Many companies in our industry use hydrocarbon-based washout solvents

The choice of ink and printing method plays a pivotal role in determining the quality, cost-effectiveness, and suitability of a print job. Three prominent methods that stand out are sheetfed printing, heatset printing, and coldset printing. Each method has its unique characteristics and applications, and the type of ink used further influences the final output. Let's take a closer look at these printing methods and the inks that drive them.

Sheetfed Printing: A Versatile Approach

Sheetfed printing is a widely used method for various printing applications, especially those with shorter print runs. In this process, individual sheets of paper are fed into the printing press one at a time. Sheetfed printing offers exceptional versatility, as it can handle a diverse range of paper stocks and sizes. It's the go-to choice for producing items like brochures, flyers, posters, and business cards.

Inks for Sheetfed Printing: Sheetfed presses can use two primary types of inks - conventional and UV inks. Conventional inks are oil-based and require drying time, while UV inks cure instantly when exposed to ultraviolet light. This curing process allows for faster production and is ideal for printing on non-absorbent materials like plastic or metal.

Heatset Printing: Glossy Magazines and Catalogs

Heatset printing is the preferred method for producing glossy magazines, catalogs, and high-volume publications. The defining feature of heatset printing is the use of heat to dry the ink rapidly. Large drying ovens are employed to achieve this, enabling high-speed production. The heatset process excels at producing sharp, vibrant images with a glossy finish.

Inks for Heatset Printing: Heatset inks are specially formulated to dry quickly with the application of heat. These inks often contain volatile solvents that evaporate during drying, leaving behind a crisp, glossy print. The result is stunning, high-quality publications that demand attention.

Coldset Printing: Newspapers and Beyond

Coldset printing is synonymous with newspapers and similar publications. Unlike sheetfed and heatset printing, coldset printing doesn't use heat to dry the ink. Instead, the ink dries naturally through absorption into the porous newsprint paper. This process is cost-effective and well-suited for high-volume printing.

Inks for Coldset Printing: Coldset inks are designed to dry slowly, allowing for absorption into the paper fibers. These inks contain oils that penetrate the paper, creating a more subdued finish compared to heatset or sheetfed printing. While the result may lack the glossy allure of other methods, it's perfectly suited for the newsprint medium and its intended audience.

Choosing the Right Method and Ink for Your Needs

When it comes to selecting the ideal printing method and ink for your project, several factors come into play. Consider the volume of your print job, the type of paper or substrate you plan to use, and the desired finish and quality. Each method and ink has its own strengths and limitations.

Moreover, the printing industry is continually evolving, with advancements such as eco-friendly inks and digital printing methods reshaping the landscape. Staying informed about the latest developments can help you make informed choices that align with your project goals.

Guala Closures S.p.A. (“Guala Closures” or the “Group”), a global leading producer of closures for spirits, wines, water and beverages, today announces that Gabriele Del Torchio, currently Chairman and CEO, will remain as Chairman with effect in September 2023 and Mauro Caneschi will join as Chief Executive Officer.

Gabriele Del Torchio was appointed Chairman and CEO of Guala Closures in April 2021 when the Group was acquired by an investment company of Investindustrial VII L.P., a leading independent European investment group. During this period, he has led the Group’s successful growth and strong business performance. This includes:

- Improved operational efficiencies and expansion of its international manufacturing facilities;

- A strong focus on R&D differentiating its products, and product expansion focusing on the “premiumisation” trend;

- Strengthening its presence in the luxury segment with the establishment of a division dedicated to luxury closures, consolidating the successful acquisition of Labrenta in July 2022, and securing the Group’s position as one of the leading operators in this segment; and

- Significant sales and EBITDA growth: at the appointment of Gabriele Del Torchio, LTM sales and EBITDA were, respectively, €565 million and €98 million; compared to June 2023, when Guala Closures achieved €920 million of LTM revenues and €181 million of LTM EBITDA.

These changes were agreed at the outset of Gabriele Del Torchio’s appointment.

Mauro Caneschi joins from Campari Group where he first led the Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa Business Unit (including Global Travel Retail) before creating and managing the Americas operation, Campari Group’s largest division. He had previously held senior international positions at Heineken, Scottish & Newcastle and Danone Group. He has an excellent track record in developing people, building brands and growing international businesses, as well as having responsibility for strategic acquisitions and integration. In particular, he has significant expertise in Guala Closure’s end-markets and an ability to integrate and accelerate complex and international businesses. 

Commenting on the Chairman and CEO appointments, Andrea C. Bonomi, Chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board at Investindustrial, said: “Investindustrial has had the privilege of working with Gabriele as Chairman and CEO over many years in a number of the firm’s portfolio companies including Ducati, Snai, Design Holding and Guala Closures. We can fully attest to his significant contribution to the success, strategic direction and growth of these businesses. He is a first-class leader, and we are delighted that Guala Closures will continue to benefit from his significant experience and counsel as Chairman.” 

“We would also like to welcome Mauro Caneschi as CEO who has an impressive track record of growing international businesses and a keen vision and ambition. We look forward to working with him over the coming years.”

Gabriele Del Torchio, Chairman of Guala Closures, added:

“Mauro Caneschi is a highly talented individual, and I am very pleased he is joining Guala Closures as CEO to lead the Group in its next phase of growth.  He has a significant understanding of Guala Closures’ end-markets thereby enabling the Group to continually improve its client-led focus. He also has a demonstrable ability to substantially enhance operational efficiencies across complex business structures and drive performance. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the Board.”

Mauro Caneschi, CEO of Guala Closures, commented:

“It is a real privilege to be leading Guala Closures, a highly performing organisation across several international markets with a strong leadership position. I am greatly looking forward to further internationalising the business through both organic and potential M&A growth.
In addition, maintaining a strong client and R&D focus will be critical as we seek to continually innovate and position ourselves as the leading producer of speciality closures for spirits, wine, water and other beverages. I am excited about this opportunity and very keen to be working alongside Gabriele Del Torchio and Investindustrial to deliver substantial value growth in the coming years.”

The changes in the offices of the Chairman and CEO follow other senior management appointments - including a new CFO, the managing director of Labrenta and the business development manager spirits - announced in July 2023.

Information on:

Guala Closures Group

Guala Closures Group offers premium and innovative closure solutions that provide protection and convenience to consumers while enhancing customers' brands. With more than 30 production plants worldwide, Guala Closures Group is a world leader in the production of closures for spirits, wines, beverages, oil and condiments, that guarantees proximity to its customers, with a localised and customised offer of services and solutions. Guala Closures Group today employs over 5.000 people and produces around 18 billion closures a year globally.

