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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of SAKATA INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com.

Miraclon has received the prestigious FTA Technical Innovation Award for PureFlexo Printing. Accessed through KODAK FLEXCEL NX Print Suite, the technology addresses and controls unwanted ink spread to allow a wider operating window in printing – maximizing efficiency, repeatability and overall performance on press. As one of only three Technical Innovation Award recipients, and the only recipient in the Prepress Graphics Category, it underscores the significant impact that PureFlexo Printing can make – and has already been making – in driving increased uptime for converters.

PureFlexo Printing utilizes Miraclon’s patented advanced plate surface patterning technology to resist the tendency of ink to spread during printing. Available only on the FLEXCEL NX System and focused primarily on printing with solvent inks on film, it brings a wider operational window regardless of line screen, with compound savings from fewer unscheduled press stops each day, reduced downtime and delays, and faster color setups.

Joe Tuccitto, Director of Education at FTA, said: “Recipients of the FTA Technical Innovation Award are chosen by a panel of flexographic experts for having the potential to positively change the future of flexography. Once again this year, the judging process was extremely competitive with a wide variety of innovative technologies that utilize the flexographic process or have been designed specifically to enhance flexographic printing. Miraclon should be very proud of this outstanding achievement; at a time where businesses are taking an extra hard look at maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs, PureFlexo Printing proves to be an innovation that can make a real impact across the whole production process.”

The award – the third FTA Innovation Award for technology from Miraclon – was presented this past weekend during the Annual Awards Banquet at FORUM 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, United States. In 2009, shortly after its commercial introduction, the FTA recognized the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System with a Technical Innovation Award which, as predicted by the judging panel, helped to change the capabilities of the modern flexo process over the last 15 years. Miraclon received the second FTA Innovation Award for the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Ultra Solution featuring Ultra Clean Technology – another confirmation of Miraclon’s commitment to backwards-compatible, ongoing value-driven innovation for FLEXCEL NX customers – in 2020.

“We’re honored to receive this FTA Technical Innovation Award, which signifies the importance of innovations that can have a big impact across the flexo value chain,” comments Reid Chesterfield, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Miraclon. “PureFlexo Printing is being utilized to streamline efficiency and addresses the root cause of issues that result in unscheduled press stops and impact customers’ financial bottom line. The proven productivity benefits it brings to the print production process should be an important consideration for flexo trade shops and converters.”

About Miraclon

Miraclon is the home of KODAK FLEXCEL Solutions, which have helped transform flexographic printing for more than a decade. The technology, including the industry-leading FLEXCEL NX and FLEXCEL NX Ultra Systems, and FLEXCEL NX Print Suite that enables PureFlexo™ Printing, maximizes on-press efficiency, delivers higher quality and overall best-in-class results. With a focus on pioneering image science, innovation, and collaboration with industry partners and customers, Miraclon is committed to the future of flexo and continues to be positioned to lead the charge. Find out more at www.miraclon.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Tarsus Group, organizer of the Labelexpo Global Series, has announced the opening of registration for Labelexpo Europe 2023. The show takes place between 11-14 September at Brussels Expo. 

This will be the first Labelexpo show in Europe since 2019. Along with demonstrations of the latest printing and converting equipment will be masterclasses and special events focused on Automation and Flexible Packaging.

Tickets to the show cost Euro 95, with an early registration rate of Euro 75 until 25th August at 18.00 CET.

New equipment to be seen at Labelexpo Europe includes the world premiere of the HP Indigo 200K press, the Xeikon CX500t Titon toner press and the Screen Truepress PAC520P water-based packaging press. 

Commented Jade Grace, portfolio director of Labelexpo Global Series, “We are delighted to be running Labelexpo Europe again, and can promise visitors an extraordinary show across nine halls. We will see an explosion of cutting-edge technology launched at the show, everything from pre-press to materials, and digital and conventional print and converting technology. Add to this a world-leading series of educational events and our focus on Automation and Flexible Packaging for label converters and you have an unmissable Labelexpo experience.”

Added Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director at Labelexpo Global Series , “We are already seeing key technology themes emerging at Labelexpo Europe 2023. Diversification across labels and flexible packaging technologies, digital embellishment, workflow and machine automation, real-time data collection over the Cloud and sustainability across multiple fronts from LED-UV to more new materials and adhesives choices. This will be a landmark show for the future direction of our industry.”

For further information about Labelexpo, please contact:

Paul Connelly, marketing director, Labelexpo Global Series.

Email: pconnelly@labelexpo.com

For more information about Labelexpo Global Series, follow Labelexpo on Twitter at @Labelexpo or visit the Labelexpo Europe website.

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