By: UPM Raflatac

(UPM Raflatac, Mills River, 15 January 2025, at 15:00 ET) – UPM Raflatac, a global supplier of self-adhesive paper and film products, reports that all manufacturing of their Direct Thermal laminate products in North America will no longer rely on Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS) direct thermal developers.

Linked to environmental and health concerns, Bisphenol compounds BPA and BPS are commonly known as developers in the reactive layers of certain direct thermal products, including those used in manufacturing pressure-sensitive label stock. UPM Raflatac collaborates closely with raw material suppliers to ensure that these substances are not intentionally added to its direct thermal products or used in the raw materials for its direct thermal face sheets.

UPM Raflatac’s direct thermal products meet the recent legislation deadlines of California’s Proposition 65 requirements, which require warnings for products with harmful chemicals. They also intend to comply with the upcoming Washington State’s Safer Products Act, which aims to reduce harmful chemicals in consumer goods.

Commitment to Innovation and Responsibility

Product stewardship is at the forefront of UPM Raflatac’s operations. By adopting these latest technological developments, the company minimizes the risks associated with these substances, while championing product stewardship. At the same time, the move represents a tangible step toward reducing the environmental impacts of labeling materials, a crucial consideration in today’s eco-conscious economy.

“We take immense pride in the tremendous effort and dedication our cross-functional Raflatac team has shown in achieving the transition of our direct thermal products well ahead of our 2025 goal. This milestone is a testament to their expertise and unwavering focus on excellence,” said Zach Franklin, Director of Variable Information Label Solutions at UPM Raflatac, Americas. “At UPM Raflatac, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering safer and more sustainable labeling solutions that benefit our customers.”

By: Mondi

• Mondi’s award-winning products include a paper bag without free film, TopLockBox, Eco-Cage and Bumperpac – serving customers in the eCommerce, industrial and consumer industries.
• The WorldStar Global Packaging Awards recognise packaging innovations on a global stage, attracting 550 entries from 40 countries in 2025.

15 January 2025 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, is proud that ten of its innovative products have received WorldStar Packaging Awards in 2025. The awards, organised annually by the World Packaging Organisation, celebrate outstanding achievements in packaging design and technology across the globe.

Markus Gärtner, CEO Corrugated Packaging at Mondi says: “We are proud to mark a milestone in 2025 with Mondi receiving more WorldStar awards than ever before. This broad recognition across our regions highlights the strength of partnerships with our customers and the creativity and collaborative efforts of our teams. These awards inspire us to keep pushing boundaries and deliver even more innovative solutions.”

Thomas Ott, CEO Flexible Packaging at Mondi, commented: “These awards underline Mondi’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in packaging. By closely collaborating with our customers and partners, we ensure our solutions deliver on functionality while keeping materials in circulation and avoiding waste. The recognition by the World Packaging Organisation is a testament to the dedication of our teams and our collective focus on creating value through packaging that supports a circular economy.”

The WorldStar 2025 Awards Ceremony will take place on 30 May 2025 in Milan, Italy. The Awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the packaging industry, recognising innovation that addresses critical challenges and delivers exceptional value. Mondi’s success in 2025 underscores its role as a pioneer in sustainable packaging solutions.

Mondi’s 2025 WorldStar Award winners:

Paper bag without free film, Other category
Eco-Cage, Food category
Lunch Box, Food category
Doorbell Guard, Electronics category
Bumperpac, Transit category
Product protection for premium parasols, Transit category
BeerCoolBox, Packaging Materials and Components category
Display-Guard, Point of Sale category
TopLockBox, E-Commerce category
Bottle Protector, Other category

High-res product images can be downloaded here.

Further details on the award-winning packaging innovations:

Paper bag without free film

Mondi’s paper bag without free film layer is an innovative solution in industrial packaging, designed to protect filling goods like building materials, chemicals and feeds. It significantly reduces the plastic content by replacing the free film layer with a coated barrier paper. The bag is certified recyclable based on tests conducted in Mondi’s recycling laboratory in Frantschach according to CEPI v.2 test method and 4evergreen’s fibre-based packaging recyclability evaluation protocol and scored 19 out of 20 points in the certification of Interseroh+.

