By: Cartes and Vetaphone

Established in 1970 as a supplier of bespoke label manufacturing technology, Cartes is still owned and managed by the Lodi family and has its headquarters in Moglia, Italy.

According to Sales & Marketing Manager Enrica Lodi: “We have always specialized in the high value-added sector of the narrow web market and have a reputation for pioneering innovative solutions for the self-adhesive, linerless, roll to roll printing, finishing, and converting processes.”  Today, the company’s workforce has more than 60 specialist technicians engaged in design and manufacture in its 12,000 sqm facility in the Mantova Province, some 200km south-east of Milan.

From a small start in 1970 the business began to grow significantly in the 1980s with a global growth in demand for self-adhesive labels.  This began an export drive by Cartes that now sees more than 4,300 of its machines installed and in daily operation in over 100 countries around the world – some achievement for a family business!  Highlights down the years have included a new factory in 2012, the R&D and launch of the Jet D-Screen technology in 2019, and the opening of a branch facility in New Jersey, USA in 2020.

One factor that has remained unchanged throughout is the company’s approach to R&D.  Enrica Lodi explained: “Many of our customers say they choose Cartes because we have an flexible mind – we are always prepared to customise and personalise our equipment to suit their requirements even if it breaks our production model – customers’ needs always come first here!”  And it was this attention to detail that first brought Cartes into contact with Vetaphone back in 2012.

As the inventor and acknowledged global pioneer of corona surface treatment, Vetaphone is also a family-owned business with a reputation for customer-orientation that aligns well with that of Cartes.  Speaking for Vetaphone, Giuseppe Rossi, who is Area Sales Manager for Italy commented: “We understand that customer requirements can vary considerably and that a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work, especially when dealing with a specialist manufacturer like Cartes.”

One of the linchpins of the close working partnership that has developed over the past 12 years is a mutual appreciation of each other’s attention to detail and adaptability.  This was most clearly shown with Cartes’ desire to work with co-suppliers whose technology could be fully integrated with their own.  In Vetaphone’s case, this not only related to the Corona Treater but also the Web Cleaner. 

The two units, that are mounted adjacent to each other can both be controlled from the same operator panel which itself can be fully integrated with the Cartes machine.  “This is especially useful on machines where we have more than one Corona Treater, sometimes as many as three, all of which are at different positions in the line – being able to integrate them on one control panel is both more ergonomic for the operator and maximises efficiency for the entire production line,” explained Enrica Lodi.

Giuseppe Rossi added: “From a supplier’s point of view, Cartes makes life straightforward because all its machines have the same 350mm working web width.  By limiting one parameter, both companies can focus on maximising efficiency and cost control.  Vetaphone Corona Treaters can be specified with a variety of options to meet exact production requirements, but if we are always manufacturing to the same web width, we can offer cost-saving production benefits too.”

The reality is that the numbers speak for themselves: Cartes now manufactures and ships around 120 machines a year, which is likely to accelerate as the demand from the digital sector continues apace.  “Our technology makes life easier for the operator, which in a global market that is experiencing a worrying level of skill shortage, highlights the need for more automation.  This means more control integration and that is the strength of the Cartes/Vetaphone working arrangement,” she added.

The company’s current product portfolio. Includes technology for hot stamping, silk screen printing, digital embellishment, flexo printing and varnishing, flatbed and semi rotary die cutting, and embossing.  In addition, Cartes offers its unique Laser technology for die cutting and converting.  The single or dual 350W laser is suitable for paper or film, which thanks to its RF power control and ‘cut on the fly’ software offers maximum performance across any shape or cut-through programme.  Known by Cartes as ILC (Invisible Laser Cutting) it allows dark printed labels to be die cut without a white edge.

Looking ahead, Enrica Lodi sees future investments targeted at increased automation on the production floor and a ramping up of output to meet growing demand from the markets of the USA, Brazil, Chile and Argentina across the Atlantic and in France and Spain in Europe, while Japan remains a strong market for laser die cutting. Summing up for Vetaphone, Giuseppe Rossi stated: “It’s always a pleasure to work with a company like Cartes where there is so much synergy with the Vetaphone business ethos.  We have developed a strong cooperative partnership based on mutual trust and a joint desire for innovation and we look forward to playing a key part in their growth and future development.”

