Florida, Tampa, US, 13th March, 2017 - Eagle Product Inspection (Eagle), an expert in advanced x-ray product inspection and fat analysis (FA) systems, will demonstrate its leading x-ray and fat analysis systems at Interpack 2017. Specialists will be on hand to advise customers on the fundamental benefits of purpose-built, high quality and accurate product inspection systems, coupled with the lowest Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in the industry.

X-ray and FA systems are now a mainstay in production lines across the globe, and are frequently placed into the harsh environments associated with the food industry. Increasingly, customers are looking at the bigger picture when choosing to invest in capital equipment, and that has led to TCO being scrutinized more than ever before – particularly when it comes to the reliability and longevity of a system.

Technology leadership

On display at Eagle’s stand will be examples of its system capabilities, which have evolved to include some of the most advanced image processing applications associated with product inspection in the world. Rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach to image processing, Eagle is able to focus on application specific solutions, allowing detectors to be finely tuned to enhance contaminant detection. Each image created can be simultaneously interrogated with a wide variety of specialized image processing applications, looking at many different specific elements within that image without impacting speed, throughput or performance on the line.

Contaminants such as calcified bone, metal fragments, glass shards and some rubber and plastic components can be detected with incredibly high levels of accuracy, while other measurements, such as weight, component counts and, in the case of FA systems Chemical Lean (CL) values, can be calculated simultaneously. In addition, the ability to fine tune the image processing elements on an application basis reduces false reject rates and therefore wastage percentages.

Importantly, Eagle designs systems from the ground up to be perfectly suited to their intended environment – for hygienic or high washdown environments for example. These systems are easy to clean and easier to maintain quickly and with fewer people, further enhancing productivity.

The importance of traceability

For ultimate traceability, x-ray systems add considerable value to manufacturing operations when coupled with the correct software solutions. The combination of system and software gives manufacturers the ability to capture and store a copy of an image for everything produced in a facility. In terms of traceability, it can be proven to end users that what has been produced in a certain batch, or at a certain time, on a certain day, was of bona fide good quality. In relation to a product recall, the ability to pinpoint where issues may have occurred can save significant amounts of money, potentially eliminating the need to recall entire production runs at great expense to the customer.

Kyle Thomas, Strategic Business Unit Manager at Eagle Product Inspection, commented: “Interpack is a very important show for a wide variety of manufacturing industries, many of which will require comprehensive product inspection programs. As an expert provider of x-ray inspection and fat analysis systems, Eagle will be present to demonstrate how its solutions can not only help manufacturers to improve and maintain the high levels of quality they expect, but also to optimize the way in which products are inspected in order to improve productivity and lower the total cost of ownership.”

Systems on display at Eagle’s stand will include:

RMI 400 – a brand new system developed for the poultry industry

FA3/M - a multi-application system which provides inline fat measurement and contaminant detection for fresh, chilled, frozen and hot-boned loose bulk, frozen or tempered (“naked”) meat blocks and unwrapped meat conveyed in plastic crates

PACK 240 - a cost effective, complete x-ray solution for in line contaminant detection in packaged goods

Tall XSDV with conveyor - providing 100% inspection for contaminants in rigid containers such as cans, bottles and jars using high performance dual view x-ray technology

Pipeline - delivering superior contaminant detection of metal, bone, stone, glass and dense materials in pipeline applications.

(Altendorf/Düsseldorf, 10/03/2017) Loesch Verpackungstechnik will be attending interpack 2017 in Düsseldorf with a wide range of new machines. On stand A41 in hall 15 at the leading industry fair, the Franconian machinery engineering company will be presenting the world première of its RCB-HS for packaging small chocolate products. LoeschPack will also be showing the new LOOP-GB gondola storage system and the FCB high-performance platform for packaging chocolate, biscuits and chewing gum. Completing this system is the new CMT high-performance cartoning machine. The system supplier is also presenting new developments relating to Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things.

At interpack 2017 LoeschPack is presenting the world debut of its RCB-HS. This innovative development is ideal for small chocolate products, combining a hermetically sealed pack style with a traditional fold wrap look. “Unique in this segment,” says Olaf Piepenbrock of the latest product developed by LoeschPack. The managing partner of parent company Piepenbrock adds: “The RCB-HS offers a new and innovative way to pack chocolate bars, tablets and neapolitans in a premium look, at the same time ensuring excellent product protection from environmental influences.” Consumers can enjoy products with longer shelf lives and improved taste and texture. The chocolate products are presented in a superior fold wrap look. “With excellent performance of up to 600 products a minute, the RCB-HS in this combination is unique in the chocolate sector,” says Piepenbrock. The machine produces the fold wrap in one wrapping head and hot-seals the pack circumferentially.

The heat bars always seal film against film, ensuring extremely tight packaging and preventing any damage to the products. Folding elements then produce the traditional fold wrap. “The conscious decision to dispense with any use of glue to seal the pack reduces soiling of the machine, minimises running costs and simplifies machine operation,” explains Piepenbrock.

Full expertise in one system: LOOP-GB, FCB and CMT

LoeschPack is presenting its new LOOP-GB gondola storage system, the high-performance FCB platform and the new top loading cartoning machine in a complex system. The LOOP-GB (gondola buffer) storage system is suitable for a huge range of pre-packed or unpacked products and features a large and variable size range. It guarantees gentle product handling by reducing gondola vibration and consistently helping to prevent mechanical forces act on the product. “Our new gondola storage system harmonises incoming product flows depending on positioning in the feed and distribution system, and adjusts them as required,” says Olaf Piepenbrock. This counterbalances output fluctuations in the downstream packaging area, enables brief temporary holding of products and prevents the packaging machines from overflowing. “The LOOP-GB can also be used to feed packaging machines directly or interlink various levels within a production facility,” says Piepenbrock, naming some further possible uses. By uncoupling the dosing unit and the packaging machine, the overall line performance and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) are considerably increased compared to a coupled process. “The LOOP-GB’s feed and discharge rate of up to 160 rows a minute represents world-class performance in the industry. Our buffer is also extremely flexible – depending on the task, one, two or three outputs are possible,” says Piepenbrock.

The “F-Series” for ultimate flow wrapping performance

The high-performance F-Series platform for packaging chocolate, biscuits and chewing gum in flow wrap is another of LoeschPack’s exhibits at interpack 2017. “Our F-Series flow wrapping system solutions are a byword for top performance, outstanding, overall equipment effectiveness and excellent size flexibility combined with low packaging costs,” says Piepenbrock. Short size changeover times make the F-Series a compelling proposition for customers. Every setting can be precisely reproduced, guaranteeing stable machine operation and optimum performance after only a very short time. Piepenbrock points to another benefit: “Intelligent process engineering for the seal modules means fewer rejects when stopping and starting the packaging machine.” This makes the F-Series more resistant to varying ambient conditions. In addition, the new product line features ideal hygiene characteristics, meaning fewer interruptions for cleaning. Simple and time-saving cleaning, together with outstanding maintenance accessibility, further increase the efficiency of the flow wrapping machines. “Alongside traditional fold wrapping machinery, the F-Series is easy to integrate in a system with storage, feeder, secondary and end-of- line packaging from LoeschPack,” says Piepenbrock. A newly developed transformation wheel for transferring pre-packed items to LoeschPack secondary packaging equipment serves as an additional system component in the field of high-performance feeding. Up to 1,500 items a minute can be picked, adjusted in their horizontal alignment for discharge and set down again. That facilitates faster and more efficient feeding of the downstream machinery.

