standardized yet powerful tool to help manage their entire workflow. Profit margins are shrinking while the competition is gaining new heights. People are becoming more knowledgeable and are looking at increased efficiency through streamlined processes. We have seen a tremendous change in people’s outlook toward ERP. Now they focus more on technology, functionality and ease of use.”

The Flexibiz ERP features various modules including production software managing inventory, order booking, production planning, billing, lot traceability, plant audits, accounts and finance. “The ERP adeptly handles roll traceability, auto weight capturing, proper bar-coding of lots process-wise, PLC integration, waste analysis, plant maintenance and comes with many other interesting features which can improve client audit and satisfaction. FlexiBiz ERP is the perfect solution for those who manufacture laminates, labels, woven sacks, FIBCs, cartons, film, paper, Alu stock and other packaging material,” Bansal concluded. z – Manash Das

z DIGITAL CUTTING TABLE

Kongsberg PCS enjoys double deal success at Printpack India

eading print and packaging solutions provider MJ Global has ordered the modular Kongsberg X22 at Printpack India 2022. The system will be installed at the

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company’s Noida plant. “MJ Global specializes in offering folding carton, corrugated, and rigid box solutions to the market, which means we need a versatile and accurate machine that can

finish various substrates,” said Ramit Bhatnagar, chief operating officer of MJ Global. “Increasing demands for samples by the brand owners and ever shortening turnaround times are factors that

Prepress and Software Rafiq said the Kongsberg X22 acquired by MJ Global offers speed, power and flexibility to handle a wide variety of materials and can easily be upgraded as a business grows. “The deal includes the Kongsberg PowerHead tool,” said Rafiq. “This tool excels on heavy duty material such as honeycomb boards, triple wall and recycled board, and was specifically tailored to meet the customer’s needs.”

L to R: Kongsberg PCS sales leader Rafiq Shaikh; MJ Global founder Rajiv Bhatnagar; sons Rohan and Ramit Bhatnagar; Kongsberg PCS finance and admin manager (APAC) Prakash Boppa

affect our daily business, and that’s why we were looking for a solution like this Kongsberg table.

us the opportunity to expand our portfolio into other segments and helping us diversify.”

“With the X22, we’ll be able to produce samples instantly, securing faster approval from our customers and improving efficiency and productivity. While the machine can be used to fulfill the short run demands of certain strategic customers, the table is so versatile that it can also finish a wide range of substrates, giving

Rafiq Shaikh, Kongsberg PCS sales leader, said, “We’re delighted to have completed another deal with MJ Global at Printpack. With seamless integration with CAD, the X22 will deliver more creative freedom as the company continues to lead the way in producing innovative packaging designs.”

The Printpack event also saw Kongsberg PCS ink a deal for the X20 with award-winning print and packaging solutions provider Pragati Offset, based in Hyderabad. “Pragati is a one-stop shop that delivers quality print jobs from structural design to production and distribution,” said Rafiq. “Having the entire operation in-house ensures tight control over quality and faster turnaround. The Kongsberg X20 helps improve productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction for rigid and folding carton converters. The power, performance and versatility of this digital cutting table means the team at Pragati can tackle any job and bring designs to life. “We’re thrilled to have concluded these deals at Printpack, one of the first events we’ve been able to attend in India since we launched as a standalone business just over a year ago,” said Rafiq. z – Pranay Mathur

z PRODUCES 1.5 MILLION CARTONS EVERY DAY

RK Printers sets up new plant in IMT Faridabad RK Printers’ new plant in IMT Faridabad boasts environmentally friendly operations and is in line with their sustainability commitments. To move the needle on sustainability a step further, the company has also installed a 30 KW solar power plant and rainwater harvesting plant. MANASH DAS

K Printers has recently moved to a new plant in IMT Faridabad. Founded in 1972 by three brothers – KS Malik, Rakesh Malik and Ramesh Malik – the company thrived and excelled in the industrial sector of Delhi’s Anand Parbat, conveniently located and accessible in those days.

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Speaking about the new plant, second-generation and partner at RK Printers, Vikrant Malik said, “In addition to increasing the production capacity of our company, the prime focus behind the plant expansion was to implement an array of sustainable and environmentally focused initiatives for energy and resource conser-

vation. We wanted to have a sustainable plant that minimizes environmental impact, and where we can lead the way for a socially conscious business. We have established our new plant in IMT Faridabad, an industrial region near Delhi, because it has superior connectivity, better infrastructure, stronger industrial

Rakesh Malik, CEO, and his son Vikrant Malik of RK Printers standing in front of the two Heidelberg 6-color machines

association and low electricity tariffs.” Malik shared that the company has also installed a 30 KW solar power plant and a rainwater harvesting plant at its premises. The company currently converts over 1.5 million cartons every day. At the new plant in IMT Faridabad, two pre-owned Heidelberg 6-color plus coater, Bobst die-cutters and three brand new crash lock pasting machines from Boxtech are operational. Malik said that with these machines, they will be able to surpass the current production capacity of the company very soon.

RK Printers manufactures 6-color monocartons with UV coating, embossing, and raised UV aqueous coating. In addition, the company has also boosted its engagement with pharma, cosmetics, food and beverages segments where it supplies blister cards with HSL coating and PET coating (cosmetics segment); rigid boxes (luxury segment); labels and leaflets (agro); and danglers, paper pouches (pharma segment). The company also produces gift boxes during festivals, corrugated boxes for startups, and shipper boxes for exporters.

Crash lock pasting machine from Boxtech

Malik said, “Unlike companies specializing in folding cartons, we want to distinguish ourselves as a different kind of box manufacturer with our specialty in adding the finishes and textures to printed packaging that attract end customers’ attention. After all, that makes the difference in selling a product.”

NEW CORRUGATED PLANT AND EXPORTS Akshay Malik, another partner at RK Printers said, “We are in talks with a couple of manufacturers for our corrugated box plant. We want to export our products globally and especially to the European market. We now have a robust infrastructure required for exports.” Sumit Malik, another partner at RK Printers added, “We have invested in the machinery, infrastructure and accessories to attain the certifications required for exports. However, when we started this journey two years ago, inevitable delays due to lockdown during the pandemic had impacted it adversely. But finally, the hard work and perseverance of two years has paid off and it has been a satisfying experience for everyone at our company.” z THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Monocarton

z 15TH PRINTPACK INDIA

Heidelberg India signs deals for two Speedmaster CX 104 and a Speedmaster CX 92

eidelberg India participated in the 15th edition of Print Pack India, jointly with Gallus, IST Metz and Polar held between 26–30 May 2022 at India Expo Mart Centre at Greater Noida, India. This year, Heidelberg India participated under the theme ‘Unfold Your Potential’ showcasing Prinect Live demo solutions center, Information center for Lifecycle solutions, with an exclusive offer on Saphira range of consumables and discounts for spare parts on Heidelberg, Polar, MK Masterwork, and Gallus equipment. The Heidelberg stand had dedicated information areas for Gallus and IST Metz which were managed by product experts throughout the show. While the show was enthralled with printers from the commercial, packaging and label segments, the Heidelberg India stand had witnessed potential printers from all segments. The company said that the commercial and packaging business seemed to be a growing trend, and the publishing industry is making a comeback in India. Heidelberg presented

Team Heidelberg at Printpack India 2022

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L to R: Harsh and Sandeep Bhargava, managing director of Kumar Printers with Samir Patkar, president – Heidelberg India, and Deepak Walia, cluster sales head – North and East, Heidelberg India

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L to R: BS Chandrashekar, cluster sales head – South; Samir Patkar, president – Heidelberg India with Sumanth Volety, director – Sukee Print Pack; Eeshan Volety and Uttam Volety of Sukee; Lalitkumar Lamba, AGM – sheetfed product solutions – Heidelberg India.

live demonstrations of Prinect to more than 40 printers during the show. Samir Patkar, president at Heidelberg India, said, “Prinect workflow is one of the decisive workflows for the print and packaging companies which gives comprehensive benefits at prepress and press. Also, we presented our Heidelberg solutions to the print owners with a focus on how to reduce the yellow bar, and how to increase the overall equipment efficiency (OEE) with our latest next-gen Heidelberg presses. Our product experts discussed the benefits of the Artificial Intelligence factor and digitization of processes, which are collaborated with the Heidelberg presses enabling an ecosystem to provide high productivity and ROI.” As Printpack special, Heidelberg India signed three press deals – the first one is with Kumar Printers, a Speedmaster CX 104 7-color plus coater with IST UV and Prinect Image Control 4 system. The fully loaded Speedmaster CX 104 press is the first of its kind con-

figuration in Northern India, which will be installed at Manesar, Haryana. The second is a Speedmaster CX 92 4-color press with Samrat Offset, based in New Delhi. And the third deal is a Speedmaster CX 104 7-color press with coating unit for Sukee Print Pack, Bengaluru in South India. Also, a few more CX 104 installations are lined-up in other regions. Sandeep Bhargava, managing director of Kumar Printers, said, “The Speedmaster CX 104 emphasizes on increasing the efficiency with all latest user-friendly software features like Intelliline, Intelliguide and intellirun. The changeover process has been simplified, and changeover time should be lower with the software-assisted changeovers. With this investment, Kumar is looking to overcome some of the efficiency challenges every packaging converter is going through.” Talking about the new investment Speedmaster CX 92, Abhishek Singh of Samrat Offset, said, “We are

into commercial, book, wide-format printing, and packaging jobs. The size format and the technical features are good on the CX 92. Hence, we will be able to increase our productivity multi-fold.” Sumanth Volety, director – Sukee Print Pack, said, “We are excited to welcome the Speedmaster CX 104 7-color press with coating unit to our press line. We are confident this will be a huge leap in our growth story, and we are eagerly looking forward to its installation and production.” A good representation of Heidelberg salesforce from all regions participated at the show including pre-press, press, and post-press product experts. “The 15th edition of the PrintPack India has been a satisfying show for Heidelberg with multiple line-ups of orders for our Lifecycle solutions, Prinect, Heidelberg, Gallus, MK, and Polar equipment,” concluded Patkar. z – Manash Das THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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z BAGS MULTIPLE ORDERS AT PRINTPACK INDIA 2022

Robus India launches India-made Instafold folder-gluer

n a significant push for Make In India, Robus India has launched its 100% India-made Instafold folder-gluer with Braille embossing capability at Printpack India 2022. The Robus Instafold is specifically designed to meet the requirements of the pharma and the corrugated industries. Highly efficient, the folder-gluer can produce cartons at speeds up to 450 meters per minute, with very short makereadies and changeover. The folder-gluer is also equipped with functionalities such as clapping device, motorized conveyor, and vacuum feeder and is capable of producing 3, 5, and 7 ply corrugated cartons. Speaking to The Packman, Deepesh Vishwakarma of Robus India said, “The Instafold folder-gluer is manufactured as per international standards. The folder-gluer is designed to produce straight line, crash lock, double-wall, tapered, conical, bag in box, and more. The machine also has the option for both inline and offline Braille device.” Robus India manufactures the Instafold folder-gluer entirely at its own plant, leveraging its expertise and R&D. Viswakarma said, “Thanks to our R&D team, we

have been able to add new features to our machines which help reduce job change over time of our customers. People who were earlier losing 40% of their production time in job changeover are now spending only 10% of their production time in job changeover. Robus India doesn’t have a large sales team but has a sizeable service team and achieves more than 80% of its orders from word-of-mouth references from existing customers, added Viswakarma. The company has already bagged multiple orders for the machine. z – Manash Das Right: Highly efficient, the folder-gluer can produce cartons at speeds up to 450 meters per minute, with very short makereadies and changeover. Photo: The Packman Bottom: Launch event of Instafold folder-gluer at Printpack India 2022. Photo: The Packman

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z PAPER BAG, RIGID BOX AND FLEXO PRINTING MACHINES

NBG Printographic sells four machines at Printpack India 2022

t Printpack India 2022, Faridabad-based NBG Printographic sold four machines, including two paper bag machines, a rigid box machine and a flexo printing machine. While the flexo printing machine has been booked by a customer from abroad, Guntur-based Kommineni Printpack ordered one automatic square-bottom paper bags manufacturing machine, ZD-F450QX. Catering to the printing and packaging industry for more than a decade and a half, Kommineni Printpack has both offset and gravure printing facilities at its plant. As the government of India sets 1 July 2022 as the deadline to phase out single-use plastic, the company sees it as an opportunity to establish itself as a prominent player in paper bags manufacturing for the domestic and export market. N Siva Rama Krishna and his cousin K Babu, owners of Kommineni Printpack, earlier wanted to kickoff the project in 2019 but had to delay it till June 2022 due to the pandemic. Krishna says that he plans to produce two lakh 220-550 mm width paper bags per day. The company has also invested in a 4-color flexo press to produce multi-color paper bags.

