Elizabethtown, KY, USA: 02 February 2018: Metallized Polyester Films are increasing in popularity for imparting high barrier properties to laminated flexible packaging structures. However, it has been often experienced that poor adhesion of metal with the base polyester film can result in laminate failure, thereby decreasing product performance.

There has been an increasing demand for cost-effective films with high metal adhesion for superior barrier applications in harsh environments. However, the solutions that are currently available in the market are limited and costly.

With this problem statement at hand, Flex Films (USA) Inc. has engineered FLEXMETPROTECT TM F-HMB film which is a High Barrier Metallized Polyester Film. The film is either untreated or corona treated on the other surface, while metallization is carried out on the specially treated composite surface imparting metal adhesion or bond strength of > 1200 gram-force/inch.

Flex Films is the global film manufacturing arm of India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex Limited. All the film manufacturing plants of Uflex, i.e. in India, UAE, Poland, Egypt, Mexico and USA can supply FLEXMETPROTECT TM F-HMB Film.

Talking more about the new development, Dr. Steven J. Sargeant, GM, Technology at Flex Films (USA) Inc. said, “The adhesion of metal on BOPET base film is the sum of chemical and mechanical adhesion. Our proprietary surface treatment on the base film allows increased levels of chelation or reaction with the metal being deposited, thereby resulting in a much better adhesion profile. The specialized surface treatment comprises materials with unique and enhanced properties thereby leading to much enhanced mechanical bonding. It took us almost 18 months to engineer this film.”

Explaining the benefits that the newly developed film brings to the convertors, and elaborating upon its use, Mr. Vijay Yadav, Business Head, Flex Films (USA) Inc. said, “The film offers class leading high adhesion to metal under most aggressive environmental conditions; demonstrates improved scuff, scratch and craze resistance thereby improving yields up to four percent and offering unparalleled robustness in processing and performance for converters; has OTR of 0.6 cc/m 2 /day at 23 degrees C & 0% RH and MVTR of 0.6 g/m 2 /day at 38 degrees C & 90% RH offering high barrier properties thereby bringing new concepts to themarket; complies with EU and FDA regulations for food grade applications and happens to be cost effective. FLEXMETPROTECT TM F-HMB Film finds extensive use in Liquid Packaging, Stand Up Pouch Applications, Barrier layer in challenging applications like ‘Bag in Box’, Chemical Packaging, Pharma Packaging, Hot fill applications up to 80 degree C. among others. This film is available in 8 – 50 micron thickness range.”

Sharing his views about the potential of the new product, Mr. Anantshree Chaturvedi, Vice Chairman& CEO, Flex Films International – the global film manufacturing arm of Uflex Limited said, “Flex Films is focusing on speciality substrates that add real value to the business of convertors and that of their customers by enhancing the quality and profile of the resultant packaging. Our expansion strategy hereafter will be niche product driven and not commodity driven. FLEXMETPROTECT TM F- HMB is a technologically superior film with encouraging demand. If we talk about the US itself, the market for this specialized film is expected to be about 25% of the current metalized film market.”

Congratulating his engineers, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman & Managing Director, Uflex Limited said, “FLEXMETPROTECT TM F-HMB is a classic example of value engineering that shall bring substantial benefits and cheer to the converting fraternity not only in the US but globally. This is Innovation to Create Value Added Differentiation.”

A new breakthrough de-icer product from Tetrosyl is being packed in custom- designed bottles produced by RPC Promens Industrial Plenmeller.

CarPlan Demon Ice is the latest addition to the well-known CarPlan Demon range. Its unique patent-pending technology provides two functions in a single product. It can be sprayed onto car windows the night before to prevent ice from forming and also works as a high-performance de-icer that then helps to prevent refreezing when it is left on the glass.

The new trigger spray bottle designed by RPC Design is blow moulded in HDPE and offers convenience and easy handling for the end-user. It provides a wide decoration area for the offset printing of the familiar Demon branding to maintain a family image and ensure consumer recognition to help establish the new product.

“We have an excellent long term working relationship with RPC and this latest project is further evidence of their design and manufacturing skills in helping us bring a new product to market,” comments Justin Shaw, Group Commercial Manager, Tetrosyl Group Ltd.

Cosmo Films Ltd, a global leader in specialty films for packaging & labeling application, are directly associated with FMCG & Food Processing companies.

As Budget 2018 focuses on rural economy & enhancing consumer spending will directly benefit this sector.

Requesting if his quote can be carried in your publication.

Below is Quote of Mr Pankaj Poddar, CEO, Cosmo Films Ltd on budget 2018.

"The budget as expected is good on intentions, thrust is more on execution. In so far, as opportunities are concerned, I think the budget seems to be investment-led and waiting for consumption to follow. We, as a company, are excited with opportunity for our sector. The focus of government on rural growth is a key for the Indian economy and increase in rural spending always helps the economy to grow. More money in hands of people will fuel demand, which augurs well for related industries like food processing & FMCG with which we are directly associated." Mr Pankaj Poddar, CEO, Cosmo Films Ltd.

Leopold Werdich, managing director of Tubex Holding, was elected president of the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) on 30 January 2018. He succeeds Eric Frantz of CCL Container.

