Huzhou, China – Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for web handling applications, announced the production of Solid Rotary Dies from RotoMetrics at its Huzhou, China plant, enabling faster lead times on solid dies for customers in the APAC region.

“We are very excited to be able to now produce two key RotoMetrics products directly from our Huzhou plant,” said Nang Young, VP/GM APAC. “Earlier in the year, we began production of Magnetic Cylinders for Flexible Dies, and now we have full-scale production of Solid Rotary Dies, enabling our customer to get the Rotary Die products they need faster.”

The Huzhou factory is an important facility in Maxcess’ global manufacturing footprint. To ensure a consistent production process and high manufacturing standards, the main production elements for the Huzhou factory were imported from the United States. In addition, the processes and operating systems, quality management systems, supply chain systems and warehouse systems are consistent with Maxcess’ global standards to guarantee high product quality.

“RotoMetrics is a household name in Rotary Die cutting solutions, known for excellent materials, unmatched precision, complementary tooling solutions to enhance performance and long die  life,” said Nang Young. “Being able to produce Solid Rotary Dies in China will improve local competitiveness in price, delivery, support and service.”

About Maxcess
Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide. By combining more than 400 years of global service and support across the storied product brands of RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller and Componex, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts and end-to-end web handling solutions to help you work better, faster and smarter. Visit them online at www.maxcess.com

Evolution series boosts plastic recycling; expanded ‘Dual Cure’ LED-UV curable coating range cuts energy costs for label converters

Rogers, MN – At Labelexpo Americas in September, Flint Group Narrow Web will showcase new waste and cost-saving ink and coating products that offer improved recycling, food safety, global quality consistency and lower energy consumption (booth #5703, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL, 13-15 September 2022).

Flint Group’s Evolution series of UV-flexo coatings allow the substrates and containers they are used on to be recycled without contamination, and therefore be reused more easily.

The Evolution Deinking Primer is applied to shrink sleeves to allow the ink to be released during the recycling process. The ink is removed from the sleeve material without contaminating the valuable bottle flake. The materials are then rinsed and pelletized into recycled polyester (rPET) for reuse.

The Evolution Caustic Resistant Over Print Varnish facilitates the recycling of PET bottles utilizing pressure-sensitive labels. The varnish prevents contamination of the wash-water and bottle flake in the initial recycling process by keeping the ink secured to the label substrate. When immersed in the float-sink bath, the intact label floats to the surface where it is separated from the bottle recycling stream.

Lower Energy Costs with LED Curing

Flint Group Narrow Web will present its expanded range of Dual Cure UV-flexo inks that are curable under LED lamps as well as mercury lamps. Flint’s new Dual Cure products focus on ultra-clear non-yellowing performance and food contact materials (FCM) applications.

Dual Cure Ultra Clear is a UV-flexo clear overprinted coating, that does not yellow over time. Free of benzophenone, Dual Cure Ultra Clear offers assurance of long-term brand integrity and product safety.

Another addition to the Dual Cure programme is EkoCure ANCORA FCM PSL, safe UV-flexo ink for pressure-sensitive label food contact materials.  It contains no bisphenol-A and is fully compliant with the latest versions of the Swiss Ordinance on Materials and Articles (SR.817.023.21)  and the Nestlé Guidance on Packaging Inks.

Dual Cure inks and coatings allow label converters to embrace the environmental, low-energy and productivity advantages of LED-UV curing, while managing the financial risk associated with curing lamp conversions. Switching to LED-UV curing technology with Flint Dual Cure inks bring energy cost reductions of up to 50 percent, compared with using mercury lamps on press, as the lamp produces less heat.

Fully compatible inline with conventional inks on the printing press, Dual Cure inks allow a gradual switch to LED, at a pace that suits the converter, with minimal disruption to operations. This enables the freedom to upgrade the press one curing unit at a time, lowering the financial risk and reducing waste of existing ink inventories.

Global Support Network

Flint Group’s global sales, technical teams and distribution network provide world-class support to assist converters in reducing total applied costs and assuring uniform quality, wherever they may be located.

