OEGSTGEEST, the Netherlands — September 26, 2017 — Avery Dennison today congratulates ebeam Technologies on its win at the Label Industry Global Awards at Labelexpo in Brussels. ebeam Technologies received the Global Sustainability Award for its Compact curing unit, which now makes low-energy, photo-initiator-free, curing accessible for label and package printing production.

“ebeam Technologies’ compact curing system is just the kind of innovation our industry, and the world, needs right now,” said Jeroen Diderich, vice president and general manager of Avery Dennison Label and Graphic Materials, Europe. “Helping converters improve efficiencies while cutting energy consumption is a significant step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources. It’s the very definition of doing more with less—and that’s the great business challenge of this century.”

Avery Dennison’s recycled facestock range was a finalist for this year’s Global Sustainability Award. The range is made of 100% recycled post-consumer waste, including 30% liner waste. Source Label was also named as a finalist for its environmentally friendly, cost-effective and easy to adopt double-sided labelling system.

“Winning this award is a great validation for ebeam Technologies and a victory for our entire industry,” added Diderich. “This year’s finalists are proof positive that innovation is alive and well in the label business. These kinds of exciting inventions are about more than the company that made them—they embody the capability and spirit our industry very much needs right now, not just to help our customers keep pace with the evolving demands of their businesses, but also to help move society toward sustainable consumption and responsible treatment of our planet’s limited resources. We’re proud to be named with Source Label and ebeam Technologies as examples of our industry’s progress.”

On 7th September 2017 in Gossau Switzerland, the hot foil stamping technology leader Gietz AG celebrated its 125th year of successful company operation.

Gietz AG is a family owned company, run by the 5th generation of the family – Claudia Gietz Viehweger and Hansjörg Gietz – and specialises in the design and manufacture of the highest level of high speed hot foil stamping systems. The Gietz name is recognised worldwide as the leading technology provider in this specialised field serving the commercial, packaging, labels and security fields.

Members of the Gietz family personally welcomed over 120 invited customers, partners and sales representatives from around the world to a day of celebration held in Gossau SG, Switzerland. The day comprised a speech of welcome by Hansjörg Gietz, before moving to a programme of three specialist presentations from industry leading figures, namely:

• Mr Bruno Sonderegger, Paper Ambassador of Sonderegger AG
• Mr Dr Fanz-Josef Vollherbst, Chairman of Vollherbst Druck GmbH
• Mr Gordon Crichton, Managing Director of MAI International Purchasing Management Institute

All three presentations were both extremely interesting informative to the assembled audience and were highly appreciated by the guests.

A full tour of the Gietz factory and technology centres was then made showing the latest technical development in both sheet fed and web hot foil technology, and their application in the commercial, packaging and security sectors of the printing industry.

Of special interest was the latest Gietz ROFO 450 web fed hot foil stamping system for the self-adhesive label industry that will shortly be shown at the forthcoming Label Expo Brussels , and the latest Gietz SECUR 20 security foiling stripe application system line for anti- counterfeiting . Also shown were the latest Gietz FSA 1060 Foil Commander sheet fed system for high speed hot foil stamping in the packaging sector and the newest developments on the Gietz ROFO 910 PLUS medium web fed system. The machine Gietz HTF 940, which Gietz offer to the market of paper converting, for the gluing and erecting of conical trays, was also shown in the course of the event.

The day of celebration was concluded in the evening with a wonderful dinner cruise around Lake Constance on a most beautiful Swiss late summers evening, where friends and colleagues could join with the Gietz family in celebrating their 125th anniversary.

On the following day, the management invited all employees and their partners, to enjoy as well a lake cruise on the Lake of Constance. With the delicious dinner, accompanied by music and comedy entertainment, the anniversary celebration will stay in good memory.

Ardagh Group and Absolut Vodka have been awarded the 2017 Luxury Packaging Award,Drinks – Bottle & Primary Pack, for their striking Absolut Facet bottle.

Absolut’s limited edition bottles always offer something extra special and Absolut Facet maintains that reputation,featuringtechnically challenging, individually designed facets, cut and carefully arranged to fit together like a 3D puzzle to create a unique pattern that reflects and bounces light around. A vibrant, new blue colour also adds incredible depth and shine to the bottle.

Judges commented:

“Creative intention is very clear and beautifully executed. A striking design which plays to the brand’s values very well. The branding is understated and confident, allowing the iconic silhouette to do the talking.”

