INX Color Perfection Newsmagazine Issue #5

INX International Publication, Issue 5 — inxcpmag.com

INVESTING IN THE

Billboard Brand.

— of the — PG. 4

MARKET TRENDS: PG. 8

COLORED BY INX CAN DESIGN CONTEST: PG. 17

"INX is investing in production facilities around the world to improve efficiencies, capacities and throughput.”

Global Strategies to Meet Metal Decorating Industry Demands, Page 4

4 SPOTLIGHT

INSIDE COLOR PERFECTION

Global Strategies INX’s management team shares the Metal Decorating group’s wave of accomplishments, expansions, production investments, global management structure and unique capabilities that collectively help customers stay on top of high tides in the market.

8 MARKET TRENDS 10 MARKET NEWS 17 COLORED BY INX CAN DESIGN CONTEST The third annual Colored

by INX Can Design Contest call for entries is here. The contest deadline for entries is 9:00 p.m. (CST), April 29.

18 MEET THE INXPERT Alex Folloso, Director, Metal Deco Technology

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Global Strategies to Meet Metal Decorating Industry Demands

"Our global presence allows for the delivery of local service and support that’s customized to the markets it serves."

Peter Lockley, President of INX Europe

W

elcome to our fifth issue of Color Perfection Magazine.

Looking back, 2021 was a year of challenges but also a year of successes.

The continued impact of the Coronavirus pandemic combined with several severe weather events created much supply chain turmoil, the likes of which Peter Lockley, President of INX Europe, says he for one, has not seen before. “In 2021, INX International, our suppliers, customers and consumers often found ourselves feeling like we were running to stand still. We owe a debt of gratitude, not only to our own employees, but to the many others who have worked so hard with us throughout the year.”

Despite the many unaccustomed hindrances

and constraints, 2021 was actually a year of growth for the metal beverage can market around the world.

“Going forward,” he said, “we are pleased to be able to maximize this business growth collaboratively with customers as well as our employees, consumers and the environment.”

Spring is a time for looking forward, he adds. “Although it seems as if many of 2021’s issues will still be with us this year, at INX International we see grounds for optimism.

Sakata INX is the world’s third largest ink manufacturer, with more than 50 worldwide locations, $1.5 billion in global sales and more than 4,500 employees across 20 countries. Our global presence allows for the delivery of local service and support that’s customized to the markets it serves. There is so much to feel good about.”

SETTING NEW GOALS TO MEET MARKET TRENDS Likewise, the metal beverage can business has many positive attributes that will continue to drive increased consumption. Mordor Intelligence reports that the global metal packaging market was valued in 2021 at $110.3 billion, at a compound annual growth rate of 4.34 percent.

“We are ready,” Lockley continues. “INX is the only ink company with production facilities dedicated to the manufacture of inks for two-piece cans, and we are investing in these facilities to improve efficiencies, capacities and throughput.”

As the leader in metal container decorating, INX is further strengthening its global leadership position.

“We are expanding our unique manufacturing

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and service capabilities, increasing our global presence in the inks industry, and are steering our management strategies to help customers stay ahead of market headwinds,” Lockley says. “Our situation in Europe is similar to the one in the U.S., but we’re not the only player in the market, which is a fundamental difference.

We are the ink company that knows metal decorating ink. Investing in INX around the world is strengthening our global metal two-piece ink manufacturing capacity ahead of global demands.

This is solidifying us as a world leader.”

PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED INX International has expanded its two-piece metal decorating inks facilities, laboratories and blending centers and equipment by 45 percent from 2020 to 2022.

These include sites in the U.K., Spain, South America, China, Canada, Mexico, and in the U.S. in Charlotte, N.C., Dunkirk, N.Y., West Chicago, Ill., Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and Arlington, Texas.

The company is also considering additional capacity expansions elsewhere in the world, which will be announced at a later date, Lockley points out.

“With world-class facilities, a dedicated research and development staff dedicated to technological innovations, our 40 years of supply experience to the metal beverage can market drive us to continuously upgrade our product formulations for optimum performance.

