• Precise image reproduction and fine relief elements for exceptional print quality

• Increased productivity thanks to powerful LEDs and full coverage back exposure

• Sustainable operation due to low waste and enclosed exposure environment

• Excellent performance supported by latest technology high-power LEDs

Willstaett, Germany. 24 April 2023 – Building on its market-leading portfolio of platemaking equipment, XSYS has announced the introduction of the ThermoFlexX Catena-E 48 unit for LED exposure of flexographic printing plates for the label, folding carton, and flexible packaging markets. The new addition to the Catena product family is a compact solution that delivers highest quality flat-top dot plates at an impressive level of productivity, coupled with low cost of ownership.

“Catena-E LED exposure technology was first introduced to the market in 2020 and the larger Catena-E 80 model for wide web applications was quickly adopted by platemakers and printing companies serving the global flexible packaging and corrugated board markets,” said Christophe Lievens, Global Sales Director XSYS Prepress. “Now with the Catena-E 48, narrow and medium web printers active in labels, folding cartons, and flexible packaging can enjoy the same excellent plate quality with faster LED exposure and consistent operation which will boost their business.”

Exposing plates in a maximum size of 900 x 1200mm (35 x 48”) and up to 6.35mm (0.250”) in thickness, the Catena-E 48 has been built to match the high speed of the TFxX 48-S plate imager from XSYS, which offers an output of 6m2/hr. Exposure takes less than 15 minutes and the unit can be fitted with an automatic plate loading door as an option. Like the Catena-E 80, the new model is also perfect for plates with the finest surface microstructures, such as ThermoFlexX Woodpecker Nano

Powerful, simultaneous main and back LED exposure ensure excellent plate quality and exceptional productivity, while the enclosed temperature-controlled combined with water-cooled LED modules (fully tested for 20.000+ operating hours) guarantees consistent production of high quality flexo plates. For energy efficiency, the back exposure adapts to the plate loaded, only illuminating LED according to plate size.

To maintain maximum uptime, Catena-E 48 features comprehensive remote support capabilities for calibration, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance. Replacement of the LED modules, which are reasonably priced, is simple and easy to carry out with basic training or remote guidance from the XSYS engineers.

Excellent feedback is already coming back from early market adopters, such as Tempo Flexible Packaging, which is the first customer in Canada to install the ThermoFlexX Catena-E 48. Bought to replace an older bank exposure unit, the new LED system is allowing the Canadian flexible packaging specialist to improve the quality of its flexo printing and increase its overall productivity.

Craig Labossier, Print Technical Services Manager at Tempo, praised the print quality enabled by the Catena technology, commenting, “With the Catena-E 48, we can hold much smaller minimum dots, and they stay clean throughout the print run, so we can print for longer, which improves productivity and reduces waste. Our customers are also noticing the much cleaner print they’re getting.” He added, “With higher productivity, better quality and increased sustainability, we have truly taken our flexo production to the next level.”

Christophe Lievens concluded, “At XSYS, we continue to expand the offering to the flexo market with solutions that enable printers to be brilliant and serve their customer with best-in-class products. The Catena-E 48 harnesses all the innovative technologies that have placed XSYS at the very forefront of developments in plates and platemaking, and we look forward to witnessing the huge benefits it will bring to the narrow and medium web market.”    

ABOUT XSYS

Headquartered in Willstaett, Germany, XSYS operates globally and remains one of the largest suppliers offering both flexographic and letterpress prepress solutions, including plates, sleeves, processors, workflow solutions, and expert professional services, designed to help these industries move forward with increasing innovation, improved productivity and profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint.

In recognizing our endeavor to bring more brilliance into the packaging industry – into the lives of our customers and colleagues – XSYS has achieved a Silver Medal rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability. This distinction goes beyond our commitment to protecting the environment by also evaluating our dedication to social responsibility, diversity, and human rights.

The broad XSYS portfolio comprises some of the industry’s best-known brands of consumables (nyloflex® and nyloprint® plates), plate processing equipment (Xpress, ThermoFlexX, and Catena), surface screening software (Woodpecker), plate mounting (rotec®), and washout solvents (nylosolv®). Brilliant products and services for brilliant print results and business success.