CMT: a byword for top performance when packing in cartons

The new CMT (Cartoner for Multipacks Toploading) high- performance cartoning machine from LoeschPackcombines excellent flexibility with maximised performance in a highly compact design. The completely new, modular top loading cartoning system offers customers ideal layout freedom during integration in their peripheral plant equipment. With suitable products, the new platform can handle up to 1,500 products a minute during infeed. The CMT then generates a range of pack formations with an output of up to 150 cartons a minute. “In this high-end segment, the system ideally complements the high-performance primary fold and flow wrapping packaging machines in the LoeschPack portfolio, as our new product reliably handles both accumulable and non-accumulable products,” says Olaf Piepenbrock. In the platform layout, modules decoupled via an electromagnetic shuttle system enable a huge range of machine versions. The main segments of “erecting carton”, “filling”, “sealing lid” and “carton discharge” apply a modular concept and are supported by a flexible base frame. Each shuttle can be separately controlled and – depending on the behaviour of the other shuttles – precisely positioned. The CMT can easily handle traditional layouts such as “in-line”, “90°” or “counterflow”. “Considerable freedom is enabled in terms of the operating side, the position of the carton magazine and the feed layout. This layout flexibility is the platform’s outstanding strength in this market segment,” says Piepenbrock. The new cartoning machine can thus be ideally integrated within customers’ packaging and logistics process as well as existing systems.

“ChoConnect” contributing to Industry 4.0

When it comes to Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT), LoeschPack offers its customers a wide range of options. As a member of the “ChoConnect” cooperation network, the company also helps to point the way ahead. Numerous equipment options for machinery made at the innovative Franconian company have already been reflecting aspects subsumed under the term Industry 4.0for many years. One example is a remote maintenance module that allows LoeschPack to analyse machine states directly in the customer’s production facilities and use the information gained to make recommendations for action. The application makes it possible to install new firmware in the machinery without a programmer needing to be present. At interpack 2017 in Düsseldorf, the special-purpose machinery engineer will for the first time be presenting a method of interlinking several machines made by different manufacturers within a single production line. To this end, LoeschPack, Rexroth, Winkler und Dünnebier, Theegarten-Pactec and Sollich have come together to form a strategic partnership called “ChoConnect” and define a common standard. “This process is not only about sharing ready signals and coordinating interfaces in the machines, but represents the wide-ranging and intelligent networking of individual production stages,” says Piepenbrock. Starting with automatic recipe transfer and the transmission of machine states or performance variables, a form of “virtual production” will be shown at interpack 2017 and can be viewed at the stands of all the participating companies. “We are jointly working on a ‘responsive production line’ that, as required and depending on the machine states in the overall line combination, automatically adjusts its output at the separate production stages,” adds Piepenbrock. “On this scale, the alliance’s approach is unique within the industry and will set a clear benchmark.”

Frequent batch changes are a further aspect of modern confectionery production, requiring fast, reliable and reproducible format changeovers. Based on RFID technology, LoeschPack is presenting a solution for reliable detection and control of its size components. With this application, the operator is assisted when changing sizes, as the machine automatically checks whether all size components are fitted and correct. Only once all steps have been correctly completed and match theintended size does the machine commence operation. This produces a noticeable reduction in production time losses and further increases the efficiency of the machinery and systems. The beneficiary of these innovative technologies is the market leader for bar packaging, the LTM-DUO. The latest generation of the flexible fold wrapping machine packs up to 215 bars of chocolate a minute in a primary wrap, with a carton label outer wrap.

Gum Information Center (GIC)

LoeschPack is rounding off its showing at interpack 2017 with an extensive presentation on all aspects of chewing gum. Technical animations, videos and a multitude of fascinating product samples exemplifying many different packaging solutions will be shown. Visitors will be able to find out about the automation solutions for feeding chewing gum slabs into high-performance packaging machines. The LoeschPack stand team will provide information on the new LOGAMAT-S wrapping head machine for traditional chewing gum sticks as an economical variant in the high-performance range of up to 1,500 sticks a minute. The machine first packs the sticks individually in paper-backed aluminium film. Five pre-packed sticks are held together with band wrap and then packed in the sales packaging. The company will also be telling visitors about its innovative chewing gum packaging and systems solutions for wrapping, boxing and sealing multipacks in cellophane.

Loesch Verpackungstechnik

LoeschPack is a technology and innovation leader in packaging machines and complete systems for packaging chocolate, chewing gum, confectionery, dry baked goods, food and non-food products. In this tremendously dynamic industry, LoeschPack has been a byword for the highest quality standards, flexible and economical system solutions and all-around, innovativeglobal service with innovative service products since 1919. Like its affiliate Hastamat Verpackungstechnik GmbH, Loesch Verpackungstechnik GmbH is part of the German family-run business Piepenbrock. The company, founded in 1913, is currently headed by the fourth generation of the family, managing partners Olaf and Arnulf Piepenbrock. Together with affiliate company Hastamat, joint packaging systems and solutions for a wide range of packaging tasks will be on display at interpack 2017, in line with the promise of > Packaging your ideas…

Darmstadt, February 2017 – In most market segments, paper and film need to be processed and converted during manufacturing. Thus, converters must answer different needs, deliver constantly highest quality and be able to answer fast and precisely to changing demands. Consequently, converters ask for flexible machines, offering top quality in all areas of application, low maintenanceand operating costs and easy changes. Only with such equipment, converters can answer their industry’s needs and succeed in their business.

At ICE USA 2017, the only exhibition for the converting of, among others, paper and film in the Americas, GOEBEL IMS presents its portfolio of highly flexible slitter rewinders for the converting industry. From April 25th to 27th, 2017, the established manufacturer highlights his portfolio at booth 811. GOEBEL IMS’ range of slitting and winding solutions comprises also small machines for the converting industry: T 2, RAPID series, RU 1 and XTRASLIT 2. The top selling slitter rewinder T 2 offers the industry’s best price-performance ratio for converting solutions. It processes specialty and standard papers, coated and uncoated papers as well as board and aseptic packaging papers. Thanks to its ergonomic and flexible design, T 2 can be adapted to individual customer needs and specific requirements. Several automation features as well as a fully-automatic version further increase the productivity and efficiency of the production process.

The machines of RAPID series - high-precision slitter rewinder for converting paper, board and other related materials - represent a long-lasting success story with more than 2,500 machines sold. RAPID series offers a unique slitting concept and guarantees perfect roll separation, especially for narrow cuts. Reduced operating costs are another advantage of the machine series: Thanks to latest electric generators, energy can be recovered efficiently and, thus, power consumption is lowered. Customers can choose between the standard model RAPID D1, either with standard or integrated unwind unit or with partially-automated turret winder, or the partially automated RAPID A. The machines of RAPID series can process working widths of up to 2,000 mm and produce narrow cuts from 5mm on. RAPID series is the best choice when it comes to special applications such as narrow cuts for board packaging lines, tea tags or siliconized papers.

Converter that handle thin and delicate materials such as adhesive film or thin alufoil, will be best suited with the RU 1. This multi-purpose slitter rewinder has been designed especially for converting demanding materials, such as lacquered or printed alufoil. With its central-drum and center-surface winding on two independent shafts, the machine is extremely versatile, covering the entire range of applications. The short distance between rewind and slitting section and its state-of-the-art control system guarantee optimal rewinding and a regular and stable web tension. Working widths of RU 1 machines start from 1,300 mm with an unwind diameter of up to 1,200 mm and a rewind diameter of up to 800 mm.

Another highly flexible slitter rewinder, especially for the conversion of metallized films and packaging films is GOEBEL IMS’ XTRASLIT 2. The machine is equipped with cutting-edge technology for a highly productive performance. With its working widths of up to 3,600 mm, XTRASLIT 2 allows for narrow cuts from 180 mm on. Conversion of material thicknesses is possible between 2 and 400 µm, while the compact machine design requires only minimum space.

Visit GOEBEL IMS at ICE USA and find out more about the globally valued manufacturer of innovative slitting and winding solutions, both for producers and manufacturers of paper and board, film, tobacco paper, alufoil and aseptic packaging and other special materials. The range of products include slitter rewinders and winding machines as well as special machinery for web materials. Innovative technologies, highest machine availability and quality are always in focus.

