LABELS INDIA TO ATTEND PACK PRINT INTERNATIONAL AT BANGKOK

Creation Reprographics enhances quality, sustainability with Asahi Photoproducts AWP Flexographic Plates

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today announced that British Daventry-based Creation Reprographics has been using the premium quality Asahi AWP flexographic plate system for the past three years with excellent results. Designed for high quality print performance, the AWP water wash plate outperforms the best digital plates currently available for flexo. For the first time, a digital photopolymer plate can hold extremely small stable dots - smaller than those of solvent processed plates – and its stability on press is superior to solvent plates, with numerous associated environmental and waste reduction benefits.

Matt Francklow, Owner of Creation Reprographics, said: “Sustainability is truly coming to the fore in print. With this high quality water wash plate, it’s the final check for retailers. At Creation Reprographics, we have positioned ourselves in the premium segment of the market, competing head on with gravure in Europe and serving those customers that demand the best in the UK. Our AWP results are simply unrivalled – consistency, slightly raised ink density and better lay down, good minimum dot, and speed to press are all achieved - making the printer’s job easy. The system works across all substrates, and we see a real demand for this level of performance in premium flexible packaging applications - a growth area in the industry. Converters looking to move away from gravure and offset are truly surprised by what AWP can achieve.”

Extensive plate trials and live commercial production jobs have proven AWP’s ability to print down to a 10 micron dot, using classic round dot screening. With the latest screening technologies, the plate is able to reproduce a vignette fade to zero. Due to this quality leap, customers are able to successfully transfer production from offset or gravure to flexographic printing.Francklow continued: “At Creation Reprographics, we pride ourselves on our approach to environmental sustainability, and AWP fits with that ethos perfectly. We’re investing in energy management solutions across our sites and even looking at whether we can collect, filter and recycle our rainwater to do the washing of these plates. Even pens get recycled here!”

Alan Coker, Creation Business Development Manager, commented: “Reducing waste in the plate making game is critical to your profitability. Throwing polymer in the bin is just not acceptable. Asahi’s supports our AWP plate technology investment with preventative maintenance and machine audit visits. And they are on hand 24 hours a day, delivering technical solutions quickly and accurately whenever needed, maximising our production efficiency.

“Our customers are delighted as well. Since the plates do not suffer from distortion due to solvent swelling or increased temperature, we are achieving better registration and consistency on press. With the start-up time absolutely minimised, we’re making plates in less than 1.5 hours. Combine that with suitability for 4-colour process set applications, and you have an extremely compelling value proposition.”

The Asahi AWP™ technology has been designed from the outset as an environmental plate solution minimizing wherever possible waste of precious resources. The system is water washable and does not rely on harsh solvents. The water is also reused in the process, being filtered and recycled through the plate processing system. The system is also free from the harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions that are typically generated by solvent and thermal processes.

The entire plate manufacturing process does not generate any waste other than unexposed polymer residues, which are collected as ‘dry cake’ and safely repurposed as a combustive agent for incineration waste plants. AWP plates do not absorb much water, reducing the drying time of the plate by up to two to three times that of solvent cleaned plate systems. This results in cost and space reductions for the plate making room, as energy-demanding hot air dryers are not required.

Esko automation engine Connect receives esteemed Printing Industries of America 2015 Intertech Technology Award

Connectivity to powerful Esko workflow reaps rewards for Esko automation engine users

Esko proudly announces that Automation Engine Connect, a toolkit allowing integration from third party products to an Esko workflow, is a recipient of a 2015 Printing Industries of America InterTech Technology Award. Since 1978 the InterTech Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. More than 80% of technologies that receive an award experience continued commercial success in the marketplace.

This is the eighth InterTech award an Esko solution has received over the past ten years. Other recipients include a wide variety of technologies: Esko WebCenter (2006), Esko DeskPack 3-dX (2007), Esko Neo (2008), Esko Studio Toolkit for Shrink Sleeves (2011), i-cut Suite (2012), Full HD Flexo (2014) and Equinox (2014).

“We are thrilled to receive an InterTech award from Printing Industries of America this year. Esko has a legacy of investing a much higher portion of our budget into R&D than the industry average. We believe in innovation as a means to help our customers conduct their jobs more easily, productively and profitably. Automation Engine Connect is certainly an example of creating software technology to help our customers design complete, more efficient workflows," remarks Udo Panenka, Esko President. "We understand that it is important for our workflow systems to communicate with third party systems. Similarly, we listen to our customers' challenges, and strive to build more effective solutions for them. That is the ultimate reward for us."