Label and Package Printing Expert Mark Middendorf to Discuss the Future of High-Definition On-Demand Color Labeling 

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – April 20, 2023 – Epson today announced label and package printing expert, Mark Middendorf, product manager for Epson’s line of ColorWorks® on-demand color label printers, will be presenting at the upcoming White Label World Expo. Held May 3-4 in the South Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the White Label World Expo brings together industry experts, suppliers and buyers from the retail, e-commerce and selling/supplying industries.

“The future of high-definition on-demand color labeling is here now, and I’m excited to share insight on how businesses of any size can amplify their brand by easily and affordably printing their own eye-catching color labels,” said Middendorf. “This session will cover how businesses can be empowered to avoid the lead times, minimum order quantities and high per-label costs associated with short run pre-printed color labels. It will also cover the tools needed to create and print labels in-house.”

Epson ProFocus partners will be showcasing Epson ColorWorks printers on the show floor, demonstrating the benefits of eye-catching labels and helping booth visitors understand how on-demand color labeling can help to save time and labor in operations. General Data/Color Label Solutions will have live demos of the ColorWorks C4000, C6000A, C6500A, and C6000P integrated with its PAC5 label applicator solution at booth #7129. Loda Enterprises, Inc. will showcase the ColorWorks C4000 and C6500A integrated with the Eclipse MINI+ die-cut finisher at booth #4173.

The White Label World Expo in Las Vegas is designed for global leaders, entrepreneurs, online sellers, retailers, and distributors to come together with business, e-commerce and startup owners. The event will offer multiple summits, specialized co-located events and networking and investment opportunities with the goal of helping businesses learn from industry experts and grow their potential.

Middendorf’s session, “Affordably Elevate Your Brand – Print Your Own Color Labels” will be held in Keynote Theater 3 on Wednesday from 1:15-1:45 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.whitelabelexpo.com/speakers/mark-middendorf/.

About ColorWorks On-Demand Label Printers

The Epson ColorWorks on-demand desktop color label printers are simple and affordable solutions for producing durable, high-quality color product labels, color coupons and even shipping labels with cross-promotional color ads. For more information, visit www.epson.com/colorworks. 

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Schaumburg, IL – April 20, 2023 – Following a six year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, interpack returns May 4-10 in Dusseldorf, Germany. INX International Ink Co. and parent company, Sakata INX, are ready to help packaging brand owners with a full complement of reliable, efficient, and cost effective sustainable inks and coatings solutions on display in Hall 18 at Stand F12.

Environmentally friendly inks that improve recycling, low energy inks for increased efficiencies, and functional inks and coatings for consumer safety, food preservation, and brand protection purposes, are the types of solutions INX believes packaging stakeholders can benefit from today.

“The packaging world is much different than the last time interpack was held. Since then, we have worked together with Sakata INX on our longtime mission to deliver new and innovative solutions that drive sustainability through the value chain for our suppliers and customers,” said Renee Schouten, Vice President of Marketing for INX.

“The demand for the sale of pre-packaged food has increased substantially since 2020 and is projected to continue through 2026,” added Schouten. “Our commitment to sustainability performance filters into the process of how we develop all new products for the benefit of brand owners, customers and consumers. Besides seeing the products in our stand, attendees should visit us in the Sustainable Packaging Showroom on May 8 for a better understanding of how this will help them.” 

In partnership with Comexi, a leading manufacturer of flexographic printing presses for the flexible packaging industry, INX will participate in the day-long event in Hall 10, Room 10.1A. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., samples of INX GelFlex-EB – a gel-based lightweighting surface print ink system for CI flexo printing – will show superior print quality similar to gravure. The crosslinked, durable ink film eliminates the need for a lamination layer that reduces costs and package weight and improves recyclability. 

“From 2 to 5 p.m., there will be seminars on sustainable packaging to educate everyone on how printing offset and flexo together with electron beam curable inks can help reduce solvents for more sustainable and recyclable packaging. Jonathan Graunke, our Vice President of UV/EB Technology and Assistant Director of R&D, is presenting and will be available to talk to at the networking session from 5 to 6 p.m.,” said Schouten. She noted registration for the Sustainable Packaging Showroom is required and attendees can schedule a meeting in the INX Stand.

