Label Academy, the global training provider for the label and package printing industry, recently hosted its first virtual master class tackling Industry 4.0. This latest in-depth learning opportunity is its fourth virtual master class to date.

Joining the Industry 4.0 chair, Labels & Labeling editor, James Quirk, was a high-profile panel of eleven guest speakers from leading label and package printing companies Baldwin Technology, Traent.com, Hybrid Software Group, Esko, X-Rite Pantone, MPS, Cerm, Label Traxx, HP Indigo, Grafotronic and Tilia Labs Inc. As with the previous virtual master classes, which have covered brand protection, digital printing technology and flexible packaging, Industry 4.0 was divided into two parts. 

Part One, which took place on Thursday 28 April, provided an overview of Industry 4.0, blockchain, data transparency, automating pre-press and quality control. Steve Metcalf, chief marketing and IoT officer, Baldwin Technology, began by introducing the topic and how it impacts the label and package printing industry. This paved the way for the next session, given by founder of Traent.com, Federico D’Annunzio, who delved into the various types of blockchain and why brands are pushing for full data transparency. Mike Rottenborn, CEO, Hybrid Software Group, then provided an insight into the advantages of automating pre-press, from pre-flight to imposition and color management, and integrating it into press and factory management systems. Closing Part One was a joint presentation given by Martin Cusack, product manager Color, DFE and iCenter, Esko and Jérôme Brangé, solution architect, Packaging, X-Rite Pantone, who set out ways of automating quality control including inspection and measuring color in-line.

The focus for Part Two, which took place a week later, on Thursday 5 May, was a more in-depth look at automating both flexo and digital printing operations and the finishing process. Kelvin van den Bunt, product manager, MPS and Lowie-Pascal Geerinck, product manager, Cerm, began with a joint presentation covering the flexo press and how connectivity can tackle some of the industry’s biggest issues at present, such as the manual skills shortage, increased SKUs and sustainability. Reinforcing these talking points were the next two presentations, given by Chris Spooner, business development manager, Label Traxx, and Christian Menegon, global business development manager, Labels & Packaging, HP Indigo. They examined the opportunities created by the digital connected press. Morten Toksvaerd, business development director, Grafotronic, then set out ways of automating the finishing process and integrating it into existing networks. The master class closed with a converter case study presentation from George Folickman, global sales director and business development, Tilia Labs Inc. He described how the software company had worked with US converter Pacer Print to automate production, and the significant cost, time and resource benefits to the business that this had made. 

Andy Thomas-Emans, Labelexpo strategic director, said: “The covid pandemic has accelerated digital technology trends that were already starting to transform the label and package printing supply chain, most notably the use of real-time data and the move towards the smart factory of the future. This has huge potential for our fast-moving industry, so it’s essential that converters in particular learn how to take advantage of this and stay ahead. Our industry 4.0 virtual master class offered the right step in that direction, with a fascinating insight into all of this and more.” 

Echoing this, Steve Metcalf said: “Data will drive the next great advantage in labels and packaging and is the centerpiece of Industry 4.0. Innovations are happening right now that make getting access to data and putting it to work easier than ever. The lineup assembled for the master class presents a how to guide on what to consider and where to begin the journey.”

Thomas-Emans added: “I’d like to extend my thanks to our fantastic line-up of speakers who took part, and attendees for joining. We look forward to hosting further sessions covering more of the industry’s most pressing topics in the coming months – online and live at Labelexpo shows.”

Mike Rottenborn added: “These master classes are one of the best platforms from which to share this knowledge with industry peers.”

The recordings for both parts of the industry 4.0 virtual master class are available to subscribers as part of the Label Academy subscription service.

The Label Academy accompanying guide, Management Information Systems and Workflow Automation, by Michael Fairley, provides additional detail on the topics discussed in the virtual master class, and is available to purchase on Amazon.com and its regional sites. 

About the Label Academy:
The Label Academy is a global training provider and on-the-job resource for the label and package printing industry. It was pioneered by industry expert Mike Fairley in response to a reduction in the number of dedicated printing colleges and the need to standardize the label industry’s very specialized training and education across the world.