St. Croix Falls, WI, March 8, 2017 - Shortly following the announcement of a new partnership, Pasquariello Graphics, Inc., North Attleboro, MA exercises it's selling capacity for Brandtjen & Kluge (Kluge) as they worked with Optimum Bindery to add a new Kluge OmniFold 3000 Folding and Gluing System which expanded Optimum's capabilities. The OmniFold 3000 is a modular converting system that can be configured to fulfill the current requirements of a packaging manufacturer while simultaneously providing the flexibility to easily add modules and give the system more capability to meet future demands. Built to maximize converting capabilities while minimizing set-up time, the OmniFold 3000 includes features that bring productivity and reliability to a new level. These advancements are met with the quality and rugged durability you expect from Brandtjen & Kluge.

Pasquariello Graphics services, repairs, and reconditions a variety of printing equipment. Now, as a dealer for Kluge they continue to be dedicated to providing their customers with the best solutions to fit their print finishing needs. "I am proud to be working with a company that has been well known for high quality and durability for almost 100 years." Stephen Pasquariello, President of Pasquariello Graphics, Inc. "Kluge is a name we can stand behind."

The leading Saudi Arabian food corporation “Almarai” has commissioned two additional cup filling and sealing machines manufactured by IMA GASTI. The newly developed “CONTITHERM 162” machines are among the most highly productive of their kind in the world. This means that the Saudi Arabian corporation now has a total of 19 IMA GASTI machines in operation.

Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, 8 March 2017. The dairy product business continues to flourish in the Gulf region. This has prompted the Saudi Arabian food producer Almarai to expand capacities in its dairy division by purchasing two CONTITHERM 162 high-performance cup filling and sealing machines manufactured by IMA GASTI. The company already has machines from the CONTITHERM 123 series in operation.

With an output of 40,320 cups per hour, the CONTITHERM 162 ranks among the most productive machines in the world when it comes to filling liquid to pasty products. The machines fill pre-formed cups with yoghurt products for Almarai. The continuous motion principle prevents the product from sloshing during the transport to the sealing station with pre-cut foils in spite of the extremely rapid cup transport. The CONTITHERM 162 also features a high level of automation and exceptionally accurate dosing, as well as being straightforward and efficient to operate and clean.

The Saudi Arabian corporation Almarai has been working with companies in the IMA Group for many years now. GASTI alone has already supplied the company with 17 cup filling machines from the CONTITHERM 123 series. The IMA subsidiaries Benhil, Corazza and Hassia have supplied Almarai with machines for the manufacture of single portion butter packages in the past, with Corazza supplying a large number of wrapping machines and Erca supplying a form, fill and seal machine for filling cream cheese into cups.

Salford, UK, 8 March 2017 – Mettler-Toledo Safeline Limited, a market leading provider of metal detection systems for vertical packing applications, has launched a series of enhanced features for Profile Throat metal detectors and Gravity Fall systems. These enhancements allow manufacturers to benefit from increased productivity, enhanced brand protection and improved product and process quality. The four elements are aimed at making metal detection a smoother, safer, less disruptive process that adds to the profitability of operations.

Reduced Test (RT) Mode is the first area of improvement. RT enables a significant reduction in the frequency of metal detector testing. For example, a customer who was testing metal detector function every two hours can extend this to every 12 hours with RT, providing the extended test period is still within the customer's quarantine period for the product concerned. On-board technology permanently checks the performance of all critical components within the system, analysing them 100% of the time to ensure they are in a state of good health. As the system is able to track and identify any elements that may lead to a reduction in performance there is no need for such frequent testing throughout production runs. Reduced Test Mode will identify any issues that could potentially affect the performance of the metal detector including operator involvement and alert users before the system goes out of specification.

Mike Bradley, Head of Sales at Mettler-Toledo Safeline, commented: “We have a customer in the UK that was testing their "throat" metal detectors every two hours. Now, since applying Reduced Test Mode, they test every 12 hours, which gives them a major productivity benefit. Testing still takes between three and five minutes, but now they only have to do it twice a day. This particular customer has in excess of 24 metal detectors, so the overall savings in time alone were substantial.”

In order to reduce that five minute testing window, the Automatic Test System (ATS) was developed to keep downtime to an absolute minimum. ATS automatically introduces three test pieces into the metal detector's aperture in a controlled manner via a pneumatic system - one ferrous, one non-ferrous and one stainless steel - at the touch of a button. A 4-test sample option is also available, to facilitate testing for aluminium. ATS improves the efficiency and repeatability of performance testing to enhance quality processes.

Mike Bradley continued: “The whole process now takes less than 30 seconds to test the metal detector. It still stops production, but just for 30 seconds as opposed to five minutes. In addition, it only takes one person to run the test, whereas in many existing situations it takes two people. ATS, therefore, provides improvements in productivity and operator efficiency. Operator safety is also significantly enhanced as the ATS reduces the need for operators to work at height to conduct performance monitoring tests, making the whole process virtually risk-free.” He adds: “Food manufacturers who install Safeline's latest metal detectors for vertical packing applications will experience a lower total cost of ownership, and benefit from improved Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).”

In terms of performance, new eDrive™ technology drives greater power to the transmit coil of the metal detector, enabling it to detect significantly smaller real life metal contaminants. Fitted with eDrive, Mettler-Toledo’s latest throat metal detectors and gravity fall systems deliver up to 20% increased spherical sensitivity. This translates into significantly improved wire length detection capabilities, for enhanced product quality, increased consumer satisfaction and greater brand protection.

The fourth element is called Emulation. Using VNC technology, Emulation allows operators to mirror the Human Machine Interface (HMI) of one or multiple Profile metal detectors onto remote networked devices, including mobile phones, tablets and laptops. The customer downloads a free of charge application from the app store and links it directly to the metal detector. This means quality personnel can log in from an office, for example, and remotely monitor the current status of the detector, view any setting changes that have been made, and review access log statistics without having to be directly in front of the metal detector.

“Often, metal detectors are installed in inaccessible places on the line. By enabling operators to control the device remotely it gives easier access to run performance monitoring sequences or adjust settings for product changeovers if required to improve overall efficiency. Emulation essentially supports a ‘top-floor to shop-floor’ monitoring system that can be connected via Wi-Fi or an existing network. In addition, the ability to access and control the detector remotely means operators no longer have to risk working at height to access the control panel. Safety is a very high priority for our customers and Emulation has been developed with this firmly in mind,” concluded Mike Bradley.

The latest Throat metal detectors and Gravity Fall metal detection systems featuring these four enhancements will on display at Mettler-Toledo’s stand at interpack 2017 (Hall 11, Stand B55). For more information, visit www.mt.com/md-pve-news

Boca Raton, Florida (USA), 01 March 2017: In a MASSIVE WIN, Waterless Internet Flower Packaging by India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex Limited has been conferred with a series of Top Honors at the 61 st Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards ceremony held in Boca Raton, Florida this evening.

Annual Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards organized by Flexible Packaging Association (a prominent U.S. association of the manufacturers of flexible packaging; and, material or equipment suppliers to the industry) are considered as the be all and end all in flexible packaging.

Various categories in which Uflex’s Waterless Internet Flower Packaging was awarded are:

• Gold in Extending the Use of Flexible Packaging
• Gold in Technical Innovation
• Silver in Sustainability
• Silver in Packaging Excellence

This year 75 distinct packaging entries were in the fray, with a total of 152 entries cumulatively (some packages were entered into multiple categories). 19 packages were honored with 29 Achievement Awards.

Waterless Internet Flower Packaging works on the principle of Active Modified Atmospheric Packaging (AMAP) through Flexfresh TM - a special patented polymeric film offering shelf-life extension solution for fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Uflex introduced this specialised packaging solution in India and Overseas earlier last year which has been getting good response from the market.

With the top accreditations coming in from none other than The Flexible Packaging Association itself, this biodegradable packaging solution is bound to get yet wider acceptance in the fresh-produce packaging industry.

