• Project includes installation of new and upgraded machinery to improve energy and production efficiency at Mondi Dynäs in Sweden.

• Investing in the future of the mill to meet customer demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

10 May 2023 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is upgrading its Dynäs pulp and paper mill in Sweden. The modernisation programme will increase efficiency and further improve the overall environmental performance of the mill, positioning it well to continue meeting customer demand for sustainable paper and paper-based packaging solutions.

The Dynäs mill produces high-quality sack and speciality kraft papers, used for a variety of paper-based packaging solutions for industrial and consumer industries, and is an important part of Mondi’s Flexible Packaging business. The project includes the installation and upgrade of machinery and equipment such as a new cooking plant and bark boiler, which will improve the mill’s energy efficiency. Upgrades will also further reduce air and water emissions, and result in better wood utilisation at the mill.

Roman Senecky, COO Mondi Kraft Paper, says: “The modernisation programme at Dynäs represents a significant investment in the future of this well-established mill. By producing sustainable sack and speciality kraft paper, we continue to contribute to our MAP2030 goals and meet customer demand with innovative solutions such as Advantage StretchWrap, an alternative to plastic film pallet wrapping, and Advantage MF EcoComp, used for high strength packaging like paper bags for wet organic household waste. The mill supplies paper across Europe and plays an important role in the local community.”

The Swedish Land and Environmental Court (Mark-och Miljödomstolen) approved Mondi’s works application in March 2023. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.  

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

www.mondigroup.com

Pittsburgh, May 7, 2023–eProductivity Software (ePS), a leading global technology provider for print and packaging companies, is proud to announce its partnership with HP, bringing forth an integrated solution that revolutionizes workflow processes and drives operational efficiency. The successful integration, first announced at Dscoop Edge Rockies in 2022, will be unveiled at the 2023 Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo from May 7-10 and signifies a significant step toward achieving a touch-free workflow, aligning with ePS’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to its valued customers.

ePS Midmarket Print Suite, with Pace® ERP at its core, is a leading software offering purpose-built for commercial, wide-format, and in-plant printers. Recognizing the immense potential of ePS Pace ERP and HP Indigo integration, Point B Solutionseagerly volunteered to participate as an early adopter, embracing the opportunity to optimize its operations and enhance customer experiences by streamlining pre-press efforts and digital job processes.

In addition to the seamless integration between ePS Midmarket Suite and HP Indigo, Point B Solutions is embracing other state-of-the-art technologies, including Enfocus Switch and Pitstop Server. By incorporating these solutions, Point B Solutions aims to establish a comprehensive and streamlined workflow, automating pre-flighting and approval processes while eliminating manual interactions.

Bob Raus, Americas Category Manager at HP Industrial Print, emphasized the significance of automation, stating, “The level of automation is a key indicator of a print service provider’s potential for business growth and success. HP is delighted to deliver on the promise of systems integration with eProductivity Software, benefiting our customers and the industry as a whole.”

The anticipated benefits of this comprehensive automation strategy are substantial time savings and enhanced productivity. Point B Solutions estimates a potential reduction of up to three days per job in the pre-press process, with even greater efficiencies for more complex projects. This transformative automation empowers Point B Solutions to redirect resources towards higher-value tasks, delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and fueling business growth.

Looking ahead, Point B Solutions and ePS envision an era of enhanced efficiency and automation, facilitated by the successful integration of ePS Pace ERP and HP Indigo. By working backward, starting from the press and moving upward, Point B Solutions has effectively established a robust connection between these cutting-edge technologies, setting a new benchmark within the industry.

Doug Haefele, VP of Technology Solutions at Point B Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re thrilled to see the advantages of a more open-source world between ePS and HP. This strategic partnership opens boundless opportunities for operational efficiency and innovation for printers like us. We can’t wait to see where this collaboration can take process automation and move the industry forward.”

The partnership between ePS and Point B Solutions exemplifies a shared commitment to embracing innovation and driving industry-wide advancements. Together, they are at the forefront of delivering unparalleled printing solutions, fueled by advanced workflow automation. You can learn more about the integration between ePS solutions and HP at the 2023 Dscoop Edge St. Louis World Expo by visiting ePS at booth 507.