Eco-Cage

Eco-Cage is a basket made of corrugated packaging, designed to reduce plastic waste and enhance fruit freshness through ventilation holes. Its lightweight yet strong design ensures durability, making it an ideal choice for supermarkets, farmers’ markets and homes. A significant advantage of Eco-Cage is its flat transport capability, allowing for over 2,000 baskets per pallet. The carrying handle is reinforced with tape to ensure sufficient load capacity.

Lunch Box

The Lunch Box is equipped with security seals that break when the package is opened. This feature not only prevents accidental openings but also provides consumers with confidence that their meal has remained untouched and unopened from preparation to delivery. The lunch box has a handle that allows the consumer to easily lift and carry the meal, but it can also be folded to stack a few packages during delivery. The Lunch Box also has an integrated waste basket so that waste can be placed in it and easily disposed of when sorting waste after eating. This solution is formed without the use of glue, tape or staples.

Doorbell Guard

Doorbell Guard is a smart packaging solution made from corrugated material, designed for premium electronics combining functionality and aesthetics. The outer body of the packaging ensures optimal transport protection, while the intelligent inner insert securely holds the product and its accessories and ensures sleek product presentation. The packaging, custom-made for high-quality doorbells, is versatile, serving both in-store displays and eCommerce shipping. Its compact design efficiently stores all components, keeping all parts securely in place. The multiple inserts not only showcase the main product but also neatly conceal accessories. The box is quick and easy to assemble, saving time in the packaging process, and eliminates the need for plastic bags.

Bumperpac

Bumperpac is a new lightweight corrugated solution for transporting bumpers sustainably and efficiently. The innovative packaging offers good protection, easy handling and great ergonomics in a packaging that folds and unfolds in an instant. The sturdy cardboard that makes up the corrugated sleeve is glued with water-resistant adhesive that withstands the humid conditions of overseas transport. The packaging is placed on a customised wooden pallet that requires less wood than a normal pallet.

Product protection for premium parasols

To enhance sustainability, the redesigned packaging for premium parasols completely replaces the previously used Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) padding. With this new packaging solution, 65 different parasol variants can now be packed effectively. With about 4,000 parasols dispatched annually and two EPS pads per parasol package, Mondi’s customer is able to eliminate around 8,000 kg of EPS per year, replacing it with 100% recyclable corrugated board.

BeerCoolBox

This innovative beer bottle packaging, made of fully recyclable corrugated cardboard, combines functionality, aesthetics and sustainability requirements. The design consists of a sturdy box and a specially designed insert covered with barrier paper, ensuring water resistance. The insert transforms into a practical ice container, effectively cooling beer bottles to the perfect temperature. The water from the melted ice remains in the insert due to its waterproof properties, eliminating the risk of leaks and keeping the surroundings clean.

Display-Guard

Display-Guard features a reinforced construction with double-walled panels, which increases the durability of the box and ensures safe transportation and storage of products. Triangular corner structures provide additional support during transportation and storage, helping the box to maintain its form and minimising the risk of damage. This ensures that the box remains stable even under particularly heavy loads. Its design makes it suitable for display both on pallets and on shelves, allowing a variety of products to be stored safely. The easily foldable structure saves space during transportation.

TopLockBox

TopLockBox is an innovative alternative to traditional plastic eCommerce bags and standard boxes, specifically designed to prevent theft and ensure product security during shipment.

Optimised for quick and easy assembly, TopLockBox helps to save valuable time and effort. Its user-friendly closure system guarantees that packages can be securely sealed with minimal effort, improving operational efficiency. Security is the top priority; the unique lock system makes unauthorised access to the box contents extremely difficult. For added convenience, TopLockBox features a tear strip that allows recipients to open the package without any additional tools, enhancing the user experience while maintaining packaging integrity. The strong sealing tape ensures the box stays securely closed throughout its journey, guaranteeing that products arrive safely and securely.