Expressing delight at this whopping feat, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, Uflex Limited said, “Flexfresh TM impeccably upholds the ethos of Flexible Packaging through myriad sustainable advantages that it offers towards shelf life extension for Fresh Produce from a few days to several weeks. We have already tried and tested the efficacy of this packaging solution for fresh produce ranging from Iceberg Lettuce to Broccoli to Bell Peppers, Rambutan, Mangos to Blueberries and now to Flowers. Trials for several other categories are underway.

We are living in a world where almost one-third of the food (approximately 1.3 Billion tonnes) produced for human consumption is wasted every year and millions of poor go hungry every day. A major portion of this wastage occurs due to flawed packaging. I am glad that the engineers at Uflex were able to perceive this need- gap and plugged it by developing Flexfresh TM . I would like to thank the Esteemed Jury of Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards 2017 for assessing the true potential of Flexfresh TM and the mettle it beholds to bend the arc of the history to the best advantage of the poor.”

We are looking forward to participating at Interpack 2017, the leading trade fair for the packaging industry. Amongst Systech Illinois’ display of packaging gas analysers will be the new DualPerm, combination OTR and WVTR permeation station and the 8700, multiple bottle oxygen permeation analyser.

The 8700 oxygen permeation analyser offers an exceptionally fast Turbopurge™ feature which allows up to 11 bottles to be tested in 3 to 12 hours providing much greater production throughput. It has the ability, to test a variety of samples; bottles, packages and films and the software capability to allow individual packages to be started, stopped or delayed during testing. Custom made adaptors are available for a wide range of applications such as complete package testing, including bottles with closures. The 8700 is ideal for use in beer bottle manufacturing where oxygen permeability testing is essential, as permeation of oxygen barriers has a significant influence on shelf life integrity.

Systech have been designing and manufacturing oxygen permeation and water vapour permeation analysers for many years offering reliable and versatile testing of all films, packages and bottles. Our leading permeation instruments deliver: the fastest permeation results; extremely fast purge down time; accurate readings at the lowest levels and the highest quality sensor on the market.

Please come and visit us at Interpack, Dusseldorf, Hall 5 Stand A29

St. Croix Falls, WI, March 1, 2017 - Brandtjen & Kluge (Kluge) is proud to announce and welcome Kenneth "K.C." Chapin as its new Product Design and Technical Support Manager.

Chapin brings a significant amount of experience to Kluge with foil stamping, embossing and die cutting equipment. Chapin owned and operated K.C. Service in Cumby, TX for 22 years prior to joining the Kluge team and has been servicing and repairing Kluge presses for 31 years. Chapin is well-known in the industry and has served as a close partner to Kluge for many years, he is respected throughout North America for his expertise and innovation with Kluge presses.

"We are very pleased to have K.C. join the Kluge team," said Michael Aumann, CEO. "K.C. has been a real innovator in our industry and I'm confident that our customers will benefit from the new features we are offering that K.C. has brought to Kluge. Our new TRU-DWELL™ Adjustable Dwell System is just one example of K.C.'s immediate impact on our team."

Chapin has been especially effective helping companies enter the market with their first piece of foil stamping equipment, he thoroughly enjoys watching them grow a new and profitable area of their business. With pride Chapin says, "My success comes from my customer's success."

Brandtjen & Kluge profile

Adding value since 1919, Brandtjen and Kluge is a fourth generation family owned manufacturer of specialty print finishing and converting equipment. For over 95 years the brand name "Kluge" has represented innovation, technical leadership, productivity and rugged durability to companies worldwide. Headquartered in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, USA, Brandtjen and Kluge markets equipment through a direct sales force in the United States and Canada and has a well-established network of industry-qualified distributors to provide global coverage. For more information visit us at www.kluge.biz.

“The 24th China International Exhibition on Packaging Machinery & Materials” (Sino-Pack 2017) and “The China (Guangzhou) International Exhibition on Packaging Products” (PACKINNO 2017), organized by Adsale Exhibition Services Limited, grandly commence today (1 March) at Area B, China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, PR China. With strong support from the industry, Sino-Pack / PACKINNO 2017 feature more than 660 exhibitors from 22 countries at an exhibiting area of 44,000 sqm, highlighting the most advanced packaging technologies to worldwide visitors.

World-class Packaging Technologies at Different Theme Zones

Being the leading packaging trade show in China, Sino-Pack 2017 focuses on “Smart Packaging for Now and Future”. To tie in the theme, four theme zones including Smart Packaging, Logistics Packaging, Food Packaging and General Packaging are launched to cover the entire series of packaging machinery and products, so as to offer an one-stop purchasing platform and business exchange opportunity to exhibitors, buyers and experts from the packaging industry. Besides, it is also a great honor for the organizer to have the presence of State of Illinois, U.S.A. pavilion to showcase the advanced packaging technology.

The demand of smart packaging is driven by the growing requirements on product protection and food safety. In response to this, “Smart Packaging Zone” is set up to display a series of automated packaging machinery such as robots and mechanical arms. Renowned worldwide exhibitors of this zone include ABB, FANUC, KUKA, NACHI, GSK, Universal Robots, Soft Robot, SRT&ISUNG, etc.

Incorporating smart technology in production process can improve production cost and efficiency. To cope with the smart trend, Sino-Pack and PACKINNO 2017 have set up a special zone to show the latest virtual reality (VR) technology applied to the industry. In additional to VR technology, the zone also displays augmented reality (AR) & 3D animation and simulation models through the world-class renowned packaging equipment and technologies companies, including KHS, Swisslog, Jaten, NACHI, etc.

Under the rapid growth of supply chain and logistics businesses, the sourcing need of back-end packaging equipment increases accordingly. “Logistics Packaging Zone” is therefore set up to respond to the market trend. Prestigious exhibitors of this zone include Appolo, CSi, Schmalz, Sinolion, Swisslog, etc., who showcase the latest logistics equipment and warehousing systems to visitors.

Besides, PACKINNO also features special zones on logistic packaging materials and the innovative materials to showcase popular carton products and special packaging materials. The show received substantial supports from renowned exhibitors, such as Baite, CGP, Acmepak, Muli Color Master, Eta Film, etc., who display the diversified end-products, such as luxury goods, cosmetics, food & beverages, logistics and so forth, providing a one-stop trading platform to buyers.

Enormous Delegations Visit the Shows

Sino-Pack / PACKINNO are highly recognized by the industry players and they attract numerous visiting delegations, trade association members and famous enterprises from different provinces of China and countries. Overseas associations, such as Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, The Thai Packaging Association, Indonesia Packaging Federation, Korea Packaging Association, etc., form delegations to visit the shows. In China, Chinese food and beverages associations from Fujian, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, etc.; cosmetics association from Shantou; electronic appliance, pharmaceutical, procurement and supply chain associations from Guangdong Province also demonstrate their presence.

Fascinating Concurrent Events Share Market Trend

High-caliber experts were invited by the show organizer to share their insight on the challenges and opportunities of the packaging industry, and introduce the latest technology, eco-friendly and sustainable production solutions in the seminars. Some of the highlighted seminars are “Food and Pharmaceuticals Packaging Innovative Seminar”, “Intellectual Logistics in Era of Online Retailers - Innovative Science & Technology Forum”, “Packaging and Logistics Optimization”, “Intellectual Package and Logistics Warehousing System Integration Summit”, etc.

Furthermore, a special zone displaying the winning pieces of the representative annual design competition –– GBDO Creative Design Competition (Southern China Star Award) was also set up as one of PACKINNO 2017’s special highlights.

The show period of Sino-Pack2017 and PACKINNO 2017 still have two days (till Mar 3), buyers could grasp the last chance to register on-site and explore innovative packaging solutions.

“The 24th China International Exhibition on Packaging Machinery & Materials” (Sino-Pack 2017) and “The China (Guangzhou) International Exhibition on Packaging Products” (PACKINNO 2017), organized by Adsale Exhibition Services Limited, grandly commence today (1 March) at Area B, China Import and Export Fair Complex, Guangzhou, PR China. With strong support from the industry, Sino-Pack / PACKINNO 2017 feature more than 660 exhibitors from 22 countries at an exhibiting area of 44,000 sqm, highlighting the most advanced packaging technologies to worldwide visitors.