The Label Academy’s in-depth and expert-led master classes in English have proved extremely popular around the world at Labelexpo trade shows over the last few years, covering a wide range of key topics in the label and package printing industry. These have included: shrink sleeves; and inks, coatings and varnishes.

Previous virtual master classes have covered digital printing technology, flexible packaging and brand protection.

The Label Academy is part of Tarsus Group – the international media group with interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media including Labelexpo Global Series, and is endorsed by FINAT, TLMI, LMAI, Turkish Label Association and BPIF.

As part of its strategic plan to expand business in the US, the inventor and leading manufacturer of corona surface treatment – Vetaphone – has moved to boost after-sales support to its rapidly growing list of printers, laminators, converters, and extruders.  The investment in a new spare parts facility and supply service in Richardson, TX is designed to offer Vetaphone users quick access to routine parts for its surface treatment systems with a promise of next day delivery.

Vetaphone initially opened its parts supply service for American customers back in 2017, but the business has grown so fast in the past five years that the need for a larger and more streamlined facility became urgent.  Speaking for Vetaphone, Wisconsin-based Support Technician Eric Hopfensperger stated: “Our original spare parts supply was opened to counter accusations that as a European manufacturer we couldn’t support our customers as quickly as a US company.  It soon proved to be a great asset with business ramping up once customers saw how quickly we could respond, and it’s just gotten a whole lot better since.”

The new spare parts warehouse, which has its own dedicated team to offer rapid support and quick turnaround time, is being hosted by The Harman Company, which represents Vetaphone in the southern USA, including Texas and the surrounding states.  It is well-situated close by the major hub of DFW airport, making next day delivery to most of North America an easy task.  “We estimate to have up to 90% of all routine parts in stock for our corona systems, and all sizes of electrodes up to 60 inches.” Hopfensperger added.

With no significant time zone difference or language issues to contend with that might delay order processing, Vetaphone’s American customers are now assured of the best quality back-up available in the market.  In the three months since it opened, the new spare parts operation has made almost 200 shipments. 

Speaking for Vetaphone, Sales Manager for the Americas Ted Wolski commented: “This is a fantastic new support service not only for our customers in the States, but also for those in Canada to the north and Latin America to the south, making the world’s number one surface treatment technology an easy choice to make.  It will certainly play a big part in our plans for rapid growth, and we look forward to seeing what doors this opens for us stateside.” 

For more info:
Tel: (312) 803-3691
Email: spareparts-us@vetaphone.com
www.vetaphone.com

 

 

 

Kennesaw, GA– Even as the “Great Resignation” began to echo across the U.S. in 2021, the print industry was already losing an alarming number of veteran workers to retirement and opportunities in other industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics cites that print operator positions are declining at a rate of 13% annually – equating to roughly 20,000 people leaving their jobs over the next 4 years. Considering these troubling numbers and the scarcity of available industry training, Heidelberg USA has decided to restructure its Print Media Center with a strong focus on training programs designed to build and grow the skills of current and future operators and print industry professionals.

Training: An Industry Critical Need

The newly named Print Media Performance & Training Center, located in Kennesaw, Georgia, officially “opened” its doors to Heidelberg customers this week at an open house event with over 100 participants present. At the event, Heidelberg introduced its initial training schedule for 2022 – set to begin this summer. At first, classes will focus on what Heidelberg has deemed industry “critical” topics such as:

• Print Fundamentals: Basic Ink & Water Balance

• Specialized Sheetfed Feeder Training for New Operators

• UV Printing including Coating Applications and Special Effects

• Print Troubleshooting

• Commercial Folding Basics: Folder Operation and Slit/Score/Perforation

• Introduction to Die Cutting

• Introduction to Folding and Gluing

“We have an infinite knowledge pool and the most updated technology at our disposal. As an industry leader, we are obligated to educate and train our industry’s workforce to ensure they know what is possible both now and, in the future,” said Clarence Penge, Executive Vice President of Product Management for Heidelberg USA. “It is our responsibility to link the people, process, and technology to ensure our customers’ success.”