“At Labelexpo Americas, Flint will be focusing on the current hot topics of the industry: recycling, reducing energy consumption, increasingly stringent food safety legislation, and building a more sustainable future,” says Julian Cass, Vice President for North America at  Flint Group. “Our products and services provide answers to these challenges and make good business sense too, for converters and brand owners alike. Whether large or small, converters are invited to make an appointment to explore what we have that can benefit them and their customers.”

The Flint Group Narrow Web booth will be shared with Flint’s Digital division Xeikon. Xeikon works closely with label converters and printers to find the best digital solution for their applications. Product highlights include the  Xeikon CX500 dry toner press, Xeikon PX3300 UV-IJ hybrid press, Uniform X-800 workflow and participates in the Digital Embellishment Track including the conference program.

For further information or trial inquiries, please contact your local Flint Group Narrow Web sales executive, or come to the Flint booth at Labelexpo in September.

www.flintgrp.com

At Label Expo Americas 2022 September 13 – 15, ‘Experience the Domino Difference’ in booth 6523.  Attendees are invited to view exciting equipment demonstrations of three digital UV inkjet printing solutions… the N730i, N610i, and K600i… throughout the three-day event, allowing them to ‘See more. Learn more. Do more.’  (The Domino demonstration schedule is listed below). In addition, attendees can enjoy the hospitality of hot coffee and cold beer served at the ‘Domino Print Bar’.   

Domino N730i digital UV inkjet label press.  The worldwide, in-person debut.  The very first showing of the N730i.  1200 dpi with revolutionary BITSTAR™ print head technology. Configurable in up to 7 colors (CMYKOVW). Ergonomic design with automated roll lifts provided as standard at the unwind and rewind, supporting media rolls of up to 1 meter in diameter. Flexibility with optional flexo priming station (pre-digital) to optimize print quality on more difficult media types; and optional flexo station (post-digital) to support varnishing, a brand spot color, or for cost-effective flood white for shrink sleeve applications.   

Domino N610i digital UV inkjet label press.  The N610i is a proven & reliable, tried & true 600 dpi digital UV inkjet label press with hundreds of installations globally.  Available in up to 7-colors (CMYKOVW) in roll-to-roll, roll-to-inline / nearline, and hybrid configurations, the N610i has become a key differentiator for label manufacturers in growing their business and making money with digital printing.

Domino K600i dual bar digital UV inkjet printer.  Variable data printing (VDP) at up to 492 fpm.  Popular applications for VDP include anti-counterfeiting; brand protection; consumer engagement; e-commerce; food safety; inventory control; logistics & reverse logistics; loyalty & promotional program; and track & trace.  With the ability to print serial, batch, random, or pin numbers; alpha numeric characters; variable images; linear barcodes; 2D matrix, or QR codes, the K600i is a perennial favorite monochrome UV inkjet printer that integrates onto flexo presses, rewinders, and finishing systems.    

Domino Demonstration Schedule

Tuesday & Wednesday

10am:    N610i & N730i
11am:   K600i
12pm:   N610i & N730i
1pm:      K600i
2pm:      N610i & N730i
3pm:      K600i

Thursday

10am:    N610i & N730i
11am:   K600i
12pm:   N610i & N730i
1pm:      K600i

Domino is a leading manufacturer and distributor of digital printing and product identification solutions.  Celebrating its 44th year in business, Domino is a global organization with world headquarters in the UK, and North American headquarters in Gurnee, IL.  Domino has 25 subsidiaries, representation in over 120 countries, and over 3,000 employees worldwide.  And as of June 2015, Domino is a Brother Group company.  For more information on Domino, please visit www.dominodigitalprinting.com

Charlotte, NC – XSYS is pleased to announce its participation at Labelexpo Americas on 13–15 September 2022, as the show gears up to make a welcome return to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, in Chicago. Appearing on Booth 929, Hall A, in collaboration with our North American distributor partner Anderson & Vreeland, XSYS will be highlighting its latest innovations for flexoprint production.

“At Labelexpo, we will be focusing our attention on just how our best-in-class solutions can allow converters to be brilliant, deliver for their customers and stay competitive through these challenging times,” said Dan Rosen, Sales Director National Accounts, North America. “It will be absolutely fantastic to meet the industry again at the show, which is one of those key events that we all look forward to. Personally, I always come away with a lot of energy after face-to-face interaction with our customers and I know the rest of the team feels the same way.”