INX has long been a proponent of natural-based inks in favor of replacing traditional, petro-chemically derived ingredients. When INXhrcÔ reached the market in 2017, it was a water-only flexo product that has since expanded to include solvent, oil, and energy cured formulations.

Subsequent improvements by the INX R&D team have resulted in some INXhrc product applications now exceeding 90% bio-renewable content. It is available for applications ranging from food service packaging and corrugated and folding cartons, to flexible paper and envelope and narrow web tag and label printing.

INX will also feature high performance inks formulated to improve recycling, and functional inks and coatings for food preservation, mono-material packaging, and brand protection. The list begins with GenesisÔ washable inks that are de-inkable from cPET films and floatable with roll-fed OPP labels where ink is typically required to stay attached in the recycling process. With minimal bleed in the caustic wash solution and a reduced impact on recycled PET discoloration, new clear bottles can be produced from the circular reuse of recovered material.

INXShield is formulated with BioCote® antimicrobial technology that protects the coating by inhibiting the growth of odor and staining microbes on its surface. Validated and quality control tested on a regular basis by an independent testing facility using the ISO 22196:2011 test method, INXShield UV Flexo is suitable for application over dry water-based and cured UV inks. INXShield GS Slip is a solvent-based gravure coating for use on shrinkable film labels.  

Ecostage GB-XA is a recent addition to the INX product line-up that addresses food safety and preservation issues, and improves sustainability and recycling efforts. The oxygen barrier coating allows for mono-material packaging to replace multi-layer packaging for specific food applications, making it easier to recycle the package. A transparent coating, it is chlorine and metal-free and a genuine alternative to expensive barrier films. 

INX’s level of protection for brand owners extends to proprietary security inks using the latest technology. VerifyInkÔ security inks are specially formulated inks and integrated into VerifyMe’s variable overt and covert authentication, serialization, and track and trace technology to help reduce counterfeit products in the marketplace. It can be printed onto paper and flexible packaging labels including shrink, apparel and fabric, metal caps, rigid plastic, glass or direct-to-object such as wine bottles using conventional and digital printing methods.

INX International offers an extensive line of energy curable inks and UV coatings for LED, EB, and UV printing of commercial and packaging applications. These solutions are formulated for high speed printing and package converting, with excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates.

The INXCure line of low energy inks are formulated to cure using LED bulbs and the new iron-doped additive lamps being offered by the top press manufacturers. They are 100% reactive and provide an excellent cure response to print at maximum press speeds. The inks cure with as little as one LED UV or low energy lamp, consuming less electricity while nearly eliminating the heat and odor associated with traditional UV curing. The inks are suitable for a variety of coated and uncoated paper stocks, coated board stocks, foil stocks and metallized paper.

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks 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. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com

April 2023:  Flint Group, a leading supplier of consumables and equipment for the print and packaging industries, has confirmed its commitment to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

The SBTi is designed to ensure companies commit to combating climate change by agreeing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in line with science-based targets. Targets are considered ‘science-based’ if they align with the decarbonisation goals of the Paris Agreement – limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Steve Dryden, Flint Group CEO, comments: “Committing to the SBTi process is a significant step for Flint Group, which is accelerating its progress towards a more sustainable, lower-carbon future. The benefits of committing to a science-based target are numerous for our customers, our suppliers and Flint Group. Not only is it the right action to take for the planet, but it’s right that we support our partners deliver on their own commitments.”

As a leading supplier to the print & packaging industries, Flint Group continues to innovate to find novel ways to reduce the environmental impact of its products. Increasingly, services are playing an important role in helping customers optimise their production processes and reduce scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions. By designing inherently circular products, which oftentimes utilise bio-renewable materials, the company is confident it can make a meaningful difference across the industry.

Steve concludes: “Reducing carbon emissions in line with the 1.5ºC scenario set out in the Paris Agreement cannot be done in isolation. We are embracing the SBTi process because we are passionate about proactively collaborating with customers and suppliers in a pragmatic and measurable way to reduce overall emissions.”