World-class Packaging Technologies at Different Theme Zones

Being the leading packaging trade show in China, Sino-Pack 2017 focuses on “Smart Packaging for Now and Future”. To tie in the theme, four theme zones including Smart Packaging, Logistics Packaging, Food Packaging and General Packaging are launched to cover the entire series of packaging machinery and products, so as to offer an one-stop purchasing platform and business exchange opportunity to exhibitors, buyers and experts from the packaging industry. Besides, it is also a great honor for the organizer to have the presence of State of Illinois, U.S.A. pavilion to showcase the advanced packaging technology.

The demand of smart packaging is driven by the growing requirements on product protection and food safety. In response to this, “Smart Packaging Zone” is set up to display a series of automated packaging machinery such as robots and mechanical arms. Renowned worldwide exhibitors of this zone include ABB, FANUC, KUKA, NACHI, GSK, Universal Robots, Soft Robot, SRT&ISUNG, etc.

Incorporating smart technology in production process can improve production cost and efficiency. To cope with the smart trend, Sino-Pack and PACKINNO 2017 have set up a special zone to show the latest virtual reality (VR) technology applied to the industry. In additional to VR technology, the zone also displays augmented reality (AR) & 3D animation and simulation models through the world-class renowned packaging equipment and technologies companies, including KHS, Swisslog, Jaten, NACHI, etc.

Under the rapid growth of supply chain and logistics businesses, the sourcing need of back-end packaging equipment increases accordingly. “Logistics Packaging Zone” is therefore set up to respond to the market trend. Prestigious exhibitors of this zone include Appolo, CSi, Schmalz, Sinolion, Swisslog, etc., who showcase the latest logistics equipment and warehousing systems to visitors.

Besides, PACKINNO also features special zones on logistic packaging materials and the innovative materials to showcase popular carton products and special packaging materials. The show received substantial supports from renowned exhibitors, such as Baite, CGP, Acmepak, Muli Color Master, Eta Film, etc., who display the diversified end-products, such as luxury goods, cosmetics, food & beverages, logistics and so forth, providing a one-stop trading platform to buyers.

Enormous Delegations Visit the Shows

Sino-Pack / PACKINNO are highly recognized by the industry players and they attract numerous visiting delegations, trade association members and famous enterprises from different provinces of China and countries. Overseas associations, such as Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers, The Thai Packaging Association, Indonesia Packaging Federation, Korea Packaging Association, etc., form delegations to visit the shows. In China, Chinese food and beverages associations from Fujian, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Huizhou, etc.; cosmetics association from Shantou; electronic appliance, pharmaceutical, procurement and supply chain associations from Guangdong Province also demonstrate their presence.

Fascinating Concurrent Events Share Market Trend

High-caliber experts were invited by the show organizer to share their insight on the challenges and opportunities of the packaging industry, and introduce the latest technology, eco-friendly and sustainable production solutions in the seminars. Some of the highlighted seminars are “Food and Pharmaceuticals Packaging Innovative Seminar”, “Intellectual Logistics in Era of Online Retailers - Innovative Science & Technology Forum”, “Packaging and Logistics Optimization”, “Intellectual Package and Logistics Warehousing System Integration Summit”, etc.

Furthermore, a special zone displaying the winning pieces of the representative annual design competition –– GBDO Creative Design Competition (Southern China Star Award) was also set up as one of PACKINNO 2017’s special highlights.

The show period of Sino-Pack2017 and PACKINNO 2017 still have two days (till Mar 3), buyers could grasp the last chance to register on-site and explore innovative packaging solutions.

Transforming any surface into a virtual user interface

• Optical MEMS based scanner
• Creating flexible and intuitive virtual user interfaces
• Superior image quality and focus-free projection
• Bosch booth at MWC: Hall 6, booth 6E20

Barcelona, Spain – ”The exciting developments in the Internet of Things are advancing at an amazing pace and Bosch Sensortec continues to drive innovations,” says Stefan Finkbeiner, CEO of Bosch Sensortec, "It is not just about how devices communicate or sense their surrounding environments, but increasingly about how technology interacts with human beings. Laser projected virtual interfaces are a new fascinating solution in a world of previously undreamed of opportunities."

A core component of this solution that enables focus-free laser projection and turns any surface into a virtual user interface (UI) is the BML050 - a high- precision MEMS scanner for interactive laser projection applications. The virtual UI solution gives any kind of device a unique personality of its own, enabling technology to interact with people, to make life simpler and more exciting.

With the help of the BML050, a precise on-demand UI can be created for the interconnected world of the IoT, e.g. for home appliances, tablets and social robots. The BML050 is a ground-breaking solution for embedded projectors and augmented reality applications such as games, infotainment and in-car head-up displays. With this solution devices can interact in complex, intuitive and convenient ways to merge their function with our everyday lives.

Bosch technology enables interactive projectors

With the BML050 microscanner Bosch Sensortec is extending its current portfolio by optical microsystems. The scanner includes two tiny MEMS mirrors to project an RGB color laser onto any surface to create a projected image. The BML050 is both compact and power efficient, making it ideal for space- and power-restricted devices.

Bosch Sensortec provides a ready to use projector reference design including an RGB light source. This facilitates fast evaluation and saves design-in time to give early adopters an important head start. Interactivity is enabled by a photo diode that measures the reflected light intensity pixel by pixel - no calibration required.

Bosch Sensortec’s solution provides outstanding projection quality by means of advanced speckle reduction and precise control of the MEMS scanning mirrors and laser diodes. The BML050 projection principle eliminates the need for focus adjustment tasks, and the native laser color-space vastly exceeds industry standards, such as Adobe®RGB.

Robust, compact and easy to integrate solution

Bosch Sensortec’s MEMS scanner is based on a well-established and robust core technology housed in compact wafer-level module packages. At the core of our system, there are two independent, hermetically-encapsulated MEMS scanning mirrors, which are optically aligned for fast and easy integration. The BML050 also includes a video processor, control circuits, laser drivers and power management ICs.

The partitioning of the BML050 supports a wide range of applications, significantly cutting down time to market deadlines, giving customers an edge at this early-adopter stage in the market's development.

Bosch Sensortec provides software support for major operating systems and is ready to assist customers with operation and parameter configurations as well as hardware integration and calibration tasks.

The BML050 will be available for selected customer projects in the second half of 2017.

The market research company IHS Markit predicts that between 2017 and 2020, revenues from MEMS scanning mirrors will increase at a healthy CAGR of 18%*. “MEMS scanners are currently emerging for a wide range of use cases,*” explains Jérémie Bouchaud, Director MEMS & Sensors at IHS Markit. “The Bosch Sensortec MEMS scanner BML050 enables two functions in one product, namely projection display and gesture user interface. Other new use cases of MEMS scanners include e.g. adaptive headlights and automotive head up displays.”

“Industry 4.0”, one of today’s hottest topics, deserves our attention. It potentially will impact nearly every major manufacturing operation around the globe. Germany and China launched their respective “Industry 4.0” and “Made in China 2025” strategies with the similar purpose of upgrading their industries and advancing the goal of smart manufacturing.

Smart manufacturing optimizes the entire supply chain to boost productivity and create higher-quality products, while also improving energy efficiency and workplace safety. Manufacturing industries worldwide — including the plastics and rubber industries — are striving to educate themselves and get up to speed about such strategies, to better position themselves for the next industrial revolution. Guangdong Province in Southern China, one of the country’s pivotal bases for plastics and rubber product manufacture, is in need of industrial transformation and upgrading through smart manufacturing. The manufacturing industries of Guangdong Province face numerous challenges, including rising production costs, and tend to focus on making basic, low-value- added products while not delivering the more sophisticated, higher-end products needed to meet customers’ demands today. Such conditions only underscore the need for these sectors to transform and upgrade themselves through smart manufacturing.

