Infinity® Foils, Inc. recently reached an agreement with Greg Herrell, the owner of Foiltech Ltd., to help transition his customers over to Infinity® Foils, Inc.  Canada located, Foiltech has been servicing Canadian customers for well over 20 years, and this new business arrangement will allow Foiltech’s customers to continue to have a reliable foil supply for now and into the future.

Greg Herrell had been searching for a business solution that would support his longstanding customers, as well as, give him a soft-landing for exiting his business ownership. Over the years, Foiltech has built a trusted following of loyal customers and Greg’s obligation to their needs was paramount in his decision to find the best solution.

Infinity® Foils, Inc. proved to be the right solution for Greg and Foiltech.  With a proven track record for over 17 years, Infinity® Foils provided the right customer service model and range of foil products for Foiltech customers.  Infinity® Foils also provides Greg’s customers with an enhanced customer service support, a savvy website for easy online purchasing and unparalleled technical support.

“I have known the Hutchison family [owners of Infinity® Foils, Inc.] for most of my adult life and I couldn’t have wished for a better company to transition my customers to.  I trust their business acumen and know that they are always customer-centric.  I am confident that my customers will be well taken care of by Infinity® Foils, Inc.,” said Greg Herrell

“Once we started the transition process, there was never a doubt, I knew I made the right decision.  No other foil company can offer the same level of excellent customer care, service, quality of product and performance like Infinity® Foils, Inc. can,” added Herrell.

Infinity® Foils, Inc. has acquired the inventory of Foiltech and reassigned the Foiltech customers to Infinity® Foils, Inc.  This process was executed in advance of the public notification of the agreements in order to assure that Infinity® Foils, Inc. was able to best service Foiltech customers.

“We are thrilled to offer Greg and his Foiltech customers a long-term resource.  Infinity® Foils, Inc. is more than ready and fully capable to assure that Foiltech customers find the transition absolutely seamless. Our business is driven by customer satisfaction and there is no greater compliment than having one of your former competitors trusting you enough to take care of the customer relationships they built.  We are confident that Greg’s customers will find Infinity® Foils, Inc. to be a supplier that they can count on,” said Jim Hutchison, President of Infinity® Foils, Inc.

To add even more value, Greg Herrell will remain in Canada, based in Toronto, in a sales and technical support capacity assisting with the transition to Infinity® Foils, Inc.  His vast knowledge and experience, coupled with Infinity® Foils’ incredible product range, will provide Canadian customers with an excellent sales and technical resource.  This is also a huge bonus for all existing Canadian Infinity® Foils, Inc. customers, as he will be an additional resource for their current Infinity® Foils, Inc. representative.  

Going forward, all orders for Foiltech products will be handled directly by Infinity® Foils, Inc.   All inquiries should be directed to Infinity® Foils, Inc. or Greg Herrell.

About
Infinity® Foils, Inc.  is headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, USA and is a member company of the UEI® Group which is comprised of four companies with worldwide reach: Universal Engraving, Inc.; UEI® Falcontec®; and Infinity® Foils, Inc.  and Infinity® Foils de Mexico.  Infinity® Foils, Inc. is a leader in the supply of hot, cold and digital stamping foils and makeready materials.

With eight warehouse locations, including converting facilities in Napa, California (USA), Lenexa, Kansas (USA) and Queretaro, Mexico. Infinity® Foils, Inc. has continued to expand geographically to better service customers.Additionally, having global exposure as a UEI® Group company, has provided Infinity® Foils, Inc. with an increased presence in both traditional markets, as well as, emerging markets and applications.

www.infinityfoils.com

• Mondi and Reckitt created an innovative paper-based packaging solution for Finish dishwasher tablets

• New packaging reduces plastic by 75% and will eliminate more than 2,000 tonnes of plastic each year once roll-out is complete

• Move contributes to Reckitt’s ambition to halve the amount of virgin plastic in its packaging by 2030

 Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has helped Reckitt on its sustainability journey by designing new paper-based packaging for the company’s market-leading Finish dishwasher tablets.