For more information on the Flint Group Sustainability Strategy, please visit https://www.flintgrp.com/en/sustainability/

Kennesaw, Ga. April 19, 2023 – After a successful start-up of its comprehensive operator training programs, HEIDELBERG USA has introduced two new courses designed to turn its customers into “first responders” when it comes to mechanical and electrical maintenance issues on press. HEIDELBERG cites industry demand for the courses that stems from years of unavailable press maintenance and repair training at technical schools. HEIDELBERG’s new certified trainings will teach technicians how to assess, fix, and avoid press problems to prevent unnecessary downtime.

Currently available for the Speedmaster XL 105/106 and 145/162, HEIDELBERG’s Sheetfed Mechanical Maintenance and Sheetfed Electrical Maintenance courses are multi-phase training programs offered in the company’s Print Media Performance & Training Center (PMPTC) located at its North American headquarters in Kennesaw, GA. Depending on the course, participants will develop a baseline understanding of the multiple mechanical and mechatronic systems or electrical control systems throughout the press. Each course lasts five days and will have a maximum of six participants to ensure proper comprehensive training. Level 1 trainings are designed to introduce the basics of mechanical and electrical training while Level 2 is designed to turn participants into “first responders” to address press maintenance issues. “We’ve been asked by our customers about how they can better develop their workforce,” said Mike Koeberlein, Director, Global Solution Center for HEIDELBERG USA. “This type of training – specific to press repair and maintenance – has been a real need across the industry for years.”

By becoming a “first responder,” participants will be educated on how to address certain mechanical and electrical issues before needing to call HEIDELBERG service. This approach will help printers reduce downtime waiting for a service call and/or eliminate service costs. Participants of the training will also be better equipped to speak with HEIDELBERG’s Technical Help Desk about issues as they arise. While other operator training courses offered at HEIDELBERG’s PMPTC are free, there is a nominal charge for the Sheetfed Mechanical & Electrical Training programs. “We looked at the cost of a service call and the customers’ downtime,” said Koeberlein. “With suction head repair, for example, the best-case scenario is a part arrives to the customer, and the service tech arrives for installation next day. They’ve already lost 12-14 hours. If we can talk someone through the repair that’s been through training, they’ve saved a half day of production, which is a huge return on investment.”

Looking ahead, HEIDELBERG intends to offer Level 3 classes as participants complete the initial two levels. The company is also looking to add maintenance training courses for its line of press peripherals, UV presses, and potentially, smaller press sizes based on demand and availability. Private classes for larger groups of participants from the same company are available upon request. “This isn’t a ‘one and done’ type of thing,” said Koeberlein. “We want a developmental approach for our training so people can continue to grow in their skills.” 

 To register for available training dates, please contact your local Heidelberg Sales Representative or visit https://www.heidelberg.com/HUS_Maintenance_Training

Midlothian, TX. April 14, 2023 – (NYSE: EBF)  On April 12, 2023, a Nebraska jury rendered a unanimous verdict against Wright Printing Company, its owner, Mark Wright, and CEO Mardra Sikora for a total of $5 million in actual and punitive damages.  The lawsuit was filed by Crabar/GBF, Inc., a subsidiary of Ennis, Inc., which purchased Wright Printing Company’s Folder Express and Progress Publications folder businesses for $15 million in 2013. 

The jury found that Wright Printing Company, Mark Wright and Mardra Sikora misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets regarding customer lists, customer sales data and specifications regarding Crabar’s entire Folder Express and Progress Publications custom folder line to launch competing folder brands called Pocket Folders Fast and Bandfolder Press. Wright Printing Company launched the competing business in the same facility that Crabar had recently vacated after Mark Wright told Crabar that he was selling the building and Crabar had to vacate. 

