Rochester, NY – Infinity Images, a graphics producer out of Portland, Oregon, sets high expectations for themselves, aiming to be the best in the industry when it comes to printed graphics and custom fabrication. To accomplish this, Infinity has needed to grow, adapt and be as innovative as possible to stay ahead of the curve. When they were ready to add another press to their shop, they once again turned to Durst, and purchased a P5 350.

Another Durst press was an easy decision. CEO and founder of Infinity Images, George Gross, had two features of paramount importance that needed to be met for a new machine: exceptional quality of printed materials and increased turnaround times. He found that in the P5 350, stating, “We selected the P5 based on its output quality, reliability, flexibility, and for the outstanding service offered by Durst. We also like the ergonomic design of Durst machines which promote improved productivity while simplifying the work.”

The P5 350 is the sixth Durst device installed at Infinity Images and will bring immediate benefit to Infinity and their customers. Larry D’Amico, Director of LFP and Fabric Sales, commented, “We are pleased that Infinity Images has shown ongoing confidence in Durst with the purchase of the P5 350. They have been a dedicated user of our ink jet printing technology for over a decade and have fully integrated our complete suite of our software solutions into their shop. Infinity is one of our oldest and most loyal customers, and the relationship is a true partnership.”

The high-performance P5 350 has proven to be the most efficient hybrid printer on the market, designed specifically to increase efficiency and production capacity. Winner of the 2022 EDP awards, this all-in-one hybrid solution for roll and board media has a printing width of up to 11.48 ft and reaches, in the High-Speed version, a productivity up to 7,000 sq.ft/h. Equipped with Durst Print Workflow software and exclusive Durst Analytics, the P5 350 offers enhanced production efficiency from day one.

About Infinity Images
Founded in 2000, Infinity Images is a leading print and fabrication house in Portland, Oregon. Specializing in large format printing and custom retail displays, they are a trusted partner for world-class brands. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, empowering the sharpest minds to work together, and forming relationships with their clients and vendors, projects are brough to life through innovative techniques and sustainable measures.

www.infinityimages.com/

About Durst
Durst Group AG is a leading manufacturer of professional digital imaging systems.  The company operates manufacturing facilities in Brixen, Italy, and Lienz, Austria, and has major offices in North America, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and Singapore. Durst’s reputation for quality, precision, innovation, sustainability, and reliability spans more than 80 years.

CONTACT:  For information on Durst products and services, contact Sydnie Shepland.
Email: Sydnie.Shepland@Durst-Group.com
Phone: 585-486-0340 ext. 5236

www.durstus.com

Texas Poly has been manufacturing flexible packaging from its base in Euless, TX since 1989.  Founded by James Earl, and now owned by his son Justin, the company has built a solid reputation for the high-quality packaging it supplies to a variety of industries, and for its rapid response and attention to customer service.  Today, Texas Poly is acknowledged as a leader in process efficiency that allows it to offer one of the lowest minimum quantity order limits in the US combined with innovative and cost-effective packaging solutions.

Speaking for the company, Maintenance Manager, Jose Salazar: “We pride ourselves on the services we offer here from design and artwork, through prototyping to contract converting.  We specialize in a range of pouches and poly bags using a variety of films including PET, BOPP, CPP, PET, MET, HDPE, and LDPE, many of which we print in high-quality flexo up to 10 colors, with additional lamination options to provide barrier protection.”

Back in 2020 Texas Poly invested in new Comexi equipment in the form of a laminator and flexo press, and it was here that the company came across Vetaphone corona treaters for the first time.  Mr Salazar explained: “We accepted Comexi’s recommendation for Vetaphone surface treatment on the press and laminator and now, having worked with it for two years, there is no way we would specify any other corona brand on future investments.”

A high proportion of its output goes to the food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and engineering sectors, and Texas Poly is mindful of its approach to sustainability with both recyclable and compostable substrates.  To reduce its carbon footprint and costs, the company works hard on thickness optimization while being careful to maintain the strength and barrier properties of the flexible packaging it manufactures.

This is an ideal scenario for Vetaphone technology because it offers a unique level of controllability that can be finely adjusted to suit each filmic substrate.  Ted Wolski, Vetaphone’s Sales Manager for the US commented: “Different substrates suffer different rates of dyne decay, and different processes require different dyne levels too, so having a controllable surface treatment system is a sure way of getting it right first time, every time.  We are delighted that Comexi recommended Vetaphone, and that Texas Poly is benefitting from this.”

