Join Mark Andy on 11-13 September for The Power of Hybrid Forum at its European headquarters in Warsaw, Poland.

Programming will consist of interactive demonstrations and panel discussions on relevant industry topics, such as digital hybrid and low migration. The forum will be conducted in English on 11-12 September and in Polish on 13 September and provides networking opportunities with the Mark Andy staff plus key industry suppliers. The Power of Hybrid forum will also serve as a Labelexpo Americas preview, with the company expecting record attendance.

Tom Cavalco, Managing Director- Europe, Mark Andy says, “There is a huge demand for digital hybrid and flexo knowledge in the industry, so as the global leader in print Mark Andy has a duty to respond to that need.”

For the first time since its March 2018 launch, Digital Series HD will be demonstrated in Europe.Technicians will showcase via live demonstrations how the machine leverages the practical convenience of digital with the proven capabilities of flexo printing to provide the most profitable total production hybrid solution.

Building on the theme of hybrid, Mark Andy’s Performance Series P7, fitted with Digital Plus Screen, will also be printing at the forum. The Digital Plus Screen serves as a digital inkjet replacement for rotary screen print and can be added to any flexo machine to create a modular hybrid solution.

Digital One, built specifically for prime labels, will be running various short run jobs throughout the event. During demonstrations, attendees will see how this affordable technology can allow converters to profit on low-volume applications. With a large install base of the machine worldwide, many printers are using the solution as a starting point for their digital label business.

As supported Mark Andy Inc. brands, Rotoflex and Presstek equipment and representatives will be on site to showcase technological advancements as well. Demonstrations of the Rotoflex VSI, HSI and Presstek 34DI digital offset press with ECO-UV will occur each day.

Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with product specialists and learn how the technology they have seen. Interjected with the live equipment presentations will be moderated discussions focused on low-migration printing process and digital hybrid that attendees can participate in.

“We want our customers to understand the benefits of all Mark Andy technologies - hybrid, flexo, the complete workflow - and help them make the right decision for the future of their business,” says Cavalco. “With last year’s high attendance at our Open House, we are looking forward to another successful event to show our customers our dedication to being innovative and a global printing solutions partner.”

To register for The Power of Hybrid Forum in Warsaw, Poland follow the link: http://info.markandy.com/hybrid-forum

Troisdorf, July 2018 | Reifenhäuser is a successful global specialist operating in the plastics processing industry with a range of technologies for manufacturing packaging solutions. The Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating (CSC) business unit boasts outstanding process technology for plastics processing, which packaging manufacturers use to produce films with a reliable barrier effect. Packaging manufacturer RPC Bebo Plastik also relies on Reifenhäuser CSC's line concepts and process expertise, with the company's German site in Bremervörde recently putting into operation a multi-layer extrusion line for the production of barrier films. RPC Bebo Plastik uses its new production line to manufacture packaging items with aroma protection, such as coffee capsules, which act as an excellent barrier, protecting the packaging contents from oxygen, light, and humidity thanks to precise multi-layer technology.

The line concept sets new standards with regard to reproducibility thanks to MT: the patented mechatronic polishing stacks technology, and the user- friendliness and efficiency of the production process. All line settings are saved using an extensive recipe management system, meaning that time- consuming reconfigurations due to frequent product or colour changes are a thing of the past. "As well as the great tolerances and fast colour changes, reproducible composite films were pivotal to our decision," commented Niklas Rad, project head at RPC Bebo Plastik. "The opportunity to testcomposite films on a 9-layer barrier line in the Reifenhäuser technology centre assured us that we were using the right technology."

Significantly less energy and raw material consumption

Reducing raw material costs by saving on raw materials is of prime importance to film manufacturers. Reifenhäuser CSC meets this requirement with the REIcofeed 2.2 coextrusion feedblock. An internal encapsulation device replaces barrier raw materials and tie resin at the edges with inexpensive ground stock without an additional extruder being required - which saves space. This is an advantage as regards efficiency, as film manufacturers consume less energy and raw materials.

Lars Bergheim, regional sales manager at Reifenhäuser Cast Sheet Coating, had this to say about the benefits: "The further development of Reifenhäuser's tried and tested technology allows the barrier and tie resin layers to be optimally distributed across the width, while the entire composite film has very good individual thickness tolerances. This results in a high degree of raw material efficiency."

The project's progression reflects the systematic achievement of an individual customer requirement through the broad-based development capabilities of the Reifenhäuser Group.

Budenheim, Germany – July 25, 2018 As of today’s date, BERICAP Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers for plastic closures, invites visitors to explore its completely revised website www.bericap.com, with appealing state-of-the-art design and several new features. The new website has been designed to provide a highly user-friendly experience with improved navigation and functionality, allowing customers to access detailed product information, company news, fairs and conferences, and a CapFinder that leads intuitively to the product offering the features searched for.

User-friendly navigation

The new site includes extensive product information to help customers recognize BERICAP’s complete range of closure solutions for the food, beverage and industrial markets. Technical data, videos and success stories with customers from different sectors provide a detailed overview of the company’s range of services in each segment. Designed with a clear focus on the user experience, the website employs the latest technology to ensure that the responsive site is compatible with today's browsers and mobile devices.

Four main navigation levels form the core of the new website. “Products and Markets” gives an overview of the areas of activity covered by BERICAP. “Services and Solutions” includes the comprehensive services that, in addition to innovative and high-quality products, form one of BERICAP’s main USPs. The “Company” menu item offers an overview of the company’s history and mission, together with the latest news, information on fairs and conferences, and the careers section. Press releases are downloadable from the “Company / News” menu and offer direct access to printable press pictures.

CapFinder for one of the biggest closure ranges in the market

As an additional feature, the new website offers a service known as CapFinder, helping customers to make BERICAP’s broad range of products easy to understand. The CapFinder is located under “Products and Markets”, and covers a selection of the BERICAP product portfolio. New product details are updated continuously so that users can always access the latest technical information and view product images and up-to-date technical data.

“We are very excited about the launch of our new website”, says Christoph Thünemann, Group Director Communications and Marketing at BERICAP. “We love the new look and feel and are proud of our new features, especially the CapFinder where an impressive overview of the product range is available in one place.”