Efforts to duplicate the Folder Express and Progress Publications product lines were assisted by the theft of detailed product specifications, manufacturing references and files, as well as folder templates.  Former Folders Express employee Alexandra Kohlhaas took an external hard drive when she left Folders Express to go back to work for Wright Printing Company and its startup folder businesses in 2016.  When Wright Printing Company’s prepress manager, Jamie Fredrickson, received a copy of a spreadsheet from Kohlhass containing the manufacturing specifications for every Folder Express and Progress Publications folder design, she forwarded it to Mark Wright and Mardra Sikora with her observation that the spreadsheet was “incredibly useful.”  Ultimately, Wright Printing Company duplicated all of the Folder Express and Progress Publications top-selling products. They then launched a direct marketing campaign targeted at the top customers of Folder Express and Progress Publications that Mark Wright and Mardra Sikora culled from the confidential customer data that Wright Printing Company had sold to Crabar with a covenant never to use in the future. 

After a two-week trial, the jury unanimously found in favor of the Ennis subsidiary on all counts as to all defendants.  In addition to awarding Crabar more than $3.75 million in actual damages, the jury assessed more than $1.25 million in punitive damages among Mark Wright, Mardra Sikora, Jamie Fredrickson and Alexandra Kohlhass for what the jury found to be clear and convincing evidence of willful and malicious misappropriation of trade secrets.  As requested by Ennis’ representative at trial, the jury apportioned only modest amounts against the employees Fredrickson and Kohlhass to impose accountability for their wrongdoing without imposing extreme hardship for actions taken for the benefit of Wright Printing Company and Mark Wright.

Ennis, Inc. CEO, Keith Walters, provided the following comment on the jury’s verdict. 

The jury’s verdict that defendants willfully and maliciously misappropriated our trade secret information affirms the importance of Ennis’ property rights.  Ennis filed this lawsuit because it owes its shareholders a duty to protect their investment and to recapture the substantial losses caused by defendants’ misappropriation of confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in the market. Ennis is satisfied that the jury’s verdict is a just outcome for it and its shareholders.    

For a more detailed version of this press release, please visit https://www.ennis.com/2023/04/14/ennis-announces-verdict-in-lawsuit-against-wright-printing-company/

Middleton, Wisconsin – March 27, 2023 – NAStar Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Deb Carpenter to the newly created position of Vice President – Internal Operations. Deb started her career at NAStar almost 25 years ago in customer service and has progressively advanced through Customer Support management responsibilities, raw material procurement, and works closely with Manufacturing and Sales departments. Deb plays a key role in all order processing through the coating, slitting, and shipping functions.

“Deb has been our customers’ advocate supporting their best interests through all departments informally, this promotion places her in charge of the customer experience at NAStar,” advised Gary Weiner, President. NAStar Inc. is a manufacturer of self-adhesive print media for label conversion and thermal activated sticky receipt paper.

“For our kind of work, the Digital Pro 3 stands head and shoulders above anything else on the market,” said Scott Cotten, President of BP Solutions based in Asheville NC.  The new Mark Andy press, which was installed in October 2022 is the company’s first step into labels, so it’s worth looking at the background of what brought about the change.

BP Solutions Group (BP) began life as Biltmore Press in 1925 in Asheville’s historic Biltmore Village. Robert P Williams, the founder, began with a small letterpress shop serving the community with personal stationery and business products, later expanding, and moving the company into the heart of downtown Asheville.  In the 1970s, his son Bob Williams, took over the company exploring new markets including mail services, print-on-demand, and fulfillment.  In 1995, the business moved into its current home – a 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in West Asheville.  Today, under the leadership of Scott Cotten, who joined the company in 1992, BP has expanded into packaging, labels, and data management technologies.

He takes up the story: “The early 2000s saw a dramatic change in the commercial print market. The internet had a major effect on the music industry and educational establishments that had been important business sectors for us. There was a lot of what I would call ‘copycat’ capability in the local area, which made it clear we needed to up our game.”  Upping their game resulted in an investment in a flatbed die cutter, folder-gluer and a half-size 6-color + coater Heidelberg CD 74 offset press.  This modern equipment allowed BP to specialize in short run folding carton work, typically 500 to 100,000 sheets but often with 20 or more SKUs.

This new capability alerted Cotten to the package print market, and with the growth of local craft breweries in the Asheville area, prompted by the natural water quality, he began to research what technology was available for short run labels.  “At that stage, and after two years of careful research, I came close to ordering one of Mark Andy’s Digital One toner/flexo hybrids, only for the local breweries to switch from bottles to cans and from labels to pre-print and shrink sleeves.”  What he didn’t know was that his research would prove invaluable a few years later when one of the company’s carton customers asked BP if they could also supply labels.