High-purity food-contact grade polymer in line with international safety standards for child care products, based on certified circular feedstock

Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty materials, has entered into a strategic partnership with Hegen Pte Ltd for the use of sustainable Duradex™ polyphenyl sulfone (PPSU) mass balance attributed in Hegen’s premium line of Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open™ (PCTO™ ) baby feeding bottles. The circular, non-fossil feedstock content of the PPSU grade is third-party mass balance certified, meeting the end customers' expectations for more sustainable products. Duradex™ PPSU is an amorphous, naturally amber-transparent polymer, free of artificial pigments, phthalates and bisphenols, such as BPA.

“Brand owners and manufacturers in the child care market are increasingly seeking to improve the sustainability of their products without compromising safety, efficiency or convenience,” says Guillaume Meunier, Head of Marketing, Life Solutions at Solvay Materials. “Hegen’s baby feeding and drinking bottles are widely acknowledged for their high quality and use the highest-purity materials to ensure a healthy and comfortable feeding experience for both mother and child. We are very pleased to announce that the company has decided to adopt our mass-balance certified PPSU for molding their iconic bottles.”

“We are excited about this strategic material partnership with Solvay, which will help us further reduce the environmental impact of our baby feeding bottles in line with our ambitious sustainability roadmap,” adds Yvon Bock, founder and CEO of Hegen. “The circular Duradex™ polymer exhibits the same high-performance properties as the previous material used in molding our premium Hegen PCTO™ bottles, including excellent processability and uncompromising durability, which makes it a very efficient drop-in alternative to all-fossil PPSU solutions.”

Duradex™ PPSU MB is linked to 54% allocated circular, non-fossil feedstock, which is third-party mass-balance (MB) verified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) mass balance accounting regime. The MB accounting approach provides a reliable method of tracing the feedstock content from the material production to the final application.

In addition, Solvay’s Duradex™ PPSU MB polymer is high scratch resistant and stain resistant, does not absorb odors and delivers an inherently non-stick surface. It combines exceptional hydrolytic stability and shatterproof toughness with high heat resistance. These properties also qualify the lightweight, ergonomically shaped and wide-opening bottles for more than 1,000 steam or hot water sterilization as well as dishwasher cycles without the risk of any damage.

• Future-proof technology for the application of standardized digital product passports

• Turnkey Software-as-a-Service solution according to new GS1 Germany Guideline

• Enormous potential for data management in the manufacturing process and recycling

The Reifenhäuser Group - leading manufacturer of extrusion machinery and components - relies on R-Cycle, the digital product passport (DPP) for plastics based on GS1 standards. With R Cycle DPPs, Reifenhäuser enables its customers to make their products traceable. All relevant information on the material and processing is stored in the DPP and made available along
the entire product life cycle, offering enormous potential for data management in the manufacturing process and recycling of plastic - especially in the packaging industry.

R-Cycle was founded as an initiative by leading companies and organizations along the plastics value chain (including Reifenhäuser) and today offers - as a solution provider - a turnkey software-as-a-service solution for the application of digital product passports.

GS1 Germany, known for standards and solutions around barcodes, has now published a new guideline "Circular Plastics Traceability", which offers all stakeholders in the plastics value chain a uniform framework to model cross-company processes and exchange data.

R-Cycle was involved in the development of "Circular Plastics Traceability" and follows the new GS1 Germany Guideline with its solution. The underlying technology is the cross-industry and internationally established GS1 EPCIS interface (Electronic Product Code Information Services). EPCIS is GS1's core standard for improving transparency in companies or value networks.

Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group, explains, "The publication of the 'Circular Plastics Traceability' Guideline is a decisive milestone for the establishment of R-Cycle. It gives us, as a machine manufacturer, the certainty of investing in a future-proof technology that enables our customers to use standardized digital product passports."

The plastics industry - particularly in the packaging sector - faces ever- increasing industrial and regulatory information and reporting requirements. Recyclability assessments, EPR schemes or plastic tax calculations are just a few examples. The otherwise time-consuming and costly generation of the relevant data is now possible with R-Cycle at the push of a button. Currently, more than 45 leading industrial companies and organizations rely on R- Cycle as the solution for the digital product passport.

In addition to providing efficient information in the manufacturing process, digital product passports also enable better recycling to recover high-quality recyclates. Using the information stored in the DPP, waste sorting facilities can precisely categorize recyclable packaging and form recycling-friendly, single-sort fractions. The DPPs can be accessed via suitable marking (e.g. digital watermarks or QR codes) on the packaging.

About the Reifenhäuser Group
The Reifenhäuser Group together with its highly specialized business units is the leading provider of innovative technologies and components for plastics extrusion. Founded in 1911, the company is a global supplier of high-tech solutions. With its technologies and the know-how of its 1,750 employees, Reifenhäuser has the world's largest network of expertise in plastics extrusion technologies. The CEO of the Group is Bernd Reifenhäuser.

• Mondi and Robopac team up to offer a paper stretch wrapping solution, substituting unnecessary plastic.
• Combining Mondi's knowledge about paper with Robopac's technical expertise in wrapping machines allows to efficiently wrap and safely transport various products on the pallet.
• The new system can wrap up to 750 pallets with one reel of Mondi's recyclable Advantage StretchWrap paper.

12 September 2023 – Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, has partnered with Robopac, a world-leading manufacturer of pallet-wrapping machinery, to offer a seamless and more sustainable paper wrapping solution for pallet storage and transportation.

The two organisations collaborated closely to develop the solution, combining Mondi’s expertise in packaging and paper with Robopac’s know-how about wrapping machines. Robopac’s new paper wrapping machine uses Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap which is 100% kraft paper, delivering excellent protection for palletised goods due to high strength, puncture resistance and tension absorption. The paper is created with responsibly sourced, renewable materials, containing no plastic or coating making it fully recyclable in existing waste streams across Europe.

Robopac’s semi-automated and fully automated machines can both take Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap, allowing customers to replace unnecessary plastic which is currently the industry standard for pallet wrapping. An independent life cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrated that Advantage StretchWrap performed better in several environmental impact categories, such as climate change. The LCA found that it has 62% lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared to virgin plastic stretch film, and 49% lower GHG emissions when compared to plastic stretch film made with 50% recycled content.

The semi-automatic machine is able to process a 25kg reel of Advantage StretchWrap to secure up to 40 pallets with one reel, every hour. The fully automated wrapping machine, meanwhile, can wrap up to 750 pallets with one reel, which equates to up to 60 pallets per hour. This solution was introduced at the 2023 Interpack fair, where delegates could witness first-hand the genuine, successful trials on the prototype.