Packaging for dishwasher tablets must be sealable, durable and water resistant, so using paper has traditionally been challenging. However, by working closely together along Mondi’s EcoSolutions approach, Mondi and Reckitt were able to create a solution that is sustainable by design: the new Finish packaging has successfully replaced 75% of the plastic with responsibly sourced paper. The remaining plastic is used to strengthen the paper structure and provide barrier protection to ensure the quality and safety of the Finish product as well as a re-closable seal.

The new paper-based packaging for Finish will initially launch exclusively with Carrefour in France, where the packaging is recyclable in the existing paper recycling streams. Any adaptations required following the initial market launch will be incorporated before its roll out in other countries over the next few years. Once the launch is complete, Reckitt will be eliminating more than 2,000 tonnes of plastic every year – which is the equivalent of 50 million 1-litre bottles.

Angela Naef, Chief Research & Development Officer at Reckitt said: “Removing plastic from our products is a priority across all Reckitt’s brands. We are always looking at new and innovative ways to improve sustainability in our packaging and we are committed to pioneering further packaging innovation. One of Reckitt’s sustainability ambitions is to reduce virgin plastic in our packaging by half by 2030. As well as removing plastic, the new packaging is expected to generate 15% less CO2 emissions across the product’s lifecycle compared to the previous plastic packaging.”

Gonzalo Balcazar, Global Category Vice President at Finish added: “This latest design represents our commitment to build better future solutions, not just for cleaner dishes but for a cleaner, more sustainable world. The paper-based solution ensures that Finish customers can enjoy the same product they know and love, with the added benefit of doing something for the environment.”

Olivier Seux, Head of Global Key Accounts at Mondi said: “With Reckitt, we were able to develop a paper-based packaging solution that reduces plastic usage while still providing the necessary product protection. This project is a great example of Mondi’s approach of using paper where possible, plastic when useful. The packaging has been designed with sustainability in mind to minimise the impact on the environment. We look forward to working with Reckitt to continue to test and develop solutions that help them achieve their sustainability goals.”

• BOPP film offers higher yield and an improved carbon footprint

• New material has EU food contact compliance

Innovia Films is launching Rayoface™ CSA46, a clear, one-side gloss coated BOPP film, perfect for use in Food and Beverage or Household and Personal Care applications. This 46 micron film is approximately 10 percent thinner than most facestock films, giving this a higher yield and an improved carbon footprint.

Rayoface™ CSA is a high clarity and low haze film which gives enhanced product visibility and the “no-label look” appearance. The material has a very wide print window and is suitable for printing with flexo, gravure, screen offset and letter press. Also with UV, low-migration, and water-based inks.

Alasdair McEwen, Product Manager, Labels explains “the performance of CSA46, means it has excellent cold foil adhesion and appearance, allowing eye-catching graphics and label designs for your product. Whilst reducing carbon impact versus thicker coated facestock films”

McEwen adds “CSA46 provides balanced orientation for enhanced die-cutting and die lifetime and importantly also has EU food contact compliance”.

To find out more contact your local Innovia Films Sales Manager or email labels@innoviafilms.com

About Innovia Films
Innovia Films is a major producer of highly differentiated specialty Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films using proprietary ‘Bubble’, Stenter Technology and Cast manufacturing processes. 

The company holds a leading global position in the markets for high performance coated films, tobacco overwrap, labels and security films.  Innovia employs >1400 people worldwide and has production sites in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Poland and the UK.  The company is focused on high-quality value-added products, strong customer relationship, R&D and excellent service.

www.innoviafilms.com

Innovia Films announces a new generation of polypropylene, high gloss films, which are printable by both HP Latex and UV Inkjet systems.

In the past years, Innovia has been successfully selling their dedicated Rayoart™ PVC free film range into the Graphic Arts media market. During this time, continual development has led to the outdoor durability of the films being extended to four years, and a white matte film has been added to the range. Rayoart™ offers a more sustainable solution to the Graphics market with 50% less environmental impact compared to monomeric PVC.