About Point B Solutions: Point B Solutions is a leading provider of printing, technology, and ecommerce fulfillment solutions, empowering businesses with cutting-edge solutions to enhance their operations and drive growth. With a commitment to exceptional quality and customer satisfaction, Point B Solutions continues to be a trusted partner for organizations seeking innovative printing and fulfillment solutions.

About eProductivity Software: eProductivity Software is a leading global provider of industry-specific business and production software technology for the packaging and print industries. The company’s integrated and automated software offerings and point solutions are designed to enable revenue growth and drive operating and production efficiencies. eProductivity Software is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with offices worldwide. With over thirty years dedicated to delivering best-in-class technology to the packaging and printing industries, it is the company’s deeply held philosophy that eProductivity Software succeeds when its customers thrive. For more information, please visit https://epssw.com/.

The technology is another step forward for the company in enabling recyclable, circular packaging. 

Des Moines, IA, May 2023. – Siegwerk, one of the leading global providers of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, has received an honorable mention in the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) sustainability excellence awards. The awards are given to companies who demonstrate a commitment to and pursuit of sustainable package printing. Siegwerk entered its light block technology for consideration, as part of its commitment to providing a commercially viable printable-tunable light barrier solution that possesses all needed functional properties and is recyclable to provide a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment.

Using printable-tunable light barrier coatings, Siegwerk’s technology eliminates hard-to-recycle (white/colored) plastics to shift to clear sustainable alternatives, without compromising on light barrier performance. Currently, the technology on the market which is designed to block and light and thus preserve the shelf life of a range of goods from foods to cosmetics has the drawback of making the packaging more difficult to recycle. Siegwerk’s light barrier technology eliminates this problem, increasing recyclability and allowing recyclers to increase reclaiming rates for recyclable plastic, without sacrificing packaging performance.

In addition, printable-tunable light barrier coatings can be tailored to work with existing recycling streams, such as floatable (stay-on label inks), washable inks (deinkable shrink sleeves), and mono- material films (MDO-PE). This innovative light barrier coating solution can be tuned to block (up to 99.8%) light in the wavelength range of 200 nm – 900 nm.

“Light sensitive products need protection from UV and visible light. Today the light block packaging solutions offered in the market are not recycle-friendly. Siegwerk’s patent pending light barrier solution changes all of that by providing brands with a printable coating that can be tuned to achieve minimal light block sensitivity all the way across the light spectrum to full coverage in the highest wavelengths.  No added equipment or process change is needed. Moving from colored or opaque containers to clear recycle-friendly containers has never been easier,“ said Zack Meister, Global Business Development Manager, Flexible Packaging at Siegwerk.

Wausau, WI — Wausau Coated Products Inc., a leading manufacturer of adhesive-based label products, is pleased to announce the promotion of Juan Pablo Orozco as the New Outside Sales Representative for the Northeast Region for Wausau Coated Products Roll Label Stock Products. Prior to his new role, Juan has been participating in a Wausau Coated Products 12-month sales training program that took him through every aspect of the Wausau Coated Products business and focused on growing his industry knowledge. In his new role, Juan will help serve our customers, both new and existing in the Northeast Region. 

“We are extremely excited to have Juan represent WCP in the Northeast Region,” states, Adam Frey, Business Manager, Roll Products, Wausau Coated Products. “Juan’s passion and motivation to serve customers paired with his hands-on training experience of producing pressure sensitive products will help him succeed in his new role.” 

Oak Brook, Illinois, May 4, 2023-Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for the web handling industry, today announced the launch of the Tidland RD AutoScore, the next-generation of automation for tag and label and specialty material converting. The RD AutoScore offers automatic and repeatable trim width and cut depth positioning for score (kiss-cut) blades, optimizing job setups to improve safety, reduce downtime and enable running faster with more types of material.