Supporting BERICAP's goal of underlining the company’s role as an innovation-generating and quality-driven global partner, serving customers in over 100 countries, the new website is a milestone to emphasize this claim within the company’s marketing mix. “As we strive to improve every aspect of our online and offline communication efforts, flagship projects such as the new website demonstrate our commitment to excellence, not only within our daily business but also within marketing and communications”, Thünemann concludes.

Princeton, NJ – Supply Chain Wizard – a leading full-service global consulting firm specializing in serialization and traceability, as well as supply chain strategy and operational transformation programs – is hosting a Digital Age Pharma CMO Summit on October 25, 2018 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal in Princeton, NJ. The event will bring together manufacturers and brand owners, CMOs, CPOs, 3PLs, wholesalers and solution providers to participate in educational and interactive activities centered on finalizing plans for serialization compliance and, from there, achieving significant value beyond compliance.

With just a few months left to meet the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) November 2018 serialization deadline, the event will focus largely on beyond-compliance strategies utilizing the troves of data and industry-wide data networks built by serialization solutions to realize business, manufacturing and supply chain improvements. Attendees will be encouraged to explore benefits afforded by digitalization, and gain exposure to the solutions and techniques involved in transforming traditional production plants into digital factories.

For example, Supply Chain Wizard will demonstrate the improvements to overall equipment effectiveness possible through systems like its OEE Tracker. The tremendous potential of other emerging technologies will be examined as well, including the Internet of Things(IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and blockchain. The value of networking at all levels is emphasized and encouraged.

“Bringing a broad spectrum of supply chain partners together to share their progress toward serialization and digitalization helps stakeholders appreciate the tremendous opportunities available,” said Evren Ozkaya, CEO of Supply Chain Wizard. “Stakeholders are afforded the opportunity to see how new solutions and technologies can strengthen operations, improve efficiency and productivity, and ultimately benefit patients by ensuring a safer and more expedient supply of pharmaceutical products.”

The Digital Age Pharma CMO Summit is supported by pharma manufacturers Fresenius Kabi, Medis, Mylan, Nordic and Teva – who are inviting their CMOs to the event – and sponsored by leading solution providers such as Adents, Systech and Wipotec-OCS. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

The October event is the second one taking place in Princeton, and the 10 th in the series of CMO-focused events Supply Chain Wizard has organized worldwide. The next Digital Age Pharma CMO Summit will be organized in Europe on December 11, 2018 in Berlin, Germany as the second event in the series of “Digital Age” themed Pharma CMO Summits.

Pharmaceutical industry professionals can register for the conference by visiting www.pharmacmosummit.com/princetondigitalage/

Wolfertschwenden, 31. July 2018 - At FachPack 2018 MULTIVAC will be presenting an innovative concept for packing medical and pharmaceutical products, where the main feature is the easy removal of the product thanks to a novel opening aid. In addition to this, a packaging line with automatic syringe infeed will be exhibited, as well as a new labelling solution, which enables folded products such as package inserts to be sealed closed automatically.

With Snapsil® MULTIVAC is showing a novel packaging concept for medical and pharmaceutical products, which is ideally suited to packing products such as syringes, tablets, plasters, injectors, catheters etc. With their integrated "snap-opening" function, Snapsil packs offer an innovative opening aid, which enables the packs to be used more easily, even by elderly or disabled persons. When it comes to the hectic activity of everyday life in hospitals and care homes, it is simple and quick to open the packs and remove the product easily in a controlled way. Depending on the type of product, the pack can be equipped with a "click-to-close" function, so that it can be opened again for multiple use and then closed securely. In addition to this, tamper-proof protection offers the maximum product safety. Snapsil packs can be produced on MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machines and traysealers. The solution was developed in conjunction with the Snapsil Corporation.

MULTIVAC will also be presenting an automated packaging line for packing sterile medical products. The line consists of a R 245 thermoforming packaging machine with a syringe infeed system, a thermal transfer printer for printing variable production data on the packs, and a vision system for inspecting the print image. The R 245 can be freely configured and offers a high level of flexibility as regards packaging materials and pack formats. At FachPack it is equipped with an automatic infeed system for loading pre-filled glass or plastic syringes, and the system inspects the products before inserting them securely into the pack cavities. The infeed system consists of a shaftinfeed system, a separating wheel, a transport conveyor and a pick & place robot. All the components of the infeed system are synchronised with the thermoforming packaging machine, and they can be operated via its control terminal in a convenient and reliable way.

The C 300 TC chamber machine will be on show from MULTIVAC's wide range of chamber machines. It enables sterile medical products to be packed securely in film pouches, and packs can be produced either as vacuum packs or with modified atmosphere and reduced residual oxygen content. A temperature-controlled and permanently heated sealing bar, which can be both validated and calibrated, ensures that this cleanroom-compatible machine achieves reproducible sealing quality.

MULTIVAC will be demonstrating its comprehensive expertise in labelling solutions with the new series of L 35x labellers. This series is designed for automatically sealing folding products closed, such as for example package inserts. The L 352 model will be presented at FachPack with a label dispenser, which enables the package inserts to be sealed closed with either a label on the back of the package insert, or alternatively with a label on the front edge of the product and a further label on the rear facing edge.

The L 352 can be installed on folding machines from various manufacturers. The labeller accepts the paper products directly at the folding machine. Thanks to a central height adjustment feature on the frame, the labeller can be adjusted quickly to different working heights, while separate servo drives for the top and bottom transport belts ensure that it can be adjusted to different paper thicknesses and formats. The machine is changed over to other label widths and labelling positions by means of dispensing edges, which can be exchanged very easily, in conjunction with special format plates for the press-on system.

Gurugram, India, July 30, 2018 – Packaging Connections has participated in the recent printing and packaging exhibition-PackPlus 2018. The company has displayed their key services which include “The Big Book of Packaging” and Tubes from Linhardt Pharma and Shrink Sleeves from Viscose. The company got tremendous response for their Big Book and visitors were delighted to see the book in actuals. Visitors were happy to know about company’s objective in levelling up standards of packaging education. Packaging Connections team also informed about visitor’s interest in promoting their products through content marketing services of Sanex. Also, on display were pharma packaging products which attracted technical people from pharmaceutical companies.