Innovia’s surface engineering team has continued to innovate and have successfully optimised the wide format printability of these films. Rayoart™ GCP (clear) and Rayoart™ GWP (white) are available in both 60 and 92 micron thicknesses and are formulated on the reverse side to give enhanced adhesive

anchorage. Both films are ideal for flat and simple curved large graphics, advertising and point of sales applications for indoor and outdoor use.

Alasdair McEwen, Product Manager, Labels emphasizes “These next generation products have produced outstanding print results in the market. Their high gloss finish enhances the images and text producing a premium result. The fact that they are also extremely easy to apply or remove and are cost effective, even versus monomeric vinyl, makes them a perfect choice for graphic applications.”

Sample reels are available for laminators who want to conduct adhesive and print tests, contact your local Innovia Films Sales Manager, or contact us graphics@innoviafilms.com

About Innovia Films
Innovia Films is a major producer of highly differentiated specialty Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films using proprietary ‘Bubble’, Stenter Technology and Cast manufacturing processes.  The company holds a leading global position in the markets for high performance coated films, tobacco overwrap, labels and security films.  Innovia employs >1400 people worldwide and has production sites in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Poland and the UK.  The company is focused on high-quality value-added products, strong customer relationship, R&D and excellent service.

www.innoviafilms.com

BOBST has announced the DIGITAL MASTER series 3D CONFIGURATOR, a new online tool that allows customers to create and visualize the exact press configuration they need for their business. By integrating digital and flexo technologies into one workflow, label converters can enhance their capabilities, reduce waste and improve efficiency.

BOBST launched the DIGITAL MASTER series in April 2022, underpinning its vision for the future of label production. This new family of All-in-One, All-Inline solutions, which is available in 340 and 510 mm print widths, combines digital and analogue technologies in a single press. Based on a fully modular and upgradable architecture, this enables customers to build a press that fulfils their current and future needs.

From simple pressure-sensitive to multi-layer and high-value embellished labels, the DIGITAL MASTER 340 and DIGITAL MASTER 510 provide converters with the high flexibility needed to maximize their productivity and adapt their production floor as well as cope with manpower shortages and substrates management.

“At BOBST, we understand that every customer has unique requirements, which is why we have developed the unique DIGITAL MASTER series platform. Now, converters can experience the modularity and versatility of DIGITAL MASTER series with the new 3D CONFIGURATOR, which enables them to configure their press based on their specific requirements,” said Patrick Graber – Strategic Marketing Manager.

With BOBST’s new 3D CONFIGURATOR, converters are given instant online access to view all possible modules – including flexo, delam/relam, multi-layer, combo coupon, hot foil, combo lamination, screen-printing, and semi-rotary and rotary die-cutting – which can be added, arranged, combined or removed from the base machine according to their current job basket. Each module is visualized in 3D with descriptions detailing their use and potential.

Once the configuration has been finalized, a full report with the details including press dimensions, will be presented. Customers can also get in touch with their local BOBST sales representative via the online tool to discuss and validate the choices.

BOBST 3D CONFIGURATOR for the DIGITAL MASTER series is available for both desktop and mobile devices: https://configurator.bobst.com/.

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.

Ahlstrom perpetuates its 50-year commitment and support to the global Filtration industry by investing EUR 2 million in a new laminator at Louveira plant, Brazil. With a planned installation in 2023, the equipment is expected to be fully operational by Q1 2024.    

This strategic growth initiative will expand manufacturing capabilities at Louveira plant. It reinforces our ambition in local and regional filtration markets by offering customers shorter lead-times and improved local technical support.

“Along with optimizing the logistic workflow, the new unit will enable us to be closer to our customers and provide them with the flexibility needed to deliver best in class filtration solutions in South America,” said Andre Pereira, Head of Sales, Latin America. 