Esko Automation Engine Connect: an easy way to integrate third party systems

Even though many in the printing industry have pushed connectivity, not all systems are JDF, or even XML, compliant. And, even if they are, it does not mean that data from one system maps out correctly to another system. This means that when a print provider wishes to tie in the production workflow to outside systems – ERP, MIS, web-to-print, shipping systems, etc. – there will often be a challenge. This usually requires, for just about any other workflow, customized programming to create a way to connect systems together.

Esko has significantly reduced the cost of integration for its customer base with Automation Engine Connect, the only toolkit offered specifically by a workflow vendor expressly developed to integrate other, disparate business systems. There is no other application on the market that is deeply rooted into the workflow server itself. Automation Engine Connect provides a toolkit that allows integration from a third party product with an Esko component, such as WebCenter, Automation Engine or ArtiosCAD. This means that MIS, web stores, finance and shipping systems, and more, can all be integrated into the workflow. Automation Engine Connect is easy to install. While Esko provides the service to map and connect data, those who are knowledgeable in IT can do it themselves. With Automation Engine Connect there is no reliance on anyone who creates a customized system to continue maintaining the system. Automation Engine Connect is also scalable. If the business invests in more, or new, systems, Connect can easily make sure that these systems are integrated into Automation Engine. Among the numerous applications that have been connected to Automation Engine are packaged MIS systems such as EFI Radius, LabelTRaxx, CERM and Theurer; custom systems based on Microsoft Excel and FileMakerPro; and even one user who connects to World Weather Online to understand wind conditions when planning outdoor mounting activities for billboards.

"When we purchased our MIS system, it was taking too much time for prepress to duplicate CSR efforts, entering similar job information into the production system. We invested in Automation Engine Connect," comments Rebekah Harmon, Art Director, Best Label Company." After the system was set up, it was easy to use. Now, our artists probably can process 50 jobs per day. Before Connect, we only could produce 30 per day."

Flexokliche provides design, prepress services and plates for packaging applications. "We had purchased our MIS system purely on how it handled and worked. But, we had not thought much about future integration. We started a simple XML transfer, but it never worked," remembers Linda Ekehage, Owner, Flexokliché. "I do not know how Esko does it, but Esko Automation Engine Connect works. Once we got in touch with the right people from our MIS developer to understand the data files, it was really easy. It took Esko only about eight hours. We can now look up jobs easily in Automation Engine and keep track. Now that order information is sent directly to Automation Engine my bookkeeping time is 50% faster. And that is just a small part of the workflow chain. All of the designers and account managers save time as well."

“The judges commented that Automation Engine Connect is the start of a new and simplified approach to connecting disparate systems. The user interface makes it very user friendly to connect systems. It's simple and effective, and takes lots of extra work away from the user," notes Dr. Mark Bohan, Vice President, Technology and Research, Printing Industries of America. “The judges were also very impressed with the wide array of systems that have been connected with Esko Automation Engine Connect in real installations."

iSys Label receives GHS BS5609, Section 3 Certification for UPM Raflatac Substrate

iSys Label and iSys–The Imaging Systems Group Inc., the Canadian developers and manufacturers of short to mid run digital label printers, are pleased to announce an additional GHS BS5609 material has passed Section 3 certification for use in the EDGE 850 digital label printer. The recently approved substrate is matte white polyester from UPM Raflatac, with part number LS276R. Rolls of material can be purchased from iSys-appointed converters in the United States.

Randy Rickert, Director at iSys Label, says “we’ve developed a strong relationship with UPM Raflatac over the years and are pleased to announce the addition of their substrate to our Certified Media Library. This material will provide our users with access to more solutions when printing BS5609-compliant labels.”

In order to print fully-compliant drum and chemical labels; the facestock, adhesive and printed graphic all need to meet the requirements for sections 1, 2 and 3 of BS5609 standards and be independently tested and certified by PIRA (the Print Industry Research Association). The printed labels are exposed to artificial weathering, tape removal and abrasion resistance tests to ensure they are capable of withstanding the harshest environments and prove their durability.