Post this event, the company is happy to announce “free of cost” publishing of News, Innovations, Press Releases and Whitepapers for the exhibitors of PackPlus 2018. Below are the link to publish these –

• News - http://www.packagingconnections.com/node/add/news
• PR – http://www.packagingconnections.com/node/add/press-release
• Whitepapers – http://www.packagingconnections.com/node/add/downloads
• Innovations - http://www.packagingconnections.com/node/add/innovation

“It was amazing to interact with packaging decision makers directly and to know their hunger for packaging innovations & packaging education, the perfect fit for us to our services”, says Sandeep Goyal, CEO, Sanex Packaging Connections Pvt. Ltd. a sharper focus on packaging jobs.

About Packaging Connections

Founded in 2005, Sanex started with an online platform as “Your Destination for Anything in Packaging”. The company progressed with innovative models of bringing new technologies to world through support to foreign packaging companies. Sanex Packaging Connections is a company by packaging professionals who have worked on successful projects with multinationals for live packaging projects. This is first packaging consulting company to have ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Sanex Packaging Connections Pvt Ltd is Indian partner for top German pharma companies and have a wide network of packaging professionals across the globe. Witnessing fast brand recognition and network growth, company has come up with various verticals in packaging. The company has given niche solutions to packaging industry like "PackagingBrains” (job dedicated portal), online packaging material store and also packaging books. The newest service is into Packaging Education and the company has launched “The Big Book of Packaging – Science, Art & Technology”.

Please find more details on http://www.packagingconnections.com/about/index.htm​

We Cosmo Films Limited are proud to introduce ourselves as the pioneer of BOPP film manufacturing in India. We are the leading manufacturer & exporter of BOPP films for Lamination, Food Packaging, Labeling and Overwrapping applications. We also have a specialty films like coated & synthetic paper.

We have our manufacturing units in Aurangabad & Vadodara, with our marketing offices in Mumbai, Vadodara, Delhi, Aurangabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. We have strong dealers network all over India.

Product Range:

The company offers the widest product portfolio under one roof which includes both commodity and speciality products for packaging, labeling, lamination and industrial applications. Some of our specialty products include high barrier films, overwrap films, velvet & black velvet thermal lamination films, scuff free and digital lamination films, PSA label face stock films, direct thermal printable films and synthetic paper.

Packaging Films:

• High Barrier Films:

• Transparent Films: These films are used in varied applications and include Aroma Barrier Films for coffee/tea and spices packaging; High Oxygen Barrier Films for biscuits packaging and High Oxygen & Aroma Barrier Films for ready to eat pack applications etc.
• Metalized Films: It comprises of High Moisture Barrier Films for sandwich lamination in shampoo sachets, dry milk powder & powdered drinks sachets/packs where loss of moisture is a concern. It also includes High Moisture Barrier with high seal strength films for bulk packs needing moisture barrier and Ultra High Barrier films for foods with fatty contents such as dry fruits, chips, cream biscuits packs etc.

•  Over-wrap Films:

The company offers range of overwrap films which is used in various applications including general overwrap, cable overwrap and cigarette overwrap. The cigarette overwrap films are co-extruded, low heat sealing and hot slip modified non-treated BOPP films, which can run effortlessly on high speed machines. Different shrinkage values of these films support wrapping of both single as well as medium bundled packs.

Lamination Films

• Velvet and black Velvet Films:

As the name suggests, these are thermal lamination films offering velvety touch and feel and intense black colour along with rich velvet finish to the printed surface respectively. Apart from the soft and velvety touch and feel, these films give excellent scuff resistance and are suitable for UV spot lamination and foil stamping as well. Engineered on special matte base films, these films not only protect the printed surface but also enhance the aesthetics.

• Scuff Free Matte Lamination Films:

Unlike a traditional matte film, this film provides excellent resistance to scuff marks which could develop during production, transportation and handling of the pack. The matte surface of the film is also ideal for post laminating procedures such as UV spot coating, hot foil stamping, embossing etc. Apart from the luxury packaging applications mentioned earlier, this film is best suited for laminating packing boxes of electronic goods like mobile phones, tablets, power banks etc.

• Digital Lamination Films:

Regular thermal lamination films do not give adequate bonding with digital printed surfaces containing high levels of fuser oil. The premium digital film has been specially engineered to provide excellent bonding to digital printed surfaces, along with providing excellent optics and protection. This film is available in both gloss and matte varieties.

Label Films

• ·PSA Label Face Stock Films:

Available in transparent, white and metalized variants, label stock films are used by majority of the home care & personal care products around the globe for their self-adhesive label needs. These films also find usage in imparting functional and aesthetic appeal in beverage and pharmaceutical products. All the films meant for label face stock are Universal Printable films; which means that they can deliver superior print performance across diverse printing processes which include UV, flexography, gravure, letterpress and offset. The films are also compatible with all ink based systems, i.e., UV, water based and solvent.

• Direct Thermal printable Films:

Direct thermal label films used for multitude of applications like information labeling (airport baggage tags etc.), manufacturing tracking, weight and price labeling is a specialty BOPP film with a proprietary coating which enables image/impression formation upon contact with the print head of the thermal printer. The film is obviously used in variable printing applications where good scuff & water resistance is desired. The printing type also works well in areas of sensitive information and tamper resistance.

Industrial Films: ·

• Synthetic Paper:

It is a replacement of paper in applications where durability and longevity is desired. It is non-tearable, has moisture and chemical resistance and excellent lay flatness. It is printable with most available printing technologies which include wet & UV offset, wet & UV flexo, letterpress, screen, thermal transfer and most of the digital toner technologies. The versatility of synthetic paper is reflected in the vast number of applications where it can be used. This includes areas such as commercial printing, tags & labels, retail & packaging, identification & credentials and outdoors. Today it is used primarily for printing visiting & ID cards, garment tags and marketing collaterals such as posters, banners etc. Going forward, all important documents like medical reports, educational certificates & land documents and instruction manuals could be printed on synthetic paper. Another important application of synthetic paper could be children & recipe books. Stationary items where longevity is essential such as maps, flip charts, and calendars could also be printed on this paper.

Customised Innovation:

Apart from the widest portfolio of BOPP and CPP films, the customers recognize Cosmo Films for the customized innovation that they provide them as a part of their strategic relationship and the customer centric approach. Their customer base includes the leading global flexible packaging and label face stock manufacturers like Amcor, Constantia, Huhtamaki, Avery Dennison etc., which in turn service brands like PepsiCo, Coca Cola, Unilever, P&G, CP, Reckitt Benckiser, Nestle, and Mars etc.