This investment is an additional step in our ambition to strengthen the global leadership in Filtration. It completes a series of investments in the past few years to strengthen the company’s global footprint and widen our high-performance offering in filtration segments. These include a new saturator as well as a new investment for glass fiber tissue line in Madisonville (Kentucky, US), a machine rebuilt in Binzhou (China), capacity expansion in Fabriano (Italy) and Malmedy (Belgium), and a new production line in Turin (Italy). 

“This investment addresses some of the current and future challenges of our customers in South America which include manufacturing flexibility and robust supply chain at regional level,” said Willy Bordignon, VP Filtration Americas. “It also demonstrates our commitment to expand product portfolio and to address the demands for lower emission engines in the region for EURO 5 and EURO 6 standards,” he continued.

Louveira is located in São Paulo state about 70 km away from the state capital. Louveira plant manufactures filter media for transportation and industrial segments, serving especially the South American markets. The plant is certified with IATF, ISO9001-2015, ISO45001 and ISO14001 and employs 120 people. 

Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. Our vision is to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. We serve five growing and distinctive end markets, which form the basis for our five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials. Our pro forma net sales 2021 for continuing operations amounted to EUR 2.6 billion and we employ some 7,000 people.

Read more at www.ahlstrom.com

Dublin based Label Tech, one of the largest independent label converters in Ireland, marked its 30th anniversary in 2022 by installing another Mark Andy Evolution Series E5 flexo press at its facility in Santry on the northern outskirts of the Irish capital. The latest machine joins an identically specified Evolution Series E5 that was commissioned in October 2020 during the Covid pandemic, and a legacy Mark Andy 2200 Series press.

Speaking for Label Tech, Managing Director James Costello stated: “This is the second phase of our planned programme of investment that will see a third Mark Andy Evolution Series installed in 2023. The plan is to standardise on the 13” (330mm) web width to give maximum production flexibility and cost-savings on tooling.” Asked to summarise the benefit of the company’s Evolution Series E5 presses, Mr Costello said that job-dependent, he has seen an increase of around 50% in throughput, which has allowed the company to replan its shift pattern and reduce pressure on its busy workforce of 48 people. Key markets served are food and drink, health and nutrition pharmaceuticals, transport, and logistics.

The two Evolution Series E5 presses at Label Tech are 8-colour machines equipped with full UV curing. They have been specified with unwind roll lifts and dual frame rewinds, die stations and sheeting units with a conveyor. In addition, turn bars, a cold foil facility and laminating unit are mounted on overhead rails, and have BST inspection cameras fitted. Both presses are capable of up to 230m/min running speeds.

Commenting for Mark Andy, Sales Manager for the UK & Ireland Phil Baldwin said: “It’s another example of Label Tech putting quality and investment in the latest technology at the forefront of its business. The significantly increased capability of two Evolution Series E5 presses will enable customers to secure faster turnaround times and top quality on every order. Mark Andy is proud to be playing a key part in this company’s success and with the third Evolution Series scheduled for 2023 we will be keen to support the business going forward.”

The ‘Tech’ part of the company’s name was chosen for good reason, because the management team, consisting of James Costello, Johnny Woods and David Keogh has always seen investment in the latest technology as a firm base on which to grow the business. The company is renowned for its knowledge and expertise that has allowed it to achieve many outstanding bespoke label solutions, and continually invests in its technology and people to maintain its offering and support to its customers for new and complex projects.

Commenting at how much the label market has changed over the past few years, Mr Costello said:“In our core food and beverage markets particularly there had been a major shift in demand for labels with more products being sold by supermarkets for home consumption. This has driven a whole raft of innovation at Label Tech, and despite the pandemic, the company had enjoyed two busy years.”

The second Evolution Series E5 press complements the company’s existing E5 and digital platform and adds another layer of efficiency to the production floor. During the pandemic innovations were strong and new demands grew within the PSL sector. “Serving these growing demands has been less of a challenge with the expanding flexo capacity that Mark Andy has provided for us. Having the internal flexibility to react to customer demands gives us a competitive advantage and is also a great source of comfort for our growing customers,” he added.