In his inaugural address, Leopold Werdich said: “The global aluminium aerosol can industry is in robust shape and it impressively substantiated this yet again in 2017 with a production of about 8.1 billion cans. Aluminium aerosol cans are becoming increasingly popular with users worldwide because they provide unbeatable benefits that enrich consumers’ lives and offer outstanding sustainability performance. They are light, comfortable to use, offer clean and precise application, are safe and reliable, ensure optimal product protection, have an appealing design and can be recycled again and again at the end of their life cycle. A compelling package of benefits that is unparalleled in a modern and discerning society that demands products that are consumer- and eco-friendly. That is why our industry continues to look optimistically to the future.”

Wolfertschwenden, 30 January 2018 - The trend in the medical products industry towards greater individualisation and product variety continues unabated. At this year's MedTec in Stuttgart, MULTIVAC will therefore be presenting flexible solutions for packing medical products in small to medium-sized batches. The packaging solutions to be exhibited, among them a thermoforming packaging machine, a traysealer and a chamber machine, are highly efficient and suitable for producing a wide range of pack formats.

The exhibits will include a R 081 thermoforming packaging machine a compact model for small-scale production and for those companies, which want to launch into automated packaging. The machine can be used for producing both vacuum packs and modified atmosphere packs with reduced residual oxygen content. Flexible and rigid films as well as Tyvek® and paper-based packaging materials can be run with ease. The range of pack formats can be freely configured. The drawer system ensures that format change is fast and simple.

In Stuttgart the R 081 will be exhibited with the DP 230 direct web printer and the TTO 06, a network-enabled thermal transfer printer of the latest generation. The DP 230, which is fitted in the area of the sealing station, can print the packs in both the longitudinal and cross directions and is therefore suitable for machines with multi-row and multi-track dies.

As regards the traysealer sector, the T 260 will be on view, which was specially developed to meet the high demands of the medical products and pharmaceutical industries. This mobile and compact model is designed for running a wide spectrum of trays, and it offers companies packing small to medium-sized batches a high degree of process reliability, reproducibility and above all flexibility. The sealing die ensures that a controlled sealing pressure and precise temperature distribution are achieved. Critical parameters are monitored permanently by sensors.

MULTIVAC will also be presenting the C 300 TC chamber machine from its wide range of chamber machine products. This model enables sterile medical products to be packed securely in film pouches, and packs can be produced either as vacuum packs or with modified atmosphere and reduced residual oxygen content. A temperature- controlled and permanently heated sealing bar, which can be both validated and calibrated, ensures that this machine achieves reproducible sealing quality.

All the above mentioned machines are cleanroom-compatible and of course meet all the legal requirements as well as the GMP, GAMP5 and ISO guidelines.

This year’s greeting card from Iggesund Paperboard is a pop-up construction created by the German designer and paper artist Peter Dahmen. The motif is a Swedish winter scene inspired by Iggesund’s guest facility in Hedvigsfors, which is located deep in the Hälsingland forest.

“For me, the trees and forests are so typical of Sweden. As well as being very important to the Swedish economy they also play a central role in Swedish culture,” Dahmen says about his choice of design. His interpretation of this Swedishness is the reason why the fir tree that rises up when the card is opened is disproportionately large.

The substrate is Invercote Creato 260 g/m2 and the advanced technical features include the fir tree’s height relative to the card’s base and the fact that as it is being raised up, the tree’s top must be unfolded by 225 degrees, which places tough demands on the paperboard’s properties.

Dahmen’s passion is to create three-dimensional works in paper and he has a special interest in pop-up functions. He likes movability and surprising effects but in purely graphic terms the card is fairly restrained.

“We could have poured on masses of bling and graphic effects. But both Iggesund’s project manager Anna Adler and I wanted a restrained card with an understated tone and not a graphic fireworks show,” he says.

Peter is very satisfied with the end result for several reasons. Invercote is particularly suitable for this type of construction thanks to its tear strength and its unsurpassed ability to be folded many times without the creases cracking. He also likes the tactile feel of the silky-smooth surface.

“For Iggesund Paperboard the annual card is not just about sending a greeting. It is also an opportunity for us to inspire people to use our paperboard materials Invercote and Incada more. We try to set a challenge with exciting techniques or difficult constructions,” Anna Adler says.

“The dominant fir tree is a reminder of the importance of the forest and its trees to forest industry companies like Iggesund Paperboard. They are the foundation of our business and our success depends largely on how well we manage this renewable resource,” she concludes.

The card is made of Invercote Creato 260 g/m2, which is double folded and glued to create a strong base for the pop-up mechanism. The motif is four-colour printed by the German pop-up specialists Albrecht creative paper products, who also did the hot foil stamping, embossing, protective varnishing and assembly.

Pianoro (Bologna) – Marchesini’s agenda of trade shows for 2018 is rich in domestic and international venues of the packaging world. The Group is getting ready for Achema and two other important national events: Cosmopack, in Bologna from March 15 th to 18 th and Ipack Ima, in Milan from May 29 th to June 1 st .

At Cosmopack, the Marchesini Group will have a spacious booth (hall 20, booth D53-54) where an innovative end-of- line jar packaging system and 5 stand-alone machines by Dumek will be showcased. A team of experts will welcome visitors to demonstrate the machines on show and to illustrate the potentials of the Group’s new cosmetic division, situated near the Headquarters in Pianoro, which will also host DUMEK machines. This business unit is already up and running and will help to make the Group even more competitive in a constantly growing marketplace and has become one of the Group’s key strategies.