“We’re excited to launch the RD AutoScore, which offers a new level of automation and efficiency for our customers,” said Aaron Powers, Global Product Manager at Maxcess. “With decades of knowledge working with pressure sensitive materials through our RotoMetrics brand, we understand that reducing setup times while maximizing line speeds is paramount to a successful label or specialty converting application. We believe this product provides significant value to our customers and will enhance their press productivity and operator safety.”

The RD AutoScore provides quick and precise setup of score blades, reducing setup time and allowing for consistent scoring of all liner materials, including film liners like PET. It also improves safety by eliminating the need for operators to make regular adjustments while reaching into the press. This enables users to run faster with less downtime, solving material variation challenges and offering superior performance. The RD AutoScore offers a return on investment in less than a year when compared to manual score systems, making it a valuable addition to any tag and label or specialty material converting operation.

The RD AutoScore is the latest addition to Maxcess’ portfolio of innovative web handling products and services, providing customers with best-in-class solutions for their unique production needs. 

For more information on the RD AutoScore, please visit https://www.maxcessintl.com/product/slitting-systems-winding-systems/slitting-systems/rd-autoscore/.

VIDEO

As part of its commitment to students at the Poland-based Technical Universities and Technical Schools, Mark Andy began a series of meetings at its Technology Center in Warsaw with an Open House.  On 21st April more than 100 young people and their teachers, representing two Technical Universities (Warsaw and Lodz), and three Technical Colleges (Kalisz, Poznan, and Zgierz), visited the company’s European Sales & Service hub. They took part in three demo sessions, including one with an Evolution Series E5 flexo press and two with hybrid models, the toner-based Digital Pro 3, and the inkjet-based Digital Series HD.  All three print techniques were shown doing live production, manufacturing different kinds of labels, including POD with participants’ pictures taken during the Open House.  Mark Andy Poland personnel were on hand to answer the many questions raised about the presses and their technological aspects, as well career possibilities in the label and packaging markets.

“This was the first time we had hosted such a large group of students at our Open House,”  says Lena Chmielewska-Bontron, European Marketing Manager Mark Andy.  “It was also the first visit of students from the Technical Colleges – previously we had only University students.  We were delighted with such a big attendance as we’ve been committed to educational aspects for many years.  As a manufacturer with more than 75 years of market experience, it’s a key part of our mission and legacy to share our knowledge with the people willing to join our industry in the years to come.  These events are also important because of the ongoing shortage of skilled employees in our industry.  Considering everything, we’re happy with the involvement of our guests in the technology and equipment we demonstrated.  We answered lots of questions, and difficult ones too, so we’re very encouraged with the success of the Open House,” she added.

Before the press demos, Lukasz Chruslinski, European Sales Manager, gave a short opening speech.  He underlined that printing, especially in the label and packaging markets, has huge potential and offers many opportunities for people seeking new jobs.  He cited market research data and pointed out the technologies that have become increasingly popular in recent years, like RFID.  “As a m

anufacturer of printing presses, we’re involved in RFID and the many projects it incorporates,” – said Lukasz Chruslinski.  “This technology has been available for many years, but its popularity only started to grow recently because of the way it supports the entire supply chain, in terms of sales, warehousing, and logistics”.

Lukasz underlined that many printers and converters have recently begun to modify their operational activities.  “They are changing from being a simple print house to a one-stop-shop, offering many other services, including data management, design, fulfillment, and distribution.  It’s an important change in attitude especially in terms of more advanced projects like ‘intelligent labels’, and RFID tags.  It’s not enough to be a simple printer anymore, you must be a technology partner and advisor, with the printing press being a part of the entire manufacturing line.  We’re pleased to see so many cases of this in Poland because it relates to our customers, too,” he said.

The presses were demonstrated by Lukasz Chruslinski and Michal Mokrzycki – Print Specialist at Mark Andy.  The toner-based Digital Pro 3 was first, and Lukasz explained how easy it is to enhance its capability with additional finishing and embellishment options, like a multi-purpose flexo unit and either rotary or semi-rotary die-cutting.  Digital Pro 3 is positioned by Mark Andy as an entry level press, devoted to short runs of up to 400m. However, as was mentioned, it is quite often used for printing longer runs, as well.