Based on the concept from The Absolut Company and creative agency, Satumaa Family Business,and in recognition of the challenges Ardagh Group has overcome in creating the bottle, Absolut Facet was also awarded‘Highly Commended’ in the Technical Achievementof the Year category, against fierce competitionfrom eight finalists.

Eric Näf from The Absolut Company, joined Ardagh to collect the award and said:

“We presented Ardagh Group with a challenging technical brief, and have worked together in partnership to make this incredible bottle structure and colour a reality. We are delighted to receive this award in recognition of the hard work and creativity that went into this project”

RPC Bramlage’s innovative Slidissime Airless Jars have been selected by leading French organic cosmetic manufacturer Nature.cos for its high quality skincare brand L’Atelier des Délices.

L’Atelier des Délices is a range of organic certified skincare products for beauty salons and spas. The cosmetics use a combination of the finest plant-based and laboratory-made ingredients that represent an intelligent cooperation between science and nature to help complement a woman’s natural assets.

The Slidissime jar is being used for the new Premium products – Hydra Premium, Sensi Age and Jeunesse Premium - meeting Nature.cos’s requirements for a superior quality jar that provides both airless protection and hygienic use.

Slidissime features a unique tactile ‘touch & slide’ pump, which allows creams to be released by a simple slide. For the user, this delivers a superior opening experience, with the slide of the finger on the jar similar to the gesture of a caress. At the same time, the process delivers an accurate dose of product.

Equally important, the jar offers full airless protection to maintain the quality and effectiveness of the product. The opening, which is located at the extremity of the touch & slide pump, closes after each dosage, avoiding any air-intake and drying out. The formulation has contact with neither air nor fingers to ensure complete protection of any active ingredients from oxidation, UV rays and other external contaminants during its entire usage. This minimises the need for preservatives.

In particular, for Nature.cos, the “touch and slide” technology of Slidissime ideally reflects the spirit of the L’Atelier des Délices brand, which aims to offer the latest technologies to enhance consumers’ quality of life while respecting the environment.

The M1 and M5X inline flexo presses demonstrated on the BOBST stand at Labelexpo Europe 2017, are the latest configurations of the existing presses that have been best sellers in their respective markets.

The best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) delivered by the M1 has sealed the success of the line, which over the years has established a solid reputation as “the” press for label converters searching for repeatable high print quality, operational efficiency and flexibility in press configuration so as to handle a great variety of label applications and substrates.

“The latest M1 configuration with mechanical line shaft and technical upgrades will further enhance the press’ remarkable advantages in terms of sustainable operation, fast return on the investment and TCO,” explained Matteo Cardinotti, Managing Director of Bobst Firenze and Head of Narrow & mid-web multi- process Product Line.

The LaserSet system provides semi-automatic pre-register setting, and with the Print Tutor TM high definition digital camera-based system now also available on the M1, the machine affords automatic register control. Continual reading of register marks by the Print Tutor TM cameras installed on every print unit ensures consistent print quality during production. This, combined with the rapidity of the register correction at speed variations, enables the new M1 to deliver improved performance in waste cutting and overall press efficiency.

Just like the original M1, the latest M1 features an open architecture providing ease of access to the Flower TM print unit. A host of accessories allows flexibility for multiple press configurations to suit all label printers’ production requirements, even for the most complex labels and label shapes. These include the Ready TM cart for fast interchangeability of flexo, screen and hot foil heads; and the Snowball TM and Bambi TM systems for high speed waste stripping of PS labels of any type.

“In the case of the M5X, the focus has not been on specific technology updates but on the willingness to bring the benefits of the M5 advanced technology production line within the reach of a wider number of printing and converting companies”, said Matteo Cardinotti. “We have succeeded in engineering an optimized fixed configuration line that encompass the technologies and performance of the M5 in terms of output quality and press efficiency, albeit featuring a limited number of options. This has enabled us to optimize two other aspects of the M5X line: the delivery time and the level of investment”.

Available in 370 and 430 mm web widths, the M5X is a full servo press whose capability to handle all types of substrates, from self-adhesive stock through to glossy paper, unsupported film, aluminum foil, laminated tubes and light cardboard up to 350 gsm, makes it suitable for labels and packaging production. This also makes it ideal for companies that look ahead to the opportunities of entering different business segments and differentiating their production.