Machines exhibited

The line exhibited will include two solutions that have been recently put on the market: MAV 60, an automatic alternated-motion machine, on which the carton is conveyed upright and Farplus C, an automatic wrapper, available in both the standard version with side guiding belts and in the optimised version to package cosmetics with guiding plates to allow for the dot-seal system. Compared with the previous version, MAV 60 has a robotic product infeed and a system that stands the carton upright. These new features improve speed and ergonomics even further.

The automatic infeed also ensures precision and delicacy in handling the product, putting it very carefully into the carton, thus avoiding all possible damage. It also means unusually shaped products can be handled too.

Farplus C too has a robotic product infeed and a product bypass system outside the machine to ensure non-stop production, reaching 80 packages a minute. This wrapper is indeed excellent for processing cosmetics, thanks to the variety and top quality of all the possible closure methods: from standard closure for individually packed products and grouped products, such as perfumes of all shapes and sizes, to dot seal and tear tape closure.

Farplus C and MAV 60 are connected to each other by a Robocombi, which moves the incoming box onto the infeed belt that conveys it to the end wrapping station. Once on the belt, the carton is automatically positioned and is pushed against the film, which is wrapped around it by a comb drive. This type of movement means the exact position of the carton is known so that other processes can be carried out if necessary, plus it prevents the cartons from touching it each other.

The DUMEK brand will also be represented by three turbo-emulsifiers, TURBO-MEK, with capacity of 25, 200 and 600 litres, a MELTER 120 and a homogenizer/dissolver TL 132. The TURBO-MEK vacuum turbo-emulsifiers are designed to process liquid and creamy products such as emulsions (cream and milk products), serums, oils and balms, gels and lotions; special versions of these machines can process other specific products such as make-up (mascara, foundation), hair dyes, toothpaste and mud products.

All the functions required to ensure efficient operation of the turbo-emulsifiers and to set the working parameters are managed and programmed from the control panel with software developed in-house exploiting DUMEK technologies.

DUMEK has designed the MELTER 120 to mix, distribute and store products and to aid the turbo-emulsifiers in one of the heating phases (watery or fatty). When it is equipped with a special mixing system, it can actually prepare some cosmetics that do not require the more sophisticated functions of the turbo-emulsifiers.

To conclude, the TL 132 unit dissolves and homogenizes the product (with in-line or recirculation system), which is perfect for processing cold emulsions without using vacuum. It has many strongholds among which are ease-of- use, thanks to its trolley structure, so that it can be moved around to interface it with other containers and versatility, thanks to the possibility to connect it to piping and hoppers for several other applications.

Wolfertschwenden, 26. January 2018 – With the GMS 1600 twincut, TVI will be presenting a universal high-performance portioning system at the MULTIVAC trade fair stand (A 020, hall 9.1). The system is characterised by its maximum portion quality, yield and flexibility. The efficient solution guarantees the highest level of product quality at a high throughput in terms of cut, forming and distribution into compartments – and can be seamlessly integrated in a production and packaging line.

The GMS 1600 twincut is suitable for the portioning of both frozen and fresh meat into chunks or slices of varying thicknesses. The processing capability ranges from pork fillets to beef topside and from a one- millimetre thick carpaccio slice to a 300 mm thick sliced roast joint. In addition, meat with bones, such as pork chops or cutlets, can be easily separated into even slices. The maximum product length is 650 millimetres.

Thanks to the patented 3D forming system from TVI, the multifunctional portioning system offers the highest degree of flexibility and precision. Thanks to a multitude of standard modules and customer-specific programs, the GMS 1600 twincut can handle practically any portioning task. Short changeover times increase availability and thus productivity. The twin-track cutting channel ensures that maximum throughput is achieved, as does the capability for simultaneous reloading during the portioning process. With low give-away the highly efficient machine divides, for example, roast beef into 200 gram portions, pork steak weighing 80 grams or goulash with a thickness of 30 millimetres to the exact weights required.

The GMS 1600 twincut, equipped with new control technology, can be automated and offers precise compartment and individual slice storage. The total length of this flexible meat processing system, including discharge conveyor for the separating out of meat trimmings and B- grade goods, is 5.2 metres. The solution can be combined with, for example, a continuous freezer and an automated depositor module andconnected to a high-performance MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machine or traysealer.

The Secure Flip next-generation sports cap from RPC Massmould is being used across a number of PET bottles for Highland Spring, the Number 1 UK natural sourced bottled water brand.

The closure is available on the brand’s 330ml and 500ml Handy Packs and 750ml Active Packs.

To support the highly-recognisable appearance of Highland Spring’s packaging, the innovative Sustainable Tamper-Evident Band within the closure features the familiar deep purple colour closely associated with the brand. A key benefit is that both parts of the band are retained within the closure after opening, as opposed to the use of a detachable tab which then has to be disposed of.

For the on-the- move consumer, the Secure Flip’s ergonomically designed Thumb Tab enables intuitive one-handed opening. The cap also opens to a full and stable 180°, providing easy access to the spout. The unique three–legged Triskeles within the mouth of the closure prevents items being dropped into the drink or small fingers getting stuck in the opening.

“On-the- go consumption is an important part of the Highland Spring offering, and it is essential that we deliver a premium consumer experience, in keeping with the brand’s quality image and reputation,” comments Sandy Milton, Packaging Development Manager of Highland Spring.

“The Secure Flip delivers excellent user-convenience and its attractive look and compact design complement the bottles’ appearance for maximum on-shelf appeal.”

Sourced from protected organic land in the majestic Ochil Hills in Scotland, Highland Spring has been named by the Good Shopping Guide as the leading ethical bottled water brand in the UK for nine years running.