This year saw the 2000 th CCM press sold on international markets. Today's CCMs feature a full range of 4.0 systems to ensure customers maximise the return on their investment.

Sacmi has now sold more than 2,000 CCM presses worldwide. An extraordinary result, the outcome of the cutting-edge compression technology with which Sacmi has steadily gained and reinforced its technological leadership on global markets.

Over the years we've progressively added new features to the CCM range - especially as regards advanced sensors and quality control vision systems - to make this the very best closures technology on the market.

The very latest features to be incorporated in the range, in fact, played a starring role in Sacmi's presentation at the international NPE fair in Orlando, held in May. Here, the Sacmi team presented a detailed overview of such devices (sensors, operator interfaces, Sacmi H.E.R.E. line supervisor), which let customers use advanced monitoring and diagnostics functions.

Such systems mean that purchasers of a Sacmi CCM 4.0 can now get advance warning of potential problems on both the machine and multiple interconnected systems. The result? OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) is maximised at all times. These advantages combine with the well-known benefits of compression technology, acknowledged and appreciated worldwide: these range from the highly innovative extrusion process to the ability to govern and control each cavity independently, allowing for significant improvements on the quality and manufacturing efficiency fronts.

Alongside the technology, the heart of the CCM is, today, the HMI (human-machine interface). This has been designed to ensure outstanding user-friendliness and aid immediate identification and correction of potential production “drifts”. The NPE audience were shown an array of simulations: in each case, whenever a potential problem arose, the machine was able to self-adjust, underscoring both the soundness and reliability of the process. Messages are clear and intuitive, thus minimising the problem of false rejects/acceptances that can be a source of energy and raw material waste.

To complete the picture, Sacmi Closures also works alongside customers to design caps and cap-bottle systems. Close consultation - which involves all system seal testing and advanced practical/aesthetic design - lets customers launch new product lines at competitive cost. This, then, is Sacmi Total Care. Providing close customer support right from the design phase, that care now aims to bring all the advantages of Industry 4.0 to the beverage cap production process. In short: an innovative platform that - thanks to smoothly integrated solutions and advanced on-machine sensors that dialogue with the supervisor - extends to the entire bottling line, making it a true pellet-to-pallet package.

CHICAGO – July 25 2018 – Videojet Technologies, a global leader in coding, marking and printing solutions, is proud to introduce the Videojet 6230 Thermal Transfer Overprinter (TTO), an easy-to-use printer that helps manufacturers reduce flexible packaging coding errors, and improve Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Videojet understands that manufacturers require a reliable and adaptable solution that helps to ensure codes are printed correctly and accurately, time after time. The Videojet 6230 TTO printer is designed to meet these needs, and provides a solution that offers exceptional user experience with code assurance capabilities.

Utilising the latest in Videojet technology, the 6230 printer features a simple cassette design that allows for long production runs. Its 700m ribbon length is typically much longer than ribbons used for hot stamp printers, and requires fewer ribbon changes versus other competitive TTO systems. This helps to maximize production uptime, and when a ribbon change is necessary, the 6230 printer makes it safe and easy.

The simple maintenance of the 6230 printer helps to deliver an industry-leading low cost of ownership solution. Moreover, the airless printer design not only eliminates the need for compressed air, but features fewer wear parts through the exclusion of air hoses and connectors. Printer components are fast and easy to replace to help ensure that production is up and running as quickly as possible. The unique printhead is also designed for maximum uptime, since it’s easy to change and requires no additional operator intervention to return to printing functionality.

Designed to withstand typical production line environments, and with its inventive composition, the 6230 printer easily integrates into most production lines, especially those with space limitations.

“Manufacturers lack the flexibility when choosing how they want to operate their Thermal Transfer Overprinter,” explains Heidi Wright, Business Unit Manager TTO, at Videojet Technologies. “With an intuitive, 5” colour touchscreen controller, and one-touch job selection functionality, the Videojet 6230 is an easy to operate printer and an ideal solution for manufacturers who wish to migrate from hot stamping technology. In addition, the Videojet 6230 offers manufacturers multiple options aside from the touchscreen user interface when choosing how to operate their printer, including via an Android phone.”

Code Assurance comes as standard in the 6230 printer. Manufacturers can benefit from simple code creation with VideojetConnect™ Design or CLARiSOFT™ software, helping to reduce operator interactions resulting in fewer user errors and unnecessary product waste and rework. The WYSIWYG print preview functionality allows operators to confirm the correct code is selected, and a real-time clock stamp avoids date errors, helping to reduce recall risk.

Available with optional Bluetooth® capability, and with the use of the compatible Bluetooth USB adaptor, the 6230 printer can also be controlled from an Android phone rather than a HMI. With this feature activated, manufacturers can use an Android phone OS 4.4.4 or higher as a graphical user interface, a memory stick to transfer jobs, and barcode job selection functionality. This simplifies operator interaction with the printer and production line.

Wright concludes, “Videojet continues to invest in product research and development, and we are very pleased that this new Thermal Transfer Overprinter offers manufacturers a solution to help reduce flexible packaging coding errors, and improve total cost of ownership.”

This Sacmi Verona solution lets manufacturers personalise label graphics by combining the outstanding quality typical of digital printing with high-speed, precision application. A “real time to market” solution made economical and versatile thanks to the “roll to bottle” system that lets the module work directly in-line with the labeller.

With over 2,000 systems sold worldwide, Sacmi Verona is a leading labelling technology provider, supplying solutions to the biggest players in the global beverage and packaging industries. And it's here that D-Match, the last word in digital label customization, was designed and developed.

Sacmi Verona can count on a unique combination of decades of experience with multiple labelling technologies and systems and unrivalled digital cap printing know-how (acquired through the development of the successful COLORA CAP). The outcome? The company has now developed a new digital label printing module which aims to offer the market a versatile, economical solution that maximises personalisation while ensuring high digital print quality, high speed and lower logistics and reel storage costs.