Options include the use of the REVO 7-color Extended Color Gamut process, and Digital Flexo automation for the automated pre-register and adjustment of the print pressure and register during production.

“The M1 and the M5X exemplify how we continue to move forward in our commitment not only to innovation, but also to ensure that with the solutions we offer, whatever the level of investment, our clients can achieve the optimum balance between quality and economy that enables them to meet their clients’ requirements whilst ensuring a steady growth for their company”.

Philadelphia, PA – September 20, 2017. Dawtona, a leading Polish fruit and vegetable processor for over 30 years, has partnered with CROWN Food Europe, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), to bring the innovative Orbit® Closure to Poland’s retail shelves for the first time. The product, Ogórki Luksusowe pickles, was introduced exclusively in collaboration with Auchan, one of the country’s largest store networks.

The yellow and red design, with dedicated lithography that gives the pickle jar a modern feel, enables the product to clearly stand out on retail shelves. The new packaging quickly gained the approval of consumers due to its easy and intuitive opening, giving Dawtona a tangible competitive advantage.

Historically, pickle jars have been challenging to open since the size of the product requires containers with larger openings. The wider diameter increases the torque needed to remove the closure, making it harder for children, seniors and consumers with limited dexterity to open the containers. Crown’s Orbit® Closure eases the opening process thanks to its two-part design: a central, floating panel that is vacuum sealed to the jar and an outer ring that provides further product protection and acts as the opening and re-closing device.

The Orbit® Closure can run on existing capping machinery and requires minimal, simple change-parts. Glass finishes remain exactly the same as those used with standard Twist closures. Since its initial launch in 2011, the Orbit® Closure has been adopted by brands across more than 10 European countries for a wide range of markets and applications spanning from jams to preserved vegetables.

Kompac is pleased to announce they will be exhibiting at Labelexpo Europe later this month. Located in Hall 4 at stand E64, the team will be addressing the benefits and strengths of UV/Aqueous coating systems for the label and packaging market.

The Kompac EZ Koat and Kwik Finish line of coating systems provide a quick and efficient way to apply UV, aqueous, primer & specialty coatings to a wide variety of substrates. With products ranging from small desktop roll to roll coaters for labels, to higher volume solutions for sheet sizes up to 32” in width, they can be used inline or offline with a vast majority of digital and offset printers, including the HP Indigo. Materials coated using Kompac’s systems provide abrasion resistance and added durability for products with repeat handling and shipping, protection from the outdoor elements, and shields against chemicals, cleaners, foods and water.

Tom Hayes, President of Kompac, said “Labelexpo Europe provides a valuable platform for us to show our coating systems to a broader demographic of the industry that we most likely wouldn’t reach otherwise. With attendees from all over Europe, this show allows us to introduce our technology to commercial printers and brand owners from a wide variety of markets with a diverse range of applications and needs.”

During the show, sample booklets will be given out that include a variety of coatings and applications including soft-touch, spot UV, textured, gloss, flood coating and more! For more information on these products or to set up a meeting or demo time, please contact sales@kompactech.com

Reifenhäuser has founded its new business unit Reifenhäuser Digital with effect from July 1, 2017, thereby paving the way to the focused digitalization of its extrusion lines and services. The new unit will act as an internal incubator for all other business units within the Reifenhäuser Group. It will be managed by Dr. Benedikt Brenken, Head of Business Development and Thomas Fett, Head of Technical Development.

Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of the Reifenhäuser Group, commented: "Digitalization offers us the greatest potential for innovation that we have seen in plastics extrusion for a long time. So founding our own business unit with its own resources and the possibility of establishing new ways of working was a logical next step for us. Digital transformation isn't something that can be accomplished in passing. Within Reifenhäuser Digital, we are currently focusing hard on generating real customer benefits from new opportunities such as smart data, machine learning and anomaly detection, and on bringing digital products to the market in a swift and targeted manner. Our goal is to develop intelligent production both for and with our customers."

Reifenhäuser Digital is working closely with internal and external customers and suppliers, as well as outside experts, to design and develop digital solutions. Contact details for potential business partners, as well as more information on the unit's goals and components can be found on its website at www.reifenhauser-digital.com.