By: IST America

Shorewood, Illinois, February 14, 2025 – IST America (ISTA), a global leader in UV and LED light curing technology, is proud to announce its participation as a sponsor of the 2025 Print UV Conference, taking place March 11-12 at the Wynn Encore in Las Vegas, NV. As a global leader in premium UV curing solutions, IST America continues its commitment to advancing UV and LED technology in the printing industry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with Tim Sterbak, Managing Director, IST Metz, Holger Kuehn, Sales Director, IST Metz, and Errol Moebius, President / CEO, IST America, who will be on-site to discuss the latest advancements in UV curing. Additionally, Tim Sterbak will be a featured panelist on Day 1, contributing to the session “UV and LED Curing Technology Advancements,” where he will share insights on the latest developments in curing efficiency, sustainability, and performance.

As one of the premier events in the UV printing industry, Print UV brings together printers, manufacturers, and industry experts for three days of networking, technical discussions, and innovation. Print UV is a must-attend event for commercial and packaging printers looking to enhance their UV printing operations. The event is designed to foster collaboration, providing attendees with direct access to technology leaders, expert-led panel discussions, and the latest trends in UV and LED curing.

“We are excited to support Print UV and engage with industry leaders to drive innovation forward,” said Errol Moebius, President / CEO, IST America. “With ongoing advancements in UV and LED curing, this event is an essential platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration.”

At this year’s event, IST America will highlight its latest innovations designed to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and performance for printers worldwide:

FREEcure Technology – Developed in collaboration with BASF, FREEcure eliminates the need for photoinitiators, inertization, and electron beams while achieving exceptional curing performance.
SMARTcure Technology – IST’s intelligent UV curing system automatically adjusts energy output to match production needs, optimizing performance while reducing energy consumption.
Hot Swap Technology – IST’s modular curing solution allows seamless switching between UV lamp and LED technology within the same system.

IST America invites attendees to stop by, connect with our team, and explore how our latest UV curing innovations can enhance their printing operations.

About IST America

IST America, an arm of IST Metz in Nürtingen Germany is the leader in premium UV curing solutions, offering the most extensive portfolio of high-performance UV lamp and UV LED systems, along with excimer, hybrid, FREEcure, and SMARTcure technologies. With over 30 years of experience, IST America provides innovative solutions to the U.S. market, including sales, service, parts, and application expertise for advanced curing systems.

Serving industries from sheetfed, wide web, and narrow web printing to digital and industrial applications, IST delivers reliable, tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of its customers. Committed to delivering More Than UV, IST works closely with clients to ensure precision, performance and success.

Based in Shorewood, IL, IST America is the U.S. division of IST Metz, a global leader in UV curing technology headquartered in Nürtingen, Germany.

For more information, visit www.ist-uv.com/en-us.

By: NextGen Label Group

Syracuse, NY – February 14, 2025 – NextGen Label Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Jessica McCarthy to Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective April 1, 2025, coinciding with Dan Rosenbaum’s transition to President & CEO.

Jessica is a proven leader in human resources and administration, bringing extensive experience in fostering a positive and productive workplace culture. Jessica has played a pivotal role in talent development, employee engagement, and shaping policies that support the company’s commitment to its employee-centric approach.

As CHRO, Jessica will continue to oversee key HR functions, including talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, compliance, employee relations, and training and development. She will also take on an expanded role in collaboratively leading the marketing team, reinforcing NextGen’s brand custodianship and employee-ownership values both internally and externally.

“Jessica’s leadership has been key to fostering a strong workplace culture,” said Dan Rosenbaum. “Her dedication to employee growth and engagement, along with her ability to strengthen our brand and reinforce our values, makes her an invaluable asset to our leadership team.”

Under Jessica’s leadership, NextGen Label Group will continue to enhance its workplace initiatives, ensuring a supportive and growth environment for all employees. Her expanded role will further align HR and marketing efforts, promoting a unified and cohesive vision for the company’s future.

By: Mactac

STOW, Ohio – Feb. 12, 2025 – For the third consecutive year, Mactac® is recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for recyclability of its pressure-sensitive label materials.

Mactac was awarded Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) for its polypropylene (BOPP) pressure-sensitive labels with CHILL AT® hot-melt adhesive for flexible polyethylene (PE) film packaging materials. The labeling solution exceeded voluntary requirements for APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition, meeting the most stringent, industry accepted criteria for design features that affect plastics recycling.