Bartosz Babicz, Product Manager StretchWrap, Flexible Packaging Mondi, says: “We highly value the collaboration on eye-level with Robopac including a great exchange of expert knowledge, having similar core values within our companies. Close collaboration with our partners is key to transition to sustainable packaging solutions, therefore working with Robopac is truly driving our progress towards a circular economy and provides our customers a combination of state-of-the-art machinery with best quality wrapping paper.”

Filiberto Felici, Robopac Product Manager adds: “Our biggest challenge was to adapt the paper material to the packaging operations, while ensuring maximum stabilisation of the customer’s products during transportation with minimum use of resources. Using our own unique Cube Technology, we achieve maximum load stabilisation and are very satisfied with the effectiveness of our machines’ performances in conjunction with Mondi’s Advantage StretchWrap.”

Mondi will host a webinar talking about the technical features of Advantage StretchWrap and sustainability impacts on Thursday, 21 September, at 10 am CET, featuring Bartosz Babicz, Product Manager StretchWrap at Mondi, and Julia Dunker, Sustainability Manager at Mondi. You can sign up for the free webinar here.

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.

In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).

About Robopac

Robopac is part of Aetna Group, a global company leader in sustainable solutions in the end-of-line packaging industry, with more than 200.000 machines installed. It operates with 12 subsidiaries, 4 foreign production companies (in China, Brazil, USA and Germany) and another 6 in Italy. Aetna Group produces and markets a wide range of solutions capable of responding to equally wide production requirements, with a high tailor-made packaging capacity and 24/7 assistance service around the world.

A further uniqueness of Robopac is the TechLab, the most advanced research laboratory system in the packaging industry. With the aim of reducing energy and material consumption, TechLab guarantees maximum packaging safety (product damage reduced up to 85% during transportation) and packing material savings of up to 60%. Results obtained scientifically, through unique machinery, simulations of various worst cases and strict accredited tests.

From October 24 to 26 at Stand 61 in Hall 2E at CPHI in Barcelona, SÜDPACK Medica will be presenting its latest product development – PharmaGuard. The international event is one of the world’s biggest trade fairs for the pharmaceutical industry – which makes it the ideal platform for presenting the innovative and particularly sustainable blister concept for solid applications to a wide range of industry experts.

With PharmaGuard, the pharmaceutical industry now has not only a recyclable film solution for blister packaging with outstanding material properties, but also a strong foundation for improving the eco-balance of blister packaging. The base and lidding films produced in an innovative coextrusion process are based on the polymer polypropylene (PP) and are therefore designed as a complete mono-material solution for feeding into recycling streams. Furthermore, the solution offers outstanding material efficiency and, thanks to the low density of PP, saves a considerable amount of resources while maintaining high yields. According to a life cycle assessment conducted by Sphera, the new packaging concept is associated with a greatly reduced climate impact (in CO2-eq) as well as lower energy and water consumption compared to other popular blister solutions.

Not only sustainable and safe, but also efficient to process

For optimum product protection and maximum stability, the films can be equipped with different barrier and mechanical properties to suit the product to be packaged. A particularly impressive feature is the excellent pharmacopeia-compliant water-vapor-barrier properties over the entire residual wall thickness.

Despite the specific material features of PP films, SÜDPACK customers also benefit when it comes to processing PharmaGuard because the materials can be processed with only minor modifications to existing packaging lines. The material’s excellent sealing performance ensures the highest possible packaging quality and safety in a highly efficient process. Additional advantages
include the outstanding thermoforming properties and the uniform forming behavior of the base film. Last but not least, the SÜDPACK solution also stands out thanks to its very high transparency compared to the other PP-based blister film solutions currently on the market.

Engaging workshop about PP

In the conference area of CPHI, the two cooperating partners Borealis and SÜDPACK Medica will be holding a workshop on the topic of “PP – the committed value chain.” The event will take place on October 24 from 2:15–2:35 p.m. in Conference Center 4 at the exhibition.

The workshop will mainly focus on how to address the ongoing issue of carbon emissions and resource wastage in the healthcare sector through effective collaboration within the value chain. Jürgen Bodenmüller, Business Development Director at SÜDPACK Medica, will present PharmaGuard as a case in point. The PP monostructure blister solution can play a significant role in safely and efficiently reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of pharmaceutical packaging. Paolo Cavacas, Business Development Manager Healthcare at the plastic manufacturer Borealis, the second largest producer of polyolefins in Europe, will use case studies to show how feedstock from biobased or recyclable sources can be used without changing the existing approval status of the packaging.

About SÜDPACK Medica AG

SÜDPACK Medica AG is headquartered in Baar (CH) and is one of the leading suppliers of sterile packaging solutions in Europe as well as a pioneering partner for the global medical, pharmaceutical and diagnostics industries. The company is part of the SÜDPACK company group and was founded in 1989. The core competency of SÜDPACK Medica is the development of plastic-based packaging solutions for sterile goods. The product and performance range of SÜDPACK Medica extends from standard solutions to tailor-made, customer-specific packaging concepts. It includes the production of coextruded flexible and rigid films, which are used as base and lidding films, and of pre-made pouch solutions for a wide variety of products. SÜDPACK Medica also benefits from the SÜDPACK Group’s long-standing leadership in technology and innovation in the coextrusion of polymer-based film solutions.

The production of SÜDPACK Medica products is performed at four sites in France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. These sites are equipped with the latest plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions.

For optimal support and collaboration with their customers around the world, SÜDPACK Medica relies on a specialist team working in quality, sales, development and application technology, one that has long-standing expertise in polymers and process engineering and in the market for sterile packaging. This makes SÜDPACK Medica a competent solutions partner for their customers when it comes to the implementation of packaging solutions, including those with the most demanding requirements.

SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. With its own site for processing
biopolymers and its own compounding facilities, the SÜDPACK Group is also among the trailblazers in the production of forward-looking, sustainable and recyclable packaging concepts.

Deodorant and hair care markets drive high demand

The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) reports that global shipments by its members increased by 6.6 per cent to just over 3.2 billion units in the first half of 2023.

The market growth is mainly due to buoyant demand from the volume-dominant areas of deodorants, hairspray and hair mousses, which each grew by around 8 per cent compared to the same period last year. Demand from the pharmaceutical sector also developed positively, growing by almost 5 per cent. Deliveries to the market for shaving foams were extremely satisfactory, even increasing in the mid-double-digit range. In contrast, demand from the food and household products sectors, which are less important in terms of volume, declined by 2.5 and 12.5 per cent respectively.

Market growth was driven in particular by deliveries to the 27 EU member states including the UK and to South and North America, which rose by a good 11 and 6 per cent respectively. Demand from Asia, Australia and Africa stagnated, while deliveries to the Middle East declined by around 8 per cent.