Dr. Bernd Kunze and Mr. Karsten Kratz have been appointed to the Management Board of Reifenhäuser Holding with effect from July 1, 2017. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Dr. Kunze will take charge of all technological issues within the Group, and in this role, will share responsibility for the digital transformation of the business. As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Kratz will be responsible for the IT and Compliance divisions, in addition to the Group's financial operations and strategy. Both new members of the Board have already spent many years managing business units and performing commercial management roles within the Reifenhäuser Group.

Bernd Reifenhäuser, Chair of the Management Board, commented: "As partners, we are delighted that we can consolidate the Management Board of the Reifenhäuser Group with two managers from our own ranks, who have many years' experience of the Group and in whom we have full confidence. I am personally looking forward to working even more closely with my colleagues to ensure the Group's continued success in the future."

After more than 30 years in the family-owned business, Klaus Reifenhäuser is retiring and therefore stepping down from the Management Board. He will continue to oversee the fortunes of the business in his role as partner. The Management Board is now made up as follows: Bernd Reifenhäuser (CEO), Ulrich Reifenhäuser (Sales), Dr. Bernd Kunze (Technology and Strategy) and Karsten Kratz (Finance).

We invite you to help us celebrate an exciting milestone in the history of FINAT - the 25th anniversary of our partnership with Labelexpo Europe founders Tarsus Ltd – at our Labelexpo press conference.

We hope to welcome you to our press conference, the 27th of September at 12:30 in the press office, to celebrate this together with us.

We will also reveal details of our Digital Label Study, an authoritative report, commissioned from LPC. It provides a critical analysis of the current digital label printing technology landscape in Europe, as well as identifying trends and future projections relevant to digital label print across different regions and sectors.

An update on Tarsus’ growing Label Academy initiative will be given. While the latest on the importance of attracting ‘young talent’ to the labels and package printing industry will also be provided. At the beginning of the year, FINAT launched an initiative, together with the German label association VskE and other national associations, to develop an industry campaign that can be instrumental in attracting the ‘next generation’ workforce for the label industry across Europe.

CINCINNATI, OH (September 14, 2017) – Michelman will introduce LabelExpo Europe 2017 visitors to JetPrime® UV 100, a new primer that shows significant improvement on challenging paper substrates in ink performance and print quality when used for UV inkjet printing applications. Michelman is excited to showcase its inkjet technology in stand 5D20 at Labelexpo Europe 2017, which is being held September 25-28 at the Brussels Expo.

JetPrime® UV 100 enhances the ease of printing because it is formulated for use with multiple paper types including coated, uncoated, as well as thermal paper substrates. It is an effective primer for label printing, particularly wine label applications, where it has been tested and approved by major original equipment manufacturers. “Michelman’s JetPrime UV 100 allows our customers to print on more demanding label stocks and meet the print quality and end user expectations,” explains Julie Cross, Technical Director of Domino Digital Printing Solutions, ”the increased flow and adhesion of our ink set on the primed media expands the application space for Domino.”

This new primer enriches shelf appeal because of better image quality through improved hold out and reduced bleed and mottle. It can also be applied via flexo or gravure printing methods.

A bespoke pack from RPC Superfos is delivering improved functionality and on-shelf presence for one of Israel’s leading paint companies. The new design for Nirlat retains the appearance of the company’s previous container while providing greater functionality and shelf presence.

Nirlat approached RPC Superfos to upgrade its packaging with a new paint bucket that met the company’s needs for a modern alternative to an existing solution.

“The shape and size of the paint bucket had to remain practically unchanged but with a modern look, and it was also crucial to us to keep the yellow lid and the broad rim with the integral grips,” explains Shir Zakai, VP Marketing at Nirlat.

The solution from RPC Superfos is an injection moulded 18-litre bucket with metal handles on the side. It is produced with a bespoke mould that combines various features from other RPC Superfos products, including the SuperLift®, Hobbock, SuperFlex® and SuperFlex® Extra containers.

Other offerings from global serialization leader include Quick Compliance Program; software compatible with new Open-SCS Standard; and premiere of e-Learning Platform

Mt. Laurel, NJ – Antares Vision, the world’s leading provider of serialization-based track & trace solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, will showcase a variety of recent innovations at Pack Expo Booth #N-236, September 25-27 in Las Vegas. Features from the worldwide leader in serialization implementation include a fully serialized warehousing and distribution environment; elements of a program that guarantees DSCSA compliance within 10 weeks; software compatible with a soon-to- be- announced Open-SCS Group serialization standard; and a promising new tool for employee training.