Mactac is the first manufacturer to hold CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for flexible PE. Mactac was also the first to earn CGR for a hot-melt adhesive for polypropylene (PP) recycling applications in 2024, and for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers in 2023.

“Achieving the APR’s Critical Guidance Recognition is an important step in our Simply Sustainable® initiative to promote a more circular economy,” says Kim Hensley, Senior Marketing Manager, Mactac Performance Adhesives. “Mactac was the first label manufacturer to offer a hot-melt adhesive solution for HDPE and PP recycling applications, and now we are the first to earn recognition for PE flexible recycling applications. We are proud of our commitment to improve sustainable practices and promote recyclability.”

The newly bestowed recognition applies to Mactac white and clear top-coated BOPP labels that are paired with the industry-leading Mactac CHILL AT pressure-sensitive adhesive. The labeling solution is ideal for PE surfaces such as bags, pouches, wraps, sachets and envelopes in food packaging, home and personal care applications.

The featured CHILL AT adhesive is an innovative, all-temperature hot melt that offers superior protection of packaging. It has a versatile temperature range spanning -65 to +150 degrees Fahrenheit and delivers high-tack adhesion, high tack-and-peel, and a quick, strong bond — even to cold, wet surfaces and low-energy substrates.

Compatible with standard PE flexible container recycling practices, CHILL AT labels stay with containers during recycling without impacting recycled polyethylene (rPE) flexible pellets.
“Brand owners who want to achieve their sustainable packaging targets should turn to CHILL AT,” Hensley says. “It goes on, stays on, and then remains with the film during recycling, ensuring the most out of both packaging and branding in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Hensley, Sustainability Manager Christina Barajas, and R&D Senior Scientist Amanda Quaranta presented the Mactac innovation to the APR membership group. In the recognition certificate, the APR commended Mactac for placing a high priority on recyclability in product design.

“The APR is pleased to recognize Mactac for meeting the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide,” stated Steve Alexander, APR President and CEO. “Design for recyclability leads to less waste, more efficient use of limited natural resources, and increased supply of high-quality post-consumer recycled content.”

The APR represents companies who acquire, reprocess and sell the output of more than 90% of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in North America.

To view the Mactac portfolio of APR-recognized products, including labeling solutions for PE, PET, HDPE and PP containers, visit www.mactac.com/simplysustainable.

For more information on the high-quality materials available from Mactac Performance Adhesives Group, call 800-255-9733, email mactac.americas@mactac.com or visit www.mactac.com/rolllabel.

By: Heidelberg

Kennesaw, Ga. February 12, 2025 – POLAR cutters continue to impress with their efficiency, durability, and high level of operator satisfaction. With a combined 83 years of service, two POLAR cutters in the Midwest have become symbols of the brand’s enduring legacy. Looking to build upon this reliability with advanced technology, Artisan Press in Sioux City, IA, and LKCS in Peru, IL, recently upgraded to new POLAR cutters from HEIDELBERG, resulting in significant gains in productivity and throughput.

Consistent Quality and Reliable Cutting at Artisan Press

Artisan Press, a full-service commercial printer based in Sioux City, IA, serves a diverse range of customers across the Midwestern United States, including manufacturing companies, medical facilities, and educational and financial institutions. To maintain the high level of service the company has provided its customers for over seventy years, Artisan Press recently installed a POLAR N 115 high-speed cutter from HEIDELBERG. The POLAR N 115 replaces an aging cutter from a competitive manufacturer and complements another POLAR cutter the company has relied upon since 1983.

“The cutter we had to replace was significantly newer than our older POLAR,” said Artisan’s Production Manager, Ray Goodvin. “It’s hard to believe that after forty years, our POLAR is still running great. We’re just amazed by the quality products that it continues to produce.”

Installed at the end of 2024, the new POLAR N 115 has made a significant impact on Artisan Press’s turnaround times and job completion costs thanks to its intuitive and operator-friendly interface and quick back gauge speed of 11.81 in/sec. According to Goodvin, “The new POLAR takes everything we loved about our old cutter and makes it even better – faster, more efficient, and incredibly reliable.”

A long time HEIDELBERG user, Artisan Press is equipped with a variety of HEIDELBERG offset presses, Prinect workflow, and a new Suprasetter A75 that was installed last year. The company remains impressed by the exceptional service HEIDELBERG provides – from equipment removal to installation to quick and simple training – all with “no headaches.”