Despite a very challenging year, with well documented supply chain issues, Label Tech can see some light at the end of the tunnel. “The supply chain is showing slow signs of correction. This, added to our increased capacity, will allow us reduce lead times for our customers for the first time in over a year. We’re looking to have three identical Evolution Series E5 presses in full production here to give us maximum capacity and the scheduling flexibility we’ll need to fulfil our order books. The 13” web width is a perfect fit for our portfolio and the machine’s versatility and scalability will enable us to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations,” he concluded.

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.

Rochester, NY – From October 19th-21st, Durst North America showcased their industry leading technology at the most dynamic and comprehensive printing event in the world. A combination of hardware from their P5 technology portfolio, with their full software suite, gave booth visitors a one-of-a-kind full print “ecosystem” experience.  

·       The Durst P5 500, making its North American debut, is a 5.25m “superwide” roll-to-roll printer for unprecedented production of flexible materials. An integrated roll support greatly simplifies media loading and changing. Rolls can be processed in single, dual, and triple mode – in dual mode even asymmetrically. These advancements allow for efficient and unattended production, permitting print service providers to output jobs faster 

·       P5 Tex iSub, a dye sub printer for soft signage and fabrics printing, comes equipped with inline fixation, offering a 1-step direct to fabrics printing process. The printer is not limited to just direct printing, but transfer papers can also be printed and further processed in the usual way. The DurstP5 Tex iSub contactless fixing technology ensures excellent color consistency as well as extreme sharpness of detail in images and text, also blurring or bleeding of color is eliminated. 

·       A new advancement with the Durst P5 350 enables the printer to be equipped with Double 4 (D4) technology, maximizing the productivity of the P5 UV series printing systems through the implementation of a double CMYK color configuration. The Durst D4 technology can currently be configured for all available P5 350 HS and P5 210 HS versions (Boards, Hybrid, 3/4 automation, full automation) and is also available as a field upgrade. 

·       The Durst Software Suite offers web-to-print, prepress and production, analytics, and ERP modules to improve and simplify business. All Durst printers come fully equipped with Durst Workflow and Durst Analytics software, with optional Durst Smart Shop software and Lift ERP.  

Tim Saur, CEO and Managing Director of Durst North America, reflected, “The Durst focus on innovation and production advancements persisted through the pandemic.  This was apparent from our booth.  We continued to expand our technology to meet the growing needs of the industry.  It was very fulfilling to show three printers that had never been at a Printing United show.  Additionally, we could display the increasing efficiency of our software suite – Workflow, Lift ERP, and Smart Shop – the entire ecosystem – in one location.  As a Board member of Printing United, I am very proud of the attendance and success of the show.  As a constituent of Durst and a leader in the OEM space, I am elated by the continued strength of our industry.” 

https://durstus.com

The move expands Avery Dennison’s presence on the west coast, improves lead times and boosts shipping reliability

Mentor, OH – Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials announced today plans to bring a new distribution center (DC) to Fairfield, California. The goal of the Napa DC is to enhance service capabilities and leverage the local proximity to support wine and spirits customers with same-day service to Northern California, including Napa, Sonoma and Modesto.

The site in Northern California is expected to be operational by December. The DC will help Avery Dennison continue to provide label solutions that embrace the values of wine and spirits producers, including brand image, brand values, and consumers’ needs, with materials made to protect the planet and enable brands to connect consumers and provide detailed product information through intelligent labels.

“We are committed to optimizing our distribution network, increasing capacity, and enhancing our customer service,” said Jeroen Diderich, senior vice president and general manager of Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials. “This new DC will help us better serve our converters and their customers by boosting our efficiencies for shipping and delivery.”

The distribution center will employ a team of workers with additional plans for staff recruitment and growth in the future. Avery Dennison will continue to invest in the area with further innovative expansions to support customers and their wide range of demands, from functional to aesthetic.

To learn more about Avery Dennison’s label solutions for the wine and spirits sector, visit the Avery Dennison website. 

 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.