In line with unprecedented rapid development of technology, CHINAPLAS, after 31 editions of advancement, is evolving, in response to the needs of the industries, from a business platform for materials and equipment purchasing to an international showcase of high technologies.

Booth space is still overbooked though CHINAPLAS will move to a larger show venue - National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), in Hongqiao, Shanghai. Applications from over 4,500 companies were received before the application deadline in November 2017. Despite the organizer’s efforts to maximize space, total area applied exceeds 40% of the hall space. It is expected that exhibition area will reach 340,000sqm, an expansion of 100,000sqm compared to the last edition held in Shanghai two years ago.

To facilitate visitors’ need of sourcing new CHINAPLAS suppliers, a “Young Tech Hall” will be newly introduced at CHINAPLAS 2018. This is a comprehensive exhibition hall, which will gather together new exhibitors from diverse fields.

A glittering hall of the young – the Young Tech Hall

As the Asia’s no. 1 and world’s no. 2 plastics and rubber trade fair, CHINAPLAS is not only renowned for promoting cutting-edge technologies, but also famous for achieving a massive show scale. The massive show scale, 340,000sqm of exhibition area, is a double- edged sword. It takes longer time for visitors to search for specific types of products in mind, especially from new exhibitors.

The solution – a Young Tech Hall. “Young Tech Hall is introduced to help visitors locate exhibitors and products by further segmentation,” explained Ms. Ada Leung, General Manager of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. “It’s a win-win solution. New CHINAPLAS exhibitors can seize the opportunity to strategically market their brands and new productsto Shanghai, while CHINAPLAS itself can draw in new blood, fresh energy, and more advanced technologies,” Ms. Leung further added.

The Young Tech Hall, which will house over 350 new exhibitors in an exhibition area of 20,000sqm is a comprehensive exhibition hall. The new hall will present additive, colour pigments and masterbatch, testing equipment, die and molds, extrusion machinery, injection molding machinery, smart manufacturing technology, plastic packaging and film technology.

Henan Yinjinda New Materials Co., Ltd. will launch laser low temperature shrink film for glass bottles at CHINAPLAS 2018. The launch will be the first in Asia. The product is laser anti-counterfeiting and it can cover containers. It is flexible when printing on metallic products compared to product of the same kind, reducing customization cost. It is half the price of dry washable label.

3D printing empowers high-end applications

On top of the Young Tech Hall, the mega show has been divided into 18 different theme zones to facilitate successful sourcing of buyers. “3D Technology Zone” and “Thermoplastic Elastomers & Rubber Zone” are two new theme zones to be debut at CHINAPLAS 2018.

Customization and small-batch production are gaining momentum nowadays. High-end manufacturing, like aerospace, automotive, medical and consumer products, is in urgent need for 3D printing (additive manufacturing) solutions to expedite development cycle and reduce R&D costs. CHINAPLAS will set up a “3D Technology Zone” to group together the vendors and providers of 3D printing (additive manufacturing) technologies. Confirmed exhibitors include Autodesk, ZWCAD, Hong Cheng, Hanbang 3D, dMac and more. More 3D printing solutions can be found in other theme zones. Some of the advances exhibits that will be displayed are highlighted below.

Guangdong Hanbang 3D Tech Co., Ltd. will bring HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution to CHINAPLAS 2018. The solution reinvents how we prototype and produce functional parts, delivering quality output up to 10 times faster at half the cost.

Clariant will make a global launch for Exolit® flame retardant polyamide 6 3D printer filaments at CHINAPLAS 2018. It is made of premium grade Polyamide 6 with good fluidity and blended with Exolit OP 1230 to achieve UL V-0 level flame retardancy.

Supernova Thermoplastic Elastomers to debut in new theme zoneWith the advent of a low-carbon economy, light, energy-saving thermoplastic elastomers

with a wide range of applications have a promising prospect. Thermoplastic Elastomers & Rubber Zone, a new theme zone to the Chemicals & Raw Materials Zone, will gather about 50 suppliers to demonstrate their latest products and solutions. Confirmed exhibitors include Huntsman, Momentive, SIBUR, Top Polymer, Dawn, Huafon, Shin-Etsu, CPMC, Chinasound, KRAIBURG, Kraton, MIRACLL, LCY CHEMICAL, COIM and others. CHINAPLAS 2018 is going to be an arena of innovations, covering Asian and world premieres of new technologies.

Coating P. Materials Co., Ltd.(CPMC) will showcase calendering grade TPU for eco- friendly synthetic leather. It substitutes PVC/PU synthetic leather and can be processed by existing equipment directly, reducing conversion costs. It is an environmental friendly material and no toxic substance is produced during the entire production, improving the working environment for employees. The product is recyclable. End-users can use products made from this material without worrying about solvents and other toxic residues. The material also features good transparency, hydrolysis resistance and halogen-free flame retardation and more. Applications include synthetic leather, sheet and leather, luggage, automotive interior, leather for furniture, sporting equipment etc.

A myriad of other new products is also going to be found in the Asia’s no. 1 and world’s no. 2 plastics and rubber trade fair.

CHINAPLAS 2018 will be relocated to NECC in Hongqiao, Shanghai, PR China, and run from April 24-27, 2018. For walk-in visitors, RMB 50 and RMB 80 will be charged for a one-day pass and a four-day pass respectively. Visitors who pre-registered before February 11, 2018, can enjoy admission discount at RMB 50 for a four-day pass. They can receive a visitor badge in advance to enjoy express entry on-site.