Over the years, Artisan Press consistently evaluates its equipment and invests in new technologies to ensure it always meets its customers’ high standards. Following the outstanding experience with its new POLAR, Goodvin said, “we won’t hesitate to turn to HEIDELBERG for future upgrades across our production arsenal.”

Exceptional Product, Exceptional Training at LKCS

Unlike traditional commercial printers, LKCS is a one-stop shop for financial service companies, offering a wide range of services all under one roof. Based in Peru, IL, the company handles programming, hosting, design, printing, and mailing for clients across nearly all fifty states, with a focus on over 700 financial institutions. Jeff Sobkowiak, Vice President of Production at LKCS, explained, “While we specialize in financial institutions, our motto, ‘We Do That,’ reflects our ability to deliver a wide range of products for any company in the marketing sector with unmatched service and response time.”

Founded in 1961, LKCS is currently ranked #1 amongst its competitors for customer satisfaction. To maintain this competitive edge, the third-generation family-owned company recently upgraded from a 1985 POLAR cutter to a new POLAR N 78 PLUS. “Efficiency, durability, longevity, and operator satisfaction are the key reasons POLAR cutters help us deliver exceptional service and drive steady sales and profit growth, even in a competitive, challenging market,” said Sobkowiak.

LKCS’s new cutter, installed at the end of 2024, features POLAR OptiKnife, which streamlines blade changes, making them faster and more efficient. Additionally, operators benefit from incredibly quick makereadies thanks to the intuitive cutting programming, allowing them to easily store and recall cutting sequences. These advanced features have reduced the time needed for both processes by half.

According to Sobkowiak, “The touchscreen display and user-friendly programming have made setup faster and more accurate. Training new employees is now easier, allowing them to become productive and profitable in a much shorter time.”

Flawless installation and training from HEIDELBERG also played a pivotal role in LKCS’s quick success with its new POLAR. “Our trainer, Kris Novak, was exceptional,” said Sobkowiak, “It is because of people like him that we will look to HEIDELBERG in the future for additional equipment.”

Having purchased several presses and cutters from HEIDELBERG over the years, he added, “There is a reason we are a return customer, and that’s because we believe in HEIDELBERG and its products, end of story.”

About Artisan Press

Artisan Press is a commercial printing company offering a wide range of services in an extensive service area. Its customers include manufacturing companies, medical facilities, educational and financial institutions, and many local businesses. Extending its excellent customer service to all customers, large or small, Artisan continues to evaluate its equipment and invest in new technologies, which allows it to provide the quality products that its customers demand.

About LKCS

Letterkraft Printers (LK), was one of the first true offset printing companies in Central Illinois. Within a few years of inception, Creative Services (CS) was started as the company’s direct mail and statement processing division. Today, LKCS provides a complete array of omni-channel marketing services for financial institutions and other clients nationwide. LKCS remains on the forefront of technology, constantly introducing new solutions to give our clients the tools they need to succeed.

About HEIDELBERG:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has been standing for innovation, quality and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG as a total solution provider is driving further development in the core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions and the lifecycle business with service and consumables so that customers can achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.

The company is also focusing on expanding into new business areas such as high-precision plant engineering with integrated control, automation technology and robotics as well as the growing green technologies. With a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creative power and expertise of its around 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China and the USA and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well-positioned for future growth.

www.heidelberg.com

By: Mondi

• Mondi and Proquimia have collaborated to create paper-based stand-up pouches for dishwasher tabs, replacing the previous plastic solution.

• Made with Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, the new solution has significantly lower CO₂ emissions than the previous plastic-based solution.

• Mondi’s re/cycle StandUpPouch has been successfully launched in retail across Spain and Portugal, being designed to meet the local recyclability requirements.

12 February 2025 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has collaborated with Proquimia to launch paper-based stand-up pouches for dishwashing tabs in Spain and Portugal. Mondi’s internal product impact assessment indicates that the new solution has significantly lower CO2 emissions from cradle to gate compared with the previous plastic solution[1].

The flexible stand-up pouches contain 20 water soluble dishwashing tabs. Created using Mondi’s re/cycle FunctionalBarrier Paper 95/5, the new solution is a paper-based alternative to replace the previously used plastic solution.

The pack can be easily opened and closed using a zipper across the top and each pouch holds the tabs securely, while easily standing upright and providing excellent printing properties – meaning the final result is an attractive packaging that communicates the brand and product information well on shelf.