Looking ahead, Cesar Bustamante is planning the next investment program that includes an additional flexo press.  “We will look at all options, but like Comexi for their service and remote interface.  But whatever press we end up buying, it’ll have Vetaphone corona on it for sure!” he concluded.  Currently employing 25 people in its 15,000 sq/ft production facility, the company is aiming to grow it business with the new technology.

www.vetaphone.com 

www.texaspoly.com

By Walt Mesik, Senior Sales Consultant, Nilpeter Inc.
The Nilpeter FA-26 is the result of merging new technology with a user-friendly design, creating an effective machine center that yields minimal downtime and scrap, while offering maximum performance. A clear sustainable solution.

As technology advances, machine manufacturers are obligated to integrate the latest and greatest offerings into their products to remain competitive in the world of inline web printing. As a general direction as to what technology our customers desired, Nilpeter listened. We learned our customers largest challenges were increased SKU’s and reduced run lengths, as well as challenges to shift from pressure sensitive and paper substrates to unsupported films.

Already aware of the fact that the fastest growing market segment was flexible packaging, Nilpeter went to work creating the ultimate inline flexible packaging solution while addressing the customer needs. The Nilpeter FA-26 is the result of merging new technology with a user-friendly design, creating an effective machine center that yields minimal downtime and scrap, while offering maximum performance. A clear sustainable solution.

The FA-26 offers something for everyone – flexible packaging and value-added labels. All inline, sleeve-based anilox and plate roll. The robust unit construction, compact footprint, landscape design guarantee optimum register and consistent high print quality at all speeds. Designed to print with water-based and solvent inks, with UV, LED, and E-beam processes, the FA-26 is a winning combination for short and long run flexible package printing.

At a glance
A successful build relies on a solid foundation. The rigid one-piece steel frame guarantees our customers investment is long-term. The landscape style printhead offers superb printing quality & fast changeovers.

Temperature controlled ink chambers maintain ink temperatures throughout long runs at high speed – resulting in constant print density. Furthermore, the FA-26 features proven drying solutions for water base, solvent, UV, LED and E-beam inks, coatings & adhesives.

The ergonomics of the FA-26 offer a safe environment with every feature of the press designed to be accessed with “waist high” movements, and inline lamination utilizes floor level loading of heavy laminate rolls. Double-sided web printing (front/back) is exclusively accomplished with reversing printing stations eliminating the need for turn-bars. Multiple die-cutting solutions are available. Continuous operation-friendly design allows automatic unwind & rewind solutions as well as the standard Nilpeter roll-to-roll features.

Since introduction
Since the introduction, the FA-26 has exceeded customer expectations. With fast run speeds, industry leading Quick-Change features & job save/recall technology, the press uptime is maximized, and scrap amounts are minimized. Nilpeter customers have discovered In-The-Round sleeve technology (ITR) that allows them to run at speeds of 820 fpm (250 m/min), eliminating plate lift on smaller repeat sizes. ITR sleeves also reduce scrap significantly – when changing between jobs waste is regularly limited to 1 – 1-1/2 web lengths of the press regardless of the substrate webbed throughout the machine.

One of the tools Nilpeter has been using to help overcome the global labor shortage is using 100% inspection systems – every FA-26 to date has been delivered with such a quality control system.

Nilpeter understands your finished product needs will change to grow into new markets. As long as you have the floor space, the FA-26 can easily grow into whatever configuration is required to meet your needs. The modular construction allows for expanding the equipment’s abilities as new opportunities surface.

Nilpeter’s inline print finishing supports a wide range of substrates such as PP, PE, PET, and aluminum foil.

• Die-cutting unit for quick job changes

• Gravure unit for metallic inks, covering surfaces and coatings

• Nilscreen system for special effects, braille, and opaque white

To quote
“Speaking as a Nilpeter representative, the most rewarding comment I have heard from an FA-26 customer is that “the FA-26 has proven itself to overproduce daily based on our ROI calculations. This has allowed us to investigate purchasing the next FA-26 for similar products in different locations that are currently struggling with competitor’s equipment,”” says Walt Mesik, Senior Sales Consultant, Nilpeter USA.