The next demo was devoted to Evolution Series E5 flexo press, which is servo-driven and was equipped with a hybrid curing system, incorporating different drying techniques. “An easy-to-use cassette system enables a quick changeover from one drying technology to another,” he explained.  “It enables the use and drying of different kinds of inks, such as UV, LED and water based.” With numerous other finishing and embellishment options, E5 is a very flexible, multi-purpose, and highly efficient printing platform.

The third demo session was devoted to Digital Series HD, Mark Andy’s flagship hybrid based on inkjet technology.  “It’s our best seller, and is extremely popular with our European customers,” said Lukasz.  Digital Series HD is devoted to longer runs than the previously presented toner-based solution DPro 3 and owing to its extended colour gamut (CMYK + OVG) it can reproduce approximately 96% of CMYK colours.  With its capability of printing a highly pigmented white ink, it offers results comparable with screen printing.  Like the other two presses, Digital Series HD can be upgraded with numerous finishing and embellishment options.  “Its modularity is highly appreciated by our customers,” said Lukasz, “and many of them upgrade their original configuration as the demand from print buyers changes.”

After the demo sessions, the students had an opportunity for individual chats and discussions with Mark Andy representatives. They were very interested in the numerous print samples, including the labels printed on Digital Pro 3 with the pictures of Open House participants, taken in a real-time during the meeting.

“We’d like to thank all the students and their teachers for taking part and showing such a huge interest in our technology.  We hope the press demos and discussions with our experts become a source of knowledge and inspiration for them.  It’s worth mentioning that several participants of the Open House asked about the opportunity of an internship at Mark Andy, as well as help with thesis they are preparing.  All these signs are very positive and encourage us to initiate and support other educational opportunities,” concluded Lena Chmielewska-Bontron.

PITTSBURGH, May 3, 2023 – eProductivity Software (ePS) is thrilled to announce its participation at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf, Germany from May 4-10, 2023. As the premier event for the packaging and corrugated industries, the company will showcase its innovative software solutions, which are purpose-built for the packaging industry and designed to optimize complex production processes and increase efficiency.

ePS Packaging will showcase its flagship product, ePS Radius® ERP, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution specifically designed for the labeling, folding carton, and flexible packaging markets. Radius ERP is the most comprehensive software solution of its kind available in these markets, offering tools that help companies manage their production processes from start to finish. With its newly redesigned and intuitive HTML5-based UI/UX, Radius ERP can significantly improve estimating, quoting, production planning, scheduling, raw materials, finished goods, and waste management. The software also features advanced reporting and analytics tools that provide real-time insights into production performance, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions and optimize their processes for maximum efficiency.

In addition to Radius ERP, attendees can view the company’s leading industry-enabling point solutions, including ePS PrintFlow® 4D (PF4D) and ePS Auto-Count® 4D (AC4D), which are designed to work with ePS, third-party, or homegrown ERP solutions. PrintFlow 4D is a dynamic cloud-based scheduling solution that revolutionizes how businesses plan complex, multi-site production processes by optimizing production planning up to 20 times faster than existing solutions and allowing them to improve productivity, reduce costs, maximize asset utilization, and increase profits. Auto-Count 4D is a cloud-based shop floor data collection solution that empowers businesses to collect and analyze data in real time so they can make informed, data-driven decisions anytime, anywhere, and from any device. 

ePS will also demonstrate the latest Suite releases of its eFlow Automator and Business Intelligence (BI) tools. These newly redeveloped modules provide businesses with comprehensive analytics and automation solutions. The ePS BI tool enables businesses to analyze data from all areas of their operations to build a holistic view of the company’s performance. Suite Automator automates repetitive tasks, allowing businesses to improve productivity while reducing errors and costs.

Interpack attendees can also experience ePS’ latest ERP ecosystem release for the Corrugated industry, Corrugated Business System (CBS), which offers a full range of highly flexible and modular software solutions that deliver tangible benefits to the businesses that use them.