Having several facilities in different regions of the U.S. and around the world, we are able to support our entire

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network of ink manufacturing capabilities in uncertain times and in unexpected situations.”

The INX technical team has always taken a proactive approach to service with a unified, structured mindset, focused on increasing efficiencies and throughput, waste reduction, quality improvements, and lower applied costs. Addressing customers’ additional supply chain needs this year and with a growing list of manufacturing locations around the world, the company has plans in place to expect the unexpected and handle unforeseeable changes in the market. “We are prepared for product selection and to support trials with continuous improvement recommendations,” explains John Hrdlick, President and Chief Executive Officer of INX International. “We expanded and improved our facilities in South America, Asia, Europe and in the U.S. to ensure we are at capacity requirements. Our company in Brazil also continues to show growth. Keeping as up to date as possible, we are making improvements to existing facilities in the U.S. to add support for two-piece metal ink manufacturing.

This includes a digital manufacturing investment in our Dunkirk, N.Y. facility.

“We are also utilizing our facilities in West Chicago, Ill., and Edwardsville, Kan. to support additional volume as needed,” adds Hrdlick. “Our plants in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., and Arlington, Texas are also involved with twopiece metal deco inks, so we’re investing in existing facilities in the U.S. to add support to two-piece metal deco ink manufacturing.”

INX Color Perfection Magazine

SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPLY CHAINS

NEW PRODUCTS, NEW LEADERSHIP

Sustainability is a key focus at INX, and the company’s sustainability credentials are at the forefront in many ways for consumers, brand owners, regulators and governments, Lockley points out. INX regularly develops new and improved sustainable products and solutions for all markets in which it is involved.

Fulfilling the demand for more sustainable products is just one focus of our innovation.

INX strives to understand our customers’ needs for metal container ink products, improving Color Perfection and the digital platform for metal, Hrdlick notes.

“Environmental solutions are in great demand,” he says.

“And the metal packaging market has had a substantial resurgence, as has the ecofriendly inks market, even during COVID-19 and with supply chain challenges.

Our goal is to deliver the ink and coatings products brand owners, consumers and printers want, that are environmentally sensitive, designed to enhance a brand’s appeal and are cost effective, easy to use and consistent; that use the least amount of resources while reducing carbon emissions.”

Hrdlick echoes the statement. “INX International has experienced supply chain challenges, as has everyone.

But we have been managing these challenges and maintaining our position in the supply chain. COVID-19 affected raw material supply and caused extreme freight logistics issues in 2021. Yet sales demand in packaging remains high, and the commercial markets have improved in a few areas but not consistently. Still, sales are expected to grow. I’m confident in our strong team and its ability to continue weathering the challenges ahead.”

“We are introducing innovative products, including inner and outer can coatings, that are safe, sustainable and support a circular economy.

We have always prioritized environmental and social responsibility as we seek to provide the best possible products and services to our customers, and will continue to do so.”

While the “billboard for the brand” carries great significance in what decorated metal cans represent, they wouldn’t be what they are without people leading the way in the Metal Group, Hrdlick emphasizes.

“The U.S. Metal group has gone through some leadership changes and retirements in the last few years, and I’m proud of how the group has performed,” Hrdlick says.

“Chad Butler, Vice President of Sales - Metal & Rigid Packaging, keeps the lines of communications with our customers wide open and

John Hrdlick, President & CEO INX International Ink Co.

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has stepped right in to lead ink sales in the U.S. Peter Lockley directs global sales, keeping our different efforts in the U.K., South America and the U.S. well coordinated and synergized.

“The two-piece metal group has been fortified, and our logistics and global purchasing groups and technical teams are also aligned with them to ensure two-piece metal products grow. We are all moving in the same direction, the same way. Our people check and recheck the details, and have their ears to and boots on the ground. We are proud that all of these parts of our business are in synch to go full steam ahead.”

As the leading supplier of inks to the metal beverage cans market, INX is well aware of its responsibilities to the ink industry. Our ongoing global investments in manufacturing capacity for metal decorating inks will ensure that we stay ahead of the growth curve and remain ideally placed to supply the needs of all our customers, wherever they are. This unique global network of facilities will continue to support the market as it develops.