The nyloflex® Xpress Thermal Processing System will take center stage on the booth to demonstrate how plate makers can achieve better and more consistent quality, faster production and easier handling of flexo plates. With plates ready in less than one hour, the system can help reduce press downtime to meet brand owners’ demands for faster time to market. There are also significant sustainability benefits with thermal plates; for instance, nyloflex® Xpress cuts down dramatically on the energy usage, reducing costs by as much as 94% compared to solvent processing.

XSYS is the only supplier to manufacture all its plates, imagers and processors as well as sleeves and adapters in house, giving the company full control of the whole production process and the ability to deliver more coherent service & support. As number 1 or 2 in most of the segment its serves, XSYS has the widest portfolio of products and brands, which includes nyloflex® solvent and nyloflex® Xpress thermal plates and equipment, nyloprint® letterpress plates & equipment, nylosolv® washout solvent, rotec® sleeves & adapters, ThermoFlexX TfxX Imagers, ThermoFlexX Catena Plate Processing equipment, and Woodpecker surface screening solutions.

Prior to the show, the North American team spoke about its commitment to the label and packaging industry and how the separation from Flint Group has sharpened its focus. “As XSYS, we are a stronger and more focused unit that can respond quickly to our customers and to any market changes,” said Managing Director for Plates, Eric Gibbs. “We can also guarantee that our plates and equipment will work seamlessly throughout your prepress process and in the pressroom, simply because we design, engineer and manufacture all our own plates, sleeves, adapters and platemaking equipment. That is a unique offering in the market, which our customers benefit from enormously.”

Visitors can find XSYS on Booth 929, Hall A.

To learn more about XSYS’ solutions, please visit our website at xsysglobal.com.

About XSYS
XSYS has been designed to bring more brilliance into the packaging industry – into the lives of its customers and colleagues – using brilliant products and services for brilliant print results and business success. It combines under one umbrella such well-known flexographic and letterpress brands as nyloflex®, Xpress, nyloprint®, nylosolv®, rotec®, FlexoExpert, ThermoFlexX TFxX, ThermoFlexX Catena, and Woodpecker, to provide a complete flexographic and letterpress prepress solution. 

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.

rMDO facestocks enhance packaging sustainability without compromising performance

Mentor, OH – Avery Dennison Labels and Packaging Materials took another step today in advancing the circular economy in packaging with the introduction of two MDO film products with post-consumer recycled content. The new rMDO white and rMDO clear filmic facestocks enable brands to improve packaging sustainability and stay ahead of changing regulations for a broad range of household, personal care, cosmetic and food products.

With 30% post-consumer recycled content, Avery Dennison rMDO facestocks consume fewer resources, help to keep plastic out of the waste stream, and give packaging a more authentic look. Their recycled content creates a slightly less uniform appearance that consumers identify with eco-friendly packaging.

The white and clear rMDO facestocks achieve those benefits while delivering the performance that brands and converters expect from MDO films. They feature good print quality with both digital and conventional inks; perform like other film facestocks during printing, dispatching and application; and are suitable for curved, contoured, conformable and squeezable packaging. Plus, they are paired with AD CleanFlake™ technology to enable recycling of rigid plastic packaging.

“These new products are ideal for brands seeking to increase the recycled content in their packaging and connect with consumers looking for more eco-friendly products,” said Anh Marella, Marketing Director – Films at Avery Dennison Labels and Packaging Materials. “They also meet the needs of converters by integrating recycled content into the label without compromising print and application performance.”

These new films, in addition to other new recycled content facestocks and overlaminates, will be showcased at the Avery Dennison booth at Labelexpo Americas 2022, September 13-15 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, IL. For more information about rMDO filmic facestocks, visit label.averydennison.com/mdofilms

About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and manufacturing company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products, 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. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs approximately 32,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2020 were $7 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

New Oxford, PA– Yazoo Mills, Inc., America’s largest family-owned manufacturer of paper tubes and cores, has partnered with Eberlé, from Reichstett, France, in the completion of a $3 million equipment project.