The ePS stand will feature a range of market-leading solutions from its CorrSuite, including CorrPlan® for intelligent and adaptable planning for corrugated board manufacturers and converters, and CorrTrim® for flexible, real-time corrugated scheduling. 

Attendees can discover new features for its industry-leading ePS Escada® Corrugator Control Systems, including Smart SetPoint (SSP) process control. SSP module’s setpoint management system automatically selects the optimal process recipes and configurations based on multiple predefined factors to manufacture the best quality corrugated board. Alongside Smart SetPoint, the new Energy module will be presented. Energy is an intelligent steam management module that optimizes steam usage on the corrugator to help businesses reduce energy costs.

Aleks Zlatic, GM for the packaging segment at ePS, commented on the announcement, “We’re immensely proud to present our cutting-edge technology at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf, and we’re confident that our solutions will help businesses across the globe improve their productivity and reduce costs. We can’t wait to showcase our software solutions to the leading companies in the packaging and corrugated industries. These solutions highlight our commitment to providing businesses with the tools they need to become more competitive and profitable in today’s challenging times.”

Visit eProductivity Software at Interpack 2023 in Dusseldorf (Hall 8b, Stand H33) from May 4-10, 2023, to learn more about how ePS software solutions can help your business improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profits.

About eProductivity Software

eProductivity Software is a leading global provider of industry-specific business and production software technology for the packaging and print industries. The company’s integrated and automated software offerings and point solutions are designed to enable revenue growth and drive operating and production efficiencies. eProductivity Software is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with offices worldwide. With over thirty years dedicated to delivering best-in-class technology to the packaging and printing industries, it is the company’s deep-held philosophy that eProductivity Software succeeds when its customers thrive. For more information, please visit www.ePSsw.com

The Canadian flexible packaging specialist has improved the quality of its flexo printing and increased overall productivity by installing the first ThermoFlexX Catena-E 48 in North America. A trailblazer in sustainability, Tempo chose the UV LED exposure unit from XSYS due to the advanced automation, reduced energy consumption, and higher operational speed.

Willstaett, Germany. 02 May 2023 – First established in 1970 as a poly bag manufacturer, Tempo Flexible Packaging Inc. has spent the past two years implementing a large-scale investment plan. Over 10,000 square feet have been added to the sizeable facility in Innisfil, north of Toronto, Ontario, along with the installation of new equipment, including a new CI flexo press from Germany. The ambitious project also involved upgrading the plate room, which already contained a ThermoFlexX 48 imager and Xpress Thermal processor, before the new Catena-E 48 exposure unit from XSYS was introduced late last summer.

The family-run company is the largest employer in the area with over 170 employees and supplies a wide variety of flexible pouches, as well as roll stock and bags, to the food, pet food, and lawn and garden industries across North America. As a vertically integrated manufacturing facility, Tempo is certified to FSSC 22000 v 5.1 standards, with all processes contained within the business, from extrusion, coating, printing, laminating and slitting to final bag- and pouch-making. At the helm sit the children of co-founder Joseph Giglio; Lee-Anne Giglio is the company’s COO, while her brother Leonardo Giglio is the OPTIMIST & CEO.

Sustainability is the core focus for Tempo, and it is reflected in its drive for product innovation and commitment to environmentally-friendly production methods. “Our company vision is to be the preferred partner of sustainable and socially responsible flexible packaging solutions in North America,” states Lee-Anne. “And we always choose our partners, technologies and equipment with that vision in mind.”

The winning contender

Always striving to deliver exceptional packaging solutions for every client, Tempo Flexible Packaging continues to improve every aspect of its flexo printing operation. When it comes to choosing new equipment, the evaluation process is rigorous as technology from different manufacturers is subjected to close scrutiny before the final purchasing decision is made.

Craig Labossier is the Print Technical Services Manager at Tempo. He explained, “We had a pre-existing relationship with XSYS since we purchased the ThermoFlexX imager and Xpress processor in 2020, but we still did due diligence to ensure we got the best machine. Ultimately, we were down to two contenders, and it quickly became clear that the Catena-E technology had a strong advantage.”