Among the highlights from Antares Vision will be the ambitious display of a completely serialized warehouse and distribution center environment, including re-aggregation and shipping. A nod to the upcoming 2023 U.S. mandate for track & trace throughout the pharma supply chain, the set-up will be based on a similar arrangement currently in place at Antares Visions’ new U.S. headquarters in Moorestown, NJ. Among other benefits, the facility increases warehousing space fourfold, and includes a spacious testing facility capable of conducting multiple factory acceptance tests (FATs) simultaneously.

Also at Pack Expo, Antares Vision will showcase its newly developed Quick Compliance Program, which draws upon a large lineup of pre-configured modules to enable serialization compliance within 10 weeks from project start. The program guarantee a fully integrated, validated, and complete serialization program by utilizing preconfigured modules in concert with a standardized package of software, documentation and services, minimizing the need for Project Management Office (PMO) efforts. All units, which also offer post-implementation flexibility and scalability, are preconfigured in Antares Vision’s Moorestown, NJ warehouse space, and are ready-to- ship.

Antares Vision also will use Pack Expo to complement a pending, groundbreaking announcement from the Open-SCS Group, a collection of healthcare sector companies dedicated to standardizing packaging line serialization and aggregation data exchanges. At the show, the organization will hold a press conference to formally introduce its initial Serialization Standard. Dubbed V1.0, Accordingly, Antares will showcase a solution compatible with these new standards: its GTS Plant Manager software, which generates or imports serialization numbers and stores all data while interfacing with Level 4 repositories. GTS Plant Manager comes preconfigured and ready to manage line serialization. As needs evolve, the scalable software can be expanded to manage additional lines and other communication layers.

Another facet of Antares Vision’s Pack Expo showcase will be an overview of its new e-Learning Platform. As pharmaceutical production methods increasingly incorporate serialization initiatives, sufficient personnel training has become fundamental to ensure seamless business operations. Accordingly Antares, in conjunction with many of its customers, now features a full portfolio of training for supervisors, maintenance technicians, IT, quality control personnel and line operators. The platform is designed to optimize both initial training efforts and long-term program maximization.

Finally, Antares Vision will showcase a full serialization line set up to display both automatic and manual applications. The line will include a Print & Check Advanced machine and a Top View Aggregation Station working together to simulate a complete warehouse environment, providing visitors the opportunity to see its effectiveness in compliance with DSCSA regulatory requirements. By showcasing the Print & Check Advanced machine and Top View Station working in concert, Antares Vision will demonstrate a comprehensive track and trace solution spanning Levels 1 through 4. This comprises a complete data flow, starting with initial serial data acquisition from an external source and continuing straight through to work order execution and transmission of data reporting.

On Monday, Sept. 25 at 1:00pm, Organization of Industry Leaders Will Announce Initial Serialization Standards, including Protocols for Communication between Levels 3 & 4

The Open Serialization Communication Standard (OPEN-SCS) Group, a collection of healthcare sector companies dedicated to standardizing packaging line serialization and aggregation data exchanges, is set to announce a major milestone in the push to streamline global track & trace processes. At Pack Expo, the organization will hold a press conference to formally introduce its initial Serialization Standard. Packaging Serialization Specification 1.0, the achievement will be revealed in detail on September 25 at 1.00PM at the show’s Media Briefing Room S226.

For Open-SCS, the group’s first recommendations for far-ranging serialization standardization cover four use cases involving typical communication between Levels 3 and 4 of the serialization infrastructure – namely, between onsite servers and corporate repositories. Specifically, Packaging Serialization Specification 1.0 comprises a best-practices approach to Serial Number Provisioning​, Serialization Report Transmission​, Batch & Master Data Repository​, and Unused Serial Number Return.  PSS 1.0 work was done in direct collaboration with ISPE and GS1 Global technical experts.  It is the foundation for the PSS 2.0 work to address 9 exchange use cases between Level 3 (site serialization manager) and Level 2 (line serialization controllers and smart devices).  PSS 2.0 has targeted release of Q2 2018.

At the Pack Expo press conference, group leaders will detail these initial achievements, as well as plans to ensure their timely and widespread adoption.  The group’s next steps, including additional milestones, also will be discussed.