The EDGE 850 “GHS Solution” is a roll to roll digital label printer and comes complete with the printer, feeder, rewinder and EDGE2Print software. With easy-to-use drag and drop software and print speed of 4.3 m/min., iSys Label makes simple work of printing full-color chemical labels on demand. Users will eliminate the need for ordering pre-printed labels, reduce inventories and wait times by being able to customize their labels with variable information and full color - all in a single pass.

iSys Label is the innovative developer and manufacturer of short to mid run digital label printers that deliver production quality labels print after print. Our focus is on developing customized product configurations to fit our customers’ needs and provide effective solutions that meet their highest expectations.

MPS Presses made Future Ready with New GEW LED UV Curing Technology

Embracing new developments and technologies, MPS prepares its printing presses for the future of LED with the integration of the new GEW hybrid LED UV system, to be exclusively unveiled at Labelexpo Europe 2015.

MPS is the first narrow web press manufacturer to show the new GEW hybrid LED UV system (ArcLED), integrated with the next generation EF Neo flexo printing press. Labelexpo Europe visitors interested in LED curing can visit the MPS stand 11C20 to see live demonstrations, where MPS will show both LED and arc UV curing in combination with low migration inks of the Flint Group for label and film applications. With this combination, the MPS press will run at high speed using less energy, for the same running capacity. Due to the high intensity of UVA illumination with LED, heavy ink layers are cured more consistently with improved adhesion.

MPS technical director Bert van den Brink comments: “The main difference and biggest advantage of this showcased GEW ArcLED curing system, compared to other LED systems, is the ability to combine and interchange conventional arc lamps with LED curing at every print station. This hybrid system also provides MPS customers the flexibility to upgrade to LED at a later stage, so they can fully utilize the advantages of both technologies without the need to re-invest or modify their press.”

What also makes this hybrid UV curing system advantageous for our customers is the opportunity to move towards LED curing without the risk of being locked into the technology on the entire press. We recognize that further LED developments are underway, and the total ink portfolio needed for certain print jobs is not yet available in LED curing. However, the industry (including MPS) recognizes the developments in the field of LED will evolve rapidly, just like the change of infrared to UV. With the GEW hybrid LED UV system, MPS offers customers the ability to prepare for LED evolvements with a practical and cost-efficient solution.”

With the new GEW ArcLED curing system, the same lamphead casing is used with interchangeable pull-out cassettes for arc and LED, including the same power supply and control. The associated RHINO-ArcLED power supply automatically recognises the type of cassette being used and adapts all parameters accordingly, including the correct power type and running parameters.

According to Marcus Greenbrook, International Sales Manager at GEW, “Our new LED UV curing system is compatible with the widest range of substrates, and it increases machine uptime because of less maintenance. It also reduces energy consumption, as with LED instant on-off switching means no energy is consumed when the printing machine is idle between jobs.

The ArcLED UV system is a future-proof technology showing considerable energy savings, optimizing processes, and maximizing ink compatibility. It increases machine productivity as well as providing the possibility to run a fully flexible hybrid curing system.”

Labelexpo Europe visitors interested in more information about the new GEW ArcLED system are invited to visit MPS in stand 11C20, or GEW in stand 6C18.

With a tagline - MPS. Operator Focused, Results Driven - MPS is a worldwide, well-known and high-quality brand of flexo and offset press solutions for label and flexible packaging printers. By providing extensive knowledge and world-class service to enhance the printing process, MPS helps customers excel.MPS has a team of experts when it comes to knowledge of the printing process and desired results in label and flexible packaging print runs. We share and apply our expertise every day, and can offer a specific solution for every customer.

Eid Mubarak to all...

Essel Propack announces the divestment of its wholly owned subsidiary Packaging India Pvt. Ltd.

Essel Propack Ltd. - a global leader in laminated plastic tubes catering to the FMCG & Pharma space, recently announced the divestment of its wholly owned subsidiary, Packaging India Pvt. Ltd. (PIPL) to Amcor Flexibles India Pvt. with immediate effect.

The agreement has been signed and the deal is completed for full cash consideration.  The divestment is part of company’s strategy to exit non-core adhesive lamination packaging business and pursue growth opportunity in its core tube packaging business which has great potential across the globe in Beauty & Cosmetics, Pharma & Health and Food categories. The Enterprise value of the divested business is Rs.165 Crore.

The deal will provide PIPL and its talent an opportunity to further grows and prosper in the flexible packaging space as part of Amcor, an Australia listed global packaging company engaged in flexible and rigid packaging.