Looking at training as an industry critical need, Heidelberg will offer most of the classes in the Performance and Training Center to participants for free, recognizing there is a cost to the customer for travel expenses. Classes will be a combination of theoretical and hands-on equipment training. Click here to see the current schedule.

While training will primarily focus on offset printing and finishing at first, the Performance & Training Center will offer additional topics in the future. “After much of the virtual learning that took place during the height of the pandemic, we believe that people are seeking hands-on, in-person training,” said Penge. “There is better long-term comprehension that occurs in a training facility outside of the normal workplace, where people can physically touch the equipment and apply the knowledge they have just studied.” As this training structure is new to Heidelberg, the company intends to modify its training options as industry needs evolve in the future. “We’re excited to help move the print industry forward and see how it receives this new Training Center,” said Penge. Heidelberg recognizes, however, that the Center’s success hinges on the industry’s commitment to registering their operators for available classes.

The Latest and Greatest Available

An essential part of educating the industry on the newest technology is ensuring that the Performance & Training Center is always equipped with it. Recently, the 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Kennesaw facility installed Heidelberg’s newest press, a Speedmaster CX 104, six-color UV machine equipped with coater and the patented, navigated Push-to-Stop technology. The new press offers a brand new 104 sheet format and ergonomic design and features a completely new operating philosophy, the Heidelberg User Experience, which together with the Intellistart 3 system and a whole host of assistance systems, ensure short makeready times and the best possible support for operators.

In addition to the new CX 104, the Print Media Performance & Training Center is currently equipped with two POLAR cutters, a Stahlfolder KH 82, Easymatrix 106 die cutter, Prinect workflow, Suprasetter 106 CtP, Versafire EV and EP, Labelfire 340, and Speedmaster XL 106-8P+L – also equipped with the newest generation Speedmaster technology – and will soon add a new Diana Easy 115 folder-gluer. The Performance & Training Center will continue to host in-person or virtual demonstrations for equipment and software – following CDC Guidelines for the safety of its customers and employees.

To register for available training dates or to schedule a demonstration, please contact your local Heidelberg Sales Representative or visit https://news.heidelbergusa.com/pmc-training/  

One of the many events scheduled by Mark Andy Europe for the first half of 2022 was an Open House for print students held at its Warsaw showroom and demo facility on 22nd April. The students, who came from the Printing Technologies Unit of the Faculty of Production Engineering at the Warsaw Technical University, took part in live demos of three Mark Andy presses: an Evolution Series E3 flexo line, a Digital Series iQ inkjet/flexo hybrid and a Digital Pro 3 toner/flexo hybrid. The sessions also included all the relevant prepress file preparation processes. Photos taken during the event were used to print labels to demonstrate the speed and flexibility of the whole digital-based solution. The day concluded with lunch and informal discussions between the students, their tutors, and Mark Andy personnel.

“We were delighted to host the print-oriented students and their teachers in our Demo Room after three-year gap,” says Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager Mark Andy. “It’s symbolic that a group of young people, who are the future of our industry, were the first to attend the Open Houses we have scheduled for this year. We were pleased with the attendance and interest levels in the presentations we gave.”

 

After demonstrating each press, Mark Andy operators were quizzed on the specific details of each model, with three students enquiring about work opportunities at the Warsaw offices, which was encouraging for a press manufacturer committed to supporting the development of human resources in print. “We’re increasingly active in this area, and recently began co-operating with the Technical & Electronic College in Kalisz, which was represented by a Teacher at the Open House,” she added.

Before the presentations, Przemyslaw Polkowski, Director Mark Andy Poland, welcomed the students and their tutors, underlining Mark Andy’s long history as a press manufacturer and pointing out that the company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021. He also highlighted the growing importance of digital technology in the printing industry. The presses installed in Warsaw, which included two hybrids, are confirmation of this. He encouraged the students to pursue their chosen profession and stay in the printing industry. As he said: “The development of digital technology and its implementation in printing solutions is an area that is increasingly innovative and future-oriented, especially in packaging and label printing.”