For the global pharmaceutical industry, the lack of a standard in trace & trace-related communication has posed significant constraints on implementing workable serialization solutions. As various serialization deadlines approach – including those in the US (November 2017) and EU (February 2019) – establishing baseline language compatibility has become increasingly urgent.

Even though many packaging lines are already equipped with serialization equipment, the OPEN-SCS standard is more than relevant as the IT infrastructure and equipment are not static and will need to be upgraded in the future. The current level of customization costs a lot to the industry and OPEN-SCS major objective is to make the IT connections seamless and put an end to the customizations.

To address this need, the Open-SCS Group was founded two years ago by leading serialization solution vendors and global pharmaceutical manufacturers – including Abbott, Advanco, Antares Vision, OCS, Optel, Omron, Pfizer, Roche, Systech, Teva, TraceLink, Werum as founding members. The group now includes over 25 member companies. 

Marcel de Grutter, Executive Director of the Open-SCS Group, noted that “This important announcement follows more than two years of committed collaboration by our technical group.  I would like to thank all the team members who dedicated so much time and effort to this initiative, often working far more than their allotted hours. Now that the initial standard is released, we are hoping for its expedient adoption across the industry: that will be our next challenge”.

Philadelphia, PA – September 11, 2017. CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East, a business unit of Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CCK) (Crown) (www.crowncork.com), highlights a range of innovations to help beverage brands foster interaction with consumers and attract attention at point-of-sale at Drinktec 2017 (September 11-15, 2017; Hall A1 Stand 133).

Today marks Crown’s global launch of its new ‘Colourful World’ beverage can decorative finish range including a ground-breaking innovative Accents™ range, which uses variable printing technology to enable up to 24 different designs to be produced on a single print run. The new range of finishes are the culmination of bespoke design and development between Crown’s in-house design, printing and technology experts. Show attendees can gain insight into how Crown is able to take design concepts from an initial idea through to final product using the expertise of the Crown Technology and European Design Studio teams. Shelf appeal is of ever-greater importance in today’s retail environment, with increasing choice across the beverage industry, brands must go the extra mile to convince consumers to purchase their products and Crown’s new advanced decorative finishes help to drive customer engagement even further.

A key focus at the show will be the CrownConnect™ family of technologies, which have been designed to help harness the interconnectivity of the digital space, including breakthroughs in Augmented Reality (AR) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The platform includes:

• CrownSmart™, an interactive application that allows brand owners to interact with consumers via a unique code situated beneath the tab of a beverage can;
• SeeThrough™, which leverages virtual reality to enable consumers to view the contents within a package; and
• CrownSecure™, a code scanning system that assigns every package a unique and singular identity quick response (QR) code - helping manufacturers build a data trail to help prove authenticity to consumers and manage product recalls.

Crown has worked closely with its IoT Smart Products Platform partner EVRYTHNG, a Platform-as-a-Service company that enables smart products and smart packaging to drive IoT applications, and Zappar – UK-based creators of an app that uses augmented reality (AR) to help people recognise images and objects in the world around us. Matt Twiss, Marketing & Business Development Director at CROWN Bevcan Europe and Middle East, commented: “The major benefit of these technologies is the immediacy with which a brand can connect directly with a consumer. CrownSmart™, for example, begins the process at the very moment a consumer opens the can and scans the code. At this point, brands can start to gather valuable, real-time purchasing and consumption data, including who opened what content and when and where the code was activated. This information allows brands to connect with consumers in ‘real time’ and will, in turn, help brands tailor both current and subsequent campaigns to stay aligned with consumers’ behaviour, desires and needs.”

Drinktec visitors will firstly be able to experience live examples of consumer engagement with uniquely identified products and then follow a demonstration of brand owner dashboards that provides an insight into the analytics that can be employed to measure consumer engagement, influence brand strategies and flexibly manage the supply chain.

Matt Twiss added: “Products that are #BornDigital™ in this way have the potential to deliver applications, experiences and analytics at every stage of their lifecycle; from the time they are made, shipped and sold to the moment they are consumed and responsibly recycled. As the appetite for digital consumption grows, the potential for creating engaging experiences via smartphones and packaging is virtually limitless. Brands adopting smart packaging techniques and taking advantage of this new stream of data will be well positioned to reinforce brand activation through targeted exposure, drive new and repeat purchases and optimize their supply chains by improving product traceability.” With industrial IoT adoption growing, an exciting future lies ahead for beverage brands who wish to utilise Crown’s innovative technology to access valuable consumer data and create unique experiential content to drive greater consumer engagement.