Nitin Garg of NBG Printographic Machinery at Printpack India 2022. Photo: The Packman

Meanwhile, Silvassa-based ARR Paper booked the other automatic square-bottom paper bag machine, ZD350, and Pragati Pack purchased the ZD350D automatic high-speed rigid box manufacturing machine which will be installed at its Noida plant. The fourth machine, the HT10 unit type flexo printing machine, was booked by an overseas customer. Nitin Garg of NBG Printographic Machinery said, “We have installed around 80 automatic paper bags manufacturing machines at 15 companies.” z – Manash Das

NBG receives the Biggest Stand Award in 15th Printpack India

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z PRINTPACK INDIA 2022 IN GREATER NOIDA

HP India unveils three digital presses at Printpack India 2022

P India unveiled three new products at the 15th Printpack India exhibition. The company has for the first time showcased in India its flagship HP Indigo 15K digital press. The company also showcased the HP Indigo 100K digital press, which was launched virtually, and the HP Indigo 6K digital press. The company witnessed one of the biggest participation this year and organized various live demonstrations, experiential zones, and dedicated HP Indigo discovery sessions for print service providers, potential brands, designers, and design agencies. “We have received a huge response at the show and I am sure the industry has rebound with great resilience,” said A Appadurai, country manager, Indigo and Inkjet Business Solutions, HP India. “In addition to the latest technologies that we are showcasing at this event, what excites me the most are the new startups who have leveraged the HP digital technology, coming and showcasing their products at our stand. Their requirements are not huge but they are looking for value that will allow them to compete with bigger brands. In last couple of years, a large number of start-ups have come up. They have requirements for short-run, high-quality labels. Since going to a traditional flexo printer would be too costly for them, they can now easily market their products using digitally printed labels and save huge cost.” The new HP Indigo 6K is a narrow-web digital press for label and packaging segment and uses higher opacity white for shrink sleeves, new inks including HP Indigo ElectroInk Silver, fluorescent pink, and a comprehensive white ink portfolio. “Because of its productivity and automation level, this press is making a huge wave across the world,” said Appadurai. The HP Indigo 15K, which is aimed at commercial and photo printers, is equipped with FM screens and a wider range of substrates, with additional options up

A Appadurai (right) and one of his colleagues with the HP Indigo 6K at the Printpack India 2022 exhibition. Photo: The Packman

to 600 microns (24 pt). New inks include ElectroInks premium white and invisible yellow. “This B2 press is already a big hit in markets outside India. We are showcasing it for the first time in India and already book three orders for this press in the show.” At the event, HP also showcased the HoloLens by Microsoft, an untethered mixed reality headset designed to help resolve real business problems with intelligent applications. Appadurai explained how this solution can help customers to reduce dependence on an expert to fix a problem in the press. Yoav Lotan, head of products solutions, HP Industrial Indigo PWP, Asia Pacific and Japan said, “India has a vibrant and dynamic market and people are eager to learn and educate themselves about what is happening on the other side of the globe. From big to small and homegrown enterprises in the country are

looking for advanced commercial &amp; packaging printing and enhancement solutions to differentiate themselves in the crowd. We want to help them fulfill their needs with HP Indigo technology.”

PARTNERSHIP, TRANSFORMATION, ENDURANCE According to HP, in a fast-changing market and a world economy that’s full of surprises, the process of digital transformation in the commercial, labels and packaging printing industry shouldn’t prevent business owners from discovering the future-proof benefits of adopting a digital press. The company says it has a team of proven experts that can help customers achieve the growth that HP Indigo’s customers are already experiencing. z – Mahan Hazarika THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Labels

z SOLUTION FOR MID-TO-HIGH VOLUME LABEL MARKET

Mark Andy to extend Digital Pro line with integration of Konica Minolta Accurio Label 400

ark Andy is extending its partnership with Konica Minolta to transform the digital converting space. The company has announced that it will be the exclusive provider of Konica Minolta’s newest technology, the Accurio Label 400, for the labels and packaging industry. Integrating the new toner-based print technology into its Digital Pro (DPro) line, Mark Andy is developing its first 5-color (CMYK and White) toner end-to-end label and converting solution. Combining Konica Minolta’s strengths in digital marking with Mark Andy’s strengths in web handling, decorating and converting, this new press will create a single-pass, high-quality, fast, and cost-effective solution for the mid-to-high volume label market.

MARK ANDY DIGITAL PRO FOR SHORT-RUN JOB The addition of digital white toner allows Mark Andy customers, for the first time, the flexibility to use clear or metallic substrates for short run label work without needing to use a flexo plate. Customers will find increased productivity moving between jobs and ease of utilizing white within variable graphics. The new press provides significantly improved print speeds up to 140 feet in a minute. Similarly, converters will realize added savings associated with waste reduction, lower consumable costs, and extended duty cycles. Mark Andy’s current Digital Pro machine continues as the most affordable entry point to the Digital Pro family of products. The Digital Pro family of presses development continues to align with Mark Andy’s strategy of offering modular, upgradable solutions. This is the latest in a long line of innovations resulting from over five years of cooperation between the or-

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Mark Andy Digital Pro label press

ganizations. Mark Andy’s chief executive officer, Jason Desai, explained that by leveraging each company’s individual and collective strengths, the partnership has extended the capabilities of the Digital Pro family of products and has established a new price-value position in the market with unmatched technology. “Incorporating Konica Minolta digital marking technology with Mark Andy’s expertise in converting allows for business expansion and improved customer value for the label converters. This partnership transforms the industry with the highest quality, most reliable and cost-effective solutions, as demonstrated by more than 300 digital press installations. And today, we continue to pursue pratical technology solutions

for converters of all sizes at a realizable price point.” William Troxil, Konica Minolta president, industrial print and production print, North America, agreed that the successful partnership had benefited the entire industry. “Our organizations share a strong partnership that continues to respond to and anticipate growing industry’s needs. While our partnership with Mark Andy has established our production print technology in a uniquely advantaged position, the true beneficiaries are label and packaging converters industry-wide. Integrating our technologies and overall strengths provides a right-sized solution for the industry, allowing for ease of entry into the Digital Transformation (DX) journey.” z

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z INDIA IS STRATEGIC MARKET FOR US – BHUPESH TILWANI

Rotometal’s bespoke magnetic and print cylinders for flexographic press Rotometal is a Polish company that manufactures bespoke magnetic and print cylinders for flexographic printing machines. It exports 80% of its products around the globe, including Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Bhupesh Tilwani joined the company as the India sales manager in December 2020 and has been working to increase customer acquisition and retention and product marketing and pre-and post-sales services. During an interaction with The Packman, Tilwani speaks about the company, its growth plans, and product offerings for the Indian market. Here is an excerpt from the interview.

Mahan Hazarika: What are the main products you have for the Indian market? Bhupesh Tilwani: Rotometal is a leader among European rotary tooling suppliers. Rotometal owes its remarkable competitiveness to technical know-how and customer relations. Over 15 years of experience has allowed us to establish a strong position in an extremely demanding market. We will be able to carry our core range and introduce our new innovation to the Indian market. Some of our key products are: Antifriction print cylinders: Thanks to the Antifriction coating, the foam tape fixing the polymer sheets is easy to change and takes much less time. Preparing the cylinder for work has never been easier and means greater efficiency and productivity at the plant level. Internal Magnetic Cylinder (IMAG): This has been designed to optimize cylinder performance in the most effective way. This is not to be confused with other hidden magnet solutions. IMAG provides lighter, stronger, and better magnetic cylinders that help improve our customers’ manufacturing process.

Bhupesh Tilwani, India sales manager, Rotometal. Photo: The Packman

CRO Sleeves: CRO Sleeves (Composite Rotometal printing sleeves) are ultra-lightweight printing cylinders. Made using the latest composite production techniques, a bespoke honeycomb gives strength and high chemical and thermal resistance.

We also manufacture other tools like – standard magnetic and print cylinders, anvil, gears, sheeters, cutters, embossing cylinders, etc.

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Labels Mahan Hazarika: How will these products help Indian converters?

Mahan Hazarika: What are your growth plans in India?

Bhupesh Tilwani: As a business, Rotometal is focused on the needs of our customers. We design our products based on what they want and how they will use them.

Bhupesh Tilwani: India is a huge, strategic market for us, and we’re still early in our time in the market. That means there’s an opportunity for a huge amount of growth and that’s something we are only going to achieve by delivering our great products and great customer service.

Indian converters are always looking for products that can be effective on high-volume runs, and our Internal Magnetic and Antifriction print cylinders are made with that in mind. They offer long life and consistent usage at an affordable price. Mahan Hazarika: How do you see the future of MCA and Antifriction cylinders in India? Bhupesh Tilwani: In India, where tooling handling is becoming more difficult and accidental damages are quite common, Aluminum Magnetic Cylinders (MCA) will be a new revolution. These cylinders are light in weight and made of hard aluminum instead of steel, which not only reduces the weight but also prevents rust. This is a huge benefit for us. We all know that

Internal Magnetic Cylinder by Rotometal

India has a mix of climatic conditions and the impact they can have. As Indian converters are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of Antifriction Print Cylinders, they are opting for this solution. The smooth surface and anti-resistance properties of these cylinders make them ideal for helping to speed up changeover times whilst being highly resistant to wear and tear. In the long run, this can help converters save a lot of money and reduce waste whilst increasing productivity and profitability.