Lukasz Chruslinski, Sales Manager Mark Andy Europe, then demonstrated the three label presses installed at Demo Room. He was accompanied by print instructors and service technicians who are involved in Mark Andy’s installations around the world. Beginning with the Evolution Series E3 flexo press, which was launched at Labelexpo Europe 2019, he said that the press has attracted huge interest from label printers worldwide. “Many label converters said they had been waiting for a press that offers flexibility, modularity, and compactness. It features servo drive, and its construction offers flexo print units as well as additional options like foil stamping or die-cutting.” The initial interest at Labelexpo was very quickly confirmed by sales, and Mark Andy has since installed Evolution Series presses in many printing companies around the world.

The next presentation was devoted to the Digital Series iQ hybrid press. This newest member of Mark Andy’s digital family was launched last year and developed in a co-operation with Domino, who manufacture of the inkjet module implemented in the press. Chruslinski said that Digital Series iQ is a good example of Mark Andy’s hybrid concept: “The inkjet unit, which offers 7-colour printing (CMYKOV + W) is a central part of the whole solution. It is accompanied by typical elements of a flexo press, like printing units and finishing and embellishment options. The whole process is realised in one pass, shortening production time and delivery of the final product to the customer.”

He added that the benefits of the hybrid concept have been widely appreciated by many label printers worldwide: “The share of hybrid equipment in our total press sales continues to grow, and we anticipate it will be higher again in 2022 as many new contracts are currently being processed, with many installations scheduled before the end of the year.”

While the Digital Series iQ is a newcomer, another hybrid press presented by Mark Andy during the Open House, Digital Pro 3, has been on the market for three years. Also launched at Labelexpo Europe 2019, it is the next-generation of toner-based printing. “It has a very compact footprint and can be equipped with many additional options for the manufacture of highly processed labels,” said Chruslinski. Numerous examples of these products were displayed with printed and finished rolls.

One of the biggest advantages of digital technology is the efficient production of short runs, including variable data printing (VDP). This was the next presentation at the Open House. Photos taken during the event were quickly processed and prepared using dedicated software by Agnieszka Rapacka, Prepress Specialist at Mark Andy Poland. She showed all the steps in the prepress process that delivers high quality label printing with no errors. The processed photos were then used to print labels on Digital Pro 3. Afterwards, the participants were able to stick them to bottles of water to take home as a special souvenir of the event.

Agnieszka Rusin, a member of the teaching staff at the Printing Technologies Unit commented: “We’d like to thank Mark Andy for arranging and hosting today’s event. We really appreciate the rich and content-full agenda that was enjoyed by our 2nd-year students who were making their first visit to Mark Andy’s Demo Room in Warsaw. Observing their reactions during the demos, I could see they were really interested in all technological aspects of label production, with some of them asking about opportunities or traineeships at Mark Andy. We’re more than happy to have a partner like Mark Andy because the company is deeply involved in supporting the academic community for print. This is very important as it allows our students to learn about the latest technology in both a theoretical and a practical way.”

Wrapping up for Mark Andy, Lena Chmielewska-Bontron stated: “We’d like to thank all the students and tutors for accepting our invitation and their active participation in this dedicated Open House. As a press manufacturer, we’re committed to sharing our knowledge and experience with young people studying print-oriented faculties. The Open House is a great form of communication as it enables us to present the equipment live and have direct conversation between participants and our own staff. We promise to continue this tradition and organise similar events in the future.”

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.

Elk Grove Village, IL — SCREEN announces the launch of the SC+ Chroma Package for the Truepress Jet520HD series. The comprehensive solution introduces the new SC+ ink, an enhanced version of the series’ current SC ink. Along with the new ink, the package includes professional services and upgraded hardware and software. The SC+ Chroma Package has been installed in the company’s Inkjet Innovation Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and will be available on new presses as well as part of an upgraded solution for existing owners of the Truepress Jet520HD series printers.