Sustainability remains at the top of the agenda

The topic of sustainability continues to be at the centre of interest throughout the industry and among its customers in order to realise the lowest possible CO2 footprint of the packaging. Accordingly, the demand for aluminium cans with the highest possible proportion of post-consumer recycled material is lively. However, the global availability of high-quality aluminium scrap needed for the technically demanding production of aluminium aerosol cans is limited. Another key task is consistent design for recycling to ensure that aluminium aerosol cans are successfully and safely returned to the material recycling loop with a minimum of material input and packaging complexity. "The manufacturers of aluminium aerosol cans are rising to this challenge and are continuously working together with their partners in the supply chain on innovative and even more sustainable can concepts," knows AEROBAL Secretary General Gregor Spengler.

Economic conditions and labour shortages depress sentiment

The weakening global economy, persistently high inflation and labour shortages are dampening the mood in the aluminium aerosol can industry, even though demand for aerosol cans is currently still satisfactory.

"In particular ongoing inflation is causing uncertainty among both our member companies and consumers. Companies are facing higher interest rates and investment costs, and consumers are suffering from further loss of purchasing power. Whether these developments will impact the aerosol can industry with full force remains to be seen. We hope that the level of investment in our industry will remain high to further expand competitiveness. Moreover, demand for fast-moving consumer goods such as aerosol cans has in the past been able to largely decouple itself from negative economic cycles. We hope that this will continue in the second half of 2023," concludes Spengler.

The standardized exchange of product data is the basis for efficient and sustainable value chains. Digital product passports (DPPs) are the vehicle with which data can be transmitted across companies and products can be traced. R-Cycle is the digital product passport for plastic packaging, based on GS1 standards.

GS1 Germany, known for standards and solutions around barcodes, has published the new guideline "Circular Plastics Traceability", which offers all stakeholders in the plastics value chain a uniform framework to model corresponding cross-company processes and exchange data. GS1 standards and solutions form the basis for numerous global identification and information processes. The best-known example is the barcodes used in global trade, which are scanned more than six billion times a day

R-Cycle was involved in the development of "Circular Plastics Traceability" alongside other partners and, as a software solutions provider, offers a turnkey software-as-aservice solution for the application of digital product passports in accordance with the new GS1 Germany guideline. The underlying technology is the cross-industry and internationally established GS1 EPCIS interface (Electronic Product Code Information Services). EPCIS is GS1's core standard for improving transparency in companies or value networks. Put simply, it provides a common language for capturing and exchanging what are known as EPCIS events, which provide companies with information about the what, when, where, why and how of objects that pass through business processes. This information is transmitted and enriched throughout the packaging lifecycle, simplifying data management and offering enormous potential for the manufacturing process and recycling.

The plastics industry - especially in the packaging sector - is confronted with ever increasing industrial and legal information and reporting requirements. Recyclability assessments, EPR schemes or plastic tax calculations are just a few examples. With R-Cycle, the otherwise time-consuming and costly generation of the relevant data can be done at the push of a button. Dr. Benedikt Brenken, Director R-Cycle, explains: "To date, more than 45 leading global industrial companies and organizations already rely on R-Cycle as a solution for the digital product passport. The GS1 'Circular Plastics Traceability' guideline now gives our customers additional planning security to use an open, standards-compliant and future-proof solution with RCycle."

In addition to providing information efficiently in the manufacturing process, digital product passports also enable better recycling to recover high-quality recyclates. Using the information stored in the DPP, waste sorting facilities can precisely categorize recyclable packaging and form recycling-friendly, single-sort fractions. DPPs can be accessed via appropriate marking (e.g., digital watermarks or QR codes) on the packaging. "To support high-quality recycling and a sustainable raw material cycle of plastic packaging, efforts are required from all stakeholders involved. Therefore, we are very pleased to drive the transformation towards a sustainable circular economy with the 'Circular Plastics Traceability' guideline," explains Sarah Grede, Senior Manager Sustainability at GS1 Germany

R-Cycle's digital product passport provides information on all relevant ingredients of a plastic packaging.

Hamillroad Bellissima DMS ultra-high definition flexographic screening technology applied to Asahi AWP™ CleanPrint water-wash flexo plates delivers a previously unobtainable level of flexo image reproduction
Tokyo, Japan & Brussels, Belgium, September 01, 2023. Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development, today reported that it has partnered with Hamillroad Software to implement Bellissima DMS (digitally modulated screening) ultra-high definition flexographic screening technology with its AWP™ CleanPrint water wash flexographic plates. The partnership delivers best-in-class image reproduction, combined with one of the most sustainable approaches to flexographic platemaking on the market.
A Hamillroad representative will be present on the Asahi Photoproducts stand during Labelexpo Europe to answer questions from visitors about Bellissima DMS screening, about this partnership and its benefit to the flexographic industry. The show is scheduled for 11 to 14 September in Brussels. Asahi Photoproducts will be located on Stand 5A34 at the show.
“We first engaged with Hamillroad as a result of an Asahi customer who wanted to use their screening technology with our plates but could not. That inspired us to pursue the Hamillroad plate qualification program, which validated that we could deliver even better quality by making this screening technology available with our CleanPrint plates”, said Dieter Niederstadt, Asahi’s Director of Technical Marketing. “By implementing Bellessima DMS screening with Asahi AWPTM CleanPrint plates, flexographic operations can take their production to a new level of quality and productivity. In addition, with our Solvent ZERO approach, they can also reduce their carbon footprint and take advantage of the Carbon Neutral status we have achieved in order to facilitate calculation of their Scope 3 emissions.” According to McKinsey, “Companies increasingly recognize the need to reduce emissions that occur in their upstream or downstream value chain—and these are sometimes referred to as Scope 3 emissions, as defined in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.” Asahi’s work toward both Solvent ZERO and Carbon Neutrality will benefit companies as they strive to improve their sustainability credentials.
Niederstadt points out that this implementation also improves the ability of flexo operations to deliver high quality Expanded Color Gamut (ECG) printing, also referred to as Fixed Color Palette Printing, which uses a standardized ink set enhancing the ability to reproduce any color. This process also eliminates the need for press wash-up between print jobs, further increasing the sustainability of flexographic printing. He states, “Additionally, using ECG 7-color printing with Bellissima modulated screening eliminates the risk of creating visible rosette patterns or screen clashes due to the use of extra colors, as would be the case when using amplitude modulated screening technologies. We also believe that Bellissima screening brings the type of quality improvement that can help companies transition from gravure to a more sustainable flexo printing process by achieving the fine highlight transitions to zero as well as good solid ink densities.”
All Asahi AWPTM CleanPrint plates are water washable. The AWPTM-DEW plates are already certified Carbon Neutral in collaboration with the Carbon Trust and the AWPTM-CleanFlat plates are currently in the final stages of the Carbon Neutral approval program. Both plates are designed with sustainability in mind. They reduce waste and environmental impact by minimizing ink and solvent usage and reducing makeready time and waste. And since they are water washable, they eliminate the need for harsh chemicals in the platemaking process. 
For more information about products and services from Asahi Photoproducts, visit www.asahi-photoproducts.com. 
NOTE to journalists: Please join us at our Labelexpo press conference, scheduled for Wednesday, 13 September, from 10:30 to 11:00 in the press conference center. We’ll discuss Flexo Plates: The Road to Solvent ZERO, the Hamillroad Software partnership, and we will share additional exciting news. To RSVP, please contact monika.d@duomedia.com.
 