Working the press
For the FA-26, Nilpeter has taken into consideration that the operator can work the printing press without unnecessary handles. All functions on the press can be controlled via a touch panel on each printing unit. Nilpeter calls this intuitive concept “Clean-Hand” operation. Jobs can be saved logically and repeat jobs can be called up quickly. The entire operating concept is connected to Nilpeter’s Power Link System. It meets the industry standard 4.0 and can be integrated into all common MIS-systems.

To conclude
Simply stated, the Nilpeter FA-26 has only begun to impress with its amazing performance results. Nilpeter delivered a press built with advanced automation, state-of-the-art quick-change features, industry leading ergonomics & user-friendly operator controls. Stepping into the future has never looked this promising…

www.nilpeter.com

Taghleef Industries as Finalist for Packaging Europe’s 2022 Sustainability Awards together with Gerosa Group

Taghleef Industries is a finalist for the category Recyclable Packaging (Pre-Commercialized) at The Sustainability Awards 2022, the world’s most prestigious competition for sustainable packaging innovation organized by Packaging Europe, with a BOPP, high barrier 4-side sealed sachet developed in collaboration with Gerosa Group.

The packaging solution proposed aims to replace multi-material structures made of PET/Alu/PE or PET/metPET/PE in applications such as dry powder products or dressing sauces.

The innovative structure has important advantages in terms of recyclability and unit weight reduction, providing good performances in terms of product protection, thanks to the use of EXTENDO® XZMX ultra-high barrier film. Furthermore, the packaging offers performing sealing properties and tear propagation for convenient packaging opening. The BOPP structure is designed to meet Minimum Recyclability Criteria which is part of the German Packaging Law VerpackG (Verpackungsgesetz – Packaging Act).

The solution developed by Taghleef Industries and Gerosa Group was selected from 360 submissions from across the global packaging value chain by an expert jury of leading brand owners and retailers, sustainability organizations, waste management, universities, and industry experts.

Each year, the Sustainability Awards adapt to changes in the sustainable innovation landscape and see more and more partnerships involved, evaluating entries from global startups and brands with the same carefully considered criteria.

www.ti-films.com

The organizers of Labelexpo Americas 2022 have confirmed the details of their conference and learning program for this year’s event – the region’s largest trade show for the label and package printing industry, now in its 17th edition. The high-profile speaker line-up includes representatives from ACTEGA, Avery Dennison, Blue Label Packaging Company, Cartes, Cerm, Channeled Resources, Finat, Fortis Solutions Group, GM, Henkel, HP Indigo, Kurz, Label Traxx, Mactac, S-One LP, TLMI, UPM Raflatac, Xeikon and 3M.

The three-day educational program comprises: six one-hour themed conference sessions taking place on 13 and 14 September, the first two days of the three-day show; plus two technical half-day Label Academy led master classes over days two and three of the show.

Day one of the conference is designed to explore some of the label and package printing industry’s key technologies and trends, including industry 4.0/automation, and supply chain challenges. Among the session highlights is “What does an automated future look like?”, chaired by Steve Metcalf, chief marketing and IoT officer, Baldwin Technology, which will comprise a case study presentation followed by a discussion exploring how far automation will change the industry, the Industry 4.0 powerhouse and the next generation of fully automated digital converting. Panelists include: Geert van Damme, managing director, CERM; Christian Menegon, global business development manager, Labels & Packaging, HP Indigo; Rob Mayerson, president, Label Traxx; and Andrew M Boyd, president, Blue Label Packaging Company. Other Day one speakers include: TLMI president Linnea Keen, Jules Lejeune, managing director, FINAT, and John Wynne, CEO, Fortis Solutions Group, who will open the conference with a joint overview of the global label market; while Mike Ferrari, founder, Ferrari Innovation Solutions, will chair a panel discussion on supply chain complexities.