The new BOBST K5 VISION is a compact vacuum metallizer ideal for flexible packaging converters and CPP/PE film producers.

Total Flexibility

The new K5 VISION is compact and designed to handle a wide variety of different film types including heat sensitive films and thin gauge substrates. It can run at speeds up to 840m/min, is available in widths from 1250mm to 2450mm and can house roll diameters of up to 1000mm.

Innovative New Features

BOBST is continually innovating and the K5 VISION is no exception, the machine incorporates a Ø600mm coating drum providing the largest coating window in the industry that increases aluminium collection efficiency by up to 16% resulting in less consumables, an extended boat life and a 10-15% energy reduction. It also provides better film cooling due to the increased surface area of the drum; additional cooling is also given by the 2-zone gas wedge which provides better conduction of heat between the substrate and the drum which is important for heat sensitive films such as CPP and LDPE.

High Productivity

The powerful, robust evaporation source with a staggered ceramic boat arrangement provides excellent coating uniformity. It also incorporates easy access to clean the boats and aluminium spools mounted on a removable trolley for easy changing; the full width viewing windows give an improved view of the source and the metallization process.

The K5 VISION pumping group is robust and has a compact design with shorter pipe lengths giving the lowest footprint in the industry; it comprises of dry rotary screw pumps with a consistently high vacuum performance, booster pumps that operate at double the normal speed for maximum efficiency and floor mounted diffusion pumps located underneath the evaporation zone eliminating the risk for backstreaming of oil on to the film.

Energy Reduction

The K5 VISION incorporates the BOBST ECO Mode which reduces energy consumption by up to 50% during stand-by, only delivering energy and cooling water when needed, this results in a reduced carbon footprint and significant savings in production costs.

Perfect Winding

The renowned BOBST winding mechanism incorporates a 6 drive system giving 3 independent tension control zones. It provides low tension winding with adjustable bowed rollers to produce a virtually wrinkle- free metallization process and an optional pre-drum vari bow for better handling of thinner substrates.

The K5 VISION can handle a wide range of substrates including thin gauge films and enables quick changeover of different film types making it the ideal machine for converters. It is also able to handle heat sensitive films such as CPP and PE which makes it perfect for film producers of these thermally sensitive materials.

BOBST AluBond®

The BOBST AluBond® process provides high metal adhesion with values up to 5N/15mm and improves dyne level retention through vacuum metallization, eliminating the need for chemically treated films. AluBond® is an advanced hybrid metal coating technology which achieves higher barrier properties on BOPP and CPP films than conventional metallizing processes.

CEFLEX, the collaborative initiative to increase the collection and recycling of flexible packaging formats below A4 in size, has grown dramatically since its official launch in 2017 at Interpack. The number of participating stakeholders has risen by 56% in the past seven months to reach 53, with companies and organisations from across the value chain.

CEFLEX’s ambitions are to make flexible packaging more relevant to the circular economy by advancing better system design solutions via collaboration of stakeholders representing the entire value chain, by 2025. “Thanks to the significant number and broad base of stakeholders, plus strong collaboration, progress is being made in all workstreams. The newly released Plastics Strategy further underlines the relevance of the work CEFLEX is doing.” explained Graham Houlder, the project coordinator.

The initiative is focused on consumer flexible packaging formats, which can be either single or multi-layer, use a variety of materials and which are not widely collected today for recycling in Europe. According to Thomas Greigeritsch of Constantia Flexibles, a leading global flexible packaging converter: “Flexible packaging is highly material efficient, only generating a limited amount of waste at its end of life but, if the waste is not collected it cannot be sorted and recycled.”

“There is a clear need to increase collection initiatives and to raise awareness that a large fraction of this post-consumer waste stream is ready for recycling today. In a circular economy, we cannot simply send that valuable material to landfill or energy recovery instead of recycling it. This is one of the first areas of focus for CEFLEX,” he added.

Secondly, CEFLEX aims to help improve the recyclability of flexible packaging. Work on the development of the first phase of Design for a Circular Economy Guidelines for flexible packaging formats below A4 is underway, with valuable insights captured from the stakeholders. The first draft of the Design Guidelines will be launched for public consultation in spring 2018. Kevin Vyse of Marks & Spencer (UK) confirms that these are a key element to increase recycling of flexible packaging materials. “We (M&S) expect both economic and environmental advantages from designing flexible packaging which is easier to recycle.”

In addition, CEFLEX stakeholders are working together to identify and promote the best solutions to increase the recycling of flexible packaging in a circular economy. Michael Heyde of DSD (Germany) explains: “Projects are being planned to help us identify the most promising technical developments to effectively and economically sort and recycle post-consumer flexible packaging. We will then validate these through a robust programme of trials and pilots. The aim is to find and implement practical and scalable solutions more quickly.”

Graham Houlder wants to see rapid progress but recognises that this will need broad support from society in general: “Our goal is to get commitment and buy-in from the whole value chain including local authorities and regulators. This is essential to ensure the broad-based adoption and implementation of what we are developing for flexible packaging in a circular economy.”

SeaWell™ Seafood Trays, featuring next-generation patent-pending technology, to make world debut at Boston show, March 11-13

Atlanta, GA – Maxwell Chase – a CSP Technologies, Inc. company that specializes in extending freshness and enhancing food safety with its unique packaging solutions for the food industry – will debut SeaWell™ Seafood Trays, a first-of- its-kind active packaging solution that significantly extends the shelf life of seafood, at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, March 11-13. Maxwell Chase will be located at Booth #1487.