About Hamillroad Software
Hamillroad Software is a global supplier of industry leading screening solutions for the printing industry that enable customers to achieve the very best in printed image fidelity whilst reducing production costs (ink and time on press) and increasing capacity. Brands are adopting Hamillroad’s pioneering screening technology, not only for outstanding shelf appeal, but also for the reduction in ink and waste, which means printing is more environmentally friendly. Hamillroad’s patented Digitally Modulated Screening (DMS) is the best screening technology available today and is available for Flexographic (Bellissima DMS) and Lithographic (Auraia DMS) printing. The result is an unprecedented quality of screening, which is easy to plate and print.  
Hamillroad Software has its headquarters in Cambridge, UK, and delivers globally. For more information visit: www.bellissimanetwork.com or contact: Jane Petrucci, Head of Marketing Hamillroad Software Limited; T: +44 (0)1223 616449 / E: jane.petrucci@hamillroad.com; www.hamillroad.com
 

Resilience of Aluminium tubes and Aluminium aerosol cans markets
Despite the challenging economic situation in Germany, deliveries of aluminum tubes and aluminum aerosol cans developed positively in the first half of 2023.

In the case of aluminum tubes, continued strong demand from the pharmaceutical sector and stable development in the cosmetics and food sectors led to a year-on-year increase of 4.4%. Overall, deliveries of aluminum tubes to the German market amounted to around 424 million units.

Regarding aluminum aerosol cans, the two largest market segments; deodorants and hair care products, recorded significant growth compared to the same period of the previous year. This resulted in a 9.5% increase in shipments of aluminum aerosol cans, amounting to 309 million units.

Raw material and energy prices still a burden, shortage of skilled workers even more acute
The industry welcomes the positive development in both raw material and energy prices noticed in 2023, but still hopes for further improvement. The prices remain significantly higher than the rates before the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, putting a strain on the German tube and aerosol can industry. 
In addition, the shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing the industry, and no improvement is foreseeable in the near future. The chairman of the association, Clemens Behrenbruch, explains, "It is becoming increasingly difficult to replace retiring employees. The continuation of this trend can have lasting effects on the German economy and threatens Germany’ standing as a leading industrial land."
Planned bans on the use of BPA and PFAS
The European Commission's planned ban on the use of bisphenol-A (BPA) in food contact materials seems inevitable. Despite significant industry efforts to replace BPA coatings, it will be very difficult to switch both interior and exterior coatings to alternative systems in the medium term. Mr. Behrenbruch states “BPA is found virtually everywhere in manufacturing operations: in tanks, production lines and even in water. It is very important that legislators distinguish between the intentional and unintentional use of BPA to enable compliance with the law."
In addition, the Commission is currently considering a proposal to ban the use of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS). A ban on the use of the entire PFAS group of substances, which consists of some 10,000 different chemicals, would probably be the most comprehensive regulatory intervention in history. The ban is expected to have a significant impact on many branches of industry.

Uncertain outlook for the second half of 2023
Despite the market growth recorded in the first six months, there has been a noticeable slowdown in demand since the end of the second quarter. In addition, persistently high inflation rates and the IMF forecast stating that Germany will be the European country with the lowest growth rate in 2023 are both casting shadows on the market.
However, manufacturers of aluminum tubes and aerosol cans remain cautiously optimistic in the medium term, as the main sales markets for these aluminum-based packaging solutions have always proved resilient even in times of crisis.
 

At a keynote address at the 10th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2023, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, UFlex Group, highlighted how technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and enzymatic processing can accelerate sustainable innovation in flexible packaging. 

The Elite Global Summit, being held at the prestigious Reliance Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India, began today and features discussions on the Indian economic landscape, current trends in the FMCG sector, and the impact on packaging.  

UFlex Group Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address at the inaugural session. 

He reflected on the evolution of the plastics industry, stating, "Back in the 1960s, when chemical companies were developing large-scale plastic production facilities, they coined the slogan: If you want to save the planet, use plastic. We truly believe that today, if producers can reach consumers globally, it is possible only because of flexible packaging. Historically, when chemical companies were producing plastic in the 60s, they had to struggle with their selling proposition, and the production size used to be 1500 tons per year. Today, the production size has increased to a million tons per year. MLP (multi-layer plastic) as opposed to mono-material packaging, coupled with a robust recycling ecosystem and bio-enzyme technology will propel the industry to the next phase of growth”. 

“Today, whatever we are producing needs to be recycled. At UFlex, we have made significant investments in industrial and MLP (multi-layer mixed plastic) waste recycling facilities across our global locations and very recently, in enzyme-based delamination and recycling technology for aseptic packaging. We should continue to focus on mechanical recycling. Chemical recycling may not be happening today but will happen in the future”, he added. 

Mr. Chaturvedi reiterated the need to use machinery and AI to collect and sort waste rather than allowing waste workers to do that manually. “That is not the most effective or sustainable way of creating employment for the marginalized waste workers”, he emphasized. “Waste collection and adequate access to post-consumer waste is one of the biggest problems that we face in India. It is critical to recognize that it is not the process of recycling that presents the most significant hurdle in addressing plastic pollution. Rather, it is the efficient and holistic collection and management of plastic waste that emerges as the cornerstone of our battle”, he concluded.   

The event features specialized sessions dedicated to sustainability with panel discussions on the critical issues facing the industry with eminent speakers from the Central Pollution Control Board of India (CPCB), the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of the Government of India. 

The 10th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2023 included keynote addresses by Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Founder, Chairman & Managing Director, UFlex Group, Mr. Nilesh Shah, Group President & MD, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd., Mr. Prabh Das, Managing Director & CEO, HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd., Ms. Prabha Narasimhan, Managing Director & CEO, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd., and Mr. Harsh Mariwala, Founder and Chairman, Marico Ltd. It also showcases more than 100 exhibitors and a strong presence of most brand owners.