As part of Mondi’s re/cycle portfolio, the paper-based pouches are designed to meet the recyclability requirements for Spain and Portugal. The entire packaging solution, including the zipper, contains more than 85% paper share, meaning the packaging can be conveniently disposed of by the end consumer in the paper recycling streams across both countries.

The paper-based re/cycle StandUpPouch is manufactured in-house at Mondi: first the kraft paper is made from responsibly sourced fibres, then it’s coated to provide the barrier properties needed to protect the tabs inside, and finally it’s printed, slit and converted to the final pouch, ready for filling and sealing.

Mondi and Proquimia collaborated closely to develop this innovative solution, helping both companies continue to move towards their own sustainability goals. As Alessandro D’Agostino, Business Development Manager for Home & Personal Care at Mondi says: “Consumers across Europe are switching to household brands that have adopted a more sustainable packaging solution. By closely collaborating with our customers, we aim to balance resource efficiency with the lowest possible environmental impact, meeting the demands of our customers and their end-consumers alike. In line with our MAP2030 commitments, Mondi is actively working towards creating packaging solutions that keep valuable raw materials in circulation.”

Cristina Arola Vilella, Packaging Manager at Proquimia, says: “The long-term aim is to introduce recyclable packaging throughout our entire portfolio and Mondi is the ideal partner to help us do this, while maintaining the high standards of quality that our customers and end users expect. This collaboration strengthens Proquimia’s commitment to sustainability, a value we have upheld since our beginning: we’re really looking forward to developing our working relationship with Mondi.”

By: Roland DG Americas

Irvine, Calif., Feb. 11, 2025 – Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, 3D milling machines, dental mills, and other advanced digital technologies, has appointed Dan Burmeister as its new president. Burmeister, a print industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience, replaces Amado Lara, who will remain with Roland DGA to serve in the newly created role of Vice President of Latin American Sales and Business Development.

Burmeister has held senior sales, marketing, and operations executive positions with several well-known companies within the commercial and wide-format print sectors, including Canon, Eastman Kodak, Océ, Encad, and Xerox. Before joining Roland DGA, he served for seven years as Canon USA’s Senior Director of Sales – West Region. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of Western Sales/Channel Segment Leader for Eastman Kodak’s commercial B2B division, where he was responsible for growing the company’s business of plates, consumables, inkjet, workflow, newspaper, packaging, and digital print. While with Encad, Burmeister was based in the Netherlands, where he served as the company’s Executive Director for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

“Dan brings with him a wealth of print industry experience as well as the team-leading abilities needed to build upon Roland DGA’s incredible success as the North and South American marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm of our parent company, Roland DG Corporation,” said Roland DGA’s CEO Andrew Oransky. “He joins Roland DGA at a key point in the growth of our company’s sign and graphics business as well as its expansion into new and exciting markets. We have full confidence in Dan’s ability to work effectively with our existing staff, our dealer channel, and our partners to take Roland DGA to an even higher level.”

Burmeister is excited about joining Roland DGA and helping the company achieve its objectives. “Roland DG has a phenomenal brand name and a long history of innovation,” he said. “They have recently expanded their offerings to allow entirely new groups of customers the chance to experience and benefit from Roland DG technology. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to lead the talented team at Roland DGA, where my efforts will be centered on maximizing stakeholder value, from our employees to our partners and customers, as we expand our focus and the markets we serve.”

To learn more about Roland DG Americas, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DGA serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, interior design, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries.

By: INX International Ink Co.

Schaumburg, IL – February 11, 2025 – INX International Ink Co. has earned its first company-wide honor from EcoVadis, the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. The organization issued INX a 2025 rated Bronze medal, which is directly related to the overall sustainability performance at all of its facilities in Europe and the Americas.

In 2022, subsidiary INX International UK was recognized by EcoVadis with a Silver medal for sustainability. Both honors were determined by an EcoVadis program scorecard that evaluates how well a company has integrated sustainability principles into their business. Since creating a global network database, EcoVadis has accessed the sustainability of over 100,000 rated companies in more than 175 countries representing 200 industry categories.

For more than two decades INX and parent company, Sakata INX, have exhibited a dedicated commitment to sustainability and a circular economy through new product development efforts, capital investment programs, and social responsibility. INX introduced a Coloring a Safe and Sustainable Future model in 2020 and prepares a Corporate Sustainability report on an annual basis.