The patent-pending SeaWell™ seafood trays feature integrated absorbent technology incorporated into wells at the bottom of trays to absorb excess fluids. This innovative technology reduces exposure to fluids and lessens potential damage to seafood products. The packaging system increases freshness and visual appeal, absorbs odors, and enhances safety.

Available in a signature blue color and a variety of sizes for various capacities, SeaWell™ trays significantly extend shelf life for fresh seafood, in many cases by up to 50 percent or greater. The shelf life of frozen seafood also is extended; here, products can be packed frozen and then thawed in the same package maintaining product integrity, with resulting fluids absorbed in the tray’s wells – invisible to consumers, who enjoy a pristine product. Whether fresh or frozen, a key benefit is that geographic markets for seafood processors can be expanded.

Automation-friendly for high-speed production environments, the trays offer clear visibility of the packed product, promoting the exchange of authentic product and representing a ‘case-to- cook’ solution for easy execution in industrial kitchens.

“Quite simply, the new SeaWell seafood trays have the potential to revolutionize the seafood industry,” said Neal Watson, General Manager for Maxwell Chase. “They represent a game-changing technological breakthrough offering superior product protection for customers’ high-value seafood products. The result is extended market reach, enhanced brand recognition and improved consumer experiences.”

Noida, 22 January 2018: Extrusion Lamination is getting increasingly popular over adhesive lamination owing to myriad benefits it offers such as: alleviation of solvents/ compounds used in adhesives; ruling out white base ink-printing of the ensuing laminate by using master-batch in the extrudate that renders it white thereby bringing immense cost savings to the convertor; enhanced bond strength; consistent/ continuous production of laminate owing to auto-splicing feature of the extrusion laminator; no curing required as in the case of adhesive lamination thereby enhancing production throughput and much enhanced barrier properties as compared to adhesive lamination.

Taking cognizance of the popularity of extrusion lamination as a process, Engineering Business of India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex launched EL-1300 Extrusion Lamination Machine in 2016, which was very well received by the Indian convertors’ fraternity. In wake of sustained demand, the company has been incessantly carrying out value-engineering to develop co-extrusion and tandem extrusion variants of the machine.

Mr. Ajay Tandon, President & CEO, Engineering Business, Uflex says, “To meet the principal application of extrusion coating / lamination, Mono Extruder is good enough. However, considering the running costs and flexibility to play with various polymers, Co-Extruders are gaining traction.  In addition to economising the costs, Co-Extruders also play an important role towards enhancing barrier properties owing to multi-layered combination. Tandem Extruder is also beingdeveloped so as to execute multi-layered jobs in single run for saving upon the process time.”

At PLASTINDIA 2018 that will run from 7 - 12 February 2018 at Ahmedabad, Uflex will be showcasing its Fully Automatic Co-Extrusion Lamination Machine that offers the following benefits:

• (a) Attainable lamination speed of 300 m/minute;
• (b) Automatic thickness measurement and control;
• (c) Corona treaters to seamlessly integrate treater into flexible packaging extrusion coating & lamination lines;
• (d) Independent drives for all segments of the machine;
• (e) Heavy Duty (sturdy) structure;
• (f) Motorized three axis movement of carriage for air gap setting;
• (g) Chamber type doctor blade for anchor coating;
• (h) T-Die with internal duckling & lip opening up to 1mm;
• (i) Unique design of lamination drum to maintain even temperature across the width;
• (j) Sleeve type coating nip as optional;
• (k) All three winders with turret auto-splicing and having edge position control;
• (l) AC vector grade motor with digital AC vector drives.

Further elaborating about the benefits of the Co-extrusion Laminator, Mr. Tandon said, “This machine comes equipped with a back-pressure control system which enables to manage polymers of different MFI (Melt Flow Index) so as to maintain the homogeneity of the extrudate.”

Talking about the need for engineering co-extrusion laminator, he further said, “We developed co-extrusion laminators for the flexibility it offers towards using different combinations of co-polymers suiting the requirements of the customers in terms of better bond strength and barrier properties keeping in mind the overall characteristics of the substrates to be laminated. Co-extruder combined with a suitable feed block enables the convertor to alter polymeric combination for the 3 layered extrudate dropping. The combinations can be changed according to the needs of the ensuing laminate. For instance to get better bond strength one could use acid co-polymers on the two side layers and low cost additive in the central layer. The co-extruder that we will be exhibiting at PLASTINDIA can offer combinations like ABA, AAB and ABB.”

Emphasizing upon sustained and incremental value engineering practiced at Uflex, Mr. Tandon said, “We are going step by step. Initially we developed a co-extrusion laminator with attainable speed of 250 m/ minute followed by the one with a speed of 300 m/minute that we shall be exhibiting at PLASTINDIA. In the times to come we shall enhance the speed to 350 m/minute and subsequently graduate to 400 m/minute.”

Talking about the market demand and the concomitant response from Uflex, Mr. Sanjay Malik Sabharwal, Head of Production/ Marketing of Converting Machines at Uflex Engineering said, “In the field of laminated flexible packaging no other Indianmanufacturer makes these types of extrusion lamination machines. There is clearly a big need gap for Uflex to tap this market. There is an increasingly encouraging demand for extrusion laminated packaging by multinational food and beverage brands in India and overseas alike. We have a good order pipeline and expect to sell at least 6-8 machines in the coming year for this application. We have tied up with a subject matter technical expert from the western world having over 35 years of luminary experience in designing and running world class extrusion lamination machines for that market. This will help us making great strides in the international market as well.”