For Media Queries, Contact:
Vidushi Khera | First Partners PR | E: vidushi.khera@firstpartners.in | M: +91 98104 98106
Corporate Communication| UFlex Limited | Corpcomm@uflexltd.com 

About UFlex:
UFlex is India's largest multinational flexible packaging and solutions company. Since its inception in 1985, UFlex has grown from strength to strength and has built a strong presence across all verticals of the packaging value chain-packaging films, chemicals, aseptic liquid packaging, holography, flexible packaging, printing cylinders, and engineering.

With a 10,000+ strong multicultural workforce across global regions that work toward developing innovative, value-added, and sustainable packaging solutions, the company has earned an irreproachable reputation for defining the contours of the Packaging Industry in India and overseas It provides end-to-end solutions to numerous Fortune 500 clients across various sectors such as FMCG, consumer product goods, pharmaceuticals, building materials, automobiles, and more, in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Noida, National Capital Region, India, UFlex enjoys a global reach with advanced manufacturing facilities in India, UAE, Mexico, Egypt, USA, Poland, Russia, Nigeria, and Hungary.

A winner of various marquee global awards for product excellence, innovation, and sustainability, UFlex is the first company in the world to earn recognition at the Davos Recycle Forum in 1995 for conceptualising the recycling of mixed plastic waste. For more details, please visit: www.uflexltd.com  
 

French water treatment specialist Ocedis, for the supply of Berry’s 20 litre Optimum stacking containers manufactured from recycled polyethylene (rPE).
The containers for Ocedis’s pH Minus Liquide for commercial and local authority swimming pools are produced at Berry’s BMS Moirans factory in France and delivered to the Ocedis plant in Trévoux. After filling, they are distributed to customers and at the same time empty containers are collected and returned to Ocedis. 
These are then transported to a recycling partner where they are washed, shredded, ground and converted back into rPE pellets, which are sent to Berry Moirans to be used in the production of new Optimum containers for Ocedis.
Berry’s technical expertise has ensured that the rPE containers retain the same levels of performance in terms of their durability and functionality as those made from virgin polymer. As a result, the containers have achieved UN certification for the safe handling of hazardous goods.
“We are delighted to have launched this closed loop system with Ocedis, which ideally demonstrates both how plastics can play an important role in the circular economy, and how effective collaboration can drive positive environmental change,” commented Rudolph Pfeiffer, General Manager, Berry BMS Moirans and Monpont.
“The containers’ UN certification is a particularly noteworthy achievement. Just as important, the success of the project underlines the feasibility of closed loop systems, and we will be looking to start similar partnerships with other customers in the near future.” 
The Optimum container features an interlocking top and base for safe and efficient stacking to maximise pallet loads. The sturdy but lightweight design ensures ease of handling for end-users.
“The introduction of the rPE containers from Berry is a key part of our ongoing sustainability commitments while still giving our customers a pack that retains all its user-friendly and practical benefits,” said Romain Hardy, General Manager, Ocedis. “This closed loop project also shows how effective circular solutions can be developed when all parts of the supply chain work together.”
For further information on Berry’s range of container and jerrycan solutions, visit www.berryglobal.com/en/product/canisters-jerrycans.
Ends

About Berry
At Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY), we create innovative packaging and engineered products that we believe make life better for people and the planet. We do this every day by leveraging our unmatched global capabilities, sustainability leadership, and deep innovation expertise to serve customers of all sizes around the world. Harnessing the strength in our diversity and industry-leading talent of 46,000 global employees across more than 250+ locations, we partner with customers to develop, design, and manufacture innovative products with an eye toward the circular economy. The challenges we solve and the innovations we pioneer benefit our customers at every stage of their journey. For more information, visit our website, or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
        
    
 

Dual infeed system maximizes robotic movements for heightened throughput; 
Modular, expandable design brings flexibility and versatility.

EXTON, PA – Omega Design Corporation – a global provider of innovative packaging machinery for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and consumer healthcare industries, and a worldwide leader in bottle unscrambling technology – will introduce a new fully Automatic Robotic Unscrambler at Pack Expo Las Vegas, September 11-13. At Booth C-3836, the company will demonstrate the new machine’s ability to provide smarter sorting by utilizing a parallel-kinematic, multi-axis, pick-and-place robot module, which separates, orients, and positions bottles onto a conveyor or into stabilizing pucks.

Omega Design Corp.’s versatile new automatic unscrambler is ideal for applications running complex or multiple bottle shapes, including a broad array of containers, bottles, tottles, jars, vials, jugs and tubes. The limited number of changeover points greatly reduces setup times. Its integrated hopper minimizes footprint, and the conveying system is optimized for robotic handling, with intelligent infeed metering control reducing recirculation of bottles.

The machine combines speed and accuracy via Omega Design’s dual infeed system, which purposefully presents two containers at once to the unit’s robotic arms from a single hopper. This process optimizes the robotic arms’ movements, yielding throughputs unobtainable by conventional methods. The setup also minimizes the machine’s overall floorspace footprint.

Another strong suit of the new Automatic Robotic Unscrambler is flexibility. The system can be configured to meet a range of capacity needs and speeds. This includes increased hopper capacity, as well as additional robot modules to increase speeds by up to 90 containers per minute per robot.

The machine features a user-friendly 15” touchscreen HMI, a sophisticated Rockwell Automation Optix visualization platform, and an advanced Allen Bradley integrated safety programmable logic controller (PLC). Rapid, repeatable pushbutton changeover with a limited number of change points helps diminish downtime between new product runs. 

“Introducing a fully automatic robotics unscrambler applicable to a wide variety of containers aligns with our ongoing mission to produce equipment solutions that simplify processes through reduced labor requirements and intuitive operation,” said Glenn Siegele, President of Omega Design Corporation. “Importantly, the machine also comes in a modular design that can be configured to meet the specific needs of every customer.”

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About Omega Design Corporation
Omega Design Corporation is a global provider of innovative packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and consumer healthcare industries. For over 50 years, Omega has specialized in the design, manufacture, service, and support of a broad range of container handling and packaging equipment systems, including bottle unscramblers, bottle-puck handling systems, shrink bundlers, stretch banders, secondary bottle and 5th panel carton orienters, canister and pouch-style desiccant/oxygen absorber feeders, as well as coding, vision and case packing modules supporting serialization and aggregation.

Omega Design Corporation operates from a fully integrated facility in Exton, Pennsylvania, that provides product research and development, product line engineering, parts manufacture, machine assembly and testing.  Come visit for a Demo.  For more information, call 610-363-6555 or please visit www.omegadesign.com. 