We hope that you enjoy this fifth issue of Color Perfection® Magazine.

Peter Lockley, President, INX Europe, INX International Ink Co.

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FLAVORED COKE CANS Get a

Makeover

Coca-Cola Co. has debuted new packaging designs for some of its flavored Coke products, which launched in January. Cans of Cherry, Vanilla, and Cherry Vanilla cola flavors present the iconic Coca-Cola logo in an enlarged and shaded style - either in white or black lettering - against gold and dark red backgrounds to distinguish between regular and sugar-free.

MICHELOB ULTRA Creates Hoop Dreams With NBA Cans Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Michelob ULTRA, the official beer sponsor of the National Basketball Association, has teamed up with four emerging artists to design limited-edition cans for pro basketball fans.

The first-ever line of unique cans features 18 teams.

The idea was to help fans celebrate their favorite teams and the teams’ greatest moments with exclusive Michelob ULTRA cans commissioned just for them.

The brand partnered with four talented, emerging artists at what A-B describes as “the 8

intersection of streetwear, sports and entertainment,” to bring these cans to life that represents each city.

The artists include: Chuck Anderson, who showcases iconic team logos on the top half of the can and pairs it with city-inspired imagery on the bottom half to create textured, abstract designs that highlight prominent landmarks from each city; Sophia Chang, who captures the pride and joy of each team by referencing phrases and icons for each team’s individual city;

Drake Cereal who tells the story of the community and iconic moments that makes an NBA team who they are, honoring the past, present and future with a playful collection for local fans; Christophe Roberts, who creates a made-by-hand feel by reinterpreting team mascots in a loose and illustrative style.

The Atlanta-based soft drink giant says the visual refresh for cans of Coke displaying white lettering indicate that they have the full complement of sugar, while those with a black-shaded logo signify zero sugar. Cherry Coke will be offered in magenta cans while the new vanilla-flavored option will come in cream-colored cans. Coke without caffeine, both regular and no sugar, also have new designs in keeping with this packaging update.

“We wanted to modernize and simplify the look of our packaging through a colorful but clean packaging design,” explains Natalia Suarez, senior brand manager of Coke Choice Portfolio.

Available since mid-January at local beverage distributors and arenas in participating markets, the cans will only be around for a limited time, says the Michelob ULTRA branding team.

INX Color Perfection Magazine

BUD LIGHT SELTZER

Goes Seasonal

Just as beverage brands proactively revise their products and flavors, they’re taking the same approach to their packaging with fresh ideas, new concepts and contemporary looks. Bud Light Seltzer from Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, for example, has made seasonal/limited edition rollouts something to look for on store shelves and online.

The 2021 fall season was no exception. A-B’s Limited Edition Bud Light Seltzer Fall Flannel variety pack featured three new seasonal flavors plus fan-favorite Apple Crisp, which returned for a limited time from last year’s eye-catching Ugly Sweater pack. The new seltzers included Pumpkin Spice, Toasted Marshmallow, Maple Pear and the Apple Crisp flavor. “Bud Light looked to popular fall flavors that benefited from a hard seltzer twist and appeal to the autumn season,” said a Bud Light spokesperson.

Each flavor comes in 12-oz. slim cans color-coded to each flavor: red for Apple Crisp, green for Maple Pear, orange for Pumpkin Spice and brown for Toasted Marshmallow. The secondary can carrier features a red and black plaid flannel pattern resembling a flannel shirt.

PFRIEM FAMILY BREWERS Moves from Bottles to Cans pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, Ore., reports it will transition seasonal and limited 500-mL bottled beers to 16-oz. cans. The brewery will soon roll out the new package. The core lineup of Pilsner, IPA, and Hazy IPA will remain in single serve 500mL bottles through late 2022 and 12-oz., six-pack cans beyond that.

“We are incredibly excited to bring our diverse lineup of limited and seasonal beers into 16-oz. four-packs of cans,” says Josh pFriem,

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Brewmaster and co-founder of pFriem Family Brewers. He says the 16-oz. packaging echos the style of many pFriem Family creations.