The Catena-E 48 thermal system can image plates in sizes up to 900 x 1200mm (35 x 48”), enabling precise image reproduction and fine relief elements at faster speeds, perfect for the type of flexible packaging applications that Tempo specializes in. And in terms of sustainability, not only do the LEDs use less energy than conventional lamps, more savings are achieved when exposing smaller plates as only the LEDs directly below the plate are active.

Instant improvement in quality

The Catena-E 48 LED exposure unit replaced an older conventional bank exposure unit that was causing quality issues for Tempo. “Even though we are already an award winning printer, we were never really that satisfied with the old unit and had been aiming towards switching to LED exposure for a while, knowing that it would give us the quality push we needed,” said Craig.

Set up to work seamlessly with the ThermoFlexX 48 imager and Xpress processor, the Catena did not disappoint and immediately made its presence known. “Right away, the new unit solved our problems, and there was a dramatic improvement in the print quality,” Craig said with satisfaction. “With the Catena-E 48, we can hold much smaller minimum dots, and they stay clean throughout the print run, so we can print for longer, which improves productivity and reduces waste. Our customers are also noticing the much cleaner print they’re getting.” 

Further improving the results and the sustainability, Tempo is applying ThermoFlexX Woodpecker Sharp surface screening to their plates, which helps control the ink flow to deliver a smoother laydown, with less ink used and faster press speeds enabled. The pattern is not embedded in the job files, but applied directly during imaging, making the workflow less complex.

Smooth transition to LED

After witnessing a big difference in the productivity of the plate room, as well as the final print results, the team at Tempo was convinced that the Catena-E 48 from XSYS was the right choice. In addition, the ease of use and high level of automation provided by the unit made the transition process to the new LED technology quick and straightforward.

“The installation of the Catena-E 48 was very smooth; it simply slotted into the existing setup with the imager and thermal processor. It took less than a day to get the machine up and running, including the print trials on the press,” commented Craig. He concluded, “We now have the best possible workflow in our plate room and can run our presses faster for longer. With higher productivity, better quality and increased sustainability, we have truly taken our flexo production to the next level.”

ABOUT XSYS

Headquartered in Willstaett, Germany, XSYS operates globally and remains one of the largest suppliers offering both flexographic and letterpress prepress solutions, including plates, sleeves, processors, workflow solutions, and expert professional services, designed to help these industries move forward with increasing innovation, improved productivity and profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint.
In recognizing our endeavor to bring more brilliance into the packaging industry – into the lives of our customers and colleagues – XSYS has achieved a Silver Medal rating from EcoVadis for its sustainability. This distinction goes beyond our commitment to protecting the environment by also evaluating our dedication to social responsibility, diversity, and human rights.

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

Kennesaw, Ga. April 27, 2023 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), the largest supplier and technology leader for the folding carton market, expects the segment to grow worldwide by more than two percent annually over the next few years. According to a study by the US market research institute Smithers, the total value of folding carton production will reach 160 billion US dollars by 2026. For HEIDELBERG, folding carton represents a strategic growth segment and already accounts for nearly half of the company’s sales. An important driver in the market is the growing environmental awareness of consumers, who are increasing their preference for more sustainable paperboard packaging over plastic. 

Recently, Diamond Packaging, a full-service packaging supplier and manufacturer of paperboard folding cartons, counter-top displays, and blister cards specializing in the cosmetic, personal care, and health care industries, installed a new Speedmaster XL 106 from HEIDELBERG. Equipped with UV, Prinect Inpress Control 3, and FoilStar, the press is specially designed to meet the demands of today’s Consumer Packaged Goods companies: high-end decorative effects produced more quickly, economically, and sustainably. Diamond’s newest XL 106-10-LYYL includes the 20,000th XL 105/106 printing unit to be installed since the press model was introduced – a testament to the quality and success of HEIDELBERG’s XL line. 