Due to the nature of the market and our desire to grow, we will look to add members to the team, with a sales office. Then there’s the potential to have an in-market manufacturing center. This would allow us as a business to better serve not just India but the broader Asian market. Vinsak is one of our strategic partners in India and the UAE for Lombardi printing machines. We work together to provide quick resolutions that solve customers’ problems with ease. z

z INDIA EXPO CENTER & MART, GREATER NOIDA

Vinsak launches two machines at Printpack India 2022

t Printpack India 2022, Vinsak launched a digital embellishment line that builds high varnish on all types of substrates starting from 12 micron film to 400 gsm board. The machine is available in roll to roll and sheet to sheet options. The system can perform operations for adding Braille, high build varnish, and holographic foils on a variety of products. The company also launched High Build System for label embellishment and tactile system. The system has been designed with a modular approach and can be populated with a single or double print bar. If a single bar is needed for current embellishment work, a second bar can be retrofitted. In addition, the company has displayed a semi-rotary die-cutting machine for digitally printed labels. z

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Ranesh Bajaj, director, Vinsak. Photo: The Packman

The right paper for Indian snacks

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Flexibles

z 10.4-METER WIDE LINE FROM BRUCKNER

Vacmet India increases BOPP films capacity to 120,000 MTA

acmet India has recently commissioned a third BOPP film line at the company’s existing production facility in Dhar, near Indore. The 10.4-meter wide line from Bruckner has a production capacity of 55,000 MT per annum. With the commissioning of the line, Vacmet’s BOPP film capacity has reached 1,20,000 MT per annum. With the capacity addition, the group aims at faster deliveries along with an enlarged product portfolio. The new three-layer state-of-the-art fully automated 10.4-meter line from Bruckner can produce films from 12 to 60 microns. The high-speed line with automated changeovers and automatic consumption of waste shall not just help the company in improving overall efficiencies when running various product mixes but will also considerably reduce waste. SC Kapoor, president-operations at Vacmet India, said “This capacity expansion is expected to benefit the industry in terms of meeting the enhanced demand for BOPP films in general. It is going further boost the confidence of brand owners trying to shift to BOPP, owing to its ease of recyclability with the same family structures. The film line also supports thicker microns which is in line with the

Vacmet India’s plant in Dhar

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The 10.4-meter wide line from Bruckner has a production capacity of 55,000 MT per annum

government’s waste management regulations recommending the industry to use films which weigh more than 50 microns.” In addition to the BOPP line, Vacmet also commis-

sioned its fourth polyester film line in India some time back. The new line also based out of the same facility in Dhar is an 8.7 meters wide line having a production capacity of 36,000 MT per annum. With these additions, the company’s total installed capacity for both BOPP and BOPET put together now stands at 2,50,000 MTA. Vacmet India is one of the world’s leading producers of flexible packaging films and metalized paper and board headquartered out of India. With five manufacturing sites in India, two wholly-owned subsidiaries in UK and Netherlands and the third one to be operational soon, Vacmet today caters to customers in more than 70 countries across the globe. Founded by the late Dinesh Chand Agarwal, over the years the company has expanded into different packaging segments – packaging, labeling, lamination, brand security and decoration; catering to industries ranging from food and beverages to textiles to healthcare. z

Flexibles

z INSTALLED IN HARIDWAR PLANT

Ultimate Flexipack buys its sixth blown film line from W&H

ltimate Flexipack, a manufacturer of packaging films with its office in Noida and plants in Haridwar and Jammu, has purchased its sixth blown film line from W&H, a Varex I with MDO technology. The new line for PE-MDO films is reportedly for a new project. With this investment in new technology, Ultimate Flexipack can now produce laminates from 100% PE material that offer similar functionalities as conventional lamination films. Moreover, like other W&H machines which provide ease of use and flexibility, both MDO-PE and the PE sealing films can be produced on the same line. This is an added advantage as the blown film line can be used for much wider applications. Recyclable films and sustainability are key drivers in the current flexible packaging market as consumer and brand owner expectations of packaging continue to rise. Apart from enhanced product protection, greater convenience, and improved aesthetics, sustainability is an important requirement. Companies such as Ultimate Flexipack, known for their high-quality films, are responding to these challenges. One alternative to conventional multi-material laminates and structures is to develop a mono-material MDO-PE laminate that is easily recyclable provided it reaches the appropriate waste and recycling stream. Jeevaraj Pillai, joint president of Ultimate Flexipack, says, “Ultimate Flexipack was committed to getting packaged supplies to the public throughout the pandemic. With the installation of the Varex II MDO blown film line, we feel we will be able to meet our customers’ desire for more sustainable solutions. We are happy to work with W&H, an innovative organization, to expand our product offerings. The new line will boost our production and flexibility while reducing environmental impact. “PE films processed with MDO technology not only fulfill the requirements of the downstream processes such as gloss, transparency and mechanical proper-

The new line is reportedly for a new project

ties but also provide greater pliability and quality for producers.”

VAREX II WITH MDO SETS A NEW BENCHMARK W&H’s MO technology contains several advantages that are proven with a large number of installations in the field globally. All the MDO unit’s roller temperatures and speeds are individually controllable, giving better handling and increased flexibility to the blown film producer. For better-optimized film properties during production,

the stretching gap can also be adjusted (between 5-60 mm). Thus, the Varex II with MDO has set a new benchmark for achieving a critical aspect of oriented films, i.e., despite the stiff nature of the MDO-PE film, a wide film with excellent flatness can be produced. Shri Prakash Gupta, managing director, W&H India, says about the relationship with Ultimate Flexipack, “This should be a landmark project for the Indian flexible packaging industry opening new avenues in the direction of sustainability. We are very thankful to Ultimate Flexipack for extending their long-term partnership with us with this very important project.” z – Pranay Mathur

With this investment in new technology, Ultimate Flexipack can now produce laminates from 100% PE material that offer similar functionalities as conventional lamination films.

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Flexibles

z CI FLEXO MARKET IN INDIA IS BRIGHT – KIRTI PANCHAL

Echaar highlights CI flexo press at Printpack India 2022

L to R: Subir Dutta, Kirti Panchal, Ramesh Panchal and Vikram Panchal of Echaar Equipments at Printpack India 2022. Photo: The Packman

chaar Equipments had a very successful show at the Printpack India 2022 exhibition. Kirti Panchal, managing director of Echaar said, “The positive aspect is that visitors are coming with a purpose – they are looking to diversify and hence sizing up all aspects of the game. Being a flexible packaging machine manufacturer, participating in this exhibition initially looked irrelevant to us but eventually, it turned out to be the right decision. People are keen on investing since the economy is opening up and that is good news for the industry.” Samples printed on Echaar’s CI-flexo were highly appreciated by the visitors at the Printpack exhibition. The company currently manufactures CI flexo press in three series – Flexomaster, Flexodelight and Flexosmart. Flexosmart, which was launched just recently,

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has already been booked by an Ahmedabad-based flexible packaging company. Panchal said, “The print quality of the samples printed on our CI flexo was highly appreciated by our visitors since the quality is at par with gravure. The saying that CI flexo cannot meet the quality of rotogravure is now history. Advanced technology, state-of-the-art automation and intense R&D have changed the game for CI.” Panchal is quite optimistic about the CI flexo market in India. He said, “Currently there are about 10,000 rotogravure machines running in India. In contrast, there are only 92 to 94 CI flexo presses running.That means, there is a scope for at least 9,900 CI flexo machines in India. The market for CI flexo is bright in India – that is what I can reiterate about the future of CI flexo market in India.”

MARKET CHALLENGES Panchal said about market challenges, “Indian machine manufacturers are facing a tremendous challenge from foreign manufacturers despite producing machines of equal standard. Foreign manufacturers are able to offer a credit period of up to three years to their customers because bank interest rates in their countries are fairly low. But we cannot offer long credit periods to our customers because of the higher interest rates in our country. This makes it difficult for us to sell an Indian press to an Indian customer. Our government must do something about this before long to make the ‘Make in India’ initiative truly successful.” z – Mahan Hazarika

Flexibles

z PRINTPACK INDIA 2022

manroland’s web offset press for carton and flexible packaging

t the Printpack India 2022 exhibition, manroland Goss web systems India highlighted its offset-gravure hybrid press, Varioman f: line; and Varioman c: line. Varioman f: line marks manroland’s foray into the packaging domain. The hybrid press that prints on films offers a low-priced production process at the highest quality. Printable substrates include films or paper from 10-300 microns. The range includes options for different web widths and a production speed of up to 400 m/min. “As a company, we are quite strong in legacy printing. But now we have also put a special emphasis on the growing packaging printing market. We have positioned ourselves for this segment with our Varioman lines – Varioman f: line, a hybrid press that prints on films; and Varioman c: line that prints on cartons. We also have the Varioman b: line for book printing,” said Sudeep Bhattacharjee, managing director of manroland Goss web systems India. At the exhibition, the company also showcased various samples printed on Varioman f: line and Varioman c: line in addition to its range of offerings.

OFFSET VERSUS GRAVURE Bhattacharjee said, “Although offset is not a new technology, nobody has been able to successfully use it for printing on films. So, this is something that we have been working towards since 2018. Generally, people think that offset cannot match the rotogravure quality – but that concept has itself become very old now. Worldwide we have already sold five Varioman lines. With the latest in automation and technology, offset has been able to set a new benchmark for webfed offset printing presses by delivering quality that is at par with gravure.

Sudeep Bhattacharjee, managing director of manroland Goss web systems India. Photo: The Packman

“In addition, offset also has the added advantage of using non-UV inks that are free from carcinogenic photo initiators and also VOC free due to EB-based curing technology. This makes it immensely popular in segments like food packaging. The Varioman press also gives a huge cost benefit to customers as the press uses aluminum offset plates instead of gravure cylinders. The offset technology enables low-priced and reproducible high printing quality. The additional usage of gravure printing equipment in the press enables integration and automation across all systems.” Bhattacharjee shared that the combination of technologies in the Varioman f: line, particularly the quality of the printed product from the offset side, combined with the benefits provided by gravure printing (in the areas of varnishing, adhesives, and opaque white) provide the quality and differentiation that a modern package printing operation requires. z – Manash Das

Flexibles

z PRINTPACK INDIA 2022

Naph Graphics launches drum slitter rewinder and flexographic press

aph Graphics has launched two machines at the 15th Printpack India exhibition – a center surface type drum slitter rewinder and a stack type flexographic printing machine, Naphlexo804. Naphlexo804 is a bespoke machine that can cater to different segments as per customer requirements. With speeds up to 150 mpm, the machine can handle substrates ranging between 12 and 200 microns and can handle plain, coated and metalized films, foil and paper laminates, paper and board. A well-known name in the field of web offset press manufacturing, Delhi-NCR-based Naph Graphics diversified to the packaging and converting industry in 2016. The company’s web offset business, which started in 1996, includes exclusively designed web offset presses for printing newspapers and periodicals for medium-sized editions. “With the launch of the all-new center surface type drum slitter rewinder and the stack type flexographic printing machine, we look forward to setting a new standard in the market. We have been manufacturing cantilever slitter-rewinders for quite some time

Team Naph Graphics at its stand in Printpack India 2022 with the newly launched Naphlexo804. Photo: The Packman

now. Our customers were demanding a bigger roll diameter since the max roll diameter in cantilever slitter-rewinders is 600 mm. So with the drum slitter, we are trying to fulfill that demand by increasing the roll diameter which now comes in the range of 800 to 1100 mm. We are also planning to increase the speed of the drum slitter. Currently, we have trial run

The newly launched Slitline 25 drum slitter rewinder. Photo: The Packman

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the machine at speeds up to 350 m/min,” said Praveen Kumar, director marketing, Naph Graphics. At the event, the company also displayed its compact slitter rewinder Slitline45, and doctoring rewinding machine Docline35. Naph’s DocLine 35 is a compact machine featuring a movable unwind station for edge guiding, double-drive and edge trimming. The machine also offers options for easy loading and unloading of reels. At speeds up to 350 m/min, Docline has a web width of 500 mm and a maximum diameter of 600 mm. Speaking about the exhibition, Kumar said, “We have received a fabulous response at the exhibition. It has been amazing to see our peers, partners and customers from all over the region after two years of virtual meetings. The pandemic has really impacted the way businesses operate and changed the printing and packaging landscape. We are very excited to meet our customers in person and showcase our new launches. We have received several inquiries during the show which we hope to convert to sales in the coming days.” z – Manash Das

Flexibles

z COMBINATION OF SUSTAINABILITY AND VALUE-ADDITION

UFlex closes Jan-March quarter with series of new offerings

Flex has unveiled its range of valueadded, sustainable products and solutions. The company shared the new launches made during January to March 2022 while announcing its quarterly and annual results closing on 31 March 2022.

with a registered window metallization that allows buyers to be confident of the premium quality of packed sugar. With this packaging in tricolour graphics, the brand has been able to push the sales of its premium quality sugar and find its sweet spot, the company said.

Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex, said, “What excites me most about the year ahead is the opportunities that will originate from the much talked about new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 in India, and our readiness to embrace them. As a socially responsible organization that has been leading the way in sustainable solutions, we are setting-up India’s first U-shaped paper straw line for aseptic carton packs at our Sanand plant, which is already gaining traction from many beverage brands considering the impending ban on single use plastic. With our extensive R&D strength and innovative spirit, we are deep into creating future-ready solutions in plastic packaging for our clientele, including advanced biodegradable solutions, so that we can together step closer towards a sustainable tomorrow.”

For fresh food especially perishables like seafood, visibility of the product along with a strong and sturdy packaging that retains seafood’s freshness is important for the consumers. For the brand Sailor’s Choice, the Packaging Business has developed a 3D standing pouch made from the goodness of PE and PE-NAT to pack cooked frozen prawns. The pack that comes with a see-through registered window allows customers to have a clear view of the seafood even in the deepfreezer of the stores.

over-printable coating has been specifically formulated to be applied in-line over wet or dry UV inks. UFlex Chemical Business has also introduced Flexcure sheetfed MT series for offset application for metal packaging decoration. Flexcure Sheetfed MT series represents a new generation UV ink for decoration over metal packaging. This series has been specially developed for printing on aluminum and tin plate sheets, both two and three piece cans, and also for high-end packaging for industrial, body care products, and other non-food packaging applications.

ENGINEERING BUSINESS CHEMICALS BUSINESS The company’s Chemicals Business has introduced Flexcoat Aquaban water-based coating for corrugation boxes. Flexcoat Aquaban is used as an inner liner on corrugation boxes which reportedly helps maintain the structural integrity of corrugated shipping boxes in transit movement and stands good even during extreme weather conditions to preserve perishable goods. Flexcure HFS, a free radical chemistry-based UV gloss varnish, is another product introduced by UFlex Chemical Business. Flexcure HFS is the answer for in-line and off-line applications and offers the possibility of hot foil stamping over printable and good scuff resistance properties on glossy areas of texture pattern. This

Meanwhile, UFlex Engineering Business has introduced the Flexpress 10000 servo control liquid filling machine for aseptic liquid packaging. The servo-powered liquid filling machine Flexpress 10000 has the capacity to pack 10,000 aseptic liquid packs in an hour. The USP of the machine is its main drive system which is aided by high-end water-cooled servo motors that provide flexibility to manage multiple volume range, quick change-over time, and prevent wear and tear of machine.

PACKAGING BUSINESS The Packaging Business of the company has developed a 3-layered PET/PE packaging structure for 1 kg and 5 kg quantity sugar for Triveni Engineering

HOLOGRAPHY BUSINESS The Holography Business of UFlex has developed a Sparkle Glitter Effect Film that provides a high glitter yet matted effect on multiple surfaces. It is used in an array of applications such as premium carry bags laminated with non-woven fabrics, gift-wraps, luxury gift boxes, textile laces, photo lamination etc.

FILMS BUSINESS Food packaging requires a strong packaging structure that protects the content from a lot of extraneous factors that could spoil the product. Responding to the packaging requirements of food brands especially ones that need to pack dry powders like instant soup, masalas etc, the Packaging Films Business of the company has introduced oxygen and moisture barrier transparent BOPP film for packaging dry powders such as instant soup and spices. UFlex has developed B-TEM, a high barrier BOPP film that provides an oxygen barrier of 0.3 cc/m2 /day, high moisture barrier resistance of 3.5gm/m2 /day and an WVTR of 1.6gm/ m2 /day in duplex structure. z THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Flexibles

z INDIA BANS SINGLE USE PLASTIC

The race for viable alternative solutions begins

s the Government of India’s single-use plastic ban came into force on 1 July 2022, the packaging industry is racing to implement easy-open packaging that balances sustainability with performance. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is moving ahead with its proposed ban, which was first announced last year, following its 2019 resolution to reduce plastic pollution across India. The measure is forcing the packaging industry to adapt by integrating more sustainable alternatives to oil-derived plastics such as post-consumer recycled plastic or paper-based materials. Given the market’s rapid trend toward easy-open packaging, particularly in sectors that rely on film wraps such as the tobacco industry, it is clear that easy-open tape manufacturers must also innovate in line with these requirements. There is an array of promising alternatives to plastic that will help progress the industry towards the goal of fully circular solutions according to Ian Beresford, head of marketing and development at leading tapes manufacturer Essentra Tapes. Discussing the ban, he said, “While plastic reduction laws such as these are beneficial in the long term, they do pose some shortterm challenges for the whole packaging industry. In particular, they demand innovative thinking from sectors that rely on plastic film overwrap such as the tobacco industry. “We know that, while consumers want more ecofriendly packaging, it must also be desirable and functional or its impact will be limited. Converters and brands must ensure their packaging is enhanced with easy-open technology while balancing that with their environmental obligations. Sustainable easy-open tapes are absolutely at the heart of the ‘net zero’ future. “We have already developed SupaStrip PCR, a 70% post-consumer recycled plastic tape for flexible packaging. And we are seeing promising results on

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rPET film with a SupaStrip PCR tape

compostable alternatives. We have received a lot of interest in these products from our Indian colleagues and customers. So, where there are challenges, there are also great opportunities.” 40% – around 10,000 tonnes – of plastic waste in India remains uncollected, according to the Foundation for Campaign Against Plastic Pollution. While the single use plastic ban has been welcomed by environmental campaigners, there is broad agreement that more action is needed. It is expected that the government will announce more initiatives and regulations to promote alternatives to single use plastic in future. India has actually already committed to toughening up its plastic legislation. It was part of the UN Environment Assembly where, along with 123 other countries, India committed to introducing 360-degree legislation covering the full life cycle of plastics. The exact form these laws will take is yet to be decided, but it is reasonable to assume they will aim to encourage

companies to manufacture, use, or sell more recyclable plastic packaging. Beresford addressed this, adding, “We would advise businesses who use plastic packaging to look into overhauling their packaging now. It is only a matter of time before the central government toughens up these laws, and any company that has advanced its packaging sustainability agenda now – including easy-open solutions – will already be one step ahead of the competition when that time arrives. “Consumers expect both sustainability and easyopening performance from modern packaging. Any company that has a reliable, proven solution in place that addresses both of those issues – such as rPET film with a SupaStrip PCR tape – is going to find itself seizing a lot of the market share. Any company that doesn’t face a last-minute dash to find an alternative, at a time when supply chains are unpredictable.” z

Flexibles

z PRAGATI MAIDAN: 1-5 FEBRUARY 2023

Plastindia 2023 launch event at Le-Meridien, New Delhi MAHAN HAZARIKA

lastindia Foundation held a launch event of the Plastindia 2023 exhibition, the 11th edition of the international plastics exhibition, conference and convention at Le-Meridien, New Delhi, on 4 May 2022. The upcoming mega event will be held at the newly built state-of-the-art International Exhibition Center at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India, from 1-5 February 2023. Mansukh L Mandaviya, minister of health and family welfare, chemical and fertilizer, unveiled the logo, brochure and the goals of Plastindia 2023 at the event. Also present on occasion Bhagwanthbhai Khuba, union minister of state (C&F and MNRE); and Arti Ahuja, IAS, secretary to the Government of India (DCPC). Jigish Doshi, president at Plastindia Foundation; Ashok Goel, chairman, national advisory board; Ajay Shah, chairman at NEC Plastindia 2023, were also present. Speaking to The Packman, Ajay Shah, chairman, national executive council, Plastindia 2023, said, “Plastindia 2023 will focus on innovation, sustainability and growth, facilitating modern techniques that will help maintain a cleaner environment and lead to sustainable economic growth. There will be a separate Sustainability and Recycling Pavilion at the exhibition. In addition, we will conduct a one-day seminar where international speakers will speak about sustainability, waste management and recycling.” “On the product front, Plastindia 2023 will feature a lot more innovations – not only in standard products be it raw material, machinery, molds, and dies but also in new age applications like artificial intelligence, 3D printing, robotics, and automation used in plastics manufacturing,” said Shah.

L to R: Ajay Shah, chairman, national executive council, Plastindia 2023; and Jigish Doshi – president of Plastindia Foundation. Photo: The Packman

Shah said that lockdowns and Covid had ignited the spirit for innovations. “Lockdown has spurred lot more innovations than ever – for example, India was a huge importer of masks and PPE kits before Covid hit us. But within 2-3 months, the Indian entrepreneurs were able to turn it around to become one of the largest exporters of these products. So, there is an entrepreneurial spirit and hunger for innovation in the industry, which helped India change the existing model overnight because that was the need of the hour.” “Plastindia 2023 aims not only to bring together exhibitors and visitors from different sectors of the plastic industry but also to display the new technologies and innovations in the industry. It is a great medium to showcase new products and a brilliant opportunity

to connect with national and international decisionmakers,” added Shah. Jigish Doshi – president of Plastindia Foundation, said, “We expect more than 2000 exhibitors from India and 50 other countries displaying their latest innovations and cutting-edge technologies. India is poised to become the plastics processing hub of the world. The industry, which employs about 4 million people and comprises more than 50,000 processing units, is expected to reach 9.1 lakh crores (USD 102 billion) by 2025. We are committed to working closely with the government and the industry to facilitate growth and work towards innovative and modern manufacturing techniques that will be sustainable for the environment and the economy.” z THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Coding and Marking

z ADDITIVE-FREE LASER CODING SOLUTION

Domino and Futamura collaborate to produce sustainable laser coding

omino Printing Sciences has revealed its D-Series CO2 laser coders as an additive-free solution for food manufacturers utilizing NatureFlex compostable cellulose films. The company has collaborated with global packaging film producer, Futamura, to assess the suitability of laser coding for NatureFlex compostable film products. Following initial suitability testing, Domino’s D-Series CO2 laser was used to code the NatureFlex compostable film and achieved a clean, crisp, white code. There was reportedly no impact on film integrity or chemical composition and moisture barrier properties were unaffected. “We are very pleased to be able to offer Futamura’s food packaging customers an additive-free laser coding solution for their product packaging,” says Dr. Stefan Stadler, team lead at the Domino Laser Academy. “We predict that in the coming years, requests for compostable solutions will become more prominent – and we are ready and willing to work with any brand exploring these new materials to help find the right coding solution for their individual requirements.”

says Amaia Cowan, business development manager – EMEA, Futamura UK. “All of our NatureFlex films are certified to prove their suitability for industrial and home composting. Many of our customers want to show the final packaging’s certification and additional disposal information on the film to help inform end consumers.”