“It was important that we translate the elegance and premium quality of our 500mL bottles to the branding on the 16-oz. cans. Though labeling the beers was logistically necessary due to the vast variety of styles we produce, we weren’t happy with other label examples in the market; we sought an innovative look.”

The result is a printed matte black can and the bold pFriem badge or crest, in gold and a colorful band encircling each can that’s color-coded to the beer variety. The new packaging will be distributed in March throughout Oregon and Washington starting with the Spring Seasonal and Limited Classics beers.

The brewery has spent the last two years upgrading its facility and enhancing its infrastructure to make way for canning at larger volumes.

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PTFE-FREE Metal Deco Inks enhance sustainablity Perfluorinated chemicals are being reformulated and implemented as PTFE-free ink formulations for three-piece can and flat-sheet metal decorating applications. The move follows INXs initiative to find alternatives to fluorinated substances.

INX International is taking proactive initiatives to remove all perfluorinated chemicals in all of our products globally by the end of 2023. The chemistry includes Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wax, which has commonly been used in inks and coatings as a lubricant. Clean, renewable, and sustainable, the PTFE-free ink ingredients won’t sacrifice machine, processing, or enduse product performance.

GLOSS/MATTE NOVAR INKS for extruded metal Bed Head, the original rebel hair brand, turned to INX to champion its new Contortionist™ Flexible Hairspray used by professional hair stylists. This cool, 9.1 ounce can design was created using new AP Novar II gloss and matte inks that are designed for extruded metal decorating. AP Novar II ink provides a high gloss and matte-effect contrast, inline with the type of appeal the brand was looking to capture.

Matte, thermoset inks average 50 percent lower in 10

gloss compared to glossy ink counterparts. This product required a sized or pre-coated substrate but not a final exterior coating. Perfect for matte packaging looks, these low-gloss matte inks demonstrate excellent inkflow characteristics, high strength and low misting. No overvarnish is required and you can expect superior press performance and improved scratch resistance. Colors are available upon request.

INX supports the circular economy, which is essential to driving product and package sustainability. We realize that doing our part to increase environmental safety is key to shaping a sustainable future of the print and packaging industry, and addressing the needs of brand owners, customers, and consumers.

For more information, call your INX representative or visit inxinternational.com/products.

LAURA PERRYMAN, Colour of Saying, Launches Colour Guide Book To Laura Perryman, colour is never taken for granted.

Though colours are ubiquitous, they are easily overlooked and taken for granted. But Perryman is all about colour; how it should be integral to design and above all, have a positive purpose for applications, products and services.

The Colour Bible handbook dives into 100 profiles of significant colours and tracks them through their genesis, historical usage and contemporary connotations.

Readers of INX Color Perfection® Magazine will remember our article with Perryman, who is a colour expert, featured in the pages of the 2020 International issue.

THE BOOK ALSO PROVIDES:

A seasoned trend forecaster based in the U.K., Perryman owns Colour of Saying, a Northeast London-based experimental colour design agency that assists brand owners, canmakers and other organizations with colour and material trend insights and forecasts.

•

Perryman has now launched her own book, The Colour Bible (Octopus Books publishers in the U.K.; Prestel in the U.S.), a guide to 100 colours in art and design that acts as a resource for graphic designers, artists, illustrators and creatives of any kind who work with colour.

• •

Key colour associations from around the world Contemporary connotations and brand design Practical advice on how to use and combine colours in your work

“The book is visual—it was always going to be,” Perryman says. “Each chapter explores each colour area. Every colour profile starts with the colour’s origin, then tracks its evolution, historical use and where it lands today. It gives you the personalities and highlights of colour, names of colours over the years, and curated examples in art or design to unpick individual colours, their histories and the benefits or meanings they have today.”

COLOUR IS VITAL Perryman’s philosophy is that colour and materials should be integral to design, but above all have a positive purpose for applications, products, or services.

Released in late 2021, The Colour Bible is Perryman’s first book but surely won’t be the last. Look for more from Perryman as she helps judge the Colored by INX Can Contest this spring.

