Jessica Avery

TLMI’s Liner Recycling Initiative – Update

Jessica Avery on February 20, 2025

By: Rosalyn Bandy, TLMI VP of Sustainability

In mid-2024, TLMI took a firm stand on improving siliconized paper release liner recycling by creating the Liner Recycling Initiative (LRI), a pilot program to identify and solve obstacles to recycling that material. We partnered with Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), a global consultancy that provides solutions for optimizing recycling processes, reducing waste, and minimizing environmental impact at all points in the supply chain. If you’re familiar with the Carton Council, Paper Cup Alliance, or Polycoated Paper Alliance, you have seen examples of some of RRS’s work.

RRS’s partner in this project is Sustana Solutions, a paper recycling mill that will take white, silicone-coated paper release liner. Sustana Solutions is a diversified paper company with three divisions – Sustana Fiber, Sustana Paper, and Sustana Recycling.

Sustana Fiber has two pulp mills that recycle white grades of paper using a float de-inking process that can remove silicone, ink, and other contaminants from used office paper, cartons, and silicone-coated paper release liner. The mills are in De Pere, Wisconsin, and Levis, Quebec.

Sustana Paper produces various paper products, including various grades of office and printing papers and food-contact foodservice ware.

Sustana Recycling offers recycling logistics, aggregation services, and document shredding services. They operate eight recovery locations that will aggregate silicone-coated paper release liner: three in Canada (Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec) and five in the U.S. (Buffalo, Cincinnati, Boston, Wallingford, CT, and Baltimore). These sites supply the Sustana Levis, QC mill.

Sustana Fiber mixes silicone-coated release liner with other sources of recovered white fiber like office paper and cartons to produce a high-quality, recycled market pulp that can be used as recycled content in white fiber products like office paper, tissue products, and food-grade applications.

TLMI’s LRI pilot program will cover the areas surrounding the two Sustana Fiber mills – Chicagoland and the Northeast. The first objective of the pilot project was to work with Sustana Fiber to develop a bale specification document, which RRS can then use to recruit paper liner generators to start recycling their liner. The bale specification has been completed and is available on the LRI website www.linerrecycling.com. The next objective is to identify liner generators surrounding the mill locations.

Initially, the strategy focused on partnering with large generators due to the assumption that they would facilitate a more straightforward logistics process. The expectation was that these generators could deliver substantial quantities of material, i.e., truckloads, that could be shipped directly to the mill; however, in practice, this approach proved to be more complex than initially anticipated, highlighting the need to reevaluate our strategies.

RRS’s findings indicated that large and small generators may need a broker or aggregator to efficiently process their materials to meet the mill’s specifications. For example, materials such as liner on cores must undergo grinding and baling processes before being delivered to the mill, adding a layer of complexity to logistics. Consequently, RRS discovered a robust broker network operated by Sustana Recycling and various third parties. This network presents a valuable opportunity to connect all sizes of liner generators to the market as part of a unified pilot framework. By integrating these efforts, we can enhance collaboration, improve material flow, and ultimately increase our chances of success.

In the current landscape of the brown fiber market in the United States, release liner is often viewed as a problematic material. This perception is mainly due to concerns associated with adhesives found on residual labels, which can complicate recycling. Conversely, Finat research shows that some European mills have successfully integrated small percentages of release liner into old, corrugated containers (OCC); however, it is essential to note that this approach has not yet led to widely accepted testing protocols before mill acceptance, raising concerns about quality and reliability assurance. While testing is being conducted in parallel to the LRI, any potential brown fiber mill acceptance will likely fall outside the timeline of our initial LRI project, underscoring the need for continued diligence and proactive measures in this area.