Bottle Protector

The Bottle Protector’s robustness, durability and design not only enhance product security during transport and storage but also align with the sustainability goals of brands. Its user-friendly design simplifies assembly and handling, leading to increased operational efficiency and cost savings for businesses. The aesthetically pleasing design boosts brand visibility and helps create a stronger connection with consumers. Bottle Protector is shipped flat, taking up less storage space and offering easy assembly. It acts as both a carrier and a separator, enhancing the box’s durability for safe transport and storage. The design includes folding tabs that reinforce corners, maintaining the box’s structure and reducing the risk of damage. The packaging is made of 100% recyclable materials and printable surfaces allow for effective brand promotion.

By: Resource Label Group

Franklin, TN – January 13, 2025 – Resource Label Group, a leading provider of custom label and packaging solutions across North America, is proud to announce the acquisition of Screenprint/Dow’s label business. This acquisition highlights Resource Label Group’s commitment to preserving and building upon the legacy of label industry leaders, as well as providing an exceptional home for these businesses and their valued customers. Screenprint/Dow, founded by industry icon Walter Dow, has earned a stellar reputation over decades for its dedication to quality and innovation. Walter Dow has been recognized as a pioneer and leader in the field, including receiving the prestigious TLMI Converter of the Year award.

“We are thrilled to welcome Screenprint/Dow’s label business into the Resource Label family,” said Mike Apperson, CEO of Resource Label Group. “Walter Dow is a legend in our industry. His contributions have set a benchmark for quality, innovation, and service that have shaped how we all approach labeling solutions. This acquisition is not just about growth – it’s about honoring and continuing that incredible legacy.”

By joining Resource Label Group, Screenprint/Dow’s label segment customers will gain access to expanded capabilities, advanced technologies, and the resources of a coast-to-coast network while continuing to benefit from the high Screenprint/Dow standards they have come to expect.

Walter Dow, founder and owner of Screenprint/Dow, expressed his confidence in the partnership, “After decades of building a business rooted in quality and relationships, it was essential to find the right home for the label business. Resource Label Group stood out as a company that values legacy and has the resources to elevate what we’ve built. I’m excited to see how this next chapter unfolds for our loyal label customers.”

This acquisition involves all Screenprint/Dow’s label business and does not include other product offerings. It reinforces Resource Label Group’s position as a preferred partner for business owners in the custom label industry seeking a trusted and experienced steward for their legacy.

About Resource Label Group

Resource Label Group, LLC is a leading full-service provider of label and packaging solutions with a diverse product offering which includes pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, RFID/NFC technology, sustainable product solutions, scent activation technology, industrial solutions, healthcare packaging and fulfillment services. RLG provides products and services for the food, beverage, chemical, household products, personal care, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medical device, and technology industries. Headquartered in Franklin, TN and with thirty locations across the U.S. and Canada, RLG provides national leadership and scale to deliver capabilities, technologies, systems, and creative solutions that customers require.

RLG is a portfolio company of Ares Management Corporation. For additional information, visit www.resourcelabel.com

By: Mark Andy

Chesterfield, MO, January 8, 2025 – Mark Andy, a leading provider of label and print solutions, is pleased to announce key additions to its sales leadership team as part of the company’s commitment to enhance customer satisfaction and drive mutual growth. Mark Andy welcomes Craig Black as Senior Vice President of Domestic OEM Sales and Steve Welkley as Regional Vice President OEM Sales, both bringing decades of experience in sales, leadership, and customer-focused solutions to the organization.

Craig Black, a seasoned executive with expertise in sales strategy, account management, and team development, joins Mark Andy from Baldwin Technology Co., where he served as Vice President of Sales, Americas. Prior to that, Black was Director, National Accounts for Eaton Corporation. With a proven track record of integrating sales teams and driving customer value, he will lead Mark Andy’s efforts to deliver innovative solutions tailored to customer needs. 