'Roll to bottle' in-line digital printing is no mere slogan: it defines an ultra- performing solution designed to work directly in-line with the labeller (self- adhesive PSL labeller). On-label digital print quality is guaranteed up to 720 dpi, with output rates as high as 60 metres of reel per minute. The D-Match module maximises graphic design opportunities by providing up to 7 colours (CMYK plus 3 spot colours); it also incorporates the label drying system and the film aligning device at the labeller infeed. Completing the picture is the automatic reel splice system, which eliminates any downtimes or interruptions to production.

Agile customization (with logo, codes and just about anything else) of pre- printed labels - without the inconvenience of having to install complex machines designed to print directly on the bottle - provides yet another Sacmi D-Match plus- point. A clear-cut choice (also with respect to alternative technologies based on roll-to-roll systems), then, that lets potential customers explore all the opportunities of 'digital customization’ immediately - via an easy, affordable investment - on existing plants too. And because the module works directly on the label, there's the added advantage of being able to operate independently of bottle shape.

Further features include the compact design, incorporated neatly within the labeller footprint, and the bypass system which can be used to apply, as necessary, pre-printed but not-to-be-customized labels. These features round off a solution designed not just to maximise the customer's brand and product enhancement opportunities but also, compared to alternative solutions, to optimise logistics and process costs. With Sacmi D-Match, in fact, digital customization of label parts occurs directly on the labelling station, without any need for further processing cycles... with all the precision and quality one expects from Sacmi Verona.

Sacmi will be at the 13th edition of Anutec (27-29 September 2018) – a key platform on the strategic Indian market – to showcase everything from the FFS packaging machine range for the food industry to its integrated PET production range with comprehensive pellet-to-pallet solutions.

Sacmi’s complete beverage plants are set to play a starring role at Anutec, the food&drink processing fair being held in Mumbai from 27 to 29 September 2018 (Bombai Exhibition Centre). The success of the previous 12 editions underscores just how important this event is for India, a market that is nothing less than strategic for Sacmi machines and complete lines.

The Group stand (hall 1, booth C32) will be placing considerable emphasis on complete FFS solutions. Developed by Sacmi Beverage, a Sacmi Group company owning trade mark Benco Pack with over 50 years’ experience in the industry, form-fill-seal horizontal packagers for the food industry come in a wide range of configurations. Available in aseptic and non-aseptic versions, their output rates span from 6,000 to 100,000 containers per hour and cover sizes from 10 to 250 ml. More specifically, Sacmi recently developed and presented a smart version of the solution, a horizontal 6,000 cph packager for dairy products.

Being able to provide packaging machines with the Sacmi shrink sleeve application device in multi-pack configurations (patented Sacmi ISA, integrated sleeve applicator) gives the final product added value, rewarding producers with new individual brand marketing and enhancement opportunities and allowing the development of new product lines at competitive cost. Moreover, Sacmi Beverage has a reputation for supporting customers closely right from the design stage; for example, we provide consultation for the manufacture of containers with new shapes in order to achieve the best balance between eye-catching design and optimisation of raw material consumption and costs.

One of just a handful of competitors in the world capable of developing a comprehensive range for every phase of the beverage production line, Sacmi is, at this latest edition of this Indian fair, set to strengthen its role as an all-round plant engineering provider thanks to cap and preform production solutions integrated with the downstream bottling line. The heart of the new Sacmi HeroLine is Heroblock, the all-in-one quadblock that combines the blowing, filling, capping and bottle labelling stages.

Contained consumption, logistic efficiency thanks to less handling and improved final product quality are but some of the advantages of the HERO configuration. Extensive technological expertise covering every stage of the process lets Sacmi design the optimal plant configuration – with modular, flexible pellet-to-pallet solutions – together with customers according to their specific production requirements.

Sacmi doesn’t just provide technological excellence: manufacturing and sales companies operate worldwide to ensure far-reaching customer service. Sacmi Engineering, a one-stop production, sales and assistance reference point serving the entire Indian market, is a case in point. Lastly, all projects receive close support from the Sacmi Beverage laboratory, a facility certified by the global industry’s biggest players.

Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and sustainable living, together with APK, are leading the way in taking the next step to increase the sustainable benefits of multilayer food packaging films. Beyond the primary function of reducing food waste, the products are now also recyclable via APK’s new recycling route.

Many multilayer barrier films for food packaging consist of a combination of PE and PA6, where PE acts as a barrier for moisture and PA6 as a barrier for oxygen thus significantly extending the shelf life of the packaged food. Such packaging cannot be produced with a mono-material PE film, since the layer thicknesses to achieve sufficient barrier properties would become too high. The addition of PA6 in the multi-material solution reduces the total layer thickness significantly and improves the mechanical integrity of the film resulting in less rupture of the films during transportation and logistics. This leads to a lower food waste percentage and thus to a significantly better carbon footprint in a Life Cycle Analysis.

Today APK and DSM are also able to address the “End-of-Life” stage of the Life Cycle of a multilayer PE/PA6 packaging film using APK’s Newcycling ® process, a technique that makes it possible to recover high- quality re-granulates with properties close to virgin plastics, from complex mixtures and multi-layer composites (so-called multilayer barrier packaging). With conventional recycling systems that is not possible. “Moreover the Newcycling ® process works highly cost-efficient and offers a competitive, sustainable material source. The re-granulates, generated from multilayer PE/PA6 packaging waste, can be used again in demanding flexible packaging which contributes to the target of a circular economy,” explained Florian Riedl, Head of Business Development at APK AG.

APK is building a plant for recycling multilayer PE/PA6 packaging, using Newcycling ® process, which will start up in Q4 of this year.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™

Royal DSM is a purpose-led global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living. DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative business solutions for human nutrition, animal nutrition, personal care and aroma, medical devices, green products and applications, and new mobility and connectivity. DSM and its associated companies deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion with approximately 23,000 employees. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

APK

At its headquarters in Merseburg near Leipzig, Germany, APK produces high-quality plastic recycle reclaimed from post-consumer and production sources. APK’s core technology is its Newcycling ® process, a solvent-based technique that makes it possible to recover from complex mixtures and multi-layer composites (so-called multilayer barrier packaging) high-quality re-granulates with properties close to virgin plastics. With conventional recycling systems that is not possible. Newcycling ® allows the pelletized recyclates to be used in demanding applications, such as flexible packaging, again.