You can find Perryman’s book on Amazon, and her website, Colour of Saying, at www.colourofsaying.com.

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BALL CORP. Receives Gold Class Status in Sustainability

SONOCO Completes Ball Metalpack Acquisition

and achieving the strongest improvement of S&P Global ESG Scores in its industry.

"We are honored to receive this recognition from S&P Global, and I believe it further proves the impact we will realize through our 2030 sustainability goals," states Dan Fisher, President and CEO-elect of Ball Corp.

Ball Corp., Westminster, Colo., received the Gold Class and Industry Mover Awards in the S&P Global 2022 Sustainability Yearbook for its sustainability practices across the company's packaging and aerospace businesses. Ball's inclusion is a result of the company placing within the top 1 percent in the packaging and containers industry, 12

The company accelerated its sustainability goals in 2021. Its sustainability goals for 2030 are intended to drive action on 10 social and environmental areas: health; safety and well-being; diversity and inclusion; talent development; employee experience; community; real circularity; climate leadership; material health; resource efficiency; and responsible sourcing. More information is available at ball.com/realcircularity.

Sonoco completed its acquisition of Ball Metalpack, a leading manufacturer of sustainable metal packaging for food and household products and the largest aerosol can producer in North America, in January.

President and CEO of Sonoco. "The metal packaging business complements Sonoco's largest Consumer Packaging franchise - our iconic global Paper Cans and Closures business. This combination expands Sonoco's already established sustainable packaging portfolio to include metal packaging, which is one of the world's top circular economy adapted products."

Previously part of Ball Corp., the Ball Metalpack joint venture has over 100 years of experience producing steel tinplate food and aerosol cans, and closures and packaging components at eight U.S. operations.

"Sonoco and Ball Metalpack are a clear strategic fit," explains Howard Coker,

INX Color Perfection Magazine

CAN CAPTURE GRANTS to Help Texas MRF Recycle 4 Million More Aluminum Beverage Cans

The annual energy savings could power

1.5 MILLION U.S. HOMES for one hour.

For more details on the can grant initiative, visit recyclingpartnership.org/ cancapture-grant.

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A materials recycling facility (MRF) in Kilgore, Tex., is the latest recipient of the aluminum beverage can capture grant program funded by Ardagh Metal Packaging and Crown Holdings. Following a can capture grant given to a material recovery facility in Florida last August, the Texas grant awarded in late 2021 by The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Va. - in conjunction with the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) in Washington, D.C. - is the latest aluminum beverage can industry-funded effort to build on its recycling rates and recycled content.

The Rivers Recycling facility was awarded this critical upgrade to sort out aluminum cans from single-stream recyclables with an effective eddy current, rather than by hand. Once installed in the MRF, where recyclables are separated to make them ready for market, the equipment will result in 4 million more aluminum beverage cans captured annually. The move from manual sorting to the new eddy current will boost annual used beverage can capture at the facility by 50 percent.

The grant program builds off of CMI research that reveals the importance of capturing all used beverage cans (UBC) flowing through MRFs, which play a vital role of sorting single-stream recyclables. The research concludes that most MRFs in the U.S. would not be able to operate without the revenue from such used cans, considering they are consistently a most valuable beverage package material in the recycling stream.

The Rivers Recycling facility operates as a singlestream MRF that processes approximately 18,000 tons of material per year from the East Texas area. The CMI reports that when 4 million additional cans are captured and recycled each year at this one facility, it will generate more than $65,000 in new annual revenue and produce enough energy savings each year to power 1.5 million U.S. homes for one hour.

The millions of cans captured each year for recycling will help the CMI achieve the aluminum beverage can recycling rate targets its members set, starting with a 70 percent rate by 2030.

“Can Manufacturers Institute members Ardagh and Crown are funding strong improvements at MRFs that ensure many millions of infinitely recyclable aluminum cans are recycled annually,” notes CMI President Robert Budway. “The can industry

grants show the financial and environmental benefit of purchasing equipment that captures more UBCs. Importantly, while the can industry will seek to further catalyze installation of additional can capture equipment, government funding and recycling facility investments should also focus on infrastructure that captures more high value material like cans.”