The initiative to add new equipment is part of a $6.5 million investment made by Yazoo Mills in response to the growing demand for its products and services across the U.S. Entering its 120th year of business in 2022, Yazoo Mills had a $3.5 million building expansion recently completed in March. Expansion was necessary to provide adequate production space to support this equipment project. Yazoo Mills and Eberlé collaborated to place several high-speed paper tube winding lines, a recut production line, and automated packaging systems to handle the finished product. The purchased equipment was installed in both plants in New Oxford and Hanover, PA that will continue to position Yazoo as the industry leader for consistent quality, excellent service, and fast turn-around times.

Yazoo Mills continues to be a forward-thinking, customer-focused organization which is why they are continuously reinvesting in their company and equipment.

About Yazoo Mills
Established in 1902, Yazoo Mills is America’s largest family-owned manufacturer of 100% recycled paper tubes and cores for 120 years. Serving a variety of industries in the United States, Yazoo has a reputation for excellence in short runs and recutting with manufacturing only premium quality paper tubes and cores, made to each customer’s specifications. On average, the company produces over four-million inches of tubing per day. Companies that require quality, consistency, and ongoing reliability contact Yazoo Mills for all of their needs.

For additional information on Yazoo Mills and their products, visit the website www.yazoomills.com.

UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of innovative and sustainable labeling materials, will take its company-wide 360°sustainability approach one step further at Labelexpo Americas by calculating their event participation footprint, minimizing waste and offsetting CO2 emissions in collaboration with event management company Tapaus.

“We take a 360°sustainability approach to our business by applying the principles of reduce, recycle, renew, and reuse through responsible sourcing, sustainable operations and logistics, all the way to innovative products and services. Having the opportunity to partner with Tapaus for Labelexpo allows us to identify the potential climate impact of our booth at the event and then compensate for the booth’s carbon footprint,” stated Ashley Drew, Sustainability Manager, UPM Raflatac, Americas.

As part of their climate calculations, Tapaus factors in the climate impacts of transports, structures, tech, catering, and waste. Tapaus then offsets the carbon footprint through high-quality climate compensation projects with reliable certifications delivered by the Tricorona company. Project examples include increasing solar and wind energy, planting trees and water filtration.   

In addition, UPM Raflatac is participating in a waste management initiative organized by TLMI and Convergen Energy in partnership with Labelexpo Americas. This initiative aims to save printed materials at Labelexpo from landfill. During the expo, UPM Raflatac will be delivering waste such as label stock, paper and film release liners, and matrix waste to show organizers. Convergen will collect this waste and process it to create fuel pellets, which are used as a substitute for coal.

At UPM Raflatac’s booth 515, attendees will be able to see the company’s latest innovations including the Ocean Action Label and UPM Raflatac OptiCut™ DT Linerless. The company will display many of its sustainable solutions, such as UPM Raflatac Forest Film™, PP PCR and UPM Raflatac RAFNXT+ products certified as CarbonNeutral®*

Labelexpo 2022 takes place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, between 13-15 September.

*Selected RAFNXT+ label materials are also available as CarbonNeutral® certified by Climate Impact Partners in accordance with the CarbonNeutral Protocol.

UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac is leading in sustainable labeling through our innovative self-adhesive label materials and services. We offer high-quality paper and film label stock for branding and promotion, informational labels, and labels with functionality. We operate a global network of factories, distribution terminals and sales offices. Our company employs around 3,000 people and made sales of EUR 1.7 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2021. UPM Raflatac is part of UPM. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

Highlights Appvion’s Progress Toward Reaching Sustainability Goals to Create a Better Tomorrow

Appleton, WI – Appvion’s commitment to sustainability has been evident throughout its 115 year history. Reflecting that commitment, the company recently issued its 2022 sustainability report, prepared in accordance with Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) requirements.

The report highlights all aspects of Appvion’s sustainability strategy, which address global issues of critical importance. It showcases the company’s most significant impacts on sustainable business practices by focusing on three core ambitions: Work Smarter, Act Responsibly, and Optimize Design. Appvion’s practices include using resources as efficiently as possible, keeping team members safe, minimizing waste, and accelerating the development of sustainably advantaged products.

“Each day, Appvion product solutions enable connections for millions of individuals, businesses, and communities around the world in a responsible and resourceful manner. I am proud of our team and successful creation of a stronger, more sustainable Appvion in the past year,” said Laurie Andriate, Appvion President & CEO. “We are driven to consistently enhance our sustainability practices. Our newest innovations align with sustainability goals and Create a Better Tomorrow—our commitment to creating positive change—for our communities, families, and the planet.”