Building on the success of the first edition of “Industry 4.0 Conference” last year in Shanghai, CHINAPLAS will once join with VDMA, the German Engineering Federation, to present the “2 nd Industry 4.0 Conference” at this year’s show in Guangzhou. Speakers from leading global plastics and rubber enterprises and application industries, including from the automotive, electrical & electronics and packaging industries, will share their in-depth insights about smart manufacturing. Overseas and domestic enterprises alike, including those based in Pearl River Delta Region, stand to benefit from this event.

“Industry 4.0 Conference” to highlight smart manufacturing standardization

The key to Industry 4.0 is standardization. It aims to enhance the efficiency of technological innovation and business model innovation by standardizing smart factories. That makes the development and adoption of such standards prerequisites for helping modern manufacturing enterprises to deliver high-quality products faster, and at lower cost, thereby allowing them to remain competitive. To properly implement an Industry 4.0 strategy and optimize their manufacturing processes, all companies need to set up a series of standards related to cost,availability and resource consumption.

In the “2 nd Industry 4.0 Conference”, VDMA President Thorsten Kühmann will share his insights in respect to the industries’ establishment of standards. A number of professionals from end-user markets will also deliver their interpretations on standardization of smart manufacturing and smart factories.

The “Made in China 2025” strategy initiated by the Chinese government aims to comprehensively upgrade China’s manufacturing industry. It embraces the concept of Industry 4.0 and opens itself to advanced ideas from countries such as the United States, Great Britain and Germany. Both the “Industry 4.0” and “Made in China” strategies emphasize smart manufacturing and cyber-physical systems in industrial development, while the latter focuses on addressing the specific challenges faced by the Chinese market. To help conference participants better understand how to realize smart manufacturing in China under the New Normal economic situation, academic researchers from Tongji University will be invited to interpret the standards related to the “Made in China 2025” strategy.

Best practices to inspire smart manufacturing in end-use sectors

Every end-use sector is striving to keep pace with Industry 4.0. Some enterprises have already accumulated proven solutions and abundant experience for smart manufacturing. In the “2 nd Industry 4.0 Conference”, these enterprises will share their best practices to inspire other enterprises, whereas renowned enterprises from automotive, packaging and the electrical and electronics industries will present their technologies and solutions related to smart manufacturing with real case studies from their respective industries.

The conference’s first day will focus on best practices for facilitating smart manufacturing in the automotive industry. KraussMaffei and Engel, global leading suppliers of high-caliber solutions for injection molding and factory automation, will present ideas, knowledge and solutions that will benefit the automotive sector. The second day will be dedicated primarily to the electrical and electronics industry. Arburg and Wittmann Battenfeld are expected to share their solutions for that key sector. On the last day, participants interested in smart manufacturing for the packaging industry will gain valuable insights into advanced research results related to plastic bottle cap manufacturing. SACMI, an international machine manufacturer, will deliver a talk titled “Chemical Reaction Engineering in Mechanical Intelligence — Study on the Feasibility of COMBO in Plastic Bottle Cap Manufacturing.”

Smart Manufacturing Technology Zone serves as an innovative showcase

Besides the conference, CHINAPLAS 2017 also will present a “Smart Manufacturing Technology Zone” on the show floor to showcase solutions for industrial automation. A wealth of cutting-edge exhibits will be presented to demonstrate the innovative results and progress toward smart manufacturing. Apart from the robotics, factory automation systems and components that were featured in the last edition of CHINAPLAS, visitors will have a chance to witness a smart production line and smart factory solutions from leading suppliers, including Bosch Rexroth, Siemens and Demark. There also will be a sub-zone called the “3D Technology Zone” set up in the “Smart Manufacturing Technology Zone”. The sub-zone will bring together well-known companies in the field of 3D printing technology, including 3D software system supplier Autodesk from the USA, 3D printer and application solution suppliers Cangming and Ureal, and 3D printing consumables supplier Renolit.

The zone’s show-floor exhibits, together with the “2 nd Industry 4.0 Conference”, will combine to offer an innovative platform to facilitate smart manufacturing.

CHINAPLAS 2017 will be held at the China Import & Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou, PR China on May 16-19, 2017. A one-day pass costs RMB 30 and a four-day pass costs RMB 50. To enjoy free admission, please visit www.ChinaplasOnline.com/prereg to pre-register before May 9. Visitors who successfully pre-register before March 1 will receive their visitor badge by mail in advance, allowing them to bypass the on-site registration queues.

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The Group completes and extends its metal graphics inspection and quality control range. Two versions, DECO and COAT, are available for the in-line inspection of decoration and coating quality over the entire surface of the metal sheet.

After ELIOSCAN – the latest step in the development of the MVS (metal vision system) range for in-line quality control of metal container decoration - Sacmi presents ECLIPSIM, the vision system for the inspection of lithographed and/or coated metal sheets that extends and completes the Group's "total quality control" capacity in the packaging field.

By focusing and enhancing the know-how developed in designing ultra-high speed in-line quality control systems, Sacmi has developed this latest machine which acts upstream from the can or cap component forming process. Traditionally, in fact, the metal sheets used to make the pack are lithographed and coated before the article is actually made, thus making it necessary to identify any defects before this happens.

Two machine versions have been developed and marketed. The first, ECLIPSIM-DECO, inspects lithographed sheets as large as 1000 x 1000 mm or even 1200 x 1200 mm. The inspection system also employs a linear colour video camera underneath which the metal sheet is 'photographed' to an accuracy of one tenth of a millimetre: this allows the system to identify every tiniest flaw of both the diffuse type (no colour or generalized colour alterations, colour adjustment or decoration squaring defects with respect to the edges of the sheet) and the point type such as the so-called "bull's eye" (small ring-like spots), scratching, smudging, missing ink, black dots and any contamination not immediately detectable with traditional solutions.

Following colorimetric science principles, ECLIPSIM DECO analyses the colour in the LAB space and measures any deviation of colour with respect to the ∆E parameter. Maximum inspection rates are 7,000 sheets per hour, with detection of even the slightest variation in the set lithography.

The same inspection rates and technology (linear camera) are also seen on ECLIPSIM- COAT, the second model developed by Sacmi for the inspection of painted (coated) metal sheets. Unlike ECLIPSIM-DECO, this version uses patented Chrometriq lighting technology, already developed and used extensively in the MVS range. This technology takes into account the different behaviour of painted surfaces (they’re particularly reflective) and the peculiarities of their defects which, using traditional lighting techniques, would give rise to false rejects or false approvals. With Chrometriq, the lighting maximizes the contrast of the defect against the surface, ensuring it is detected by the CVS3000 software. Again, the high-resolution acquisition system ensures high-precision inspection as regards both diffuse defects (e.g. total or partial absence of paint) and ‘point’ defects (e.g. small black dots caused by soot, denting, oxidation, stains, oil contamination, mineral grease, water, lumps.

With ECLIPSIM, Sacmi essentially provides the world’s first complete inspection range for every step in the metal packaging manufacturing process (cans, lids, caps), from sheet to pack, from lid to complete can: in short, another milestone in "total quality control" at the service of food & beverage.

Pure Hothouse Foods Inc® is a Canadian grower, shipper & marketer of greenhouse grown vegetables and value-added Living Lettuce sold under the Pure Flavor® name across North America. Pure Hothouse Foods has recently introduced their new Cloud 9 snacking tomato brand with high-flavor tomato. To pack this new tomato brand, Pure Hothouse Foods decided to use solid board enriched with tomato plant fibres, which is uniquely produced by SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS, manufacturer of solid board and solid board packaging. Pure Hothouse Foods is with this decision the first Canadian company packing tomatoes in their own plant fibres, contributing to a circular economy. During the PMA 2016 fair the Cloud 9 tomato plant packaging of Pure Hothouse Foods was very much appreciated and achieved a finalist nomination at the PMA 2016 Impact Awards. The unique solid board enriched with tomato plant fibres, produced by SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS was almost at the same time announced winner of the Packaging Europe Sustainability Awards 2016!