The Most Advanced Printing and Decorative Capabilities in the Industry

Recently awarded a Platinum rating for the second year in a row by EcoVadis, the leading global advocate for sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Diamond Packaging, based in Rochester, NY, is committed to integrating these two core principles into its daily business. Seeking business partners with similar values, the company recently installed a ten-color Speedmaster XL 106 – replacing two aging HEIDELBERG 40-inch presses. Diamond’s newest XL press, its fourth, is equipped with HEIDELBERG’s most advanced technologies, and will help the company “capture the essence of luxury and premium brands with the most advanced printing and decorative capabilities in the industry while minimizing environmental impact throughout the supply chain,” said Dave Rydell, President & COO for Diamond Packaging. The press includes innovative features like autonomous Push-to-Stop technology, AutoPlate Pro, and a completely new operating philosophy, the Heidelberg User Experience, which together with Intellistart 3 and other assistance systems, ensure short makeready times and the best possible support for press operators. The new technology will not only add substantial capacity and continue to drive growth for Diamond’s thriving business, but according to Rydell, “The efficiency of this press versus our older presses will significantly lower set-up costs and material usage. Additionally, the enhanced automation will be helpful to our operators while driving productivity gains.”

Diamond expects to see further efficiency gains via the built-in color management of Prinect Inpress Control 3. Impressed with HEIDELBERG’s color management technology, Diamond was one of the early adopters of Prinect Image Control closed-loop spectrophotometry to automatically measure and control color. The new XL 106, however, is its first press to feature Prinect Inpress Control – the completely inline spectrophotometer that measures and controls color and registers on press at any speed, delivering the first measurable result in less than 60 sheets. The company, who is committed to minimizing waste, sees Inpress Control as a tool to both advance its color monitoring technologies while supporting a sustainable use of resources. According to Rydell, “Moving to Inpress Control is a natural evolution of our spectral management system that should deliver consistent, stable color results more efficiently and with a higher level of automation.” 

Cost Effective and More Sustainable

Seeking additional measures to reduce its material and energy expenditures, Diamond chose to install its newest press with FoilStar inline cold transfer application. FoilStar helps the company meet its customers’ desires for high-end effects to reinforce the premium positioning of their brands while eliminating some of its offline foiling processes. “Our customers are very interested in our environmental practices and new material options,” said Rydell. “Inline techniques are cost effective and more sustainable, especially when considering the material and energy costs associated with multiple runs or off-line production processes.” Thanks to its indexing function, the new FoilStar unit optimally applies metallic decoration regardless of coverage, which helps to provide savings for printed sheets with minimal foiling. Diamond’s FoilStar unit has the additional capability of applying Cast and Cure holographic effects inline and is the first FoilStar installed in the world with this combined functionality. It is also Diamond’s first press to feature HEIDELBERG’s inline cold transfer unit, but it will begin retrofitting an existing 2016 XL 106 with FoilStar later this month. 

Today, Diamond’s packaging is designed utilizing recyclable or recycled paperboards (many FSC-certified), and manufactured using 100% clean, renewable wind energy, in a Zero Waste to Landfill and Carbon Neutral facility. Equipped with three other XL 105/106 presses, HEIDELBERG technology plays an essential role in what Diamond calls its “greenbox sustainability” initiative – a comprehensive approach to packaging that minimizes environmental impact throughout the supply chain. Through creative design, careful material selection, and best practices at the plant level, Diamond is able to reduce waste and shipping costs and increase efficiencies. “Sustainability is no longer a trend in packaging, it’s an expectation,” said Rydell. “The efficiencies we gain and the materials we save by using HEIDELBERG technology helps us lessen our environmental impact while continuing to cultivate a positive emotional connection to the customer’s brand.”

About Diamond Packaging

Founded in 1911, Diamond Packaging is a WBENC-certified, industry leader specializing in developing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies. Utilizing state of-the-art technologies, Diamond designs and manufactures paperboard folding cartons, counter-top displays, and blister cards. Diamond differentiates itself through award-winning creative designs, packaging innovation/technical expertise, and its greenbox sustainability initiative.