By this stage, Mark Andy had developed Digital One technology and launched Digital Pro 3, which was an even better fit for what BP needed.  Digital Pro is Mark Andy’s entry to mid-market digital printing, combining flexo with digital toner capability along with inline finishing and converting capabilities for single-pass production.  The press offers flexo capability before and after the 1200dpi CMYK toner engine with converting options including die cutting, stripping, and slitting.  The second flexo unit can be used for applying a spot color or varnish, laminating or cold foiling, and is fitted with an LED/UV curing unit.  The press has a small footprint, making it ideal for small or crowded print shops,  no ‘click charge’, which means a low cost-to-print, and with its 77 ft/min running speed, the DPro 3 is a good all-round production tool.

“It proved an eye-opener for us in many ways, coming from sheet fed offset to narrow web flexo and digital combined, there was a learning curve.  But we recruited a local operator and cross-trained our existing staff and are really pleased with what the DPro has added to our capabilities.”  After evaluating the mechanical and technical aspects of running the DPro 3, Scott notes that it is yet another step in the transition from a craft-based industry to a tech-based industry.

Since installing the DPro 3, BP has seen demand for labels grow consistently from its other carton customers, who all like the opportunity of a single-source supply, as well as opening-up new opportunities. “From the very first test runs we did on the DPro, we knew we could match color with our offset presses from basic files.  With its capability of running a variety of substrates from paper to BOPP, PET, and PP, we can easily foresee an ROI of less than three years, which is excellent,” he explained, adding that Mark Andy’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in narrow web, and superb after sales support has made the investment in new technology a comfortable ride. 

Currently, business at BP is split roughly 50:50 between commercial print and package print, with annual sales of around $6m.  “I’m looking to lift that figure by $2m in the next 24 months and anticipate that labels will come to account for around 20% of that – if we add value to the company and its products everybody wins, and in today’s competitive market, only the winners survive!” he concluded.

Schaumburg, IL – April 17, 2023 – INX International Ink Co. today debuted two new solutions for the packaging marketplace. Both the DuraINX HRC natural-based inks and the Ecostage GB-XA oxygen barrier coatings were unveiled at INFOFLEX 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.

Renee Schouten, Vice President of Marketing for INX, says these products support the company’s commitment to offering sustainable product solutions that can help brand owners and printers achieve their sustainability objectives.

“In most cases, a printing ink can replace traditional, petro-chemically derived ingredients with clean, renewable, and sustainable ingredients without sacrificing machine, processing and end-use product performance,” remarked Schouten, who has worked at INX since 2001. “The carbon footprint of packaging materials can be reduced by using eco-friendly inks that help the environment and contribute to a circular economy.”

A solvent ink for flexographic outdoor bag printing, DuraINX HRC is formulated with high performance pigments and components with up to 40% bio renewable content. Highly durable, they are free of nanomaterials, fluorochemicals, fanal pigments, heavy metals or PTF.

Designed for outdoor performance, DuraINX HRC offers excellent high speed printability and superior long-lasting properties with product, fade, and rub/scuff resistance that stands up to environmental exposure. Printers using it are seeing higher color strength compared to competitive bag systems, and have experienced increased productivity and lower applied costs due to blending system simplification and reduced inventory needs.

Ecostage GB-XA is an oxygen barrier coating that addresses food safety and preservation issues, and improves sustainability and recycling efforts. It allows for mono-material packaging to replace multi-layer packaging for specific food applications, thereby making it easier to recycle the package. Transparent, it is chlorine and metal-free and a solid alternative to expensive barrier films.

“Ecostage GB-XA was developed to radically improve the oxygen transmission rate of flexible packaging materials and offer a cost effective alternative to existing film options,” said Schouten. “Mono-material packaging improves recycling and package lightweighting, and Ecostage GB-XA does not impact recycling like multi-material packaging does. The coatings have produced excellent barrier performance on polyester and polyolefin films with dry film weights as low as 0.6g/m2.” 

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks 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. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com.