Day two is designed around future-proofing your business. Topics include mergers and acquisitions, the changing industry landscape, and diversification. Session highlights include “The changing market landscape” panel discussion chaired by Bob Cronin, managing partner, The Open Approach. This will examine how M&A is shaping the label and package printing industry, and how converters are adapting. Other Day two speakers include Bruce Hanson, CEO, AWT, who, together with Cronin, will precede this panel discussion with an opening session covering M&A and staying competitive. The conference closes with a case study presentation and panel discussion chaired by S-One LP’s VP of sales, Tom Hauenstein, on the topic “Opportunities beyond PS labels”, which delves into some of innovative ways the industry is diversifying. Panelists included Martin Leitner, product manager (Labels & Flexible Packaging) at Durst Group.

The two in-depth master classes will cover digital embellishment on 14 September, and self-adhesive label materials on 15 September. The former features themed sessions including: inkjet coating and varnishing given by Filip Weymans, vice president marketing, digital solutions, Xeikon; special effect inks and coatings, given by Mohammad S Farahat PhD, director of R&D, Novel Device Technology, Sun Chemical; digital foiling techniques, given by Michael Aumann, director – digital embellishment solutions, Kurz; digital embellishment and laser die-cutting, given by Virgilio Micale, director of sales, Cartes; an Ecoleaf case study from ACTEGA; digital embellishment and workflow given by Uffe Nielsen, CEO, GM; integrating digital embellishment into existing systems; and the design and branding perspective, given by Doris Brown-McNally, brands innovation lead North America, HP Graphic Arts. Attendees will also be able to see this theory in action on the showfloor, with highlighted state-of-the-art examples of the various technologies from participating companies on the Digital Embellishment Trail.

Topics covered in the self-adhesive label materials master class include: an introduction to the various materials in the marketplace, given by Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director, Labelexpo Global Series; release liner substrates, given by Bruce Ruppert, manager of product development, UPM Raflatac; different adhesive types given by Valerie Alexis, senior applications specialist, Henkel; paper and synthetic paper face materials given by Angel Harvey, senior product manager – prime paper and VI, Avery Dennison; non-paper face materials from 3M; identification and characteristics of self-adhesive materials from Mactac; new uses for label waste, given by Calvin Frost, founder and chairman, CEO Channeled Resources; and testing methods and procedures.

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas event director, commented: “Since our last show in 2018, the industry has moved on significantly, due primarily to the covid pandemic and ongoing supply chain challenges, so this is our much-anticipated opportunity to offer a face-to-face educational platform in the region, where attendees can bring their industry knowledge up to date. They will be able to hear and learn from our high-profile speaker line-up tackling the most pressing issues via a strong mix of panels, technical presentations and practical case studies highlighting actual experiences and lessons learnt.

“Places are limited for all conference and master class sessions, so I’d strongly encourage visitors to book as soon as possible.”

Echoing this, Wynne said: “I’m very much looking forward to attending Labelexpo Americas. The two day conference program touches on the areas most relevant to our industry and appropriately helps frame the opportunities and challenges ahead of us. Further, the event is an opportune time to network with industry experts and the industry’s leading suppliers.”

Weymans added: “The market has embraced through time the possibilities of digital printing. We are at a point where it inspires digitalizing the broader aspect of label production, beyond print looking at embellishing and converting. Various options are available, but which solution fits your business best? During this session we will touch upon embellishing processes achieved through workflow, inline printing and offline. Different capabilities, different business benefits, with potential value for your business.”

Alexis said: “I’m really excited about sharing the different types of adhesives used in label applications. Understanding the adhesive limitations and the end-use performance requirements helps with choosing the right adhesive for applications used in label printing, so this session will be especially useful for converters, and indeed any attendees at Labelexpo Americas 2022 keen to increase their knowledge!”.

Labelexpo Americas takes place from 13-15 September at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont in Chicago, Illinois. Spread across 5 exhibitions halls, over 400 exhibitors will be taking part.

For full details, to book a place at the conference or to reserve a master class spot, visit:
www.labelexpo-americas.com/features-and-schedules.

Schaumburg, IL – Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland has successfully defended their title and won the third annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. Their entry for TropiCoastal Tropical IPA beer follows on the heels of last year’s victory with their design for another craft beer, Crushworthy Lo-Cal Citrus Wheat.

This year’s competition is the first to be determined by an independent panel of six judges. Before selecting Great Lakes as the winner, they reviewed all of the submitted entries and chose five finalists. The others considered for this year’s title included Founders Brewing Co., Molson Coors, Saint Arnold Brewing Company and TUPPS Brewery. Each entry was created by designers who produced a commercial can design before December 31, 2021, using the INX Metal Color Catalog.