Steve Welkley brings more than 20 years of experience in consultative sales and business development, most recently serving as Director of National Sales at Kyocera Document Solutions. Welkley has successfully built and led high-performing sales teams focused on aligning customer solutions with business goals. 

“Craig’s leadership and expertise will enhance our ability to meet evolving customer demands while driving growth and innovation across our product portfolio,” said Mark Andy CEO Duane Pekar, “and Steve’s extensive experience in building relationships and delivering tailored solutions will strengthen our ability to serve customers at a regional level.” 

These appointments are part of Mark Andy’s broader efforts to evolve to meet the dynamics of industry consolidation and to reinvigorate the company’s commitment to all domestic converters large and small. The company aims to provide more personalized service and a single point of contact through strategic account management and a consultative selling model that focuses on delivering tailored ROI-driven solutions. 

Pekar added, “These changes to our domestic sales organization reflect Mark Andy’s long-term commitment to our customers. By realigning our approach, we intend to better serve and help our customers grow because their growth is our growth.”

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.

By: Roland

Irvine, Calif., Jan. 7, 2025 – Roland DGA Corporation, a leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, has announced the North American launch of the new Roland DG TY-300 – a state-of-the-art direct-to-film (DTF) printer uniquely engineered for exceptional image quality, productivity, and cost-efficiency. The TY-300 delivers vibrant, detailed transfer graphics for apparel customization at speeds up to four times faster than competitive models while minimizing running costs. 

While the DTF transfer method is a relatively new solution for creating custom apparel and textiles, it has gained tremendous popularity over a short period of time. The process involves just four simple steps. After printing on a special film, hot-melt powder is applied and thermally melted, then the film is layered on fabric and heat-pressed. One of the primary reasons the DTF method is becoming so popular is that it allows complex printed designs and even smaller text to be transferred effectively to a wide range of materials, including cotton, polyester, cotton polyester, denim, nylon, and rayon, as well as dark and light pigmented materials. The DTF process also allows for the creation of garments and accessories with a “soft-hand” natural feel and outstanding washability.

“The TY-300 takes DTF transfer printing to a whole new level,” said Daniel Valade, Roland DGA’s Product Manager of Digital Print. “It produces more with less, enabling users to increase production and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality. Plus, in addition to the TY-300 printer, we offer all the other components needed to produce stunning customized apparel and textiles, including an optional Roland DG tested and approved shaker oven as well as inks, powder, and transfer media – all made to optimize DTF output.”  

 

The TY-300 boasts newly developed printheads that allow for the precise expression of fine lines, small letters, and detailed designs, as well as highly accurate photo reproduction. The staggered layout of the two large printheads enables printing white, essential for apparel printing, with high productivity of 1,127 square feet per hour in Production mode. Output quality is further enhanced by the availability of two profiles with different white densities for optimal printing according to the color of the fabric. Users will also appreciate the TY-300’s True Rich Color 3 – a print setting that ensures both vividness and natural appearance in a single graphic. 

New S-PG2 inks, specially formulated to bring out the best in the TY-300, enable high-quality output with low ink consumption, while minimizing waste during cleaning by helping to prevent ink coagulation in the printhead (a common occurrence in DTF printing). The TY-300’s inks, as well as its transfer powder, are OEKO-TEX^® ECO-PASSPORT certified, an international standard for textile products, providing assurance that they meet the world’s highest level of safety.

The TY-300 also features advancements that make maintenance easier than ever. To prevent printhead nozzle loss, the printheads are automatically cleaned according to the customer’s frequency of use. During manual cleaning, a new printhead nozzle refresher tool effectively cleans the surface of the printheads. In addition, customers can now easily replace caps, wipers, wiper cleaners, and the flushing sponge around the printheads themselves instead of having to call a service technician, reducing downtime. 