SCREEN announced the first version of SC ink at the international trade fair, drupa, in 2016. Designed to be printed on both standard coated and uncoated papers, the ink met printers’ needs for a quick drying ink without requiring any pretreatment of the paper. Demand for such capabilities has grown considerably since print markets continue to face ongoing challenges from paper shortages to price increases. Both the SC and SC+ inks provide flexibility when printers need to substitute paper stock at the last minute.

The SC+ Chroma Package enables printers to tailor their products to meet each customer’s specific goals whether they entail lowering costs through ink savings or enhancing the color to make it more vibrant while achieving precise spot color replication on the press. With the SC+ ink’s unique formula and expanded color gamut, printers can reach a greater percentage of standard color matching systems with improved fidelity. The package can match in excess of 96 percent of spot colors found in the industry’s solid coated reference book at a Delta E of three or less.

Essential tools and training accompany the SC+ Chroma Package so that printers may achieve excellence while operating SCREEN’s Truepress Jet520HD series presses.  

About SCREEN Americas
SCREEN Americas, a SCREEN Graphic Solutions group company established in 1967, is a leading provider of digital inkjet technology serving the commercial, publishing, direct mail, transactional, packaging, folding carton and label industries. In 2021, SCREEN Americas relocated its headquarters to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, with an upgrade that included a 14,000-plus square foot Inkjet Innovation Center.

www.screenamericas.com

How Höhn Display + Packaging uses a BOBST NOVACUT 106 ER with ACCUREGISTER to boost its market position

In the fall of 2021, Höhn Display + Packaging installed the BOBST NOVACUT 106 ER, the world’s first flat-bed die-cutter with the new ACCUREGISTER “contactless” sheet-register system. Höhn is an old-established manufacturer of games, displays, and folding boxes, and its customers believe it has set an example by putting into service this Autoplatine® die-cutter with inline blanking.

Today it’s a 2.4 mm litho-laminated corrugated board, tomorrow 100-gram paper, after that environmentally-friendly solid or recyclable cardboard – Höhn Display + Packaging GmbH works with a wide range of materials. “Our extensive product range poses a real challenge to the flexibility of our machine technology, particularly in die-cutting,” explains Markus Laepple, Operations Manager of the company headquartered in Ulm, Germany

“No matter which material the new machine is processing, the quality is consistently at the top level. The register precision and flatness of our gameboards, for instance, stands out on the market. The procurement and quality managers of our customers see the difference,” affirms Laepple, a trained offset printer who has been working in the packaging industry for more than 20 years.

A reliable path to high quality

It’s obvious that innovative technology plays a key role. Höhn considers ACCUREGISTER one of the main performance features of the NOVACUT 106 ER. “ACCUREGISTER underscores our high quality demands. And our products confirm that we really are a tad better,” states Laepple.

The new sheet-register system is based on the legendary optical POWER REGISTER, brought to market by BOBST over 20 years ago and unique to this day. For the ACCUREGISTER, BOBST has adapted the best attributes of the POWER REGISTER specifically to the NOVACUT line. The new sheet-register system thus enables very short setup times in the die-cutting process. At the same time, it minimizes stops caused by the feeder. Waste is reduced in both the setup process and during production, which also makes the production process and the products more sustainable.

ACCUREGISTER aligns the sheets at full speed, without mechanical stops, “contactless” and thus gently. Laepple: “ACCUREGISTER reliably exploits this, especially with thin paper and material laminated on both sides.” The high-performance system cameras read both printed images and marks. And if that’s not possible, the cameras simply read the sheet edges. When the sheets are fed into the machine, the system calculates within milliseconds the corrections required and automatically remedies them as the sheets accelerate; over a wide correcting range, up to ±6mm in forward direction and ±13mm in lateral direction – even with transparent material.

BOBST offers various options for the NOVACUT line to make the processing, and thereby the register precision, of different materials even more flexible. Höhn Display + Packaging uses the antistatic device for processing paper, and the heavy boardequipment for processing sheets that are not entirely flat.

Crucial competitive advantages

Laepple: “High register precision is increasingly important. For instance, just recently a customer carefully checked the accordance of braille embossing on the front and back sides of a box. But we do not have to worry about register precision since using ACCUREGISTER.” During the alignment of the cut-to-print register the system even compensates for print tolerances.