European tube market continues to grow

The European flexible tube market was stable in the first half of 2023. The european tube manufacturers association (etma) reports a growth in deliveries of almost 2 percent to a total volume of around 6.2 billion units.

The growth drivers were deliveries to the pharmaceutical market, which increased by a good 5 per cent. Demand from the cosmetics and dental care markets also developed positively with an increase of about 2 per cent each. Deliveries to the food sector stagnated, while demand for tubes for household and technical products declined significantly by around 20 per cent.

"Overall, we are very satisfied with the result in the first half of the year, as the volume-dominant sales markets in particular developed positively," emphasises etma President Mark Aegler.

Bottlenecks in high-quality recycled materials

Customers are increasingly pushing for the use of recycled materials in tubes as part of their sustainability concepts. However, there are bottlenecks in the availability of high-quality post-consumer recycling materials.

"For plastic tubes, the quantities required will certainly not be achievable through mechanical recycling of used plastic packaging alone. Chemical recycling can be an additional option for closing the gap, especially for complex composite structures. Appropriate political guidelines are needed here at the European level so that the necessary investments in recycling capacities can take place," Aegler knows.

Outlook for the rest of 2023 fraught with uncertainty

The situation on the raw material and energy markets has eased further. However, price levels remain above pre-Corona or pre-war levels. Labour costs and labour availability also remain extremely tight. In addition, the weak economy in Europe and continued high inflation are negatively affecting consumers' purchasing power and spending mood.

"The political and economic environment remains difficult. Despite a still high order backlog, some tube manufacturers are now recording a slight decline in incoming orders. Although there is currently no reason to complain, forecasts for the market development in the second half of the year are subject to considerable uncertainty," Aegler sums up.
 

Muri near Bern/Switzerland, August 29, 2023 – The Swiss distributor Meraxis has partnered with the Danish recyclate manufacturer RC Plast: Meraxis will begin distributing selected RC Plast products in Europe. The distribution portfolio includes high-quality unfilled polypropylene (R-PP), such as that made from recycled fibers for technical applications. The aim of this partnership is to make it easier for plastics processors to switch to sustainable recycling material, thanks to both companies’ extensive product and application expertise. 

“Due to its decades-long experience and reliable sources for materials, RC Plast can guarantee maximum quality and long-term availability,” says Dr Stefan Girschik, CEO of Meraxis. “This partnership allows us to further expand our portfolio of high-quality recyclates. As a result, we’re enabling more and more customers to switch to sustainable material alternatives. In the automotive industry, in particular, as well as in the construction and packaging sectors, we’re seeing increased demand for high-quality secondary raw materials that require guidance and individual solutions.” In order to promote the development and production of customized applications, Meraxis is contributing not only its distribution network to the partnership, but also its research and development expertise. 

RC Plast has an extensive and established network of suppliers with access to post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial sources (PIR). “Our collaboration with Meraxis will not only allow us to exploit new international markets, but also address additional industry sectors and applications,” says Allan Poulsen, CSO of RC Plast. “Our recycled materials meet all quality standards for use in technical applications. We’re confident that our partnership can help companies in the automotive, furniture, and construction industries to reduce their consumption of new materials and promote the circular economy.”

All RC Plast recyclates can be ordered in the Meraxis customer portal, where the carbon footprint of a product can be viewed. “A transparent carbon footprint is becoming increasingly important for our customers, due to statutory regulations such as the EU Supply Chain Act and OEM specifications,” adds Girschik. “Making this carbon footprint visible is essential because it enables companies to better assess their products and processes. In addition to the choice of materials, logistics and design decisions also impact a product’s footprint. We advise our customers comprehensively so that they can achieve their sustainability goals.”

About the Meraxis Group

With a turnover of over 2 billion Euro, Meraxis is one of the world’s leading polymer distributors. As a full-service provider with a global distribution and logistics network, the internationally active distributor, headquartered in Muri near Bern, Switzerland, provides its customers with targeted support for the strategic procurement of plastics: Meraxis supplies companies from all industrial sectors with polymers and polymer-related products for a wide range of production processes – from the automotive industry to the construction sector and packaging companies. Meraxis combines a global partner and supplier network with extensive experience in the development and processing of high-quality polymers, as well as in-depth material and product knowledge. 

The Group’s product portfolio includes standard plastics (such as PE, PP, PET, PVC), engineering plastics, masterbatches (color granules) and recyclates. In addition, the company offers specific products (including metal, films, injection molded parts), as well as machines, equipment and tools for various plastic processing techniques. 

The full-service provider also works with its customers to develop solutions to promote the sustainable use of polymers and the circular economy. Meraxis sees itself as an active partner for digital transformation in the plastics industry. 
 

Pregis, a leading manufacturer of protective packaging, demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by joining the 2023 Pack Expo Sustainability Central Exhibit to feature its AirSpeed® Hybrid Cushioning (HC) Renew™ PCR product, a solution crafted from 80 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. 

Sustainability Central is a featured exhibit presented by PMMI designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of packaging sustainability. Curated by Fuseneo, the exhibit encourages participants to expand their thinking across critical areas of packaging sustainability, ranging from manufacturing materials through to packaging design. 

Featured in the materials portion of the exhibit, the innovative HC Renew PCR demonstrates how an inside-the-box shipping solution meets the growing demand for circular packaging. HC Renew PCR minimizes environmental impact while providing the same protection and durability as traditional air cushions. It reduces carbon emissions by 40 percent, fossil fuel usage by 65 percent, and water usage by 70 percent when compared to cushioning film made with virgin resin, as evaluated through a comprehensive lifecycle assessment.

"At Pregis, our dedication to sustainability extends beyond our products. We strive to pave the way toward a circular economy, and solutions like AirSpeed HC Renew PCR demonstrate our ability to innovate across the value chain. Pack Expo's Sustainability Central aligns with our ambition to educate on the importance of material choices in a company’s sustainability journey. We are honored to showcase our commitment to preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and keep waste out of the landfill,” said Ryan Wolcott, Chief Sustainability Officer of Pregis.

HC Renew PCR is printed with 80 percent PCR messaging and a How2Recycle® store drop-off label, offering consumers clear guidance on proper disposal. The high-pressure, on-demand solution’s patented square-pattern absorbs shock during shipping, ensuring products arrive safely. The unique combination of sustainability and premium protection makes it ideal for various markets, including e-commerce retail, home goods, beauty and cosmetics, electronics, and nutraceuticals.

Pack Expo attendees are encouraged to visit the Sustainability Central exhibit located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (N-9455) during the event dates of September 11-13, 2023.  