Idyl is a company mainly growing tomatoes and melons, Mediterranean fruit and vegetables and fresh cut herbs. Based in the south of France, Idyl markets their own production as well as salads from Provence and a whole range of organic fruits and vegetables under the ‘Tribu Ecolo’ (“Ecological Tribe”) brand. Idyl has developed a department specialized in the marketing of organic fruit and vegetables because they are aware of the importance of their role in sustainable development. As such, Idyl is constantly looking for new solutions to reduce the impact on the environment. They were highly interested when they learned that SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS had developed a process to manufacture solid board including tomato plants fibres. Idyl is now packing their organic tomatoes in SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS’ trays enriched with tomato plants fibres. With this they demonstrate that it is possible to produce, to pack and to consume while limiting the waste of our natural resources. With ‘Tribu Ecolo’ Idyl wants to display a strong trademark: the trademark of partnership between agriculture and nature, the trademark that federates farmers, their suppliers such as SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS and consumers, with the desire to combine economy and ecology.

SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS earlier produced 1,5 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg solid board tomato trays, enriched with tomato plant fibres and even 250 to 500 g tomato punnets for consumers. With introduction of the Tribu Ecolo and Cloud 9 packaging enriched with tomato plant fibres, Idyl, Pure Hothouse Foods and SOLIDUS SOLUTIONS put a step forward in turning plant rest streams into valuable and recyclable raw materials.

Sidel is helping beverage producers to maximise cost efficiency while simultaneously improving sustainability with ECO Booster™, a service suitably developed for customers already operating Sidel blowers. ECO Booster, part of the Sidel Services™ portfolio, can provide measurable savings by reducing the consumption of materials, electricity and compressed air.

"By keeping the use of PET material to an absolute minimum and doing the same with consumption of electrical power and compressed air, Sidel can help beverage producers to make significant savings, minimise running costs and achieve a very fast return on investment (ROI)," explains Samuel Le Guen, Global Maintenance and Line Improvement Director at Sidel. "When it comes to energy efficiency, the blower often offers the biggest opportunity for improvement, accounting for up to 70% of the total line power consumption," he adds. "In recognising this, we have leveraged Sidel's extensive experience in blow moulding technology to develop our comprehensive ECO Booster service."

Improved monitoring and greater awareness

The ECO Booster portfolio comprises five modules. The recommended starting point is the ECO Audit performed on the customer’s blower to analyse production conditions and energy consumption. The ECO Audit provides clients with a customised report including an outline of potential gains and predicted cost savings in electricity, heating and air consumption costs.

Upgrades to reduce consumption

The ECO Process module provides carefully calculated adjustments and process improvements proposing specific upgrades. The ECO Heating module involves the optimisation of the heating profile with less installed power: available options like the ECO Oven, ECO Lamps and ECO Oven Top Reflectors optimise the blower heating performance to achieve up to 45% electrical consumption reduction. Additionally, the ECO Air module reduces the electricity consumption through the installation of an Air Recovery Kit, leveraging on re-use of up to 40% compressed air during production.

Lightweight design with heavyweight performance

While reducing the consumption of both electricity and compressed air during the blowing process, Sidel’s expertise in optimising the bottle design can also bring its own benefits. The ECO Packaging solutions enable producers to transform the shape of their packaging while improving its appeal, performance and safety. With more than 35 years of experience in PET packaging, Sidel can assist beverage customers in achieving more from the production process by reducing the use of PET resin. By saving just one gram on a 0.5 litre PET bottle, overall savings of EUR 350,000 1 per year can be generated. One step in making these savings in PET bottle production is the reduction of the neck height. Soft drinks bottles can have neck heights reduced to as little as only 12 millimetres high.

Two packaging innovations can easily demonstrate the company’s ability to solve the dilemma between lightweight PET design and the need to protect the brand experience in the hands of consumers, all without compromising on production costs. Bottles designed following the Sidel RightWeight™ concept can offer improved performance and reductions in material costs, while the implementation of the Sidel StarLite™ base in PET bottles will enable a reduction in air blowing pressure, yet increase the resistance of the base and stability of the bottle.

Weighing just 7.95 grams, the RightWeight 0.5 litre concept bottle is around 34% lighter than the average commercial bottle for still water and demonstrates an impressive top load performance of 33 2 kilograms - 32% more resistant than the lightest commercial bottle. Not less important, the RightWeight bottle achieves this rigidity without the use of nitrogen dosing, again minimising costs. Utilising two proprietary PET design innovations, the Sidel StarLite PET bottle base for still drinks has a unique shape that makes the bottom of the container significantly more resistant and stable. Additionally, it offers better protection against extreme temperatures (hot and cold) while reducing energy consumption during production, lowering package weight and improving design flexibility - all without compromising on bottle integrity or product safety.

Expertise enables optimisation

Having more than 50 years of experience in blowing, Sidel is able to identify exactly which parts should be replaced and which upgrades would prove most effective in each particular case. As the agreed plan of ECO Booster actions is being implemented, consumption monitoring and process control tools can also be put in place, as well as additional laboratory tests or production-control equipment. Finally, when the servicing is completed and accepted by the customer, a sticker is placed on the machine indicating that it has passed the eco-efficiency test. This has the added, valuable benefit of promoting eco-awareness among the operators at the customer's plant.

The global launch of L’Oréal’s Puma branded cosmetic products is focussing on a range of deodorant body sprays stunningly presented in 150ml aerosols produced by Ardagh.

Ardagh’s specialist aluminium plant in Beaurepaire, France, has worked closely with L’Oréal to develop this distinctive packaging following L’Oréal’s licensing agreement with Puma in 2015.

The result is a uniquely shaped aerosol with a customised shoulder and bold matt finished colours to identify the six products in the range.

Marc Bettinger, Ardagh’s Sales Director, Metal – Aluminium Packaging, who coordinated the project, explains:

“It was a pleasure and a privilege to be associated with such an important and prestigious launch. We are very pleased that we were able to bring together our own award winning expertise with our close working relationship with L’Oréal to create an aerosol package that combines the vibrancy and energy of this new product with the highest values of the two global brands.“

Not so Secret Santa makes personalization (t)werk for everybody

Erembodegem, Belgium, 14 December 2016 – TWERK is an employment initiative where normally gifted people with autism work on extraordinary things. This sheltered workshop and labor care center not only provides B2B companies with administrative and packaging services, but also delivers chocolate gimmicks.

They were considering a one-off web shop opportunity for personalized Christmas cards with a chocolate treat inside. A chance meeting with CHILI publish at #hetcongres16, hosted by VIGC, followed by added support from Graphique Alliance resulted in a brand-new pop-up web shop, the TWEBSHOP (www.twebshop.be).

A chance meeting

Bram Verniest, COO at CHILI publish, met with Bart Michiels, business coordinator at Twerk vzw at the #hetcongres16, an e-commerce focus initiative event by VIGC, bringing together web2print experts in Belgium. Bart explained the opportunity he saw to launch a pop-up web shop to expand their token expertise with the online ordering of personalized holiday cards containing a chocolate treat. The web shop would be live between 12 and 18 December and would allow the Twerk team to do what they do best: show their added value despite certain limitations. What they lacked was an online editing tool to personalize the cards, the Woocommerce plug-in expertise to create the web shop within their Wordpress website and alas, the financial resources to set it up.

Paying it forward

CHILI publish reached out to its partner Graphique Alliance and suggested a selfless cooperation to provide Twerk with the tools they needed to realize their objective as part of a larger Corporate Social Responsibility effort. CHILI publish would provide a free license to CHILI publisher. Graphique Alliance coordinated the practical set-up of the web shop by integrating Woocommerce in the Wordpress website of Twerk. Bram Verniest comments: “We’ve all paid our dues. But we feel any cooperation has a social responsibility to carry when wonderful opportunities such as these pop up. It’s an original and imaginative initiative, inspiring the employees at Twerk to make the most of their strengths. It’s not just about supporting a good cause; it’s about enabling Twerk to lead by example and inspire others.”