“More and more businesses involved in apparel decoration are integrating DTF technology into their existing workflows, including screen printing operations, printing bureaus, and those selling their offerings online,” noted Valade. “This rising demand has brought about the need for new and innovative solutions capable of meeting increasing customer requirements and expectations. With the TY-300, its proprietary inks, powder, and transfer material, and our optional shaker oven, we’re offering everything these businesses need to maximize productivity and quality while keeping costs to a minimum.”

For more information on the TY-300, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/TY-300. To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the full Roland DGA product line, visit  https://www.rolanddga.com.

About Roland DG Americas 

Roland DGA serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, interior design, personalization, and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries.

By: Mark Andy

Chesterfield, MO, January 6, 2025  – Mark Andy Print Products (MAPP), a trusted leader in pressroom parts and supplies, is proud to announce an exclusive partnership with Wink, a global innovator in precision die-cutting tools. Together, the companies are launching the MA Performance Flex Die powered by Wink, a revolutionary product designed to meet the evolving demands of converters with superior quality, speed, and reliability.

Mark Andy Print Products has been awarded exclusive distributorship of the MA Performance Flex Die in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as additional rights in England and Ireland. This strategic collaboration establishes Mark Andy as a premier source for cutting-edge flexible die technology in these key markets.

“The MA Performance Flex Die partnership with Wink is yet another way we’re driving home our commitment to being a one-stop-shop for converters,” states Duane Pekar, CEO of Mark Andy. “At Mark Andy, our customers’ growth is our growth, and we are committed to supporting converters with high performance tools and solutions that improve their bottom line.”

Key Benefits of the MA Performance Flex Die:

• Effortless Ordering: A streamlined process ensures quick and easy order placement.
• Expedited Delivery: Reliable 2-day turnaround time to meet tight production schedules.
• Unmatched Quality: Precision engineering and advanced materials deliver consistent, superior results.
• Responsive Service: Expertly trained teams provide seamless support throughout the entire process.
• Competitive Pricing: High performance at an exceptional value.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, innovation and customer success,” states Dave Telken, Sr. Vice President of Mark Andy Print Products. “Together with Wink, we have spent the past year perfecting every aspect of this partnership – from seamless ordering and expedited delivery to unmatched quality and technical support. The MA Print Products Performance Flex Die is a game-changer for converters looking for precision, reliability and cost-effectiveness.”

The Mark Andy Print Products sales team, with over 400 years of combined experience in the flexographic industry, has undergone specialized training at the Wink Academy to ensure customers receive the highest level of guidance and support.

“This collaboration with Wink is more than a product launch; it’s a commitment to elevating our industry’s standards,” adds Telken. “We invite converters to experience the difference with the MA Performance Flex Die and see how we can help take their operations to the next level.”

“We at Wink are equally excited about this strategic collaboration and look forward to its success,” says Oliver Rabe, CSO of Wink Group. “Wink’s fully automated and quickly manufactured high-precision dies are an ideal addition to the Mark Andy Print Products organization. With their extensive expertise and strong market access, MAPP will provide customers not only with flexible dies of the highest quality but also with a comprehensive performance package for die-cutting technology.”

The MA Performance Flex Die powered by Wink is available through Mark Andy Print Products. For more information, contact our experts at Flexdie@markandy.com.

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.

About Wink

Wink is a leading global provider of die-cutting tools for the label, packaging, and converting industries. Leveraging state-of-the-art CNC technology and highly automated workflows, Wink manufactures high-precision flexible dies, rotary cylinders, steel rule dies, and other advanced tooling.

Headquartered in Neuenhaus, Germany, Wink also operates production facilities in Simmerath, Veldhausen, and Munich. Its global reach is supported by subsidiaries in the United States, Denmark, and Italy, as well as a trusted network of sales partners serving customers worldwide.