In support of the LRI, TLMI’s Liner Recycling Committee, led by Christina Barajas (Mactac®) and Adam Frey (Wausau Coated Products Inc.), have strategized around this vital initiative by creating four working groups to assist RRS: Mill Outreach, Broker Outreach, Silicone Research and Testing, and Generator Outreach. If you are a TLMI member and are interested in participating in any of these working groups, we welcome your participation. Contact Rosalyn Bandy (rosalyn.bandy@tlmi.com) for more information.

The LRI is designed to assist all current liner recycling work done by the industry by being transparent and providing options to all. As such, there are ways that industry members can support the LRI, whether you are a TLMI member or not. To help with locating generators of the liner, you can work directly with RRS, including a non-disclosure agreement, if desired, to connect any customers that have an interest in recycling their silicone-coated paper release liner. For more information, contact me rosalyn.bandy@tlmi.com.

We invite you to join us in this constructive effort to advance recycling practices. Your support will contribute significantly to the success of our initiative and make a difference in promoting sustainable solutions to your customers. Explore the following sponsorship opportunities available by contacting TLMI’s Dale Coates at dale.coates@tlmi.com:

Options for TLMI Members:

Founding Sponsor: Become a Founding Sponsor with an annual contribution of $5,000.
Initiative Sponsor: You can further your involvement by joining as an Initiative Sponsor to enhance your current TLMI membership with an added percentage on your dues.

Both options include all the benefits of TLMI membership, recognition as either Founding Sponsor or Initiative Sponsor, liner recycling committee participation if desired, linked logo from LRI website to your website, early access to project results, and a quarterly webinar to review progress.

Options for non-TLMI members:

Non-TLMI Members: Support the LRI directly with an annual contribution of $5,000. Your logo will be included on the LRI website, and you can add a linked project logo to your company website. You will also gain in-person access to the TLMI Annual Meeting and printTHINK at a special LRI rate.

Machine Vision Optics

Jessica Avery on May 21, 2024

By: Advanced Technologies, A HHV Group Company

HHV Advanced Technologies manufactures a range of optics such as plano windows, prisms, wedges, mirrors, spherical lenses, domes and aspherics for UV, visible and IR ranges. These optics can be coated with single wavelength or broad-band anti-reflection coatings, dichroic beam splitter coatings with customized transmission to reflection ratios, and metallic mirror coatings consisting of Aluminum, Silver or Gold.

Products

Spherical & aspherical lenses
Windows with ARC
First surface mirrors
Metal mirrors with Al, brass & steel
Prisms & cubes

Features

Single & broadband anti-reflection coating from 400-1500nm
Metal reflective coating: Aluminium,silver, and gold.
Beam splitter coating in the ratio of 90/10,80/20,70/30,60/40 & 50/50.

Spectral Graph – Machine vision optics

Contact us for your Machine vision optics requirements at infotfod@hhvadvancedtech.com

Beontag US expansion continues with USD $60m investment in new, best-in-class manufacturing facility to serve North American market

Jessica Avery on February 5, 2024

New location in Dayton, Ohio, which is expected to be fully operational by August 2024, will be home to more than 200 employees.
The facility, which will host GLM (Graphic and Label Materials) functions initially, will also add RFID capabilities and serve the entire North American market.

12 December 2023, MILAN: Beontag, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pressure-sensitive adhesives and smart tags such as RFID and NFC, has announced an agreement to take on a 200,000 square foot industrial building in Dayton, Ohio, for a best-in-class manufacturing facility to support their North American expansion.

Beontag is set to invest more than USD $60 million in equipment, machinery, and tenant improvements over the next two years to bring this manufacturing facility to the highest international operational standards that the company is known for around the world. Boentag has committed to creating around 200 new jobs at the facility, which is expected to be fully operational by August 2024.

The state-of-the-art factory will allow the scale up of the production volumes through the utilization of more productive machinery, such as coaters, slitters, and sheeters for roll label stock, servicing the roll converter market. In addition, RFID and Linerless operations will be integrated in the same building.