Expressing delight at the achievement of Engineering Business, Chairman & Managing Director, Uflex Limited, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi said, “Our Co-extrusion Laminator is a highly sophisticated machine that is Made in India. With the best in class technology at our disposal and some of the sharpest brains by our side, we are confident of taking this lamination machine to the international market in the times to come.”

Visit Uflex at Hall No. 7; Booth B-4 @ PLASTINDIA, Ahmedabad from 7-12 February 2018

Politech from Osielsko near to Bydgoszcz (Poland) celebrates its 20th anniversary. Politech is a family business with global range in processing of plastic materials for cosmetic and perfumery industry.

The company was founded in 1998 and started work with tests of innovative plastic materials such as Surlyn. After 20 years Politech can show off wide offer of its products, high quality manufacturing and complex producing of full cosmetic packaging form idea to product. Thanks to the customer orientation and investing in new technologies the company notes steady progress. Among many achievements of Politech, there are mainly automatization of production, founding of Research and Development Center or cooperation with world-famous cosmetic and perfumery brands.

For years Politech is also visiting most prestigious cosmetic fairs in Bologna, Munich, Monaco and Paris. Fairs are great occasion to show the offer to international consortiums and to maintain good business relations with current partners.

Politech successively increasing employment which at this moment is about 160 of qualified personel. High position among european manufacturers of cosmetic packaging, numerous awards, distinctions and certificates proves that the direction chosen in 1998 by the founder of the company – Jan Nawrocki, was the most accurate.

In 2018 besides 20th anniversary, Politech is planning a big investment. In Bydgoszcz Industrial and Technological Park the company want to build a second production facility. Politech already bought a building plot of 2.7 hectares and is preparing for further work related to this project.

Educational session to discuss frequent determiners of labelling costs, and provide insight on keeping prices low without sacrificing quality.

Edmonton, AB, Canada – Jet Label & Packaging Ltd., Western Canada’s largest producer of labels and printed tape for a broad range of industries, will deliver a presentation exploring cost-effectiveness in label manufacturing at Canada Health Foods Association’s CHFA West trade show in Vancouver. Titled Print Methods of Labels in Terms of Your Cost, the educational “lunch & learn” session will take place February 23 from 11:30am-1pm, headlined by industry veteran Steve Smith, Jet Label’s Vice President of Marketing & Sales.

Those attending the presentation will enjoy a look at several printing methods designed to minimize labelling costs while maintaining exemplary quality and shelf appeal. Mr. Smith will explore the four largest cost drivers in label manufacturing, and discuss decisions made through the design and production phase that impact the overall price of labels. The program agenda also includes scalability as a cost-control strategy.

Jet Label also will be highly visible during the subsequent open floor portion of the show, February 24-25. At Booth #1148, the company will feature a variety of samples from its portfolio of labels for a broad range of industries, as well as experts to field questions from attendees on all labelling-related topics. Meanwhile, Jet Label’s sister company, Jet Marking Systems, will provide live demos of its label applicators, thermal printers and other speciality equipment at Booth #1727.

2017 was a banner year for Jet Label. Last summer, the company acquired United Label Company of Coquitlam, BC. The additional space and production capacity will allow Jet Label to double in size over the next two years, during which time additional infrastructure investments will be made to the newly-acquired facility.

Mr. Smith’s presentation at CHFA West also is in line with Jet Label’s continued commitment to industry thought leadership – an effort that, most recently, has included an uptick in customer-friendly explanatory articles on the “Knowledge Base” section of the company’s website, www.jet-label.com.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in its 54,000-sq.- ft. Edmonton facility, Jet Label manufactures labels and printed tape for a broad range of industries, including food & beverage and grocery stores, consumer packaged goods, pharmaceuticals, forestry, and industrial applications. In doing so, Jet Label produces a range of durable, reliably water- and weatherproof labels that stand up to the types of harsh conditions in which many of its customers operate. Jet Label also produces a variety of address labels, and supplies parking and boarding passes and baggage tags to Edmonton International Airport.

Wolfertschwenden, 18. January 2018 – The X-line, a new generation of thermoforming packaging machines, has been given the Gold International FoodTec Award 2018. The thermoforming packaging machine sets a new benchmark in the market thanks to its range of innovative technology. As a result of its seamless digitalisation, comprehensive sensor system and networking with the MULTIVAC Cloud, the X-line creates a new dimension, when it comes to packaging reliability, quality and performance.

The DLG (German Agricultural Association), together with its trade fair partners, gives the International FoodTec Award to groundbreaking developments in innovation, sustainability and efficiency in the sector of food technology. A jury, which is made up of international experts from the world of science and research as well as from representatives of industry, is responsible for selecting the most progressive concepts. The renowned Technology Award is given on a three-year cycle in the form of gold and silver medals by the DLG in cooperation with its industry and media partners at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne.

The X-line, which has been awarded the gold medal, has a level of sensor control never achieved before, whereby the Multi Sensor Control captures all the relevant parts of the process. Using closed control circuits, the sensor system constantly captures a wide range of process values, such as for example for forming, evacuation and sealing. Even the forming and sealing dies are integrated into the sensor control via electronic sensor modules. All the process stages are coordinated to the optimum level, while product- and system-related discrepancies are automatically compensated as much as possible, and even faulty settings by operators are independently detected and displayed. Thanks to this, the X-line works constantly at the optimum operating point.