Guided by the philosophy “You cut, we care,” Wink is dedicated to delivering exceptional quality, innovation, and customer-focused support.​​​​​​

By: NextGen Label Group

Syracuse, NY – December 21, 2024 – NextGen Label Group™ is pleased to announce a planned leadership transition that reinforces its commitment to strategic growth and innovation. Starting in early 2024, Tom Faugno, who has served as Chief Sales Officer, will transition to the role of Strategic Sales Advisor. This move reflects a deliberate effort to leverage Tom’s extensive industry expertise and insights, ensuring continued support for the company’s strategy and commercial objectives. 

In his new role, Tom Faugno will focus on fostering partnerships, providing strategic counsel, and strengthening key customer and industry relationships that have been instrumental in NextGen Label Group’s success. 

“It has been an honor to lead the sales team at NextGen Label Group,” said Tom Faugno. “Transitioning to the Strategic Sales Advisor role allows me to focus on broader initiatives and long-term opportunities to position the company for sustained growth. I look forward to continuing to contribute to NextGen’s success and supporting the exceptional leadership team we have in place.” 

Tom Mason, who joined NextGen Label Group™ in late 2024, will formally assume leadership of the commercial side of the business as Vice President of Sales. With over 33 years of experience in the label and packaging industries, Tom Mason has already begun implementing strategies to expand NextGen’s market presence and drive sales growth across all divisions. 

“Over the past months, I’ve been impressed by the talent and dedication of our team, as well as the innovative solutions we provide to our customers,” said Tom Mason. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation Tom Faugno has created and working closely with our leadership team to deliver value to our customers and drive future growth.” 

“We deeply appreciate Tom Faugno’s exceptional leadership as Chief Sales Officer and are eager to leverage his strategic expertise in this new role,” said Tom Sargent, President of NextGen Label Group. “With Tom Mason taking on the Vice President of Sales position, we are strategically poised to enhance our growth initiatives, cultivate stronger customer relationships, and drive innovation throughout the marketplace.” 

About NextGen Label Group™ 

NextGen Label Group provides innovative, high-quality labeling and packaging solutions across a range of industries. Guided by its brand custodianship vision, NextGen operates with three main tenets: Employee-Centric, Customer-Centric, and Solutions-Centric. The company’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its customer-first approach, commitment to employee-owners, and investment in cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of the market. Learn more about NextGen Label Group here. 

By: Obrist

Frank Obrist, inventor, entrepreneur and visionary: “Green methanol is a renewable energy source that can replace all fossil fuels worldwide. As hard to imagine today as the iPhone was before its launch in 2007, green methanol will be as commonplace in 15 years as smartphones are today.”

Lindau/Germany, Lustenau/Austria – December 18 2024 – Renewable energy derived from air and sunlight, transportable and storable with the same ease as fossil fuels – this is no longer a utopian vision but a fully developed technical concept ready for large-scale industrial implementation. With these words, Frank Obrist, founder and CEO of the German-Austrian Obrist Group, advocates for his company’s plan to produce green methanol as a universal energy solution.

Frank Obrist states: “The world faces a dilemma: the escalating threat of global warming from continued fossil fuel use and the uncertainties of relying solely on wind and solar power for energy. The solution lies in solar energy – not as electricity, which is challenging to store and transport, but in the form of green methanol.”

CO2-Negative Equals Climate-Positive

In simple terms, the process involves extracting water from the air and using solar energy to convert it into hydrogen, which is then transformed into methanol. Methanol, a liquid at room temperature, can be stored for long periods in standard containers and easily transported via conventional methods such as pipelines, tankers, trains, or trucks. The key innovation: more CO2 is captured from the atmosphere during methanol production than is released during its combustion.

This Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, developed and patented by Obrist, functions like a “CO2 vacuum,” removing carbon dioxide that has accumulated in the atmosphere over decades of industrial activity. Obrist refers to this product as aMethanol (Atmospheric Methanol) and describes the process as “sub-zero.” Unlike achieving net-zero emissions, this method goes further by actively reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, making the process CO2-negative and therefore climate-positive. 