Festive sweet treat

The Implementation and integration ran effortlessly and the web shop was officially launched December 12th at 16h. Visitors to the web shop can create, tailor and order their personalized cards, which will be delivered December 23rd via snail mail. Each card will be a one of a kind, containing Fair Trade chocolate treats.

Bart Michiels concludes: “The endorsement and guidance by CHILI publish and Graphic Alliance have been invaluable to us. The web shop works flawlessly; team spirit is boosted and we’re getting crazy traffic to our web shop. This was by far the best gift under our Christmas tree.”

About CHILI publish (www.chili-publish.com)

Established in 2010, CHILI publish is a software company focused on the development and deployment of powerful online software for the graphic arts industry. CHILI publisher is an online editing solution that can be seamlessly integrated into third-party workflows and production platforms to provide a wide range of customizable, easy-to-use, browser-based, editing functions. CHILI rendro is a revolutionary PDF rendering solution that enables fast, accurate rendering of PDFs which can then be viewed on devices supporting the HTML5 canvas. CHILI software is sold both direct and through a wide network of international value-added channel partners. CHILI publish has its headquarters near Brussels, Belgium, and operates offices in New York City and Singapore.

Noida, 13 December 2016: Packers for years have been grappling with the problem of narrow mouth opening of preformed Flat Bottom Pouches or 3 Dimensional (3D) Pouches on the filling lines. The vacuum cups of conventional Pick - Fill & Seal (PFS) Machines clamp open a pouch by holding its 2 side gussets thus resulting in a very narrow opening.

This leads to rather sluggish filling of these pouches without being able to have full mouth opening. Let’s face it- The impeded filling speed of conventional PFS machines has not been able to do justice to the state-of- the-art 3D/flat bottom pouches that are touted to take flexible packaging to a whole new level of functional and aesthetic excellence.

India’s largest fully integrated multinational flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex Limited with this problem statement at hand, has engineered the Multi Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine. The vacuum cups of this machine unlike the conventional PFS machines clamp open a pouch by holding its 4 Ps or the panels thereby opening up the mouth as wide as it gets.

If we compare any rotary PFS machine to the newly engineered Multi Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine, the comparable speed of filling and sealing 3D/flat bottom pouches has more than doubled. Uflex is the only company in India to have indigenously engineered this simple and intellectually appealing machine. This machine can be equipped with Volumetric, Gravimetric or Liquid Filling systems.

The clear advantages of the Multi Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine are:

• Higher filling output rate (pouches/minute) of 3D/flat bottom pouches owing to wider mouth opening and the machine being multi-lane;
• Since the mouth of the pouch is opened to the hilt, bigger sized products can be inserted, filled and sealed inside the 3D pouches;
• The same machine can be used to fill Doy Pack/Stand Up Pouches; 3 Side Seal Pouches and Normal Zipper pouches as well;

The features of the Multi Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine are:

• Fully Automatic Linear Pick Fill Seal Machine is a continuous machine designed for the efficient packaging of various products like Tea, Sugar, Salt, Granular products etc.;
• The Machine is PLC controlled with Touch screen HMI, making it operator friendly;
• Five Servo integrated to achieve high performance;
• Versatile machine where the pouch sizes can be changed easily;
• Accurate Pick and Place Mechanism for exact position of the pouch;
• Unique filling System;
• Compact design with small foot print;
• Easy operation;
• Low maintenance;
• Various Optional attachments can be provided like nitrogen flushing etc. as per customers’ requirement.

Commenting about the features of the new Four Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine; UFLEX LPFS-4T Mr. Ajay Tandon, President & CEO, Engineering Business, Uflex Limited said, “This sophisticated machine is a classic example of Interventional Engineering by Uflex. Our customers i.e. packers approached us with the pain point of not being able to rapidly fill the 3D/flat bottom pouches. Narrow mouth opening of pouches in the conventional PFS machines was actually bringing down the productivity of the packers. Some of them even filled up the pouches manually. It took us 15 months to engineer this machine at our plant in Noida.

The Four Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine; UFLEX LPFS-4T owing to the multitude of benefits beholds huge potential not only in India but overseas as well. We will be exhibiting UFLEX LPFS-4T at International PackTech India, from 15 to 17 December 2016 at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre; Goregaon (East), Mumbai. We will be in Hall No.1 stand no. C-42.”

Expressing delight at the launch of the Four Lane Automatic Linear Pick – Fill & Seal Machine; UFLEX LPFS-4T, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, Uflex Limited said, “The flexible packaging industry has evolved rather rapidly and now one can see the most innovative packaging solutions on the retail shelf. Flat Bottom Pouches or the 3 Dimensional Pouches (3D) are one of the most brilliant and efficient examples of modern day packaging. Owing to the unavailability of a suitable filling machine, the magic of these brilliant 3D pouches was somewhat restrained. I am glad that my Engineering Team at Uflex has created a machine that can ensure wider mouth openings of flat bottom pouches ensuring easy filling at much higher speeds and output rates. This in turn will surely give boost to the sale of flat bottom pouches. Having a stellar pouch without an appropriate filling machine is just like having a great car without tyres. Being the fully integrated flexible packaging materials and solution company that Uflex is, we always ensure that path breaking packaging designs are complimented with the associated packing/filling machines too. This is a Uflex Promise”

Collaboration marks first commercial application of Crown’s large diameter easy-open end in the Americas

Philadelphia, PA ­– December 12, 2016. Helping food service customers better access its 6lb (2.72kg) cans of boiled peanuts, a Southern delicacy that has been dubbed “the South’s favorite snack,” has been a long-standing priority for McCall Farms. Seeking an alternative to unreliable industrial can openers, McCall Farms turned to CROWN Food Packaging North America, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), to explore various packaging options. Crown worked closely with McCall Farms to develop a unique variation of its 603 diameter (153mm) easy-open end, eliminating the need for the can opener entirely. The large-diameter end, available exclusively from Crown, was added to the company’s global product portfolio with the acquisition of Mivisa Envases, SAU.

“This package size is popular with a variety of food service channels, including concession stands, commercial and non-commercial cafeterias and restaurants,” says Marion Swink, Co-President, McCall Farms. “Industrial can openers have traditionally been used as a work-around, but they are far from an ideal solution. Extreme wear and tear requires them to be regularly replaced and many models are manual and difficult to use. These challenges have had a direct impact on our ability to fully maximize the potential of our boiled peanuts in these channels. Crown’s Customer Technical Support team was there for us every step of the way, including being on-site for initial production runs, which made issue resolution quick and efficient.”

Woody Swink, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, McCall Farms, adds, “The new easy-open end from Crown helps our customers significantly reduce the time needed to open the large cans while also increasing hygiene and safety at their prep stations. It’s a win all around.”

The production process for boiled peanuts is demanding, and calls for air to be removed from the peanuts as well as pressure cooking. Crown’s engineers collaborated with the McCall Farms manufacturing team to modify the end to make sure it would withstand these challenges.

Like all easy-open ends, the 603 diameter (153mm) end is removable in its entirety with a simple, fluid gesture and up to eight times less force needed than a manual commercial can opener.

“We are pleased to have been able to help McCall Farms enhance the convenience of this popular product for the food service industry,” explains Hella Gourven, Marketing Manager, CROWN Food Packaging North America. “This convenience also extends to the manufacturers using the ends, since they can implement them without having to make changes to their production line. The ends are delivered to customers seamed to the can body, which means they simply need to seam the bottom end to the can using existing equipment once the product is filled.”

Packages of McCall Farms’ 6lb (2.72kg) cans of boiled peanuts with easy-open ends started shipping to food service channels in the Americas in mid-October.