23 rd July 2018, Noida (India) / Shanghai:Uflex Limited made an astounding impact at the Propak China exhibition that was held during 11–13 July 2018 in Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC), Shanghai, China. The company showcased its ASEPTO brand—an aseptic liquid packaging brand crafted by Uflex Ltd.—as an exhibit, which won high appreciation for its unprecedented feature, i.e., holographic packs. In exhibiting so, Uflex successfully tested the interest level of global beverage manufacturers for holographic applications in aseptic liquid packaging. The talking point feature not only made Uflex the first Indian company to showcase the holographic packs in China, but also allowed global beverage manufacturers industry take note of India’s superior manufacturing ability. The ASEPTO holographic feature mesmerized theattendees at the exhibition who took great interest for having identified a unique way to promote their products/brands.

The existing Chinese market has presence of only metalized pack with a market scope of 2bn packs per annum, however without options when it comes to superior aesthetics. Therefore, holography entering in this market will be a new buzzword for Aseptic Packaging and will give brand owners countless opportunities to enhance their brand presence. With no major capex investment, brand owners can leverage the benefits of this new option that is trending in aseptic packaging.

Talking about exhibiting the brand and its unique concept successfully at the event,Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, President and CEO of New Business Initiatives, Uflex Limited, said, “This show, considered to be the carnival of processing and packaging technology industry will help us showcase ASEPTO’s holographic excellence in the untapped Chinese packaging market. We want to make a dent in the market by reaping the first-mover advantage. Apart from that we are a total system supplier providing packaging material and filling machines.”

The eye-catching holographic pack was extremely appreciated for the fact that it holds the potential to escalate a brand’s sales growth based on the differentiation it would create over the counter at retail stores and hypermarkets. Holography in packaging is a novel concept, which gives an edge to an existing line of products/brands and, simultaneously, helps companies launch new line of products/brands to upscale their product portfolio.“Holography is a new concept in packaging, which will be enjoyed by the brand owners. I am extremely proud to say that Uflex presents, through ASEPTO, quality packaging solution to the industry, which has been recognized globally with all the international certifications to its credit, such as BRC, FDA, Halal and FSC certifications. I firmly believe that our holography packs will help us progress business relations in foreign markets since we are delivering on quality innovation promise and standards that brand owners are seeking out, and our product is on a par with global standards,” Mr. Sharma elaborated.

Propak China showcased Uflex and ASEPTO’s core strength of innovation courtesy the holography application in aseptic packaging to the world. A total of 16 countries visited the exhibition, with event participation from SSE Asia—20%, China—60%, the Middle East—10%, Africa—5% and Europe—5%. The overall footfall in the Uflex booth was extremely impressive and generated several business enquiries.

Research was conducted by the Sacmi steel team together with Bologna University (DICAM and DIN departments). The purpose of the presentation, to be held on 13 September during the conference, is to promote direct involvement of undergraduates and PhD students in this area.

Sacmi and AIM (Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia) continue their close collaboration. After hosting, last April, a third specialised technical-scientific training course on metal powders, Sacmi is now getting ready for the Association's 37 th national conference (to be held from 12 to 14 September at Bologna University’s Faculty of Engineering and Architecture). As per AIM tradition, the event takes on a multi- seminar format. Here, Sacmi will illustrate the studies, carried out together with Bologna University, into the heat treatment of steel.

Co-developed by the Sacmi steel team and the Metallurgy and Corrosion units at the Departments of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Material Engineering (DICAM) and Industrial Engineering (DIN) of Bologna University, the study investigated the “effect of heat treatment conditions on residual austenite and the corrosion resistance of stainless steel X190CrVMo20-4-1”. The goal of the complex study is to demonstrate how stainless steel for moulds, produced using powder metallurgy techniques, can provide improved corrosion resistance, doing so by maintaining low levels of residual austenite and optimal hardness values when subject to specific heat treatments without having to resort to cooling and/or cryogenic holding.

Another equally important purpose of the meeting (Sacmi's talk will take place at 9.40 a.m. on the 13 th ) is to promote the direct involvement of young metallurgists and PhD students in individual seminars, thus strengthening AIM as an interface between the university and technical- manufacturing worlds. For Sacmi, this is a great occasion to bolster its working partnership with Universities and regional research facilities. Such work is essential, on the one hand, to developing promising new lines of applied research and, on the other, to training up key figures in the relative business areas.

The biennial battle for the world’s Gold in 'holistic' packaging innovation has entered the decisive phase, now that the ten finalists of Packaging Innovation Contest De Gouden Noot 2018 are known. They were selected after an orientation phase with 87 companies, of which 21 entered the battle in the first jury round. The non-finalists received an extensive report with the jury findings on their packaging innovation.

The ten finalists for De Gouden Noot 2018 are:

• AcuDropII ● Verhoeven Ontwerpburo
• Arcwise packaging ● Brohl Wellpappe
• Combo Excelsior ● Schoeller Allibert
• CRTESS CAP ● Mullackal Polymers
• E-commerce Ready Detergent Packaging ● Henkel
• Hot2Home Fry Cup ● Plato Product Consultants
• Persistalert ● Ecobliss
• Seepje ● FLEX/design
• Smart IoT Drum Pallet ● Ahrma Group
• Stackpack ● Zalpak & Straatman

The second jury round will take place in October 2018. Then each finalist will have the opportunity to present his/her innovation to the full jury led by jury chairman Prof. Renee Wever. The secretariat passes all the comments from around the world to the jury, who then takes these into account in the discussion with the finalist.

Only one finalist will eventually take home the unique winner's trophy, with the solid golden walnut inside as a sign of the best holistic packaging innovation. This will take place during the Award Ceremony, Thursday evening 22 November 2018 in the iconic A'DAM Tower in Amsterdam.

Cutting-edge Group technology to be showcased at Food & Drink Technology (4-6 September). Sacmi continues to invest in Africa, already a key market for complete PET processing solutions

FDT Africa 2018, the biannual event dedicated to food & drink technology to be held from 4 to 6 September in Johannesburg, will see Sacmi play a leading role with a complete range of solutions for the closures and beverage industries. The Group has many years' experience in the country through its Sacmi South Africa branch, which provides sales support and assistance. We see participation in this fair as nothing less than strategic: our focus will be on the latest technology for the industry, from our world-leading compression technology to complete, integrated pellet-to-pallet PET processing solutions.