“The INX Color Catalog continues to be instrumental in serving the beautiful illustrations and designs on each of our cans, and appealing to customers with exciting visual appeal on the shelf,” said Jameson Campbell, the creative manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company.

“It helps us best match color, opacity and transparency of inks to maximize the boldness of each can’s final appearance. We want them to look just as good as the beer inside tastes. INX has helped us to deliver each beer’s unique story and flavor promise to our customers, reach new drinkers and build even stronger brands.”

Great Lakes Brewing Company offers a sophisticated and diverse selection of beers. They’ve been in business since 1986 and helped revive the Ohio City neighborhood of the city. Campbell said his team took a different approach with this year’s winning entry.

“With TropiCoastal Tropical IPA, we broke a few of our conventions and moved away from our typically detail-oriented illustrations to a slightly more simplistic, yet still expressive scene. That means color was even more important, particularly as this brand appeals directly to the drinker’s appetite and hints at its flavor cues with the color palette. The INX Color Catalog helped us consistently deliver the intended colors across all of our packaging. It gave us an extremely helpful point of reference for our suppliers to ensure efficiency and satisfaction throughout the approval process.”

Renee Schouten, INX’s Vice President of Marketing who manages the competition, said Great Lakes Brewing Company will be receiving their engraved trophy soon.

“I congratulate Great Lakes on their repeat victory. We received an outstanding group of entries this year, and I know it was a tough decision for our judging panel when they voted,” she said. Two INX executives, INX Color Perfection Manager Sarah Jacks and Eduardo Ribeiro, Commercial Manager for INX International South America, led the six member voting team.

“I want to thank Scott Drucker, Mike Grady, Laura Perryman and Ronald de Vlam for their time and opinions as this year’s independent judging committee. They truly are very creative people and did a terrific job. We plan to rotate our panel of judges and they have set the bar extremely high for next year’s group.”

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.

Label Leaders, the South African converter based in George, has built its business on a long-term relationship with Mark Andy. Most recently, it has installed its sixth flexo press from the American manufacturer, delivered and commissioned by Sarepco, which has been the Mark Andy representative in southern and central Africa for more than three decades.

Speaking for Label Leaders, co-owners Theo Raubenheimer and his sister Rene Koen commented: “Our philosophy is based on establishing close relationships with all business partners, both customers and suppliers, and Mark Andy has been a strategic partner since my parents first started the company.” Highlighting this, is the fact that all the Mark Andy presses at the George plant have been delivered by Sarepco in what Raubenheimer describes as a relationship that guarantees good advice to ensure every project is successful.

Recipe for success
”Our values have not changed since we started. We focus on high quality products and service. Developing close working relationships allows us to make strategic decisions faster, and as a privately-owned company, our flexibility is appreciated by our partners,” he stated.

The same philosophy forms the basis of cooperation with suppliers. Whether it’s a press, substrate, or ink, Label Leaders needs the suppliers’ support. This has been especially important recently with the issues caused by the pandemic and supply shortages.

Despite the difficulties, it has been a successful period for the company, which has made further investments, including the Evolution Series E5. The company has also built up a stock of various substrates to ensure customers get their labels on time.

Time for a new press
It was during a visit to Labelexpo 2019 in Brussels that Theo first saw the Evolution Series. “It attracted us from the start with its short make-ready time, high speed and simplicity of operation,” he said. With the likelihood of a second shift looming, which the company wanted to avoid, the decision was made to invest in an E5, and it was installed in August 2021.

The new press is equipped with eight flexo printing units and the new QCDC die-cutter. “As it’s a Mark Andy, we can use the plates, cylinders, and dies that we had already, which allows us to optimise costs and streamline the machinery park,” he explained. The new E5 joins other Mark Andy presses at Label Leaders, including a Performance Series P5, a 2200, a Scout, and an 830 that has been there since the beginning. Asked why it wasn’t in the company’s museum, Theo quipped: “Because it still works and earns money!”

Wider web – higher capacity
The new E5 brings much-needed additional capacity to Label Leaders and offers shorter delivery times. “Labels are special products that will always be needed. To develop new designs with new substrates we needed a press that was fast to make-ready and changeover, and with its wider web width it’s a very effective tool.”