DEVELOPING THE SOLUTION CODING REQUIREMENTS OF COMPOSTABLE FILMS NatureFlex films have been developed for use in food packaging applications to meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible packaging. The company says the films are designed to meet all the global standards for industrial composting, including BS EN13432, and are certified as home compostable under the OK Compost Home standard. “Brand owners are always looking at ways to communicate with their consumers on their packaging,”

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Domino’s coding experts analyzed six different variants of NatureFlex compostable film to determine which laser coding solution would be the most appropriate option for further suitability testing. This included undertaking spectroscopic analysis for the substrates to determine which wavelength of light has the best interaction with the substrate material, followed by coding of the samples using one of Domino’s D120i CO2 laser coders. On all six NatureFlex variants, the D120i produced a clear, crisp, white code. The codes were reportedly clear and legible even under very high printing speeds, making the D-Series lasers a highly feasible solution for coding compostable films in food packaging applications. After coding the films, Domino’s laser experts used microscopic imaging and spectroscopy techniques to confirm that no structural damage was inflicted, and that the solution did not cause any chemical changes that could affect the substrate’s performance as a food packaging material. “We were reassured by Domino’s scientific approach to substrate testing and coding and willingness to provide us with the results and assurance that we needed to confirm that laser coders are a suitable solution for our compostable films,” says Cowan. z

Filling and Sealing

z FLEXIBILITY AND HIGH LEVEL OF AUTOMATION

Syntegon sells its 300th packaging system for bars

leven years after its launch, Syntegon recently sold its 300th bar packaging system. The company believes that the packaging line’s success is the result of seamless system integration and continuous improvement. This has also been recognized by Biscuits Leclerc, the Canadian food manufacturer and purchaser of the 300th system. When Syntegon first introduced the bar packaging system at the 2011 interpack trade show, the company pursued an innovative approach – the individual machines were to be linked by a common operator interface to ensure optimal product flow. The original system consisted of a DFR accumulator, Sigpack HRM form, fill and seal machine and Sigpack TTM topload cartoner. Today, further components can be added seamlessly, such as an Elematic case packer – a combination of proven machines for the efficient packaging of bars at a maximum output of 1,500 products and 200 cartons per minute. In 2014 and 2017, new product feeding modules based on the new and particularly flexible linear mo-

The ‘Paper-ON-form’ kit for horizontal form, fill and seal machines can be retrofitted to bar lines that are already in operation

tor technology were added – the Sigpack FIT and the Sigpack PFI. Since the end of 2019, it has also been possible to add the new Sigpack DCIE gentle distribution station for sensitive products such as cereal bars. Most recently, the ‘paper-ON-form’ retrofit kit for horizontal form, fill and seal machines was integrated into the bar system to provide food companies with sustainable paper packaging options. “Our customers appreciate the fact that we continue to develop our seamlessly integrated bar system, enabling even

Bar lines from Syntegon enable gentle product handling, smooth changeovers and easy cleaning

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smoother production processes,” says Bruno Oberle, managing director of the site in Beringen and vice president, food horizontal packaging of Syntegon.

FLEXIBLE CHANGEOVERS FOR DIFFERENT PACK SIZES AND SHAPES Since the sales launch of the bar system, 300 lines have been installed, impressing customers with their high overall line efficiency. In addition to centralized control of all modules via a shared user interface, gentle handling is a key advantage; another is its flexibility, as Emilie Allen, vice president for projects and logistics at Biscuits Leclerc, says, “We don’t want to buy a new machine every time we launch a new product. It’s convenient that we can easily change tools and process different packaging sizes and styles on one line.” The bar system also offers Leclerc format flexibility and a high level of automation. “Every day, we work on offering our customers a bar system that is ideally suited to their needs, even eleven years after the launch. And I am sure we will enjoy hundreds more successes,” says Oberle. And because success is best celebrated together, Syntegon held a party for its employees and their families at the Beringen site on 1 July.” z

EXPLORE THE FUTURE OF LABEL PRINTING

Labelexpo India returns 10-13 November 2022 at India Expo Center & Mart (Delhi NCR), bringing the industry together for four days of live demonstrations.

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Food and Beverages

z BEVERAGE PACKAGING

Bottled with a pinch of technology

he catchy beverage slogans we hear via commercials have already impressed our oculars and when we drink, it refreshes our mind and soul. But have we ever thought about the work that goes behind our beverage packs? These slogans are not only a promise to customers but they represent a brand’s entire mission. Each day the beverage industry produces lakhs of products from their single line of the production facility. It is believed they have the highest production profitability in any nation. This is because they have adapted to fast pace technological advancement, and they understand the consumer demands like no one. The beverage industry is flexible. It is continuously looking into each technological innovation and adapting to it. The beverage industry emphasizes and spends a huge amount in every step of their manufacturing process citing from filling the package to printing labels. That is, the primary, secondary and tertiary packaging, all mark the same importance. They never leave any loose ends and to accomplish one’s mission, it takes a lot of effort. It’s an art to watch the industry giants create an image in front of their consumers by building trust and giving the best quality.

industry has seen growth vastly. Implementation of innovative technology in the beverage industry has never been a challenge, to be precise, because manufacturing units are well designed with trained workers and engineers. Production facilities are designed to work in microseconds – cutting-edge technologies are acutely utilized to fasten the manufacturing process. What attracts a consumer? A consumer first interacts with the package. A great packaging marks the pride of buying one, a detailed content label marks the dependency on the product and similarly, the price breakup mark determines the product value for money. These are some of the primary features the beverage industry believes in. The beverage industry gives high importance to packaging to attract their consumers, enhance the shelf life, and maintain the taste at the same time whilst maintaining all the food grades and standards.

THE BUILDING OF A VALUE CHAIN

The exponential growth of this market assures a lot of hopes for the future, especially with the rise in market sustainability and expansion of the market each year. Thus, packaging is as important as the food itself – not just protecting the product and its shelf life but also displaying designs that catch consumers’ eyes and communicate well the brand mission including environmental awareness.

The beverage industry consists of bottled water, carbonated drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The industry is huge and has great scope for technology implementation. All consumer-driven

The whole manufacturing ecosystem of the beverage industry has in recent times strengthened the entire value chain. The entire evolution of the value chain is driven by three main factors – technology, manu-

ACOPOStrak: The flexible track system for maximum equipment effectiveness

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facturers and consumers. The impact of consumers in this value chain is huge – it has influenced the manufacturers to shred the age-old manufacturing practices and move into smart and adaptive manufacturing processes. The discerning, selective and health awareness nature of consumers has evolved too with the recent western approach towards products. Thus, consumers are willing to pay more for products that meet their lifestyle needs – but they are still looking for value without skimping on quality.

DECADE OF INNOVATION BOOM FOR BEVERAGE INDUSTRY It has been reported through various channels that in recent times beverage industry has reduced wastage and balances its go-to-market products as per needs only. Today, smart and adaptive are technology words creating a buzz in industries. A manufacturer rises when he actually understands how to drive its manufacturing process and maintain a healthy manufacturing ecosystem. Manufacturers of consumer goods need to accommodate different kinds of packaging and different stacking arrangements with multiple and different product content. The main challenge for today’s machine builders is providing quick changeovers and extreme flexibility to the ongoing production facility. Conventional packaging lines are designed in ways that, firstly, they can be intermittent, with the product transported station to station i.e., filling, gluing cartages, wrapping, stopping at each step along the way. The disadvantage of this approach is that the cycle time is determined by the

Food and Beverages

ACOPOS 6D offers up to four times the shuttle density of other systems on the market through the unique ability to control four shuttles on the same motor segment simultaneously.

slowest station. Secondly, the challenge is to maintain continuous motion, where the stations move together with the conveyor. It is seen with motion technology, you must pick one design or the other – we cannot mix them. Thus, the intelligent track system comes into the picture where B&R has added a new curve to adaptive manufacturing by introducing technologically advanced products with an edge by implementing innovation to the basket of trending product ranges – SuperTrak,ACOPOStrak and ACOPOS 6D.

B&R has a long experience of working with OEMs, thus understanding the core difficulties faced by the manufacturers during the production of their packaging lines is made easy through implementing innovations. Some manufacturers find it difficult to implement new technologies to their existing machines as they think this may disrupt their regular production line and require considerable time to integrate it into the system. But these systems negate it all and make it super flexible. Also, for manufacturers, the implementation costs can be hard to predict but with B&R’s intelligent transport system, that’s not a problem. The simulation tool used in this case even takes synchronized robots into account. The B&R trak system provides cutting-edge technology that is flexible and adaptive, and has high production speed. But for the kind of flexible production and OEE improvements in consideration in today’s packaging facility, we need to combine it with rapid changeovers. This technology helps to simulate what the track will need to look like to implement the existing packaging process with an intelligent transport system. Machine operators can now define exactly how long the track must be and how many shuttles are needed.

The simulation tool can even be used to perform virtual commissioning. All these features make it very easy to improve asset efficiency with intelligent transport systems. Here, SuperTrak uses magnet technology to guide individually controllable shuttles along a track using long stator linear motors. ACOPOStrak is a revolution in adaptive manufacturing. This highly flexible transport system extends the economy of mass production down to batches of one. Parts and products are transported quickly and flexibly from one processing station to the other on independentlycontrolled shuttles. The unique design of ACOPOStrak delivers decisive technological advantages for adaptive, connected manufacturing. It helps produce small batches efficiently and benefits from the higher margins of personalized products. With the latest innovation in the basket, ACOPOS 6D, B&R heralds a new era of manufacturing. Magnetic levitating shuttles move individual products freely through the machine. Gone are the days when conventional transport systems imposed rigidly defined timing on the production process. ACOPOS 6D is ideal for small-batch production with frequent changeover between products of different designs and dimensions. z

Food and Beverages

z GENERATION 2.0 FIBRE BOTTLES

Carlsberg begins consumer trials of bio-based recyclable bottles

ence it for themselves. This pilot will serve a greater purpose in testing the production, performance and recycling of this product at scale.”

n its largest pilot to date, Carlsberg Group has announced the trial of its new Fibre Bottle, putting the bio-based and fully recyclable beer bottle into the hands of consumers for the first time. With a continued focus on evolving technology and sustainable practices, the bottle also contains beer brewed with organic and regenerative barley.

“Identifying and producing PEF, as a competent functional barrier for beer, has been one of our greatest challenges – so getting good test results, collaborating with suppliers and seeing the bottles being filled on the line is a great achievement.”

The pilot will see 8,000 Fibre Bottles being sampled in eight Western European markets – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and France. The bottles will be placed into the hands of local consumers, customers and other stakeholders through select festivals and flagship events, as well as targeted product samplings.

The bottle is 100% bio-based apart from the cap, which is currently needed to ensure the quality of the product, and together the bottle and cap are fully recyclable. Going forward, Paboco, Carlsberg and partners in the wider Paper Bottle Community are exploring alternative fibre-based bottle caps, with a generic solution expected in 2023. Carlsberg will continue development, together with Avantium and Paboco, to arrive at a tailored 3.0 solution that is equally suitable for primary beer packaging, using this year’s consumer feedback and Paboco’s developments.

FIBRE BOTTLE LEVERAGES THE POTENTIAL OF PEF A significant milestone for the Fibre Bottle is its plantbased PEF polymer lining, which has been developed by Carlsberg’s partner Avantium, a leading expert in renewable chemistry. The company claims, PEF is made entirely from natural raw materials, is compatible with plastic recycling systems, and can degrade into nature should it end up outside national recycling systems. Beyond its sustainable packaging benefits, PEF functions as a highly effective barrier between the beer and the fibre outer shell, protecting the taste and fizziness of the beer better than conventional fossil-fuel-based PET plastic. The outer shell of the bottle, produced by the packaging company Paboco, consists of sustainablysourced wood fibre and is also bio-based. This shell has the added benefit of insulative properties which can help keep beer colder for longer, compared to cans or glass bottles. Stephane Munch, VP group development at Carlsberg, says, “We are delighted to bring our new Fibre Bottle into the hands of consumers, allowing them to experi-

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The pilot will see 8,000 Fibre Bottles being sampled in eight Western European markets – Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and France

BREWED WITH UNCONVENTIONAL BARLEY Advancements have not been limited to the bottle itself, as Carlsberg has also bottled a more sustainable brew for its 2022 consumer trials. In collaboration with barley malt supplier Soufflet, Carlsberg has brewed a

Food and Beverages beer with barley that has been cultivated using fully organic and regenerative agricultural practices. More specifically, cover crops have been grown in the organic barley fields to contribute some additional benefits of regenerative farming. While consumers can still expect the same distinctive Carlsberg taste, the methods used to farm the barley are set to improve farmland biodiversity, enhance soil health, and increase natural carbon sequestration by the soil versus conventional farming methods.