Adds Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership, “Aluminum cans enjoy widely recyclable status and industry-leading recycled content rates. Yet, there is still a lot of valuable material lost in homes and at MRFs. We are happy to partner with CMI, Crown and Ardagh on this grant program delivering swift and impactful solutions that further increase successful can capture. We applaud their investment, and we look forward to continuing to partner with the aluminum can industry to improve the system and support their circularity goals.”

To learn more about the importance to the recycling system of capturing UBCs and CMI’s efforts to ensure more aluminum beverage cans are correctly sorted at MRFs, visit cancentral.com/ cansdriverecycling.

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Scholarship Golf Outing the day before its Annual Conference, which will take place Oct. 4 at the Eaglewood Resort in Itasca, Ill. All proceeds from the outing go to fund the Scholarship Program, which awards over $7,000 annually to family members of IMDPA members.

IMDPA will distribute the scholarships in $2,000, $1000 and $500 increments as decided by the judges.

NEW PRINTER SPACE BLOG

RULES FOR CONSIDERATION

Focuses on Information, Printing, Tech Support, Decorating Use

Students must be the child or grandchild of a member in good standing (with dues paid in full), and recipients will be notified by June 30, 2022.

The winners will also be acknowledged at an IMDPA awards luncheon during the association’s Annual Conference.

The deadline to participate is March 31, 2022. Students can find more information at www.metaldecorators.org/ scholarships.

STAFF EXPERTS OFFER INPUT

We have created our own blog called Printer Space.

The printing and ink world has evolved over the years, perhaps more dramatically with the rise of digital technologies in the last two decades.

The monthly blog can be used as a resource offering pertinent information that keeps pace with the many changes in the printing and ink world.

“The idea for the Printer Space blog was largely based on the number of questions we receive and address from our customers. We saw it as an opportunity to increase awareness and help the print and packaging communities,” says Renee Schouten, INX director of marketing.

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“With the number of experts we have on staff,” she added, “our goal is to make Printer Space the place where people go for insightful information.

The experts Schouten mentions have a wealth of printing industry experience and advice to offer. Most have been invested in the printing industry for 20 or more years. Some have devoted their entire careers to ink chemistry while others offer a brand owner, research and development or marketing viewpoint.

Other topics range from sustainability and color management to special effect and functional inks, productivity and alternative inks.

To read the latest blog, visit inxinternational.com/blog.

IMDPA Now Accepting Scholarship Applications, Hosting Webinars The International Metal Decorating and Packaging Association (IMDPA)’s Scholarship Program provides funds for students who have completed high school and are enrolled in an accredited college, a junior college, a vocational-technical school or other institution of continuing education.

Each year the non-profit association hosts an Annual

EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS The IMDPA is also hosting a series of educational webinars in the second quarter of 2022. These topical presentations deliver focused content and programming for IMDPA members, delivered by industry experts.

If you don’t catch it live, the webinars will be recorded and available on-demand for members.

For webinar registration and information, contact the IMDPA at 410-252-5205 or visit www.metaldecorators. org/webinars.

INX Color Perfection Magazine

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS—See you there!

MAY 2-5: CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE & BREW EXPO Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis

A can’t-miss event and America’s largest craft brewing industry gathering. craftbrewersconference.com

America’s Largest Craft Brewing Industry Gathering, The Craft Brewers Conference®

MAY 10-13: CAN MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE ANNUAL MEETING

MAY 11-13: LATAMCAN 2022

Presenting a range of topics, from food safety and product stewardship to environmental health, recycling and safety issues, this event is a must for canmakers, suppliers and decorator members.

A premier conference/forum and exposition featuring advancements in 2- and 3pc canmaking, can supply, can market news, technology insights and much more.

Ritz Carlton, Sarasota, Fla.

Bourbon Atibaia Convention & Spa Resort, Sao Paulo, Brazil

latamcan.com

cancentral.com/AnnualMeeting

OCT. 5-6: CANMAKER SUMMIT 2022

Prague Marriott Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic

This annual gathering of companies and individuals actively involved in metal packaging will be a major opportunity to join canmakers, fillers and suppliers from around the world to examine current issues through two days of meetings, discussions and thought-provoking, topical presentations. thecanmakersummit.com

MAY 24-26: GULFCAN CONFERENCE 2022 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai U.A.E.