“The list of audit questions our customers ask is getting longer. Their queries typically concern conventional errors which we have eliminated by using the NOVACUT 106 ER in our die-cutting process. Our customers realize this and adapt their audit questions accordingly. This means that we no longer address certain issues in future audits,” Laepple boils it down. In other words, the new die-cutter has further increased customer confidence in the reliability of Höhn Display + Packaging’s production process.

“We proactively communicate the benefits of our new technology to the market and explain which errors can no longer happen in our process,” says Laepple. Customers are glad to take Höhn up on that. “A frequent question, for example, is whether the high register precision of ACCUREGISTER means layouts and fonts can be set closer to the rills. The NOVACUT 106 ER has indeed made that possible.” In a nutshell: When it comes to product design, customers have a bit more freedom.

Quick production changeovers

Production runs at Höhn Display + Packaging range from 700 to 600,000 sheets, at an average of 9,000 sheets. For efficient execution of large orders, the company has selected a NOVACUT 106 ER with an hourly output of up to 8,000 sheets. Today, the machine runs in three shifts and depending on the job, the machine is changed over several times a day.

For repeat orders, Höhn’s NOVACUT 106 ER requires now only about one half-hour setup time, although currently one of every two die-cut jobs is a new order. Laepple: “We are working on optimizing setup times.” Höhn is using various options BOBST has provided for the die-cutter. Examples include the Setup Time Reduction Pack and the Chase Changer.

The ease of use of the NOVACUT 106 ER user interface (HMI SPHERE) also supports short setup times. It features a largely self-explanatory guided menu. “We needed only two days training for it,” Laepple recalls. Another reason for the short setup times is that Höhn Display + Packaging acquires its die-cutting tools only from manufacturers certified by BOBST. This ensures high tool quality. Höhn furthermore has its tools fitted with TooLink. This means that chips are built into the die-cutting tools which then register the data of every die-cutting job. The next time the tools are introduced into the machine, the data is read directly into the HMI, allowing for immediate identification of individual die-cutting jobs and automatic setting of HMI values.

Looking at the big picture

Considering the wide range of products and the size of the print runs, Laepple believes that currently Höhn Display + Packaging can hardly use a highly automated die-cutter like the EXPERTCUT to capacity. If the day comes when greater capacity is needed, space has been left between the three BOBST flat-bed die-cutters for a format 6 machine, or for a “fast machine” fully equipped with logistics. “When it comes to investment decisions we take a holistic view of our suppliers. The result clearly supported further stepping up our partnership-based cooperation with BOBST,” calculates Laepple.

He believes BOBST has its finger on the pulse with a view of industry that builds on the pillars of digitization, automation, connectivity, and sustainability. This will always open new perspectives for process optimization, and is particularly true for the BOBST Connect platform. In addition to the remote technical support Helpline Plus, Höhn Display + Packaging is already using the productivity apps Remote Monitoring and Downtime Tracking. They help to fully exploit, and continuously boost, the performance of its new die-cutter by using data-based analyses.

Höhn Display + Packaging
Höhn Display + Packaging GmbH was founded as a newspaper and book printing office in 1910 by Dr. Karl Höhn. The highly diversified company has about 180 employees and specializes in the manufacture of board games, displays, and packaging. To maintain firm control over the quality of its products and ensure on-time delivery, Höhn Display + Packaging relies on a high level of in-house production. On April 1, 2019 the division Displays+Packaging, formerly of HÖHN GmbH, was acquired by the Ludo Fact Group, the second-largest manufacturer of games in Europa.

About BOBST
We are one of the world’s leading suppliers of substrate processing, printing and converting equipment and services for the label, flexible packaging, folding carton and corrugated board industries.

Founded in 1890 by Joseph Bobst in Lausanne, Switzerland, BOBST has a presence in more than 50 countries, runs 19 production facilities in 11 countries and employs more than 5800 people around the world. The firm recorded a consolidated turnover of CHF 1.563 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021.

www.bobst.com

With its new SICURA Litho Pack ECO series, Siegwerk adds another sustainable ink solution with a high share of bio-renewable content further expanding its offering in line with a Circular Economy.