Finally, experts on stand are able to talk through unique options with visitors based on individual requirements, at the same time reinforcing the fact that metal is the number one packaging material for those with an eye on sustainability. Over its 125 years in the industry, Crown has been a pioneer in driving sustainable practices and initiatives and is a driving force behind Metal Recycles Forever™. As demand for metal packaging has continued to increase and Crown’s global footprint has grown, the company is committed to reducing overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Responsible resource management is at the heart of Crown’s business, and by adopting metal packaging, customers can be sure that they are working with a material that is infinitely recyclable and that will always be available for future generations.

B&R is introducing a hypervisor for its automation system. This software allows Windows or Linux to run alongside B&R's own real-time operating system. That enables you to combine the control and HMI applica-tions on a single PC, for example, or have an industrial PC double as both a real-time controller and an edge controller that sends preprocessed data to higher level systems and the cloud via OPC UA.

Virtual network

The hypervisor provides a virtual network connection that allows applications to exchange data between operating systems. Like with the usual Ethernet interface, this is done using standard network protocols. In place of a cable, there is a reserved memory area that is not assigned to either operating system.

Maximum flexibility

The user configures the hypervisor and allocates hardware resources in the B&R Automation Studio soft-ware development environment. The configurations are defined separately for each system, providing maxi-mum flexibility in how resources are utilized. Whereas previous parallelization solutions were tailored to a specific Windows version, B&R's hypervisor is completely independent of which operating systems are used.

The B&R hypervisor allows multiple operating systems to run in parallel on a single device and communicate with each other via a virtual network.

B&R is providing a new function for crane control. Cranes that transport payloads suspended from sling sys-tems can be particularly sensitive to rotation about the vertical axis. If left unchecked, this can lead to uncon-trollable sustained oscillations. The new mapp Crane solution suppresses this rotational sway.

Fast and safe payload delivery

It is also possible to execute a controlled rotation, which can be helpful in cases where a payload needs to be positioned at a specific angle. With simultaneous control of both pendulum and rotational oscillation, payloads can be brought to their destination with maximum speed and precision.

Automatic path correction

mapp Crane also offers automatic path correction, which adjusts for changes to the end position while the crane is in motion. This is an especially challenging task with regard to path planning, because the recalcula-tions must account for the system's oscillation dynamics in addition to its axis boundaries. With mapp Crane, this function can now be implemented with very little programming

Designed to be the toughest headspace gas analyser on the market, the GS Waterproof can be conveniently transported between packing lines and factory locations. The case is IP67 rated which provides NEMA 6 protection and is corrosion proof, crush proof and waterproof when closed. Now, with its bright yellow casing, it is truly visible on the factory floor.

Full of the most advanced features available in headspace analysis including automatic calibration, diagnostics and control. The GS Waterproof offers consistently reliable results for the food and pharmaceuticals industry and simplicity in operation allows full maximization of production efficiency.

There are various options available to you when you purchase one of our waterproof headspace gas analysers. Options include PC software, a printer, a can piercing station and a flexible packaging kit which includes a needle probe, various needles, filters and septas to enable you to choose the right parts for your application. The instrument provides the following features:

• Portable with an ergonomic handle
• Waterproof (when case is closed), corrosion proof and crush proof
• Durable and robust, IP67/NEMA 6 case
• Easy to set up and use with a touch screen
• 5 different sample test methods
• Auto calibrate and diagnosis
• Set tests for pass or fail
• Can piercing station for analysis of rigid cans and jars
• Data transfer software for configuration and importing logged data into Excel

Depending upon which kind of packaging you need to test you will find that our headspace gas analyser range offers fast, reliable Modified Atmosphere Packaging testing of headspace in gas flushed food and pharmaceutical packaging. Our oxygen and carbon dioxide headspace analysers provide reliable results for shelf life testing and quality control.

With continuing high demand for convenience packaging solutions, RPC Bebo UK has launched a selection of new packs in both polypropylene (PP) and PET suitable for a wide variety of products.