Label Leaders supplies three main market sectors: retail, dairy, and wine, and while each has its own specific requirements, Theo says that print quality and reliable delivery are common to all. In the case of the wine industry, it’s vital that labels are delivered the same day the wine is bottled so as not to affect the alcohol level.

With the current global shortage of substrates and more than 500 different labels to manufacture, the company needs to maintain a high stock level in its warehouse to keep customers happy, but also find optimum production parameters to preserve margins. Longer runs is one solution, even if paper prices have risen fourfold since December 2021. “This is where having such as flexible press as the Evolution works well and fits with our business philosophy,” he said.

Sarepco – a long-term business partner
Theo Raubenheimer sees Sarepco as an ongoing stimulus to his company’s business. In addition to delivery, assembly, and staff training, Sarepco takes care of many future-proofing actions, including annual preventative maintenance and repair. “We like the fact that Sarepco technicians are always available – it gives us a feeling of security and comfort knowing that our Mark Andy equipment is in good hands,” he added.

Paul Bouwer, Director of Sarepco commented: “I remember the beginnings of Label Leaders and signed the original contract for a Mark Andy 830 with Ben Raubenheimer, Theo’s Father. What’s interesting is that this press is still in daily use here!”  Bouwer is also impressed with the way that Label Leaders has managed the large distances between the main cities in South Africa and credits the management team of what has become one of the biggest privately-owned label printing house in the country. “We’re delighted that this development is based on Mark Andy technology. The recent installation of the E5 confirms the quality of the equipment and underlines the trust in Sarepco as Mark Andy’s local dealer,” said Bouwer.

Speaking for Mark Andy, Executive VP Tom Cavalco concluded: “We’re happy that Label Leaders’ management follow the same principles that we do at Mark Andy. This close working partnership began in the 1980s and we are proud that the Raubenheimer family continues to invest in Mark Andy technology. I’d like to add a special word of thanks to Sarepco who have been with us for 35 years and have been fundamental to Label Leaders’ success.

About Mark Andy Inc.
Mark Andy is a pioneer of the graphic arts and printing industry. As the world’s leading manufacturer of narrow- and mid-web printing and finishing equipment, it supplies leading global brands, including Mark Andy and Presstek printing presses, Rotoflex finishing solutions, as well as a complete line of Mark Andy Print Products consumables and pressroom supplies. All products are backed by the largest customer support team in the industry, minimizing downtime and helping customers be profitable, efficient and at the forefront of innovation. Mark Andy does what it takes to understand each customer’s unique business, the challenges they face and the pressures they feel. It strives to provide products and services that help customers solve their problems and solutions that go a step further, allowing them to excel in their day-to-day operations, ultimately increasing productivity and reaching their full potential.

For more information, visit www.markandy.com.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö now takes the next step in its strategy execution. Through a clearly defined purpose, sharper strategic focus and ambitious sustainability targets, the company is accelerating its pace of execution with the vision to become the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company. Following the ownership reorganization of its Decor business, estimated to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2022, Ahlstrom-Munksjö plans to change its business name to Ahlstrom.

In the last five years, Ahlstrom-Munksjö has tripled in size through acquisitions, mergers and organic growth. In early 2021, Ahlstrom-Munksjö launched a number of initiatives to unlock the full potential of the company and build strong capabilities. These initiatives have successfully improved the company’s competitiveness and performance, resulting in a strong 2021 with pro forma net sales of EUR 3.1 billion (2020: EUR 2.7 billion) and comparable EBITDA of EUR 398 million (2020: EUR 334 million).

Ahlstrom-Munksjö is uniquely positioned to capture additional value from the growing markets for fiber-based specialty materials and make a larger contribution to society through its strong market position. Megatrends such as higher air/water quality requirements, restrictions on use of harmful chemicals, increasing health awareness as well as plastic-to-paper substitution and e-commerce in packaging will create growth opportunities. Furthermore, the pandemic has demonstrated the contribution Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s medical products can have to people’s wellbeing and underlines the importance of healthcare as a market for the company.