Designed for canmakers and suppliers, it features a series of technical presentations and seminars on a range of topics and an expo with new developments and maximum networking opportunities. gulfcanconference.com inxcpmag.com

JUNE 6-8: CANTECH THE GRAND TOUR Virtual

A global technical conference and exhibition for can makers, fillers and their suppliers.

OCT. 4-6: INTERNATIONAL METAL DECORATING AND PACKAGING ASSOCIATION (IMDPA) 2022

Annual Conference and Exhibits, Eaglewood Resort, Itasca, Ill. With a scholarship golf outing on Oct. 4 and the technical conference and exhibition Oct. 5-6, the IMDPA will highlight the latest developments in metal decorating and packaging technology, educational and networking opportunities for the food and beverage, health and beauty and industrial markets. Over 300 industry members from around the world are expected to attend. metaldecorators.org

cantechthegrandtour.com

Can of the Year 2021 Winner: Hindustan Tin Works, India 15

INX TEAM to Judge Craft Brew Marketing Awards A global judging panel, fascinating packaging designs from around the world, and 40-plus categories add up to the ‘Crushie’ Awards, which toast the best beer has to offer.

For the second year in a row, INX will sponsor the Craft Brew Marketing Awards (CBMAs) a contest celebrating the marketing and package design efforts in the craft brew business.

Sarah Jacks, INX's Color Perfection Manager, and Shaun Thompson, INX's Technical Service Director, will once again serve on the judging panel.

Presenting sponsor Hillebrand North America in Houston says the third annual CBMAs are the only

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global awards competition to recognize and celebrate the importance of craft beer marketing and design as a key to success in this highly competitive marketplace. The CBMAs honor breweries that are “crushing it,” in the world of beer marketing.

Brewers are working with superior artists and designers on their can art, and the benefits are paying off.

Nicknamed the “Crushie” awards, the event gives breweries the opportunity to share their design and branding work on a whole new level. Entry categories identify all aspects of globally produced beer, cider, hard

seltzer, mead and breweryproduced, ready-to-drink cocktails.

The winners will be announced live on Wednesday, May 4, at a ceremony in Minneapolis.

“Shaun and I are looking forward to seeing the entries,” Jacks says. Effective beer packaging is critical, remaining one of the most effective means of influencing purchase.”

To learn more about the CBMAs, visit craftbeermarketingawards.com.

GLOBAL JUDGING PANEL More than 500 beer marketing, design and packaging experts will participate from 24 countries.

The highest–scoring entries will determine the Platinum and Gold Crushie winners in each region, as well as the contenders for the Silver Global Crushie.

INX Color Perfection Magazine

Enter Today!

Entries due 4/29

EARN BRAGGING RIGHTS ON A GLOBAL STAGE. Colored by INX Can Design Contest entries due April 29. coloredbyinx.com • 630‑382‑1961

T

he third annual Colored

by INX Can Design Contest will celebrate and promote the best-of-thebest in beverage can design.

The exciting beverage can graphics created by the winning designers and brand owners always introduce new looks that serve as a first connection to consumers.

The eye-catching designs also showcase the many benefits of using INX Color Perfection® for metal packaging.

Your efforts in creating an outstanding brand design deserve a lot of recognition, and we are proud to inxcpmag.com

be part of the process.

Launched Feb. 15, this third competition will benefit you with global exposure, promotional materials, and plenty of recognition. You will receive an engraved trophy with the designed can mounted inside, a certificate of award, a feature story in ColorPerfection Magazine, and press coverage in industry magazines.

The winning can will also be displayed at industry trade shows and will be featured on the INX website. The winner will also get featured on INX social media channels with over 10,000 followers.

The contest deadline for entries is 9:00 p.m. (CST), April 29. Five finalists will be chosen and those selections can be viewed online starting May 10. The winner will be announced on May 18.