Statement from Ashok Goel, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Essel Propack Limited: “The divestment of Packaging India Pvt. Ltd. is in line with our strategic decision to intensify focus on the core tube packaging business globally including India. We are noticing a significant growth in the demand of laminated tubes across categories. This decision will help us to further strengthen our expertise in tube packaging business & deleverage.”

Essel Propack, part of the USD 2.4 billion Essel Group, with turnover of over USD 350 million, is the largest specialty packaging global company, manufacturing laminated plastic tubes catering to the FMCG and Pharma space. Employing over 2600 people representing 25 different nationalities, Essel Propack functions through 25 state of the art facilities in eleven countries, selling more than 6 billion tubes and continuing to grow every year.

Holding Oral Care market share of 33% in volume terms globally, Essel Propack is the world’s largest manufacturer with units operating across countries such as USA, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Germany, Egypt, Russia, China, Philippines and India. These facilities cater to diverse categories that include brands in Beauty & Cosmetics, Pharma & Health, Food, Oral and Home, offering customized solutions through continuously pioneering first-in-class innovations in materials, technology and processes.

Loparex to acquire 100% Ownership of India JV Kaygee-Loparex India Pvt. Ltd.

Loparex Group will assume 100% ownership of the India joint venture company, Kaygee-Loparex India Private Ltd.

Mike Apperson, Loparex CEO comments, “We are delighted to add the world class manufacturing capabilities of Kaygee-Loparex to the global Loparex family. In addition to the assets, we also welcome an incredibly talented and dedicated group of employees to our Loparex team, which will synergize our ability to bring additional value, not only to our local India-based customers, but also to our customers throughout the world”.

Apperson adds, “The addition of Loparex-India compliments our unique and continuing investment strategy and our long term commitment to serving the diverse needs of our global customers.

Established as a joint venture in 2001, Kaygee-Loparex is India’s largest release liner manufacturer. The state-of-the-art facility, located in Silvassa (near Mumbai), produces a wide array of custom-engineered silicone coated papers and films which support the diverse release liner needs of key industries including Medical, Tapes, Hygiene, Labels, Security, Composites and other industrial markets.

In-house product development, combined with IMS Certification (ISO 9001:2008, ISO14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007), practiced GMP, and robust quality management methodology ensure the highest standards of quality, efficiency, regulatory and EHS compliance.

Loparex, the leading global supplier of release liners, also has manufacturing, product development and commercial operations in the US, Europe, China and Thailand.

Meech’s Hyperion range of static control bars to feature at Labelexpo Europe ‘15

Meech’s Hyperion range of anti-static bars will be prominent on stand 6C34, at Labelexpo Europe 2015 (Brussels Expo, 29th September - 2nd October). The company will highlight the ways in which static control technologies can help improve safety and product quality in the labelling market. Meech will also showcase its unique range of web cleaning systems.

David Rogers, Technical Director at Meech, comments: “As a well-established supplier to the international labelling industry, Meech understands the challenges that this sector faces and for this reason we look forward to demonstrating the ways in which our systems can help maintain efficient, safe and productive manufacturing environments. Versatility plays a key role in the design of Meech’s systems, and this is reflected in our Hyperion range and in the four different technologies we employ for our web cleaners.”

Visitors to the stand will be able to view first-hand the complete range of Hyperion static control systems, which comprises the popular 971IPS and 929IPS anti-static bars, as well as some exciting new additions to the range. Also on show will be the ancillary enhancements, the distance sensor and feedback system. The development and expansion of the Hyperion range has been possible thanks to Meech’s close collaboration with its customers in order to understand their needs and demands. The end result is a range of systems that provides class leading static elimination, with the bars’ default settings allowing quick and easy installation for use on label production lines.

David explains that Labelexpo Europe is the ideal event for launching its latest additions to the Hyperion series. “By updating our technologies and introducing new systems to our ranges, Meech is showing a commitment to providing the best static control solutions possible for our customers in the label market.”

Also on display at the show is Meech’s complete range of web cleaning systems, which includes the TakClean and CyClean. The TakClean, a contact web cleaner employed within the label printing sector, features specifically formulated TransTak elastomer contact cleaning rollers and perforated adhesive rolls, which make it ideal for narrower and slower presses. The CyClean is a compact non-contact system designed to remove and extract contamination. Meech have optimised the cleaning efficiency of the CyClean to remove contamination to below 1 micron. It is best suited for newer, high speed presses and can handle virtually any substrate. As a result, with new ink jet printable webs becoming available, the system provides a future proof solution.