Beontag’s investments in the North American market began in September 2022 with the acquisition of Technicote, a company specializing in the pressure-sensitive adhesives market for more than 40 years. In addition to the new Ohio facility, Beontag will soon begin the process of merging Technicote, which will become Beontag US, reinforcing the multinational’s strength and expertise to the United States market. Beontag is already one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pressure-sensitive adhesives and smart tags (RFID and NFC) with a commercial presence in more than 40 countries.

Commenting on the new facility, Ricardo Lobo, CEO of Beontag said: “Beontag has made no secret of our ambitious plans for US Expansion – which are dependent on state-of-the-art facilities, new and innovative equipment, strong infrastructure, and a great community of people. We’re very pleased to have found that in Dayton , Ohio and wish to thank the City and State offices that have helped make this ambition possible. On behalf of everyone in our truly global business, I’m glad to say that Beontag is looking forward to sharing the innovative products that will be manufactured here, with the wider North American market – and beyond.”

“We are excited that Beontag has chosen the Dayton Region as the home of their new Ohio facility,” said Dayton Development Coalition Executive Vice President of Regional Development Julie Sullivan. “This new facility will accommodate new equipment, technology, and employment growth.”

ENDS

PR enquiries: beontag@cw8-communications.com

ABOUT BEONTAG
Beontag is a global business enabler that serves as one of the world’s leading providers of IoT solutions and pressure-sensitive adhesives. With operations in more than 15 countries and a footprint in over 40 markets, the multinational company offers end-to-end product capabilities for a range of industries and businesses, driving seamless communication between companies, products, and people.

Beontag’s business is underpinned by modern manufacturing facilities, strategic investments, R&D, and a range of highly qualified teams. Furthermore, the multinational is fully committed to enabling positive impacts across the entire value chain. As a member of the UN Global Compact since 2021, Beontag offers its customers a series of increasingly sustainable products while also working towards a diverse and equitable work environment. To learn more, visit: https://beontag.com/

ABOUT TECHNICOTE

Technicote, Inc., a Beontag company, was established in 1980 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to service local roll converters. As a privately owned company, Technicote is small enough to care and big enough to deliver solutions across the pressure sensitive industry. We deliver this with four manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout North America and three strategic business units within the pressure sensitive market.

Forward-Looking Information
Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on available current market material and management’s expectations, beliefs and forecasts concerning future events impacting Beontag. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, which, if they were to ever materialize or prove incorrect, could cause the results of Beontag to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation, except as required by law, to provide updates, revisions, or amendments to any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in our expectations or future events.

TLMI Assembles Direct Thermal Task Force

Jessica Avery on January 25, 2024

[NASHVILLE, TN] – On January 24, The Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (TLMI) held its first Direct Thermal task force meeting. The task force was formed to inform TLMI members of proposed regulations in Washington and California restricting the use of bisphenols in direct thermal products. Led by legislation expert, Bryan Vickers, and the TLMI Regulatory Affairs Committee, 18 member companies from the supply chain participated in the meeting including paper manufacturers, pressure-sensitive laminators, and converters. The task force will continue to meet every 2 months to discuss the evolution of the proposed regulations. If you are interested in learning more, please contact TLMI’s VP of Sustainability, Rosalyn Bandy rosalyn.bandy@tlmi.com.

TLMI President Linnea Keen commented, “TLMI is committed to keeping its members up to date on regulations that can affect business operations. We value input from the entire supply chain as we move forward with our task force meetings.“