Taking centre-stage on the Group stand (a 30 m 2 exhibition area, booth n° 145) will be Sacmi's cap and preform manufacturing machines which - via the automatic CPB Link magazine - integrate downstream with complete blowing, filling and container labelling solutions. This is the new Sacmi HeroLINE, which provides greater logistic efficiency, reduces consumption and optimises production performance. Also available in the new HeroBlock configuration (the compact, high performance all-in-one quadblock that combines the blowing, filling, capping and bottle labelling stages), this solution represents the very best from Sacmi, the world's only competitor capable of providing solutions for every stage of beverage production.

Capable of leading the way in numerous fields and industries, Sacmi has also succeeded in transferring all the advantages of compression technology to container production. A key example is CBF (compression blow forming), an innovative solution that lets manufacturers produce lighter, better- performing containers of higher quality at lower cost. This cutting-edge solution combines the very best characteristics of alternative technologies and is gaining ground on all the world's key markets, especially in the dairy and pharma sectors.

Lastly, inspection and quality control systems continue to play a crucial role. Based on a shared software platform developed by the Group's Automation & Inspection Systems Division, these systems are configured to give customers total quality control at every stage of production. They also allow for implementation of advanced remote control functions via any corporate network-connected device. Last but not least, the Sacmi Group has also been winning over the dynamic African market (which, according to 2017 data, was again particularly appreciative of Sacmi's complete PET processing lines) thanks to far-reaching assistance and outstanding service, which ranges from initial design to after-market solutions.

Wolfertschwenden, 24. July 2018 – The reduction of the consumption of packaging and the use of recyclable materials in the production of packaging are currently at the top of the agenda in the packaging industry and among consumers. In the near future, the demand for recyclable packaging in particular will increase significantly. With MULTIVAC PaperBoard, MULTIVAC, as one of the leaders in the market and technology, offers a variety of solutions for the production of packaging based on paper fibre that fully meet the requirements of recyclability.

Primarily, packaging must protect the product. In respect of food, packaging substantially contributes to the improved use and prolonged shelf life. Plastic composites, which have the required barrier properties and can be easily processed on packaging machines, are predominantly used for this purpose.

The new German Packaging Act, which will come into force in 2019, and the EU Plastics Strategy, which was adopted in January 2018, are intended to counteract the massive increase in the production of plastics worldwide. The requirements essentially relate to the introduction of a recycling economy for the plastics industry and the reduction of the consumption of plastics.

At MULTIVAC, these topics are not new. "As one of the leaders in the market and technology, we continuously strive towards developing innovative machine concepts and setting new standards in the market for packaging quality and efficiency as well as the conservation of resources and the reduction of packaging. We are also convinced that the use of alternative materials will create further sustainable prospects for the future," as Valeska Haux, Vice President Corporate Marketing, explains and who is also responsible for the film business at MULTIVAC.

Alternative packaging concepts with MULTIVAC PaperBoard

MULTIVAC PaperBoard offers various solutions for the manufacture of packaging from paper fibre based materials. In this regard, MULTIVAC works with leading manufacturers on suitable packaging materials that can be processed in standard systems. The thermoforming packagingmachines and traysealers can be individually customised for the respective performance requirements of the customers. They accordingly offer real added value in terms of package quality, output and process reliability. In addition, by means of combining infeed, outfeed and pack labelling modules, fully automated packaging solutions can be offered that fully meet the requirements in respect of efficiency.

For example, both MAP and skin packs made from paper fibre based materials can be implemented on the MULTIVAC systems. The backing material can be processed either as a roll or as a cut sheet; in addition, prefabricated trays can be used. All the materials can be separated into their respective parts by the end user and the paper backing sent for recycling.

Advantages of packaging made of fibre based materials

The use of functional layers makes it possible to produce paper-based packs that meet the barrier property requirements of plastic composites. Either the paper backing or the entire paper composite can be sent for recycling; in this regard, countries have different regulations that need to be observed.

Another advantage of paper backings is their wide design range for purposes of printing. This contributes significantly to differentiation at the point of sale. Product data can also be displayed on the paper backing so that large labels can be dispensed with.

Processing cardboard trays

For the processing of cardboard trays in MAP or skin packs, MULTIVAC offers both thermoforming packaging machines and traysealers that can be equipped with appropriate modules for the infeed and outfeed of the trays.

In contrast to the trays made of cardboard composites that are processed by the traysealer and that can be separated by type after use, the trays used for the thermoforming packaging machine are made of mono cardboard. In the thermoforming moulding die of the machine, the trays are equipped with a corresponding plastic sealing layer that can then also be separated from the cardboard after use. The output requirements of the packaging solution significantly influence the decision as to the respective ideal system.

Processing cardboard backing

Skin packs on the basis of cardboard backing can be produced with MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machines as well as with traysealers. In contrast to the traysealer which processes cut cardboard sheets, the thermoforming packaging machine can use material from a roll, which makes this technology far more flexible in respect of the design of the packs. In addition, processing the material from a roll is also significantly more efficient.

Processing malleable paper

Similarly, MAP and skin packs made of malleable paper composites can also be produced. Paper and cardboard composites with different grammages and different functional layers are used. Pack cavities with a depth of up to 20 mm can be produced with the standard version of MULTIVAC thermoforming packaging machines. As with the previously mentioned packs, the materials of this pack can also be separated according to type and the paper backing send for recycling.

MULTIVAC expertise

In order to achieve optimal results, MULTIVAC supports its customers with comprehensive pack tests that are then used for a holistic assessment of the packs. MULTIVAC, as a system supplier, also offers suitable packaging materials that are designed for processing in packaging machines.

Our pronounced line expertise also enables the development of automatic solutions that fully meet the specific requirements of the processors in terms of output and process reliability. Initial customer projects have already been successfully completed.

In general, MULTIVAC has sufficient experience in the handling of paper-based packs – and will increasingly focus on innovative packaging concepts at future trade fairs.

Impressed by the wide range of polymeric products that Flex Films manufactures and the associated R&D capabilities, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) approached the company with a requirement of specialised film for passive thermal control of spacecraft components.

Flex Films at Noida is the Indian Film Manufacturing Arm of India’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solution company Uflex Limited.