About Pregis
Pregis LLC is a customer-driven solutions provider of innovative flexible packaging, protective packaging materials, equipment systems and surface protection. As a material neutral company, Pregis works with its customers to find the right solution to solve their business challenges. Pregis is dedicated to minimizing impact on the environment by developing products which protect against damage, are designed for circularity, and preserve natural resources. The company serves a wide variety of consumer and industrial market segments including food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical devices, agricultural, e-commerce, retail, automotive, transportation, furniture, electronics, building, construction, and military/aerospace. For more information, visit www.pregis.com and www.pregiseu.com.
 

hubergroup Print Solutions, a leading international printing ink specialist, will participate in the 10th Specialty Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2023 as a platinum sponsor. At this conference, taking place on August 31 and September 1, 2023, in Mumbai, hubergroup will launch three new solvent-based ink series which are specifically tailored to the needs of the Asian market: Gecko Platinum Plus, Gecko Platinum NT and Gecko Gold. Thanks to the intensive research work of hubergroup’s developers in India and Germany, the sustainable, toluene-free ink series are ideally adapted to today’s high requirements for safe food packaging.

Carefully selected raw materials further enable these new Gecko series to combine a wide colour gamut and broad field of application with sustainability. They convince with high run length, excellent print performance, and eco-friendly formulation that supports sustainable, future-oriented packaging solutions. The PU (polyurethane)-based series Gecko Platinum Plus and Gecko Platinum NT as well as the hybrid vinyl-based series Gecko Gold are manufactured with the utmost care and highest safety standards and are, thus, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified.

“At hubergroup, we place great emphasis on supporting the production of safe and sustainable packaging. We are, thus, pleased to launch these three state-of-the-art solvent-based series, drawing on our tried and tested Gecko formulations which are specially adapted to the needs of the Asian market,“ says Suresh Kalra, Managing Director India and President Asia at hubergroup. “As one of the biggest packaging summits in the world, the Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit is the perfect platform for introducing these new products to the Indian flexible packaging industry. I would like to invite everyone to visit our stand to discuss our solutions for today’s requirements of printers.”

About hubergroup

hubergroup is an international printing inks and chemicals specialist based in Germany with a history stretching back more than 255 years. In its two divisions, the company develops innovative, sustainable products and services to enable its customers to achieve first-class results. The Print Solutions Division produces inks, varnishes and printing auxiliaries for packaging, commercial and newspaper printing. The Chemicals Division produces specialty chemicals such as resins, laminating adhesives, pigments and additives at its plants in India. hubergroup employs around 3,300 people in almost 30 countries and generated annual sales of around €813 million in 2022

SÜDPACK is once again right at the top of WirtschaftsWoche’s annual innova-tion ranking in 2023. With an innovation score of 384.0, the manufacturer of high-performance films and packaging concepts took ninth place. And just weeks beforehand, the renowned business magazine once again placed SÜD-PACK among the top 10 of the most sustainable SMEs in Germany.
“Despite the widespread sense of crisis, the most innovative SMEs in Germany are showing how technical innovations are turned into businesses and how markets can be conquered from a niche,” said the Munich-based consulting firm Munich Strategy, which was commissioned once again by Wirtschafts-Woche to rate the products, services and developmental strength of 4,000 companies. 
There’s a good reason SÜDPACK took top spots in both rankings. The globally active family business with its headquarters in Ochsenhausen in Swabia focus-es systematically on two core areas – innovation and sustainability. “In recent years, we have been able to set new standards in the market, in particular with our innovative, material-efficient and recyclable mono-structures, such as the PP and PE-based Pure-Line, and also with a sustainable packaging concept for the pharmaceutical industry,” emphasized Carolin Grimbacher, Managing Partner of the company group. Moreover, SÜDPACK is investing in both me-chanical and chemical recycling in order to close loops in the packaging industry and reduce the use of natural resources. 
Innovations in 2023
The film manufacturer’s commitment to a circular economy also impressed the Munich-based consulting firm once again this year. For example, the company produces high-quality compounds within the framework of its own material management that contain recycled material from plastic waste and can be used, among other things, in injection-molded parts for a wide range of applications. For a customer project, for example, SÜDPACK produced granulates for injec-tion-molded housing components for cordless vacuum cleaners with a recycled content of more than 40%. 
Last but not least, SÜDPACK invested in an LCA tool in 2023 that allows the company to take account of the environmental impact of packaging over its entire life cycle and in all of its facets and to optimally advise customers based on sound, fact-based analysis. “The impact categories that we identified as relevant for our films include not only fossil-based resource consumption, but also soil acidification, the formation of particulate matter, photochemical ozone formation as a risk to human health and freshwater ecotoxicity,” added Carolin Grimbacher.
WirtschaftsWoche’s analysis 
In order to analyze the innovative strength of a total of 4,000 SMEs, the Munich consultancy firm first evaluated the annual reports and presentations of each company. The 400 best companies were then carefully reviewed based on in-terviews with CEOs, customers and competitors to determine what is known as their ‘innovation score.’ One third of this is based on sales and profit growth and two thirds on the innovative strength of the respective company. This in-cluded product developments that had been launched as well as the amount spent annually on research and development. The innovation classification of each SME on the market was also an important factor in the selection process.
“Innovation is the key to success and an important strategic tool. That is why we see the repeated top placement in the WirtschaftsWoche ranking this year as a call to action. We can only consolidate and extend our position as market leader if we think about the future today – ecologically, economically and so-cially,” summarized Carolin Grimbacher.

About SÜDPACK
SÜDPACK is a leading manufacturer of both conventional and particularly sus-tainable high-performance films and packaging materials for the food, non-food and medical goods industries. All of its solutions ensure maximum prod-uct protection as well as additional pioneering features with minimum material input. 
The family business, which was founded by Alfred Remmele in 1964, is head-quartered in Ochsenhausen. The production sites in Germany, France, Poland, India, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the USA are equipped with cutting-edge plant technology and manufacture to the highest standards, including the capacity to operate under clean room conditions. The global sales and service network ensures a high degree of proximity to the customer and comprehen-sive application technology support in more than 70 countries.
With its state-of-the-art Development and Application Center at its headquar-ters in Ochsenhausen, the innovation-oriented company offers its customers an optimal platform for carrying out application tests and for developing indi-vidual and tailor-made solutions.
SÜDPACK is committed to sustainable development and fulfills its responsibility as an employer and towards society, the environment and its customers. For its particularly sustainable product developments and consistent commitment to a functioning circular economy in the plastics industry, SÜDPACK has re-ceived numerous awards. Further information is available at www.suedpack.com