Art Advertising adds Domino N610i, their first digital narrow web press

Jessica Avery on January 24, 2024

Art Advertising, located in Jonesboro, Arkansas USA was founded in 1969, opening its doors as Art Sign Company. Transitioning into screen-printed graphics in the 1970’s, the sign division was sold off in 1980 and the company became Art Advertising focusing solely on industrial labels and other screen-printed products. The company’s quick growth across a broader range of industries necessitated moving into a new building in 1985. Over the next decade, Art Advertising’s offering would expand to include flexographic roll labels and traditional offset printing, still catering to the needs of regional, and industrial clients. In 1995, Stacy & Gary Gestring joined the business and began efforts to accelerate growth. Their customer base expanded nationwide as they continued to add new products and services. In 2007, the company relocated to its current location. Since then, they have added another 10,000 sq. ft. building to house their wide format division, bringing them full circle to be able to offer larger outdoor sign products again. Today with over 28,000 square feet of production across two facilities, Art Advertising is one of the most diversified printing companies nationwide. And they continue to grow. In December 2023, Art Advertising added their first digital narrow web press …the Domino N610i 7-color digital UV inkjet label press.

We caught up with Art Advertising’s owners Stacy & Gary Gestring to learn more about their business, the drivers for adding digital, and why Domino. Stacy is president and oversees finance and production. Gary is vice president and oversees sales, purchasing, estimating, and HR.

Exceeding customer expectations

Gary begins, “We specialize in decals and labels for manufacturers. Our strength is in meeting custom requirements and outdoor durable markets. Our customers value our reliability in providing their labels and decals on time and within their high-quality requirements and specifications. Our key strength is our ability to solve our customers’ problems, whether it be a need for custom adhesives, creating decal kits, or fulfillment services. We’re committed to exceeding their expectations.”

Why digital? Why Domino?

Stacy says, “We have long recognized the value of digital printing for great color and ease of setup, and we are looking forward to the increased speed and variable data capabilities of the Domino. The Domino N610i is our first digital narrow web press.”

Gary says, “We’ve been familiar with Domino for years, seeing them at trade shows and knowing their offering as a high-end piece of equipment, while hoping our increasing demand would justify having one.” Stacy adds, “Domino was on our short list for its ink durability, high-resolution print, and wide color gamut. The great communication and responsiveness of the Domino team gave us the confidence to make the final purchase decision.”

When asked if they anticipate any changes in the type of label jobs run or projects they pursue due to the capabilities of the N610i, both Stacy and Gary show tremendous excitement. Gary says, “We are most excited by the greater efficiency and new markets we’ll be able to pursue with the Domino. We’ve been mainly focused on long term outdoor durable markets. The Domino will greatly increase our competitiveness in short term durability and consumer goods markets.”

And Stacy is also enthusiastic on the Domino N610i maximizing their productivity, efficiency, profit, and opportunities. “We expect that the Domino will greatly reduce our production time on certain label lines, increasing productivity and improving profit margins. Our more recent investments were all in the screen department where we have the latest high speed rotary presses. Now, we anticipate the Domino N610i will bring our roll label department a huge leap forward and open up markets we’ve previously not had access to because our existing flexo equipment was too slow, or we had a cost disadvantage because we would need to outsource larger or full color roll label orders. When considering the cost justification of the Domino, we looked at both, the improved efficiency we will gain from the orders we have been running through other processes, and the potential to grow into new markets. So, we are very excited with the installation of the Domino digital press.”

Installed, Trained, Ready to Go!

The Domino N610i was installed at Art Advertising in December 2023, and their team went through a very comprehensive training program. Stacy says, “We have been very pleased with Domino. The detailed scheduling of the install and training were impressive. When our team came back from Gurnee, they said it was the best training they have ever received on a piece of equipment. While we are just getting the Domino up and running, we are confident their team is with us, and committed to our success and growth moving forward.”

Is there a ‘Domino Difference’?

Gary says, “I think the Domino Difference is their people. We have felt a comfort level with the Domino team, and a trust that they’ll be with us as a true partner to a level higher than we’ve experienced.”

Stacy concludes, “While we’ve continually added new printing technologies and production types, we are more excited about the potential the Domino N610i has to propel our company to the next level, than any equipment purchase we’ve ever made.”

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions. Celebrating its 46th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North America headquarters in Gurnee, IL. Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Domino digital printing, please visit dominodigitalprinting.com