“We are now accelerating the pace of strategy execution to build a stronger company for a sustainable future and capture the significant opportunities both to grow and improve profitability. Our strategic ambition for 2025 is to become the leader in combining fibers into performance materials that serve our purpose to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Sharper strategic focus, more ambitious sustainability targets, and a tailored operating model will enable us to effectively address attractive and distinctive end markets to further enhance our competitive advantages and value creation for our stakeholders,” says President and CEO Hans Sohlström.

A more ambitious sustainability strategy with corresponding targets is also launched. We aim for all new product introductions to serve the purpose to Purify and Protect and be sustainable by design. While the strategy spans across environmental, social and governance factors, special focus is on immediate improvements in climate performance. Ahlstrom-Munksjö commits to the 1.5°C Science Based Target initiative towards 2030 and to Net Zero emissions by 2050 the latest.

The company will continue to successfully manage a broad portfolio of attractive niche businesses, supported by a tailored operating model. Effective as of July 1, 2022, the Group will serve five growing and distinctive end markets, also forming the basis for five divisions, allowing for significant organic and inorganic growth. The divisions will be supported by global functions and centers of excellence for scale, synergies, and excellence. 

The five end markets and corresponding divisions are presented below, and their relative size in terms of net sales and comparable EBITDA are illustrated on the company’s website. The five end-markets and corresponding divisions are:

Filtration – Mission-critical air and liquid filtration applications. Market growth is driven by higher purity and emission standards in automotive and industrial processes. Daniele Borlatto with a background in Filtration and Performance Solutions will continue as EVP of the Filtration division.

Food & Consumer Packaging – Solutions for improved food safety, product preservation, and bacteria prevention, helping extend product life and protect human health. Market growth is driven by a shift towards home delivery and e-commerce, and sustainable substitution of plastic with paper. Mark Ushpol with a background in the paper and packaging industry will continue as EVP of the Food & Consumer Packaging division.

Healthcare – Technologies serving essential societal uses in medical, laboratory, and life science settings including diagnostics, bioprocessing, and medical performance barriers. Market growth is supported by increasing health consciousness, at-home-testing, and the development and use of advanced bioprocessing. Markus Westerkamp will serve as interim EVP of the Healthcare division until a new appointment is made.

Building Materials – Highly engineered building material applications for every face of the building. Market growth is driven by urbanization and increasing demand for sustainable building materials. Daniele Borlatto will serve as interim EVP of the Building Materials division until a new appointment is made.

Technical Materials – Highly technical applications including protective materials such as insulation, precision coating, tape, and others. Market growth is driven by increasing performance characteristics in demanding technical applications, emission reductions, and substitution of plastics to paper. Sophie Haan with a background in process and specialty industries will lead the Technical Materials division as EVP starting in September 2022 when current EVP, Dan Adrianzon, retires.

“I am happy to welcome Sophie Haan as the new EVP of Technical Materials. I also want to thank Dan Adrianzon for his valuable and successful work for the company for more than two decades, as he has decided to retire from his position as EVP of Technical Materials. His engagement and dedicated leadership has contributed to building a better and stronger company. I wish Dan all the best for his well-deserved retirement,” says President and CEO Hans Sohlström.

Furthermore, a new COO function is established to support the decentralized operating model and drive plant performance improvements. Markus Westerkamp, with a background as EVP of Advanced Solutions at Ahlstrom-Munksjö, will take on the role as Chief Operating Officer, effective as of July 1, 2022. New EVP appointments for Healthcare and Building Materials divisions will be communicated later.

As announced on May 23, 2022, the company will divest the majority share of the Decor business, which will operate under the Munksjö name in the future. The Decor business has operated under the Munksjö brand for more than 25 years, and although in recent years under the Ahlstrom-Munksjö brand, the business is most commonly known as simply “Munksjö”. The planned divestment is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2022, following which Ahlstrom-Munksjö plans to change its business name to Ahlstrom.

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this announcement may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s future financial position and results of operations, strategy, plans, objectives, goals and targets and future developments in the markets where Ahlstrom-Munksjö participates or is seeking to participate. Any forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s control, that could cause Ahlstrom-Munksjö’s actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö in brief
Ahlstrom-Munksjö is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable and technical advanced specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our annual net sales 2021 amounted to EUR 3.1 billion and we employ some 8,000 people.

Read more at www.ahlstrom-munksjo.com