The 60mm diameter PP pot – available in 45ml, 60ml and 75ml sizes – is ideal for dips, salads, fruit pieces and snack meals. The four compartment Snap PP tray, with a 220ml brimful capacity per cavity, offers a convenient multi-pack solution for both food and non- food applications. All four compartments can be easily separated for individual servings or to stack in a cupboard.

Both packs can be specified in a choice of materials – monolayer PP or ultra-high clarity PPure, and barrier PP/EVOH/PP for long ambient shelf-life products. They are suitable for direct food contact, hot filling and high temperature processes such as sterilisation and pasteurisation. Special grades are also available for microwave cooking and reheating.

The Z101mm diameter straight sided PET container, in 198ml, 262ml, 294ml and 391ml sizes, has also been designed for many types of food applications, including chilled products. It can be specified in coloured PET or off-set printed, subject to minimum order quantities, to help create brand differentiation and maximise on-shelf appeal. The container is suitable for direct food contact and a choice of lids is available.

RPC Bebo UK can provide full technical support, including help with filling trials and the supply of portable sealing equipment.

With the growing consumption patterns of the middle class, the market needs for intelligent, personalized and high-end packaging design, materials and products have been increasing rapidly in food, daily sanitation, pharmaceutical and health care products. Shanghai World of Packaging (swop), which will be held from 7-10 November 2017 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, will join hands again with “Packaging Family” to present the “FMCG Future Zone” and reflect this trend. Packaging Family is a non-profit organization and a community for the packaging industry with over 500 FMCG corporate members. And this alliance will bring together over 500 well known domestic and abroad packaging material and product providers to the “FMCG Future Zone”, including RPC, YUTO Packaging, Jingli Can, Beauty Star, Liji Packaging, Jinsheng New Material, Luencheong and many more. Displayed products will include plastic, paper, metal, glass, wood, printed labels, inks, adhesives, etc., covering a total area of ​​about 10,000 square meters. This featured zone will highlight high quality packaging solutions for FMCG brands, while creating a platform for cross-field communication, and eventually enhance brand competitiveness of the FMCG companies.

RPC, the leading British plastic packaging company, will present its new and special plastic Twist Cup, which was developed for Orkla Foods Norway for their line of premium cold salads. The Twist Cup combines a polyethylene thermoformed cup with a polypropylene injection-molded lid. The PP lid locks into grooves on the cup with an audible click, letting consumers know the cup has been properly closed. As a result of solving the technical challenges of matching two different resins (PE and PP) and two different manufacturing technologies (thermoforming and injection molding), RPC won the "WorldStar Award" in May this year at interpack 2017 which is the world's largest show for packaging branch and related processing industries.

In China, the market for shampoo and shower gel is already well established. The future market growth will focus on high-end areas like make-up and skin care products. In Asia-Pacific region, these areas also have a lot of market potential. In the daily sanitation product packaging segment, acrylic (also known as "plexiglass") is widely used because of properties like light weight, easy to mold, and high-end looking. Zhejiang Jinsheng New Material Co., Ltd. is a well- known enterprise specializing in the production of acrylic containers, with an annual output of up to 60 million sets. They provide a one- stop service of design, molding, sampling, production, silk screening, bronze plating, painting and other packaging related services. Their products are exported to Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.

As the leading packaging solution provider for international first-tier cosmetic brands, Shenzhen Beauty Star Co., Ltd. will also be exhibiting at swop "FMCG Future Zone", focusing on new materials research and development for packaging (development of sustainable plastic packaging waste recycling system), packaging design, high-end cosmetics & food packaging production and sales, processing equipment and precision molds design and manufacturing, cosmetic additives & cosmetics OEM’s, and RFID tag customization. As a result of providing quality products and services, they have been named “Best Supplier” by their clients P&G, Shiseido, and Estee Lauder.

The end-user of packaging applications can not only find the most creative and innovative designs of packaging materials, products and containers at swop “FMCG Future Zone”, but also have the chance to discuss with their peers in the industry to explore the core needs of product packaging and design, and the future trends of products and technology at the “FMCG High-end Forum”.

The packaging and procurement departments of Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, L'Oreal, Mary Kay, Pepsi, Yum and other daily sanitation products and food manufacturers have already registered to visit swop 2017. The three organizers of the exhibition - Düsseldorf Exhibition (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., and China Food and Drugs International Exchange Center are deploying a lot of resources to promote the event through e-mails, SMS, WeChat and telephone invitations etc. to attract maximum footfalls at this event.