THE CONSTANT PURSUIT OF BETTER Generation 2.0 of the Fibre Bottle already performs better than the single-use glass bottle in the product’s lifecycle assessment, and Carlsberg has even greater

ambitions for the subsequent Generation 3.0 design. Carlsberg’s vision, supported by current projections, is for the Fibre Bottle to achieve up to 80% less emissions than current single-use glass bottles. Thus, for every single-use glass bottle created, five Fibre Bottles could be created using the same carbon footprint. Ultimately, Carlsberg is aiming for the Fibre Bottle to achieve the same low carbon footprint as the refillable glass bottle, which is currently the bestperforming primary packaging when collected and reused in efficient systems. When the Fibre Bottle is commercialized at scale, it will expand Carlsberg consumers’ choice and complement, rather than replace, existing packaging like glass bottles and cans. Simon Boas Hoffmeyer, group sustainability director at Carlsberg, adds, “The progress made with our new

Fibre Bottle is testament to Carlsberg’s pioneering spirit, with a focus on making better products in every sense of the word. We’ve been working hard on this project since 2015, and aim to continue to set the industry standard by further improving the bottle’s environmental footprint and product performance. Collaboration is key and, together with our partners, we’re excited to see how research and development into sustainable packaging solutions is now becoming the norm.” The trial precedes the global launch of Carlsberg’s ambitious ESG programme, Together Towards Zero and Beyond, which will build on existing sustainability performance and momentum to take on new ambitions within sustainable agriculture and sustainable packaging, ultimately enabling Carlsberg to reduce its carbon impacts across the full value chain. z

z RECYCLABLE BEVERAGE CARTON

Juustoportti extends juice portfolio in onthe-go combismile carton pack from SIG

innish food producer and co-packer Juustoportti has launched two new sugar-free and sweetener-free juices for children in SIG’s on-the-go combismile carton pack. SIG’s combismile filling line is already installed at Juustoportti’s Jalasjarvi production site and was first used in 2020 to launch Friendly Viking’s premium oat drink range and Hyvin’s yoghurts, fruit soups and protein drinks. Juustoportti will now expand its juice range in combismile to the kid’s juice category. Children can now experience the convenience benefits of SIG’s innovative on-the-go combismile carton pack, while they enjoy their refreshing Hyvin juice. With a curved, modern shape with easy grip corners, combismile offers handy consumption via a paper straw that ensures kids can enjoy every last drop of juice. Jyrki Vaittinen, advisor at Juustoportti, said, “Our Hyvin family of juices shows our passion for continually

demonstrates our commitment to offering a climate friendly, yet highly convenient, on-the-go packaging solution for our young consumers.” Beverage cartons are proven to be one of the most sustainable packaging solutions, created using only paperboard made of pulp from FSC-certified, responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources. Juustoportti says it offers the children’s drink market a fully recyclable beverage carton with a low carbon footprint.

Juustoportti will now expand its juice range in combismile to the kid’s juice category

developing products which are better for both people and planet. Choosing SIG’s sustainable on-the-go combismile carton pack for our latest kid’s juices,

Karina Zawadzka, senior marketing manager, Poland, Nordics, Russia at SIG, said, “Our convenient on-thego combismile carton pack is the perfect solution for Juustoportti’s new range of kid’s juices. Not only will the kids love the delicious natural juice but they will also appreciate the clever design of combismile. Parents looking for only the best for their children can choose a healthy product in convenient and sustainable packaging.” z THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Inks and Consumables

z PRINTPACK INDIA 2022

Toyo Ink India scales up its interventions toward a sustainable future MAHAN HAZARIKA

oyo Ink India’s theme at the Printpack India 2022 exhibition was green and sustainable print solutions. “We received an amazing response at the exhibition. We have received serious inquiries, and customers were talking about sustainability. This is an interesting development in that customers are curious to understand sustainability. They were also trying to understand if there is any solution and how as a company or converter, they should move towards a sustainable direction,” said KS Murthy, deputy managing director of Toyo Ink India. The company showcased several products at the event, including low migration to cobalt- and mineral-free inks, barrier coatings, UV inks and coatings, solventfree lamination, and pressure-sensitive adhesives.

MOVING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY “At Toyo, we understand that sustainability is a complex term to explain. We also understand that when it comes to sustainability, it is not just the ink that plays a part – the manufacturing philosophy, as well as the solution that we offer to our customers, plays an equal role. At our company, we consider both ends. On the manufacturing front, we are following the go green concept. By 2025, we will be an eco-friendly manufacturing center in India. By the end of this year, 70% of the energy consumed in the Gujarat plant will be green energy. Eco-friendly initiatives like water harvesting are also in place. We also use dedicated controls to ensure regulatory compliance and increased safety. “Sustainable solutions for our customers include mineral oil-free inks for offset – which has already

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KS Murthy, deputy managing director of Toyo Ink India; and Prashant Atre, managing director, Toyo Ink Arets India at Printpack India 2022. Photo: The Packman

been implemented – and low migration inks that are much needed in the current scenario. Non-toluene inks are already there in our product basket. We are also moving in the direction of water-base flexo and gravure inks which we will be manufacturing in India very soon. In addition, we have developed various barrier coatings that enhance packaging performance by providing oxygen barrier (OTR) and reduced water vapor transmission rate (WVTR),” said Murthy.

NEW GRAVURE INK FACTORY Toyo Ink India recently inaugurated its brand new gravure ink factory at its Gujarat site with a production capacity of more than 5,000 metric tons per annum. The new Gujarat factory is expected to boost the company’s competitive advantage in India’s rapidly growing flexible packaging market while further strengthening the company’s regional and global supply infrastructure. In response to the rising global demand for safer printing inks, particularly for food and beverage, pharma, personal care and other sensitive applications, the company decided to adopt toluenefree operations, thus upholding its strong commitment

to product safety and environmental protection. “In India, we are trying to extend our entire product basket including inks and innovative solutions like pressure-sensitive adhesives, lamination adhesives, wide-gamut inks, etc.,” concluded Murthy.

EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES Prashant Atre, managing director, Toyo Ink Arets India, said, “Ink has come a long way in helping print and packaging. When UV first came to India, it changed the course for carton packaging – from a normal paperboard carton to metalized polyester to plastic-based cartons. As far as emerging technologies are concerned, I would like to highlight two technologies – one is water-based technology, which can help reduce the carbon emission almost by 55% compared to the solvent base. The other is Electron Beam (EB) curing technology that can change the game in flexible packaging. I believe these two technologies might replace solvent-based solutions in the future while the industry marches towards sustainability.” z

Inks and Consumables

z WHEN GOING GETS TOUGH, SUSTAINABILITY GET GOING

Considering water-based printing ink technology in the wake of high-rising solvent price JK SHARMA AND NEELAKAMAL MOHAPATRA

he Indian printing ink industry pertaining to flexible packaging is going through a very tough time. Unfortunately, the muchanticipated normalization in both raw material availability and pricing after the pandemic’s unprecedented disturbances has turned out to be unsuccessful to materialize so far in 2022. In addition, as per the current war scenario, there has been a negative impact of both energy-cost as well as logistics globally, which has resulted into continuous rise in the entire portfolio of raw material cost including pigments, resins, solvents, and additives. Solvents, which account for the major percentage in the printing ink formulations, their availability remaining insufficient contributing towards worsening the pricing continuously. The water-based ink technology is not new in this part of the globe; however, presently, it is very much interesting to watch the rising acceptance level of the flex-pack industries for increasingly shifting from solvent-based ink chemistry and implementing waterbased technologies to mitigate the challenges of the rising solvent-cost. Nevertheless, water-based printing inks have increased in commercial importance in recent years as the printing industry has sought to comply with regulations limiting the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere. With a critical consideration towards raw material selection procedure, water-based inks are not only considered to be safe for various packaging applications, but also can decrease fire danger caused by static electricity and flammable solvents. According to a report published in Maximize Market Research, global water-based inks market CAGR is

One of the state-of-the-art analytical laboratories at Yansefu. Photo: The Packman

expected to be 7.2% during 2020-2027 and the market size to reach USD 17.64 Billion by 2027. The drivers being growth in flexible packaging, increasing demand for printing inks, rise in environment and safety issues. The transition relating to water-based systems posed a variety of challenges typically, ink stabilization in preparation and on-press, tendency to deposition and foaming during printing, slowness of drying, problems with print uniformity etc. For an ink technologist, working with water-based inks particularly for nonporous substrates has several challenges than its solvent-based counterpart. The ink-substrate polarity mismatch, along with higher surface tension of water in contrast to organic solvents, makes the ink difficult to wet the substrate which resulted into poor leveling and adhesion between the ink and the non-porous substrates. The drying time of water being higher than solvents, further challenge the press speed and productivity while using water-based inks. When formulating the water-based ink, it is crucial to choose the right blend of polymers to get the required balance of pre- and post-print properties. For achieving clean and sharp images in long print-runs, it is necessary to have an equilibrium between solution

and emulsion polymers. The Acid Value (AV) and Glass Transition Temperatures (Tg) of these polymers contribute towards getting better printability, water and grease resistance, proper hardness, drying speed, heat resistance and flexibility. Further, the selection of various additives such as surfactants, anti-foaming agents, adhesion promoters etc. improves printing and lamination properties.

FACING MARKET DISRUPTIONS WITH R&D AND INNOVATIONS The team at Yansefu, through their best R&D practices and supply-chain efforts have come out with various innovative technologies to face these market disruptions. The company now not only has state-of-the-art water-base technologies, but also produce costeffective regulatory compliance solvent-based ink solutions to offer its customers the choices to remain sustainable even in the most unprecedented situations. We are sure, with an even stronger networking among the stakeholders of the entire printing value chain; together we can secure the industry and safely take it to new heights. z The authors are CEO; and president – R&D at Yansefu Inks and Coatings respectively THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Inks and Consumables

z SOLUTIONS FOR ECOMMERCE PACKAGING

H.B. Fuller introduces innovative adhesives at Printpack India 2022

t Printpack India 2022, H.B. Fuller showcased several innovations that address growing trends in sustainable consumer goods and eCommerce packaging. However, the major highlight was the sustainable Sesame tear tapes. The company claims, the sustainable tape is made of 80% bio-based material and is sourced and certified by The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). The technology recently won the European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO) award for sustainability. The company showcased innovative solutions for eCommerce packaging through a complete line of pressure-sensitive adhesives under the Swiftmelt brand that enables the bonding of tough substrates for a variety of applications, including pressure-sensitive tapes or labels, containers labeling, and courier bag applications. H.B. Fuller also showcased its new food-safe solution, sold under the Swifttak brand which addresses the increasing demand for paper straws for a variety of end-use applications in the food service, institutional,

Team H.B. Fuller at Printpack India 2022. Photo: The Packman

and residential industries, which are projected to spur this market upwards, globally. The company believes increased consumer demand for low-impact straws, upcoming government reform, and the many campaigns to ban single-use plastic are expected to contribute to the expansion of paper straws in everyday life. The company also introduced its metallocene range of solutions for bookbinding applications. H.B. Fuller

claims that its metallocene-based hot melt adhesives offer several advantages in the production process and end-use applications, such as lower coat weight, increased adhesion strength, and robust temperature resistance. This improved adhesion also contributes to prolonging the product’s life and ensuring durability. Another example of this technology is that it enables the recyclability of books and reduces adhesive consumption, which are important factors for the graphic arts industry. z

z COMPLIANT WITH REGULATORY FOR FOOD-CONTACT MATERIALS

Toyo-Morton launches epoxy silane-free laminating adhesives

oyo-Morton, Japan’s leading manufacturer of laminating adhesives and a member of the Toyo Ink Group, has updated its laminating adhesives portfolio with food-safe products, the company claims, are free

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of epoxy silanes and organic tin compounds. The renewed lineup includes both the solvent-based Tomoflex and the solvent-free Ecoad series of laminating adhesives that are suitable for a wide range of multilayer flexible packaging applica-

tions, such as dry food, liquid pouch and highperformance retort. Epoxy silane is commonly used as an adhesion promoter in multilayer flexible packaging structures,

Inks and Consumables helping to protect packaged content and extend its shelf life. Food packaging regulation has recently been tightening, primarily in the EU, due to human health safety concerns. This trend has prompted global converters and food manufacturers to seek out safer alternatives for use in multilayered flexible packaging.