“The EcoVadis program is based on existing environmental, social, and governance policies, quantifiable performance data, and auditing documentations. It focuses on four main themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement,” said Peter Paul Obijaju, INX Director of ESG. With 19 years of environmental management and sustainability experience, he joined INX in 2024.

“The impact of an EcoVadis medal is significant in several ways. It signals credible, third party validation of INX’s commitment to sustainability and speaks volumes about our reputation,” explained Obijaju.

“The assessment process required documentation and performance data, so the transparency and accountability visibly reinforces our continuous improvement and public accountability methods. EcoVadis also aligns with global standards, supporting INX’s intentions are serious in terms of meeting international sustainability benchmarks.”

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks and coatings in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of SAKATA INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging, and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. Stay updated on the latest developments and follow INX on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X, or visit the website.

By: Siegwerk

The newly introduced NC-free inks not only complement Siegwerk’s proven portfolio of NC-free solutions for lamination applications, but also make the company the first to offer NC-free surface printing solutions for enhanced recyclability in flexible plastic packaging.

Siegburg, Germany, February, 11, 2025. – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, has introduced the first nitrocellulose (NC) free ink series specifically designed for surface printing on polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) packaging solutions. The new offering includes NC-free surface solutions for both flexo and gravure printing and has been developed to meet the latest packaging design guidelines, for example from RecyClass and CEFLEX, set to actively drive packaging design in the sense of a circular economy. With the launch of the first available solutions of their kind, Siegwerk once again underlines its innovation strength and technological expertise when it comes to developing pioneering solutions to support packaging circularity.

“We have already been offering NC-free inks for lamination for a long time.” says Björn Ewig, Head of Technology Flexible Packaging EMEA at Siegwerk. Together with the company’s newest generation of NC-free solutions for lamination, these new surface ink systems will be part of the company’s recently introduced NC-free toolbox for flexible packaging, initially available to customers in the EMEA region. “With our new NC-free toolbox we now enable printers and converters to better meet the demand for NC-free flexible packaging, ensuring excellent recyclate quality that meets the latest Design for Recycling (D4R) guidelines without compromising on print or packaging performance” adds Ewig.

With their excellent printability, high heat resistance, quick drying capabilities, and excellent adhesion to various surfaces, inks based on nitrocellulose have long been a commonly used solvent ink type in flexo and gravure printing. However, NC-based inks also happen to be a major concern in recycling. Due to the limited thermal stability of nitrocellulose, they can lead to an unpleasant odor, discoloration, and a lower mechanical strength of the recyclate, which can hinder the material recycling process. That’s why more and more stakeholders along the value chain have already adapted their regulations to further restrict NC content in packaging. “With our latest solutions, we have now developed NC-free ink alternatives specifically for surface printing that offer the same technical and mechanical performances as comparable NC-based inks, but with the added benefit of being recyclable,” says Ewig. All the solutions are fully compliant with current recycling guidelines and are available as either ready-to-use ink or masterbatch systems.

For all its NC-free solutions, Siegwerk relies on a set of proprietary, self-developed polyurethane binders as a replacement for nitrocellulose, which has already proven itself in terms of excellent printability and high heat and mechanical resistance. Industrial applications of the new flexo and gravure surface inks have already shown good sealing resistance and high rub resistance, confirming suitability for surface printing without the use of an additional OPV. “It’s this innovative power that brings pioneering inks and coatings to life, always with the goal to support our customers in realizing sustainable and efficient packaging solutions that comply with existing and upcoming regulatory requirements,” adds Ewig. As the first of their kind, Siegwerk’s new NC-free surface ink systems perfectly complement the company’s portfolio of inks and coatings with a sustainable yet economical alternative for the realization of NC-free recyclable packaging solutions. With this, the company is once again expanding its offering by further developing breakthrough solutions that actively support sustainable packaging designs, and thereby contribute to the company’s goal to drive a circular packaging industry.

About Siegwerk

Siegwerk is one of the leading global manufacturers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels. Based on 200 years of expertise, we provide customized solutions for all types of packaging needs – from functional and eye-catching to safe and sustainable. As a seventh-generation family business, we have long been aware of our responsibility for future generations. Under the motto “rethINK packaging”, we are therefore actively driving the transformation to a circular economy by developing eco-friendly solutions that enable packaging circularity. Here, 30+ country organizations and ~5,000 employees worldwide ensure consistent high-quality products and customized support around the world. Learn more at www.siegwerk.com