“With a long heritage in static control and web-cleaning, our key objective for Labelexpo is to show visitors to what extent Meech solutions can benefit companies in the labelling sector and advise them on the issues caused by static if left untreated,” concludes David. “We are very much looking forward to showcasing our offering to a wide, international audience”.

Esko to demonstrate strong business impact of its prepress solutions at Labelexpo Europe 2015

Powerful, flexible production workflows for all printing technologies

Esko plans a big splash at Labelexpo Europe, the world's largest event for the label and package printing industry. On display right at the show floor entrance will be the full range of Esko solutions that help label and packaging converters build consistency and flexibility in their production workflows, no matter their size, the degree of complexity of their businesses or the printing technologies used. Esko will be located on stand 4C20. Labelexpo Europe 2015 takes place September 29th till October 2nd at the Brussels Expo in Belgium.

“Labelexpo Europe is always a great show for us,” states Armand Gougay, VP EMEA at Esko, “We will be taking advantage of this event as part of our ongoing commitment to understand what keeps printers, converters and brand owners awake at night, and advise them on best practices to address these pain points. We will share our expertise and suggest how to improve profitability by implementing smart prepress, automated workflow, best in class flexo, color management and systems integration across their entire business. Our focus at the show will be to demonstrate how smart prepress solutions help any label and packaging converter to grow their business.”

Exceptional communication and error-free production

To be successful in today’s market place, one must perform exceptionally well in all areas of label and packaging production. Brand owners create packaging designs that resonate with consumers and that are designed, approved and produced with the utmost accuracy. Converters execute these designs perfectly and as fast and efficient as possible. Everyone throughout the entire supply chain has to work together effectively to achieve these goals.

To that end, Esko will present its renowned software solutions – covering everything from design over prepress and workflow automation, proofing and color up to the printed job, and beyond. Bundled under Esko Software Suite 14, the most complete collection of preproduction software tools available on the market, Esko’s software solutions optimize cost, streamline workflows and improve the overall quality and consistency, regardless if labels are produced digitally, in offset, flexo, gravure or screen print.

Workflow automation is a top priority for successful label manufacturers, and Esko will have no shortage of ideas and options at the show to help businesses of all sizes increase automation, productivity and profits. At the heart of this are Esko Automation Engine, a modular workflow server with dynamic workflows that sets a new standard for prepress workflow automation with rock-solid quality control, and WebCenter, Esko’s unique and powerful web-based platform that manages the entire packaging and label project life cycle, including specifications and approvals.

The latest release of Esko Software Suite adds flexibility for the user by enabling popular software editors like Studio and DeskPack to be used in subscription mode in monthly or yearly programs. The increasing demand for hosted applications is supported with the availability of WebCenter as a fully hosted solution.

Celebrating 20 years of digital flexo excellence

Also on show is Esko’s portfolio of digital flexo platemaking solutions. The flexo plate imagers integrated with software, services, know-how and industry partner connections cover the widest range of digital flexo printing applications. “High quality printing requires high quality prepress and digital flexo plates,” comments Thomas Klein, VP Hardware Business at Esko. “We are delighted to celebrate two decades of the popular Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI), which continues to be the world’s leading standard for digital flexo plate imaging. By extending the CDI with Esko HD Flexo and Full HD Flexo technology, flexo print quality has stepped up to previously unseen quality levels comparable to gravure and offset. Flexo print today delivers customers high quality results for labels, flexible packaging, corrugated boxes and more.”

Trusted advisor for label and packaging converters

“Esko experts will be on hand to act as trusted advisors, listen to visitors, understand their business needs and recommend solutions from Esko and its partners,” Gougay adds. He points out that a broad range of Esko’s press, plate and software partners will also exhibit, providing the perfect opportunity for attendees to understand the benefits of an integrated workflow. Esko’s partners at Labelexpo Europe 2015 include – amongst others – press manufacturers Gallus, Nuova Gidue, HP Indigo, Mark Andy and Nilpeter; plate vendors Dantex, DuPont, Flint, Fujifilm and MacDermid; and software partners CERM and Chili Publish.

“Labelexpo Europe 2015 is shaping up to be once again a fabulous show. We look forward to a fun and productive event guaranteed to deliver Results that Make You Smile!” Gougay concludes.