NEW JUDGING PANEL An internal judging committee of marketing and color specialists will choose the finalists from the can contest submissions.

The more the judges know about your design and your story, the easier it will be to gain a greater appreciation when considering the finalists.

Sarah Jacks, Color Perfection Manager/ Color Management Expert, INX International; Eduardo Ribeiro, Commercial Manager, INX International South America; Scott Drucker, Managing Partner, The Drucker Group Creative Brand Marketing and Advertising; Mike Grady, Senior Vice President, North American Graphics; Laura Perryman, Founder, Designer, Editor and Author, Color of Saying, a colour consultant and trend forecaster; Ronald de Vlam, Partner, Chief Innovation Officer, COHO Creative, a Brand Design Strategist.

Enter Today!

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A

s Director of the INX Metal Decorating Technology Team, Alex Folloso works across several functional areas of the business and with INX customers and suppliers to oversee maintenance and new product development for flat-sheet and two-piece metal decorating inks.

PTFE-free ink formulations for three-piece/flat sheet metal decorating applications. The next step is to reformulate these inks for two-piece applications.“ Each canmaker also has unique goals focusing on safety and on reducing the carbon footprint (i.e. Cradle 2 Cradle), so INX has many plans in motion.

Starting his career at INX by interning in research as a chemist in 1997, Alex moved full-time into the Metal Decorating Research & Development Group a year later. He was instrumental in developing the two-piece metal dense black ink still used on cans today.

“I can’t single out one specific project that I’m especially proud of because I am proud of contributing to the Metal Division’s challenges and overall successes. Two-piece metal decorating growth remains strong, but it’s accompanied by large growth in the digital segment.”

“INX offered me my first job out of college,” he remembers. “The work was challenging and I enjoyed what I was doing.”

Promoted to technical director in 2013, Alex said the main part of his job involves product management.

“This includes the maintenance of all metal decorating products, product consolidation, new raw material qualifications, regulatory and new product development. Once I review my R&D projects, I work based on priorities. But it seems a new or different challenge will surface that changes things.

“Some of our recent projects include the AP EcoCan for 2-Piece Metal, which was developed with sustainability goals and safety in mind.

We’re also working to reduce reportable VOCs from printing ink, and are launching the NoVar Gloss/Matte inks for extruded metal.”

In February 2021, he said INX was asked to discontinue the use of perfluorinated

18

RISING TO THE CHALLENGES

He began his career at INX and with over 20 years in the industry, Alex Folloso is a mover and a shaker.

ALEX FOLLOSO, DIRECTOR, METAL DECORATING TECHNOLOGY

chemicals in all metal decorating products globally by the end of 2023.

“This chemistry includes Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) wax, which is commonly used

in inks and coatings as a lubricant. Reformulating to discontinue PTFE use is part of what we’re doing to reach the sustainability goals the company has set. We have reformulated and implemented

Alex says 2021 was difficult for several reasons. “It was extremely challenging from a raw material supply standpoint. Raw material supplies from vendors have been affected by reasons beyond their control. We found other options while still providing inks to our canmaker customers. With two-piece metal, there is also higher demand for cans globally. Overcoming the raw material supply issues has been our biggest challenge, but we have found new sources and are being creative with the ink chemistry.”

Alex says his team provides consistent color with each ink batch.

“We have programs in place that help our canmaker partners print consistently, more efficiently and help control costs. As a result, we know we have done our part to provide a consistent ink color to the market.”

INX Color Perfection Magazine

OCT 4-6

REGISTRATION OPENS IN MAY for our 89th Annual Conference EAGLEWOOD RESORT ITASCA, IL 60143

INX will help you bring your vision to life on metal.

Craft brewing is creative, and the cans are an expression of your vision. But for the look to reproduce flawlessly, you need a color standard designed for metal. Avoid production hiccups with the INX 2-Piece Metal Color Catalog and the free Adobe™ Digital Color Library. These tools are a true representation of color so you can select, communicate, and approve color efficiently, getting your labels to market quicker.

Learn more about INX’s resources for beverage can design at INXColorPerfection.com