Siegburg, Germany, and Annemasse, France – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, is now offering a new sustainable UV offset ink series for non-food paper and board applications: SICURA Litho Pack ECO. The new product range is formulated with a high bio-renewable content, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to standard UV inks.

The formulation of the new SICURA Litho Pack ECO series consists of more than 40% of renewable and vegetable-based components showing a four times higher share of bio-renewable content than the average standard UV ink. Furthermore, the series is free of TMPTA, Benzophenone as well as CMR CAT. 1 and CMR Cat. 2 components. It is a low odor ink series and especially designed for all kinds of paper and board substrates. SICURA Litho Pack ECO is suitable for all non-food packaging applications where special attention is paid to the packaging’s environmental impact and circularity. The series shows excellent ink performance and a high color strength. Next to high dot gain sharpness and an excellent flowability, Siegwerk’s new UV offset range offers a very stable ink/water balance even during long runs as well as a good film flexibility for post-processing. The product range contains four color process inks according to ISO, Pantone colors, base inks, special colors as well as flexo OPV.

“With SICURA Litho Pack ECO we deliver once again on our commitment to drive the change towards a Circular Economy by supporting the development of circular packaging with innovative and eco-friendly inks and coatings,” says Mustafa Guler, Vice President BU Sheetfed EMEA at Siegwerk. “With 40% bio-renewable content, it is not only comparable to certain conventional oil-based inks, but it also represents a new eco-friendly alternative for UV offset printing. Its formulation is particularly designed for recycling and therefore for not impacting the recyclability of paper and board substrates at all.” Test runs regarding the series’ deinkability are currently under way to further determine its potential to also improve recycling of UV-printed paper and board packaging.

According to Siegwerk, increasing the bio-renewable content in inks can support the de-fossilization when sensibly used. Bio-renewable materials also come with challenges for example regarding sustainable sourcing and the preferred end-life concept of packaging.

That’s why the company only works on bio-renewable inks and coatings that support a circular end-life solution like recycling. “We generally support the ambitions to increase bio-renewable content where possible and in line with the three levers of a Circular Economy – reduce, reuse and recycle,” adds Guler. “Not all raw materials can be replaced by bio-renewable one’s going forward. However, increasing the amount of these materials in our solutions plays a significant role in meeting our goals, and close a gap where there are inevitable material losses and leakage.”

Although, it is widely discussed that bio-renewable resources own the potential to complement a Circular Economy as a non-fossil raw material source, there is neither a standard definition of the term “bio-renewable raw material” nor a universal consensus on how to calculate bio-renewable content in printing inks. That’s why Siegwerk has decided to build up a definition of its own, taking into consideration current scientific and political discussions and arguments. According to the company’s experts especially raw materials either of vegetable, animal or microbial origin that underwent material utilization for the production of chemicals, basic materials and other bio-based products are of interest to be used in ink formulations. Water or materials embedded in geological formations are in turn explicitly not considered as being bio-renewable. “When calculating the bio-renewable content of our inks we focus on the actual share of raw materials with bio-renewable origin that are present in the respective ink formulation, taking all constituents into consideration,” explains Alina Marm, Head of Global Sustainability and Circular Economy at Siegwerk. “Thereby, our calculation refers to the sum of all components present in a raw material, also taking into account substances and solvents – except water – that are excluded in the methods commonly used so far, such as ASTM D6866, EN 16640 and NAPIM.”

Transparency plays a key role in creating sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, that’s why Siegwerk provides detailed data about the bio-renewable content of each of its formulations. To make the information even more relevant for its customers, the company differentiates between wet-ink and dried-ink content when calculating the bio-renewable content of its inks. The wet-ink value considers all ink components and indicates the bio-renewable content of the ink product as such. In turn, the dried-ink value only considers the solid content without solvents and other volatile components that evaporate during drying. This indicates the bio-renewable content of the ink on the final print product and is therefore especially relevant for converters and end users. To be able to calculate the bio-renewable content for all its formulations, Siegwerk collected and analyzed the bio-renewable share of each raw material strictly considering the molecular level to be able to differentiate between bio-renewable and fossil components. Today this information requirement is also part of the company’s comprehensive Raw Material Introduction Process enabling a continuous overview of all used raw materials and their corresponding bio-renewable shares.