The renewed lineup includes both solvent-based and solvent-free series of laminating adhesives that are suitable for a wide range of multilayer flexible packaging applications

“While epoxy silanes are not currently subject to regulatory control, we are proactively eliminating substances of concern from our products,” explains Joji Suzuki, director and senior general manager of Toyo-Morton’s technical division. “The new lineup was formulated to address the growing regulatory demands that converters and food manufacturers face regarding food packaging safety. As a leading adhesive manufacturer, we were able to develop laminating adhesive products that are not only free of epoxy silanes and organic tin compounds, but also offer the same physical properties and performance

levels as regular products. Toyo-Morton remains committed to delivering adhesive solutions that enable our customers to achieve the highest performance and food safety standards.” Under the Tomoflex solvent-based series, the TM-2470 is specially formulated for liquid pouch applications like soups, frozen foods, pickled foods and noodles. The TM-3040 is suitable for contents such as the dry food packaging of snack foods, candies and pet foods. For high-performance retort applications, the TM-2300 aliphatic system is suitable for high-temperature retort pouch laminating structures according to US FDA 177.1390. Rounding out the portfolio are the Ecoad series of solvent-free adhesives, the EA-N6008 for liquid pouches and the EA-N6001 for dry food applications. In addition to enhanced food safety, Ecoad systems enable converters to increase their productivity through high-speed lamination on metalized film structures. z

z SHRINK SLEEVE SOLUTION FOR BRAND OWNERS

INX launches INXFlex Contour flexographic ink system

“INX shrink sleeves are formulated for optimal print and press performance, making the labels stand out on store shelves and attracting the attention of consumers,” Schouten said. “Our ink and coating systems are versatile, adaptive, and work on all common substrates such as PET, cPET, OPP, OPS and PVC. That’s a critical consideration since INXFlex Contour is designed for tamper-evident sleeve applications, an expectation most brand owners are seeking.”

s shrink sleeves gain more traction in the packaging arena, INX International Ink has introduced an innovative ink product INXFlex Contour. The company claims that INXFlex Contour is a dynamic UV and LED dual-cure flexographic ink system designed to help produce distinctive shrink sleeve label solutions for brand owners. INXFlex Contour follows the successful introduction of Genesis GS washable label inks, a recycle-friendly product that recently added a new flexo version and UV Curable primer that reportedly makes INXFlex Contour washable too. With various market research reports projecting the shrink sleeve market to expand considerably by 2026, both ink systems offer significant advantages. In addition to high-performance capabilities, the colorful and vibrant inks were designed to address pertinent brand owner issues including efficiency and sustainability, says Renee Schouten, INX’s vice president of marketing.

New INXFlex Contour inks offer sustainability benefits and flexibility for different shrink sleeve applications

According to the company, one of the biggest benefits of INXFlex Contour is it corrects label and packaging industry issues of post-shrink adhesion loss and ink cracking, and delivers superior flexibility that far exceeds any other product available in the market. Schouten explained that in addition to increased efficiencies, faster lead times and lower applied costs with a dual-cure version, it also addresses sustainability concerns with patent-pending recycling capabilities. “It was essential for us to design INXFlex Contour to work with a wide array of substrates while maximizing press speeds and ink strength. These inks give our THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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Inks and Consumables customers flexibility in choosing the best substrate and the most cost-effective solution for their application,” indicated Schouten, who said it is available as a dual-cure or regular UV cure system. “It also addresses the key needs of shrink sleeve converters – including shrink maximization in both orientations – while eliminating post-shrink adhesion loss and ink flaking,” continued Schouten. “Curing LED

provides several sustainability advantages including energy savings with less power consumption, instant on-off access, and no ozone being produced. This gives brand owners looking to strengthen their recycling efforts another solid option, in addition to our Genesis washable label inks.” Schouten said in addition to Genesis GS and the new washable Genesis FS flexo solvent version, INXFlex

Contour with its UV Curable primer gives brand owners better options for the lifecycle of their labels. “When used in combination with INXFlex Contour, the new UV curable primer enables the ink to be washable from shrinkable cPET,” remarked Schouten. “The primer allows the ink to be removed in a caustic wash bath prior to recycling for the circular reuse of recovered materials.” z

z IMPROVING PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY

Siegwerk launches UV-curing deinking primers for labels and sleeves

iegwerk has announced its most recent development for an improved deinking especially for rigid plastic packaging. Along with its existing water-based deinking primer, which is approved by The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Siegwerk is now offering a UV-curing deinking primer reportedly suitable for pressure-sensitive and wrap-around labels, as well as shrink sleeves made of polyolefin- and polyester-based materials. The company says that this development allows an inline printing of deinkable materials in a 100% UV flexo press setup. In mechanical recycling as the today’s only established industrial recycling process, deinking of printed packaging material is one – if not the most – viable technology to meet this requirement. Only deinking can bring here clean and clear recyclates with a suitable quality back into the packaging stream to consequently reduce the need of more virgin plastic material. “That’s why we are committed to support customers with innovative solutions facilitating deinking and thus contribute to establish deinking as industry standard further improving packaging recyclability and circularity,” says Guido Lander, vice president narrow web EMEA at Siegwerk. To integrate deinking into the recycling process, recyclers need to implement a hot washing step first, if

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standard step within the recycling process, such as in the PET bottle 2 bottle recycling. Achieving 100% packaging circularity requires a sufficient and consistent quality of recyclates,”

not already existing. Siegwerk notes that the deinking shoild not negatively impact the recycling process for example by contaminating the wash water. According to Siegwerk, more and more recyclers are focusing on rigid plastic packaging such as trays, cups and plastic containers are implementing hot washing processes to improve the quality of their recyclates which enables an easy and seamless integration of a deinking step for a broad range of packaging materials. “We consider deinking primers as a key lever for smart deinking of crosslinked ink systems especially at low washing temperatures for sleeves, labels and other printed decoration for rigid plastic packaging,” explains Ralf Leineweber, head of global technology development at Siegwerk. “The greatest opportunities to improve plastic recycling in line with a circular economy obviously lay in areas where hot washing already became a

Siegwerk claims that its deinking primers are compliant with different film materials like cPET, PE or PP and do not require the use of a dedicated ink series to keep complexity for users rather low. With the UV-curing deinking primer, the company also says it also offers a solution for converters who are using a pure UV flexo press and are not able to process a water-based primer. The UV-curing deinking primer reportedly shows the best compatibility with UV-curing inks, facilitating quantitative deinking according to the washing protocols of EPBP and ARP. The company adds that, applied under bleedingresistant UV-cured ink layers, the primer layer dissolves in the hot washing process and enables the generation of high-quality colourless recyclates. The non-bleeding ink formulations also ensure a clean and reusable washing solution, according to Siegwerk. “Deinking is not a product for us, it is a “Full-Service Offering” where everything needs tie together,” says Lander. “That’s why we follow a holistic approach and also offer the execution of deinking tests according to the most common washing protocols in our specialized laboratories.” z

PAPERplus® Track A 3-in-1 product. You will not need any other protective packaging

Meet the most unique product offering from Storopack. PAPERplus® track can be used for cushioning, void filling and blocking & bracing as well. It helps in eliminating the wrapping solution thus making it an all rounder product. Its a single solution to all the protection your products needs.

Logistics

z STOROPACK IN INDIA

“The protective packaging market in India is in a very nascent stage” – Pavan Kumar of Storopack India Storopack is a leading manufacturer and service provider in the fields of protective and transport packaging, as well as molded parts made of expanded foams. In a recent interview, Pavan Kumar, director at Storopack India, shares with The Packman how Storopack has been responding to the increasing demand for innovative technology in protective and transport packaging, and the company’s core belief in sustainability. Here is an excerpt from the interview. Mahan Hazarika: Please tell us about Storopack’s journey in India so far.

and American markets. We are still in the ‘cushioning stage’ when it comes to protective packaging in India. Major contributors to the need for cushioning are still developing road conditions and the poorly managed logistics sector. The shift of thought process from buying impact transferring products to impactabsorbing products is needed. This makes our work pretty challenging when it comes to offering the right solutions to our clientele. Now this combined with the recent and ever-changing regulation surrounding the usage of plastics is making the market more complex, but at the same time encouraging us to innovate and bring to India first products like our bio-films.

Pavan Kumar: Storopack in India started in 2012 while the operations commenced in the subsequent year. We have been growing since then along with our clients by offering them our sustainable protective packaging solution. The boom in the eCommerce business and our inception went hand in hand, supporting our growth in the market. Mahan Hazarika: What are the strategic sectors that Storopack is focused in India? Pavan Kumar: Protective packaging has a wide application across industries. Storopack, as of now, is more focused on resource conservation by eliminating transit damages and creating innovative solutions for manufacturing industries like engineering, automobile and modern retail. Due to an increase in the recent investment in organic cosmetics brands and their requirement for high-quality and sustainable protective packaging solutions, they have also become a good customer base for us.

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Mahan Hazarika: How exciting is the protective packaging market in India? What are the growth pangs that may need to be addressed? Pavan Kumar: The protective packaging market in India is in a very nascent stage. As a global organization, we have seen the growth in void filling and reduction in average box sizes – from large to small – as modern retail has developed in recent years in most of the developed markets including European

Mahan Hazarika: What are Storopack’s recent innovations and what are their benefits? Pavan Kumar: One of our vision statements includes ‘Innovation is focused on our core business.’ Storopack constantly innovates and improvises the core products which has always helped us bring value to our customers. Recently we have launched quite a variety of products like: PAPERbubble: PAPERbubble offers customers an innovative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional

Logistics

PAPERbubble

air bubble film. The protective packaging made of paper, a renewable raw material, in combination with air is 100% recyclable and reliably protects small to medium-sized goods during shipping, reducing the use of primary raw materials and fossil resources. PAPERplus TRACK: A paper-based, innovative, allrounder product. It is like a one-stop solution for all the protective packaging requirements. Its applications cover cushioning, blocking and bracing and void filling. By restricting the movement inside the box, it also avoids any need for wrapping. Because of these applications, there are many direct and indirect benefits that Track brings. AIRplus Bio: Another ground-breaking innovative product for the industries. This film is made from an industry compostable resin that can degenerate in the industry compost pits. Sustainable, eco-friendly and suits a variety of product categories. rEPS: rEPS can be used to produce new protective packaging solutions – such as for household appliances or screens – that are made entirely from recycled material. As packaging often has a short useful life, it is imperative that it is collected and reused in an eco-friendly way. rEPS can be 100% reused to produce new protective packaging, thus closing the recycling loop.

