What is the point of a package today if it’s not appealing and well-printed? Among the 2,800 exhibitors present at the Interpack Düsseldorf show, there were some key developments among packaging producers, packaging equipment makers, and printing press manufacturers. Dominique Huret reports for Packaging south Asia
The spotlight is on bars
The packaging industry is booming as the printing of packaging adds a lot of value. Fujifilm was, for instance, displaying its vast portfolio of analog-digital packaging solutions. “We combine expertise in the latest digital printing technologies with an analog heritage. In addition to our narrow web inks, our analog solutions include Fujifilm’s LED UV curing system, which can be retrofitted. This system combines UV LED inks with drying equipment, which reduces energy usage, eliminates harmful VOCs and requires less maintenance. The result is lower costs and higher, more consistent print quality,” explained Manuel Schrutt, Fujifilm Packaging Director EMEA.
For digital printing, Fujifilm’s Samba piezoelectric print bars were in the spotlight, enabling digital inkjet printing to be integrated directly into existing analog production lines. Jet Press’ FP790 digital presses for flexible packaging were another highlight of the booth. The Jet Press FP790 digital press for flexible packaging was another star of the stand. “There is already a press at Maruto in Japan, and one will be installed in the US in June and in the UK before the summer,” explained Schrutt.
Gallus, a subsidiary company of Heidelberg that specializes in digital and conventional narrow web presses used for labelling and packaging, was also well-represented. Gallus introduced its UVF01 set at Interpack for the first. These inks are ideal for cartons, laminated tubes and other packaging. They have been designed for use on the Gallus Labelfire 340, the company’s main hybrid machine. “Not only do these inks support the growth of converters, they also offer brands the opportunity to explore new packaging designs and tactics to better appeal to consumers and increase sales,” said, Thomas Schweizer, head of Business Management at the Gallus Group.
As Packaging South Asia has reported earlier in detail, the parent company Heidelberg with a discreet presence, presented in a conference room its’ new web-fed Boardmaster press for the high-volume printing of folding cartons. The web-fed flexographic system with a print speed up to 600 meters per minutes doubles productivity, reducing the cost of packaging for industrial use. Each printing plate is equipped with two printing units. While one printing unit is in production, the other is preparing for the next job. Depending on the configuration of the machine, production availability can be up to 90%. Print speeds up to 600 m/min correspond to 38,000 sheets format 6 (148 cm sheet width) per hr. Media between 70 and 800-grams per square meter are capable of being processed.
“Worldwide demand for packaged products is constantly increasing, and so is the structural growth in packaging and label printing. Heidelberg’s packaging and label printing business has grown to be a major segment. With Boardmaster, we are responding to the major challenges faced by customers in the packaging market – costs, skills shortages, and the need to optimize productivity and sustainability,” said Matthias Boog Web Carton Converting manager at Heidelberg.
Coesia
Italian Coesia comprises a collection of companies that are experts in innovative packaging and industrial solutions. Coesia’s companies are leaders in the fields of advanced automatic machines, packaging materials, and industrial process solutions for pharmaceuticals, electronics, healthcare, consumer, and luxury goods. On their huge red and white stand – a rather small piece of equipment for inline printing for pharmaceutical pouches was shown. The line integrates a Hapa Hybrid Printer and an Enflex PH-11 sachet Machine designed to produce fully-compliant pharma bags with an agile process.
Hybrid inline printing, starting with a standard or blank foil reel, combines flexo- and digital-printing technology to ensure consistency for the fixed data. The system also allows for the updating of variable data in real time, such as expiration dates, lot numbers or product batch IDs. This simplifies logistics and eliminates the uncertainty associated with the pre-printed reel supply chain. A new powder dosing device, redesigned according to high hygiene standards, is used in the line. The system’s flexibility allows it to manage small batches. This results in a faster delivery on the market, and solves the problems associated with low volumes or multi-market launches.
Karlville
Karlville’s long-standing collaboration with HP Indigo is well known. They worked together to create The Pouch Factory a few year ago. Karlville became the first HP Indigo Pack Ready provider after making progress. This technology is a collection of post-printing solutions for HP Indigo presses, which provides zero-cure time lamination. Digital converters can print, laminate and package on demand, for an immediate time-to market.
The COMPACT Pack Ready is in BETA testing in the USA and its target market is 6K press owners who will upgrade to a 25K machine in the near future. The machine was designed to print on surfaces and is an ideal way to start a flexible packaging business with a lower investment. Karlville Packaging’s focus at Interpack was on copackers, brands and its conversion support for customers for pouch and shrink sleeve packaging projects.
The company displayed four machines in its pouch-filling, shrink-sleeve decorating, and tape multipacking ranges. “We are presenting innovation for pouches. On display, there are two fillers – a fill and seal zipper pouch filler as well as a fill through the spout liquid pouch filler. Our shrink sleeves application machine can be configured either with steam or tornado heat tunnels. Finally for multi-packaging, the latest compact handle applicator for carry applications,” explained Laurent Corbet Technical sales director of Karville.
Markem-Imaje
The newest technology is available.
Markem-Imaje a provider of marking and coding solutions, has announced its new coding technique, which is said to be a first in the industry. The new technology is intended to increase the production of 2D serialized barcodes. Super Piezo Inkjet technology (SPI) combines CIJ Continuous Inkjet with Drop-on-Demand. The technology responds to brand demands for high-quality print on products and serialization of 2D code. This is the solution to the 2D barcodes revolution that GS1 will launch in the market. It will enable brands to mark unique brands with unique codes on complex 3D surfaces,” explained Sabri Mourad, director of Markem-Imaje’s CIJ product division.