Inventor, entrepreneur and visionary Frank Obrist: “In order to leave an intact climate for future generations, we need to capture the carbon dioxide emitted by the extensive use of fossil fuels, i.e. remove it from the atmosphere.” Obrist holds over 252 registered and 128 granted patents worldwide that are designed to do just that. The United Nations supports the concept.

“Many people can only envision possibilities once they’ve become reality,” says Frank Obrist, offering examples: “Twenty years ago, the smartphone was unimaginable until Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007. Similarly, Elon Musk’s idea of a battery-powered electric car was met with skepticism around 15 years ago—yet today, the European car industry is no longer laughing. In the same way, the concept of liquid solar energy may seem utopian to many, even though its implementation is already within reach.”

Green Methanol: A Cost-Effective Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Inventor and entrepreneur Frank Obrist refutes the occasional counter-argument that green methanol production is uneconomical. “Solar energy is almost free in the earth’s sun belt. If we set up methanol factories there, the cost of this renewable energy source, at just under 6 cents per kilowatt hour, will be significantly lower than all fossil fuels, even when transport costs are included,” he says. 

The German-Austrian industrial group is planning to build so-called Gigaplants, a type of giant solar park that will not supply electricity, but green methanol. Almost four million tons of methanol are to be produced per year on an area of around 280 square kilometers. At today’s energy prices, this corresponds to a sales volume of around 4.3 billion US dollars per year. The annual operating costs are estimated at around 340 million dollars, leaving a gross profit of almost four billion dollars a year. The construction costs for a Gigaplant, calculated at 18.6 billion dollars, would therefore be recouped in less than five years, which corresponds to an annual return on capital cost of over 21 per cent.

“The high profitability is key to attracting investors,” explains Frank Obrist. “Every investor should recognize that entering the Gigaplant business today is comparable to investing in Apple 20 years ago or Tesla 15 years ago in terms of financial potential.” Beyond the impressive return on investment, the climate impact is even more significant: a single Gigaplant is projected to remove over 6.2 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually. According to estimates, 2,700 Gigaplants could entirely replace the world’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Obrist Group: The Obrist Group, founded by inventor and entrepreneur Frank Obrist, focuses on innovations for global, sustainable and CO2-reducing energy concepts. The spectrum ranges from the global supply of renewable energies to atmospheric fuels (aFuels) and innovative CO2-negative (i.e. climate-positive!) drive concepts for the automotive industry. With around 380 key patents, the Obrist Group is one of the world’s most important innovators in the field of sustainable energy concepts.

By: Van Alstine

Syracuse, NY – December 16, 2024 – Van Alstine, a NextGen Label Group™ company, announces the retirement of Will Dwyer, Vice President of Sales, effective December 31, 2024. Will has been an instrumental part of the company’s success for nearly 35 years, contributing to its growth and establishing strong relationships with customers across the industry. 

Throughout his tenure, Will’s strategic vision and leadership elevated Van Alstine’s reputation as one of the Northeast’s leading suppliers of industrial consumables, equipment, and services for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. 

“Will’s contributions to Van Alstine are immeasurable. His passion, insight, and commitment have been key to our success. While we will miss his leadership, we celebrate his well-deserved retirement and wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life,” said Dan Rosenbaum, President of Van Alstine. 

Following Will’s retirement, the sales team will report directly to Dan Rosenbaum, ensuring a seamless transition and continued focus on delivering innovative, world-class solutions to customers. 

Van Alstine extends its deepest gratitude to Will Dwyer for his nearly 35 years of service and dedication. His legacy will remain a guiding force as the company continues to grow and uphold its reputation for excellence. 

About Van Alstine™ 

Van Alstine represents the highest quality manufacturers of “end of line” packaging products and equipment and is one of the Northeast’s leading suppliers of industrial consumables, equipment, and services for the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. As a 3M Premier Service Industrial Products Distributor, Van Alstine proudly represents the entire line of 3M Industrial Products. 

As part of NextGen Label Group™, Van Alstine employees enjoy opportunities to grow their careers in a dynamic, employee-owned organization dedicated to delivering world-class label and packaging solutions.