PAPERplus TRACK

AIRplus Bio

a few organizations. We are confident of successful conversions. The journey has just started, and we have a great, growing Indian Market with all the incentives backed by government schemes and policies enabling industrial growth. The exciting times are yet to come. The more we are able to connect with the customers the more we are able to portray our capabilities. Mahan Hazarika: What initiatives are being taken by Storopack as far as sustainability is concerned? Pavan Kumar: We are an organization having sustainability in our core beliefs. Innovation goes hand in hand with sustainability in the design stage itself. The best part of our products is it is designed for JIT system from the start. Imagine the benefits our world would get if we can make coke at home by adding water to it. All the trucks transporting around 90% water can be avoided saving unimaginable eCo2 equivalent of pollutants. This is what we have been doing since the start when it comes to the protective packaging. All our products are concentrates which are processed only as per requirements at the end consumption point keeping a lot of trucks away from roads. Our one roll of APS void can eliminate a pickup-sized vehicle carrying conventional bubble wrap rolls. Our goal until 2025 is also about sustainability. Internal initiatives working hand in hand with

rEPS

the external initiatives clubbed with information sharing are helping us do so. A few internal initiatives are: we follow the 3 R’s (Recycle. Reduce. Reuse); using energy-efficient machinery; eco-friendly packaging solutions; and sustainable resource-saving raw material. The external initiatives we are associated with are: Alliance to End Plastic Waste; Big Blue Ocean Cleanup; Operation Clean Sweep; and CEFLEX. Mahan Hazarika: What according to you are the challenges in the overall ecosystem in the implementation of sustainable practices? Pavan Kumar: Sustainability cannot be just a 1-person, 1-department, or 1-meeting agenda. It is a practice that every member of the organization, from the top to bottom, from every department needs to adapt to. The way we humans are polluting the only planet that we have, sustainability cannot be treated lightly. It is now or never for our generation. The biggest challenge when it comes to choosing greener products compared to the existing opportunity is the decision that the business owner has to take. Unless this switch in the minds of business owners is done, implementing sustainable practices will not be possible and will remain just a discussion topic at meetings.

Storopack always keeps the dynamic customer requirement in mind and tries to provide the best possible value to customers.

Mahan Hazarika: What will remain a primary business challenge for you in 2022?

Mahan Hazarika: What kind of response are you getting from the market for these products?

Pavan Kumar: To make the switch in the mindsets of business owners will remain the primary challenge that we will be facing. For the year 2022, I see more and more requirements from the start-ups and industries asking for a better and greener solution at even lower pricing than the existing products. Meeting all of their demands is going to give us tough times and navigating to the changes which are being done with the PWM rules. z

Pavan Kumar: The response to the products is great. The industry is recognizing the importance of technologically advanced, sustainable, eco-friendly products. We are having a trial opportunity with quite

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Events

z INDIA EXPO CENTRE & MART, GREATER NOIDA

15th Printpack India was again a successful event

espite many obstructions in the execution of the project and postponement on two different occasions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns in the country, the Printpack exhibition booked a total area of 60,340 square meters for the just-concluded exhibition from 26 to 30 May 2022. The even received an overwhelming support from the exhibitors and visitors alike. “The overwhelming support received from the exhibitors has given us the strength to take up even more challenging jobs in the future. Thanks a lot, to the industry colleagues, exhibitors, visitors, staff, and the venue for the grand success of 15th Printpack India,” said Rakesh Sodhi, president IPAMA.

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Reportedly, 1,03,412 visitors from 52 countries visited the exhibition. The organizers estimate that sales of Rs 2,000 crore (US$ 260 million) were transacted at the show in the first four days. 487 companies participated with their latest technology-based machines and other related products. The exhibition included printing, packaging and flexible packaging, corrugation, label printing, screen, and textile printing, signage and LED curing, paper, and non-woven bags, pre-press, offset and digital printing, postpress, finishing, book-binding, stationery, converting equipment, and a range of business services and software. The exhibition was comprehensive with old and new suppliers of consumables and spares and allied machines.

The organizers have expressed their appreciation of the efforts of the machine and consumable manufacturers who took part in the exhibition. Its General Council members also thanked the visitors and audience for their efforts in attending and participating in the show. During the inauguration of the show, as has been customary, IPAMA felicitated five industrial stalwarts with Lifetime achievement awards. The persons who were conferred with the award are: Datta Deshpande of Pratham Technologies, SS Maan of Maan Machine Tools, Shanti Pal Ahuja of Multitec, KG Suresh of Autoprint Machinery, and Ramendra Singh of Sond Engineering. z

Events

z 28 MAY TO 7 JUNE 2024

drupa 2024 is well on track

ince February companies have been able to register for drupa 2024 and a very positive trend is now already emerging. Renowned global players and newcomers across the entire print and packaging value chain from a total of 32 countries are already on board. Drupa 2024 is gaining momentum and there is every indication that it will again underline its position as the No. 1 event for printing technologies. This edition will specifically focus on the mega trends sustainability and digitalization as well as their influence on processes, products, sustainable business models and the future of the industry. “Current registration levels, exhibitor feedback on impressive stand concepts, scheduled product launches and live demos of machinery all build suspense among the global community and are the reason for our

Meanwhile, after already acting as a Platinum Partner for virtual.drupa Kurz, a worldwide market leader in thin-film technologies, unequivocally demonstrates its strong commitment returning as an exclusive partner of drupa 2024.

Visitors during drupa 2016. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann

great optimism,” says Sabine Geldermann, project director of print technologies at Messe Düsseldorf. “The industry has again proven its pivotal relevance with its broad-based applications on so many vertical markets – especially in times of crisis.”

“drupa is the most relevant trade fair for the graphic industry,” explains Walter Kurz, board member of Leonhard Kurz Stiftung. “All decision-makers, innovators, but also providers and processors of progressive technologies come together here, present their solutions and marvel at new trends – no market player can or wants to miss this date. We are already looking forward to presenting our innovative solutions in 2024 – first and foremost with a focus on sustainability.” The next drupa will be held from 28 May to 7 June 2024 at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. Exhibitors can register online by late October 2022. z

z 4 – 10 MAY 2023

Interpack 2023 is fully booked

nterpack will be held again, after approximately six-year break, due to the pandemic. Interpack will again become a business platform and future technology workshop in Düsseldorf, Germany from 4 – 10 May 2023. Interpack will occupy the entire exhibition area and is already fully booked out. However, for a chance to exhibit interested companies can still register for the waiting list. Approximately 2,700 exhibitors from around the world will exhibit the leading technology and packaging trends from the entire value chain. The event will will occupy 18 halls and feature targeted exhibition areas. interpack demonstrates the influence that megatrends like connectivity, security and sustainability have on the future of the continuously evolving packaging industry. “Conditions like scarcity of resources and

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project director for interpack. “interpack is the place where the industry creates the future at a global level.”

A glimpse from Interpack 2017. Photo: Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann

disrupted supply chains pose great challenges to the industry, while simultaneously factors such as increasing demand, new technology and a growing awareness of sustainability offer us big chances to take huge strides forward,” says Thomas Dohse,

Visitors from the food industry will find everything in one area at interpack 2023. The same is true for visitors from the beverages, confectionery, bakery, pharma, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods industries. This refined layout was made possible by a new concept for the exhibition halls, which will be implemented for the first time in the coming year. The other focal points of the exhibition, namely packaging materials and packaging goods, machines for labeling and marking, production of packaging material and integrated printed packaging, are brought together in their own halls as well. Exhibitors at the accompanying suppliers’ fair ‘components’ will also be hosted in their own hall. Orientation for visitors is thus optimized, which allows visits to be planned more effectively. z

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Industry News

UPM Raflatac enters new product segments by acquiring AMC

PM Raflatac has signed an agreement to acquire Advanced Methods of Coating (AMC), a Germany-based company. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or other transaction details. The transaction is expected to be closed latest in Q3 2022. The closing of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. With this acquisition, UPM continues on its strategic path, adding to the organic growth in the attractive specialty packaging material value chain and strengthening the company’s transformation and long-term value creation in one of its three spearheads of growth. AMC AG, founded in 1996 with roots going back to 1959 is a private company with long-term private

owners. The company has two production sites Kaltenkirchen and Hagenow in Northern Germany. AMC’s business includes coating of pressure-sensitive filmic labelstock and Viscom/Graphics materials under the Intercoat brand, and removable self-adhesive stationery products under the brand names Global Notes and Print Inform. The company employs more than 300 people and the latest financial year sales of AMC AG was EUR 110 million. UPM Raflatac expects to accelerate AMC’s growth and realize significant synergies. “The acquisition will strengthen our position in Central Europe and expand our offering to new self-adhesive product lines. AMC’s capabilities and business portfolio are an excellent fit for us. The combination with

AMC Hagenow

UPM Raflatac’s efficient supply chain and sales and distribution network will enable further growth. We look forward to offering a stronger product portfolio to our current and new customers,” said Antti Jääskeläinen, executive vice president, UPM Raflatac z

Cosmo Films appoints Justin Glass as president for North America operations

osmo Films has appointed Justin Glass as president of its business operations across North America. In his new role, Justin will be responsible for devising growth strategies and expanding business in the North American region for the organization. Justin will report to Kulbhushan Malik, senior vice president and head of international operations, Cosmo Films. A seasoned business leader with over 25 years of experience, Justin comes to Cosmo Films with diverse experience and expertise in the plastics and packaging industry. Justin started his career in the plastic industry as a process engineer for Bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) tape films in the extrusion & coating functions and moved on to various technical functions across several primary polymer markets. Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo Films, said, “With more than a two-decades-long career in the films and

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packaging industry, Justin holds proficiency in leading teams across functions including engineering, sales, marketing, and operations. His expertise in leadership, strategy and business acumen will prove significant to Cosmo Films operations in North America. I am delighted to have him onboard and look forward to his contributions in achieving our strategic goals in thoughtful and innovative ways.” Justin Glass, president, North America, Cosmo Films, said, “Cosmo’s market domination and growth in different film segments is testimony of the dedication of Cosmo team, vision of its leadership, and Cosmo’s product quality and customer service. I am thankful that the leadership has entrusted me with the responsibility of leading and growing their business in North America. I look forward to leveraging the innovative teams at Cosmo Films to help unlock new market opportunities with our partner brands.” z

Pankaj Poddar and Justin Glass

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5 to 6 September 2022

9th Speciality Films and Flexible Packaging Conference

Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai, India

14 to 16 September 2022 PackEx India

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

21 to 23 September 2022

Propak India

BIEC, Bangaluru, India

23 to 25 September 2022

Kerala Print Pack 2022

Cochin, India

27 to 29 September 2022

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08 to 10 October 2022 IndiaCorr Expo

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

24 to 26 October 2022

Bangkok, Thailand

Asia CanTech

10 to 13 November 2022 Label Expo India 2022

India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, India

23 to 25 November 2022 pacprocess India

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

5 to 4 January 2023 Plast Focus 2023

India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida, India

1 to 5 February 2023 Plastindia 2023

Pragati Maidan New Delhi, India

9 to 11 February 2023 Labelexpo Southeast Asia

Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand

9 to 13 February 2023 Plastvision India 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

27 to 30 March 2023 Pamex 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

4 to 10 May 2023 interpack

Dusseldorf Trade Fair Centre, Dusseldorf, Germany

6-9 December 2023 Paperex 2023

India Expo Center & Mart, Greater Noida, India

1 to 5 February 2024 Plast Focus 2023

India Expo Center & Mart, Greater Noida, India

28 May to 7 June 2024

Dusseldorf, Germany

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THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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RNI UPENG/2018/76741 Editor Mahan Jyoti Hazarika editor@thepackman.in Cell: +91 9910189285 Senior Desk Editor Sunil Jain Senior Associate Editor Dev Kumar Dutta Associate Editors Pranay Mathur Manash Das Guest Editor Anwesh Koley Design and Production Biswajeet Chaliha Sales and Marketing Mahan Jyoti Hazarika Subscription Address C8, 1303, Eco Village 2, Greater Noida West, Gautam Buddha Nagar 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India Issue Published on 8 July 2022 Printed at JK Offset Graphics Pvt. Ltd. Printed, Published and Owned by Mahan Jyoti Hazarika, and Printed at JK offset Graphics Pvt. Ltd., B278 Okhla Phase I, New Delhi 110 020, India and Published From C8, 1303, Eco Village 2, Greater Noida West, Gautam Buddha Nagar 201301, Uttar Pradesh, India Editor: Mahan Jyoti Hazarika

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THE PACKMAN | JUL-AUG 2022

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RNI UPENG/2018/76741