Sustainability means progress to Siegwerk. That’s why assessing ways of enhancing the ecological footprint of its inks with no loss of performance is one of the company’s key R&D goals since decades. Here, the company strongly believes in the benefits of a Circular Economy and focuses its development efforts on inks and coatings that concretely enhance the performance and recyclability of packaging and thereby enabling the design of circular packaging solutions. Further extending the company’s portfolio of sustainable and eco-friendly product solutions will concretely support the renewability and further enhance the recyclability of packaging.

About Siegwerk
Siegwerk, a sixth-generation family-owned company, is one of the leading international manufacturers of printing inks and individual solutions for packaging, labels, and catalogs. With more than 180 years of experience, the company has solid expertise in and knowledge of many printing procedures. A global manufacturing and service network ensures customers consistently high-quality products and services. In keeping with the company’s philosophy “Ink, Heart & Soul,” Siegwerk seeks long-term cooperation with its business partners. Siegwerk employs some 5,000 people worldwide in more than 30 country organizations and is headquartered in Siegburg near Cologne. Further information on Siegwerk can be found at www.siegwerk.com

 24 industry suppliers have been honored 

Mentor, OH – Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials recognized 24 distinguished pressure-sensitive industry suppliers for the company’s annual Global Supplier Awards, held virtually on May 12, 2022. Eight Supplier Distinction awards and six Special Recognition awards were granted for extraordinary service to our business, as well as 10 Special Recognition awards for outstanding service in the months following Storm Uri.

“Storm Uri heavily impacted the supply chain and posed several challenges that our suppliers met head-on,” said Kamran Kian, VP Global Ops & SC. “All of our winners have shown exemplary performance and dedication, and their outstanding commitment to our business deserves recognition.”

The Avery Dennison Supplier Distinction Award Program considers four areas of excellence required to maintain a competitive advantage in an increasingly demanding industry: Quality, Service, Sustainability and Strategic Growth. To be considered eligible for recognition, a supplier must have met key metrics in each of the four areas. 

Avery Dennison Supplier Distinction Awards

Filmax (Pathfinder)

Jiangsu Oji Paper (C.I.G.)

Jiangsu Wampolet Hi Tech (Sustainability)

Kanzan Spezialpapiere (Quality)    

Lamtec Corporation (Performance Tapes Supplier of the Year)

Sumei Chemical Company (Supplier of the Year)

Trüb Emulsions (Service)

Wacker (Service)

Special Recognition awards are granted to suppliers that have performed in an exceptional way, other than Supplier Distinction qualifications, for meeting or exceeding the needs of our business and our customers. 

Avery Dennison Special Recognition Awards

Dynasol

Moorim Paper Company Ltd. 

RGL Logistics 

S&J European Haulage Ltd. (Transportation & Logistics Supplier of the Year)

Shanghai Zijiang Colour Printing & Packaging Co. 

Xusen HCR Digital Media (Innovation)         

This year, Avery Dennison is recognizing 10 suppliers who went above and beyond during the challenging months that followed Storm Uri by keeping our plants supplied and allowing Avery Dennison to meet the needs of our customers.

Special Recognition Awards – Storm Uri

BASF

Bostik (formerly Ashland)

Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics Division

Dow Monomers Coatings & Performance Monomers

Gantrade

GJ Chemical 

Henkel

Invista (formerly Flint Hills) 

KAG Logistics 

Vestolit (formerly Mexichem) 

“Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you for your continued support of our business and industry,” Kian said.

For more information on our products and services, please visit averydennison.com.

About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products and solutions, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. The company employs approximately 36,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2021 were $8.4 billion.

Learn more at www.averydennison.com.