MULTIVAC Pack Pilot enables the machine to be set up to the optimum level using machine control support. When new recipes arecreated, the machine parameterises itself to the optimum operating point, using the die set data and the features for pack, product and packaging material that have been selected. This means that the machine can be used even without special operator knowledge. Pack Pilot has access to comprehensive expert knowledge, which benefits from process data from over 1,000 new packaging solutions per year. The X-line produces packs with maximum packaging reliability, consistent quality and very high output without production loss during machine start-up.

A new die generation called X-tools guarantees the lowest operating costs in the market. The X-tools have an extensive range of innovations in their design, sensor system and actuating features. They enable shorter evacuation times to be achieved and therefore contribute to higher cycle outputs. As an option, the X-tools can be designed with a narrower edge trim width. This means that the film trim can be reduced by up to 30 percent. All the die elements are coded and can be identified by the thermoforming packaging machine. When a die is correctly installed, the machine parameterises itself automatically, which ensures that there is optimum process control. This means that operating reliability is increased, particularly for machines with frequent format changes.

And last but not least, the X-line has been equipped with an innovative operating concept. The intuitive HMI 3 Multi-Touch user interface is high-resolution and is equivalent to the operating logic of today's mobile devices. It enables the operating processes to be controlled even more easily and reliably, and it can be individually set to the particular operator. This includes different access rights and operating languages. User login is contactless by means of RFID chip cards. All the relevant machine parameters are displayed on one screen page.

Moorestown, NJ – Antares Vision, the world’s leading provider of serialization-based track and trace solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, and manufacturer of precision inspection machines for 100% production line verification of pharma products, will establish a Software Development Center in western Ireland’s Galway Technology Centre. The facility, which will create more than 50 jobs in computer vision and artificial intelligence over five years, will focus on developing new software tools utilizing deep learning as it relates to vision systems.

Already a leader in preparing customers for compliance with approaching and evolving pharma serialization mandates – notably those in the U.S. (November 2018) and Europe (February 2019) -- Antares Vision seeks to develop advanced methods for mining the tremendous amount of data generated through track & trace, allowing its customers to move beyond mandatory compliance and build stronger business practices. The center also will be a hub for enhancing the company’s well- regarded series of vision systems, utilized around the world for product inspection as well as track & trace efforts.

“The new Software Development Center reflects Antares Vision’s organic growth, a natural next step as major serialization mandates go from pending to fully enacted and customers look for solutions to build upon incorporated compliance technologies,” said Antares Vision CEO Emidio Zorzella. “It also further expands our footprint. Already present in Italy, Brazil, the US, France, Germany, South Korea, and soon India, our new R&D Center in Galway adds another important arm to our global presence -- one that will help ensure our ability to provide innovative, technologically advanced products and solutions.”

The new operation will utilize many levels of expertise, and include both junior and senior software developers and researchers. The facility is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, whose main objective is encouraging investment by foreign-owned companies. 

“The creation of the new Software Development Center in Galway will enable Antares Vision to provide technologically advanced solutions in line with the market’s evolution,” said Massimo Bonardi, Antares Vision’s Managing and Technical Director, “and allow us to develop innovative products to help our partners expand into new business areas.”

Wolfertschwenden, 16. January 2018 – Thanks to the use of innovative shaped contour cutting, it is now actually economical to produce shaped contour packs in small batches on thermoforming packaging machines. At Anuga FoodTec 2018 MULTIVAC will be presenting the new cutting system on a compact R 145 thermoforming packaging machine, which also offers other options for efficient thermoforming packaging in addition to this innovative cutting system.

The novel BAS 20 shaped contour cutter is characterised by its very compact construction, and it is therefore suitable for use on all thermoforming packaging machines, even the R1xx series. The BAS 20 therefore allows even small businesses and companies to produce shaped contour packs very efficiently. Thanks to short set-up times, it offers a high degree of flexibility as regards the pack design, the format to be produced and the packaging materials used. The BAS 20 can be designed to cut without trim waste, and this therefore contributes hugely to reduced consumption of packaging materials and to lower pack costs.

At the trade fair MULTIVAC will be showing the BAS 20 on the compact R 145 thermoforming packaging machine, which offers a range of new equipment options designed to contribute to a higher level of efficiency within the packaging procedure and to greater pack quality. These include a significant increase in the cut-off length of the forming die, as well as the possibility of equipping the machine with an additional preheating station, which enables the output of the machine to be doubled. The machine can also be equipped with different forming systems, which contribute to an increase in the cycle output. If explosive forming with its rapid pressure build-up and greater volume flow is used, the film is distributed faster and more evenly in the thermoforming die than with a standard forming system. It also means that up to 15 percent thinner films can be run without compromising pack quality. Other additional benefits, such as for example betterbarrier properties against external influences on the pack, can be achieved by using a forming system with plug assist.

In addition to this, the R 145 has an innovative drawer system for the forming and sealing dies. Since the die bottom section can also be pulled out from the side of the machine, it is possible to gain access easily and ergonomically. A format change can therefore be performed more reliably and above all significantly more quickly than with manual handling of the dies. Drawer systems enable a time saving of more than 60 percent per format change to be achieved.