Taking this requirement in its stride, the engineers at Flex Films India developed a solution for ISRO in a record time period of six months.

Talking more about this specialised film, Mr Anand Prakash Gupta from Speciality Films and R&D Department at Flex Films, Noida said: “ISRO approached us in an endeavour to achieve its vision to self-reliance in Indian Space Programme which aims at engaging more Indian Industries in producing spaceworthy products/technologies for its specific applications.

“Their desired specifications were in electro-optical and physical terms like Solar Transmittance, IR Emittance, Thickness of Coating in nanometres on both sides of the substrate and wide spectrum working temperature of -150°C to 120°C to name a few.

“The real challenge was to convert these specifications into our measurable norm. For this we sent an A4 sized sample to ISRO to get everything measured and tested in their terms. When ISRO reverted to us with their requirements in the parameters that they recognise, we extrapolated that information to our measurable norm.

“Performing metallisation in conventional metalliser was fraught with high risks of getting scratches and other aberrations (anomalies which were absolutely unacceptable for a high precision job that we were processing for ISRO). Further we developed some specialised coatings and applied on the substrate to ensure flawless metallisation as required by ISRO.”

Talking more about this major breakthrough Mr Jagmohan Mongia, president of Flex Films India, said: “The specialised metallised film that we supplied to ISRO was subjected to space environmental tests and passed through all parameters/tests qualifying for space application.

“Here I would particularly like to acknowledge the unrelenting and hard work by the metallising team of Flex Films India without which it would not have been possible for us to accomplish this goal. After this major breakthrough we now look forward to working with ISRO more closely in other research areas and technologies. This is just the beginning.”

Expressing delight on this breakthrough, Mr Ashok Chaturvedi, Uflex Limited chairman and managing director, said: “The most gratifying part of this whole engagement is that Uflex has been able to contribute to ISRO’s endeavour of indigenisation and becoming self-reliant in space technology applications.

“This is a perfect example of an Indian polymeric film manufacturer meeting and exceeding the performance parameters set by Indian Space Research Organization. This is a major win for Make in India and a moment of truth for Made in India.”

Elizabethtown, Kentucky (USA) 18 July 2018:

FLEXMETPROTECT TM is now placed under state of the art optical surface inspection technology and defect classification system that reveals and quantifies defects with the help of the newly launched Web Metalized Surface Inspection System. The system checks the entire web and allows for rapid and accurate detection of defects on the film. The Web Metalized Surface Inspection System is located in a strategic part of the slitting process just near to the winding roll comprised of smart, line-scan cameras that can analyze 100% of the web for defects in real time.

Speaking about the Inspection system, Mr. Deepak Mehta, Technical Manager at Flex Films (USA) Inc. said, The Web Metalized Surface Inspection System will address any defect related to metal deposition such as the areas with high defect density or those having Periodic defect or the ones with Continuous defect and even Contamination. The system measures and records the data in real time at very high web speed, generating a comprehensive report including mapping, defect characteristics like area, width, defect, light intensity etc. which helps the operator to address any quality related issues. This improves production efficiency and product quality and in-turn helps customers with less product wastage and downtime.”

Getting into the detail of the system, Mr. Vijay Yadav, Business Head, Flex Films (USA) Inc said, “The Web Metalized Surface Inspection System is designed for the inspection of non-patterned materials which are manufactured in continuous web processes. It performs the actual inspection and reports the inspection results that are reviewed prior to sending roll to the customer. It’s kind of a closed-loop system with slitting and metallizing operations working in harmony to produce the best quality product, thereby assuring our customers of FLEXMETPROTECT TM that the roll shipped to them is always A grade.”

Speaking about the value offer of the new system, Mr. Anantshree Chaturvedi, Vice Chairman and CEO, Flex Films International said, “This state of the art Web Inspection System helps to evaluate the entire web surface of FLEXMETPROTECT TM generating a superior quality material that will give peace of mind to the customer and has the possibility to be used on AlOx coated transparent film too and we are in the process of acquiring new system to characterize bare film and we assure the quality of our product as always to our customers.

Sharing his thoughts about the Web Metalized Surface Inspection System for FLEXMETPROTECT TM film, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman & Managing Director, Uflex Limited said, “The good instincts of my engineers at Flex Films helped them to acquire this new system of Automatic Defect monitoring which enables precise surface flaw detection and indeed makes it a commendable achievement.”

German based machine manufacturer closes the financial year with a sales record and reaches new markets

Dresden, 19th July 2018 – KAMA GmbH has increased sales for the third time in a row and closed the financial year 2017/18 (ended 31st March) with a sales record of 15.6 million Euro. After a plus of 13 percent in the previous year, the German machine manufacturer achieves another growth of six percent. “Overall, we have achieved a good result and the target of 15 percent EBITDA margin is within reach – for mechanical engineering a value in the upper range”, says KAMA CEO Marcus Tralau. The innovative manufacturer achieves about 80 percent of sales with its core business, the construction and distribution of versatile finishing die cutters as well as cutting edge folder gluers for job printing and folding carton production. This is complemented by the revenues from the production of hot foil systems for labels.

Growth in Germany, East Europe and in the Far East

The increased demand from Asia, West and East Europe has particularly contributed to the growth. Around one quarter of the machine revenues were generated in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Australia. The European foreign markets contributed 38 percent, with a strong increase in East European countries. After KAMA took over the domestic distribution in Germany, the business has almost doubled to a share of around 20 percent. The sales only declined slightly in the USA after a very successful previous year. All things considered, the job printing market with the trend towards high-quality products and finishing has developed well for KAMA.

The second sales driver is the new folder gluer for short-run folding cartons KAMA FF 52i, presented by KAMA at the drupa 2016. The fully automatic folder gluer, which enables extremely rapid job changes, was placed on the market just at the right time for the trend towards short packaging runs, versioning and digitally printed folding cartons. The innovative solution with patented folding and gluing line and inspection is successfully used by folding box manufacturers, for example in Germany, the USA and Italy.

Specialist for short runs

“The focus on solutions for short runs and thus also for the booming digital printing has proven to be a success”, says Tralau. “It is our unique selling proposition.” KAMA is continuing along its path of growth and intercepts the increasing personnel costs with an increasing productivity. “We focus on innovation and have exciting projects in the pipeline”, says the CEO looking ahead.