Sustainability is a core component of Appvion’s growth strategy. As a leader in creating sustainable solutions for the everyday world using advanced materials science, Appvion continues to build momentum by enhancing its culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity, continuously improving occupational health and safety metrics, and strengthening engagement within stakeholder communities.

Appvion, LLC is a portfolio company of Wynnchurch Capital L.P. To review the entire report and learn more about Appvion’s sustainability commitment, visit www.appvion.com.

About Appvion
Appvion innovates sustainable specialty coating solutions that are a part of many tickets, tags, labels, and packages consumers touch daily. The company’s 115-year-long history began as a leading producer of carbonless and microencapsulation advancements. Today, its business groups have a collective focus on harnessing the power of materials science and innovation to serve a wide range of markets such as retail, healthcare, transportation, entertainment, and food packaging. Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, Appvion is the market leader of direct thermal paper and film products in North America and a world-class leader in renewable, fiber-based solutions for consumer and industrial packaging. Connect with us at www.appvion.com to learn more.

Digital transformation picks up pace at world’s biggest label and package printing show.

Labelexpo Americas 2022 sees a number of exciting world premieres of digital press technology, marking a new stage in the transition between analog and digital printing.

HP Indigo marks Labelexpo Americas 2022 with the global launch of the HP Indigo V12. A new rotary blanket technology allows the press to reach speeds of 394ft/min (120m/min) in up to six colors. HP is positioning the V12 head-to-head with flexo, claiming it has superior print quality and greater productivity.  

Durst says it is challenging 4-color flexography with its Tau RSCi, shown for the first time printing at 1200x12000dpi resolution at 100m/min on a 20in web in four colors, with flexo units both before and after the digital engine. 

Mark Andy is focusing on its traditional mid-market sector customers with the global launch of the Dpro Max press, which achieves speeds up to 130ft/min (40m/min) in CMYK+White. Also on show for the first time at a trade show is the Digital Series IQ, a mid-market hybrid press developed jointly with Domino.

For Domino, Labelexpo Americas marks the worldwide debut of the N730i digital press, a successor to the N610i. The N730i is the first label press to make use of the 1200×1200 dpi Bitstar print head technology developed by parent company, Brother. The N730i prints in up to seven colors (CMYKOVW) and can be fitted with pre- and post-digital flexo units.  

Konica Minolta is unveiling for the first time in the US its AccurioLabel 400 5-color label press (CMYK+White), which will be commercially available in Q1 2023. This is the same print engine that powers the Mark Andy DPro Max and is configured with KM’s IQ501 color and registration automation system. Konica Minolta is also previewing its PKG-1300 digital packaging press for printing on uncoated and clay-coated materials using water-based inkjet. 

Other digital press suppliers showing new equipment include (A-Z): Arrow Systems with its water-based ArrowJet Aqua 330; Anytron with an integrated 13in-wide digital printing and laser die cutting press line; Colordyne introducing the 3800 Series WB inkjet engine for printing on non-porous substrates; Dantex PicoColour HD; Dilli Picasso UV inkjet press: Epson L6534VW LED-UV inkjet press with on-board digital varnishing and L-4733AW aqueous inkjet press; Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI; and Xeikon CX500 toner press and PX3300 UV inkjet press. 

Labelexpo Americas 2022 show director Tasha Ventimiglia says, “The sheer number of global digital press launches at Labelexpo Americas 2022 demonstrates the importance of this show – the first time label converters have had the chance to see this exciting new machinery up close and in action for three years.”

Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of Tarsus Labels & Packaging group, added, “Labelexpo Americas 2022 is shaping up to be one of the most important milestones in the transition of the labels industry from analog to digital printing. The digital technology on display not only challenges basic 4-color flexo but could also replace the legacy press equipment which probably makes up 50 percent of the installed narrow web base.”

Complementing the digital press demonstrations is the Digital Embellishment Trail, and visitors can learn more by attending the two-day topical conference program, or the in-depth technical master classes covering Digital Embellishment and Self-adhesive Label Materials.  

To register for the show, visit the Labelexpo Americas 2022 website.