Asia’s Extensive Opportunities for Release Liner: New market analysis from AWA

Asian demand for release liners across their many applications, from labels to food and bakery, hygiene, and tapes, is the highest in the world, representing 37% of the total global market. The newly-published sixth edition of the Asian Release Liner Market Study from AWA Alexander Watson Associates provides in-depth data and analysis of release liner in this key geographic region, today and tomorrow.

The market today…

In 2015, 47% of Asian release liner was consumed in pressure-sensitive label applications. While glassine/SCK paper release base is the preferred medium for labels, Asian climatic conditions continue to support polyolefin-coated paper as the release base of choice, with a 29% market share.

…and tomorrow

In terms of future growth – predicted to be around 7.6% annually in Asia in the next few years -- AWA research shows that it is the medical, tape, and industrial market segments that will contribute most. This trend is supporting lively investment, not only from western-based companies but also from the region itself; and, indeed, production capacity investments in China alone could potentially handle doubled demand within the next five years.

The Asian Release Liner Market Study 2016 joins the long-established portfolio of release-liner- related market reports from AWA Alexander Watson Associates, and is available now to order online at www.awa-bv.com, where details of all the company’s market research activities and related events may also be found.

Henkel India awarded with ‘Green Label’ certificate by FDDI

Henkel Adhesive Technologies India Private Limited (Henkel India), the leading solution provider for adhesives, sealants and surface treatment and a fully owned subsidiary of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, has been awarded with ‘Green Label’ certificate for the water-based portfolio of its footwear adhesives business by Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI). ‘Green Label’ is a quality certification label that is issued to validate safe, healthy and environment-friendly footwear, leather products, components used to manufacture them and allied products. FDDI conducted an inspection of each material used in manufacturing Henkel India’s footwear adhesives and analyzed if the adhesive is manufactured according to the environment-friendly standard.

‘Green Label’ authorization is issued to manufacturers after a strict quality inspection that analyses the use of certified material and environment-friendly processing chemicals as well as production processes that reduces energy consumption and carbon emission. It also evaluates the nature of the product and ensures that it is non-hazardous and safe for the human body.

S Sunil Kumar, Business Director – Industrial Adhesives, South Asia said, “We are extremely proud to have been bestowed with the ‘Green Label’ certification from FDDI and thank the prestigious body for their support. This certificate is strongly aligned with our customer values to ensure sustainability and offer innovative technology solutions to our customers. As most of our customers are global entities, they have been keen, highly supportive to adopt new environmentally safe options such as the water based technologies. We see this ‘Green Label’ certification by FDDI as a joint win-win for the industry and Henkel team.

Henkel has always been in the forefront of innovation and, manufacturing environmentally safe adhesive solutions. As market leaders across the world, Henkel's water-based technology not only helps the environment but also helps in optimizing costs. In 2014, Henkel India, in partnership with Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) kick-started Henkel-FDDI Shoe Academy in Noida. This academy offers certified training programmes and shares best practices with customers, with an objective to learn, share knowledge and together upgrade the Indian footwear industry by introducing sustainable and value-added practices.

Avery Dennison completes acquisition of European business of Mactac from Platinum Equity

Avery Dennison announced it had completed the acquisition of the European business of Mactac from Platinum Equity, a California-based private equity firm, for the purchase price of €200 million including assumed debt.

Mactac’s manufacturing facility in Soignies, Belgium, along with sales offices and warehouses in Europe and Asia, are now part of Avery Dennison’s global footprint. Export sales will continue to serve customers in South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North Africa.

The transaction excludes the Mactac business in the U.S., Canada and Mexico which will continue to be owned by Platinum Equity.

Asan Pack Set to Enter Label Market with Three MPS Presses

MPS confirms a monumental sale of three presses to Asan Pack, the biggest producer of corrugated carton and package printing in Iran. With the addition of two MPS EB 370 and an EF 430 flexo presses to their extensive production facility, Asan Pack is set to enter a new market of label printing.

According to Wim van den Bosch, CEO of MPS, the sale was historic for both companies: “After years of economic sanctions, Iran is now the center of attention for many multinational companies, and Asan Pack is responding to this demand. We are pleased to have been selected by Asan Pack as a partner for their three presses that will pave the way to new markets in narrow web print.”

Located in Qazvin, Asan Pack’s current operations are in a 45.000 square meters state-of- the-art factory with over 350 employees, and new facilities planned within the coming year. Producing 80,000 tons of corrugated cartons and 20,000 tons of cardboard packaging with multi-color printing per year, Asan Pack has become a leading package production company in Iran, working with reputable brands such as Nestle, Danone, BAT (KENT), SONY and Samsung, in addition to many other well-known Iranian brands. With Iran’s population of over 75 million people, Asan Pack has received a considerable demand for label printing over the years and is now entering this niche market, focusing on customers in Iran and neighboring countries.

The two 8-colour EB presses for Asan Pack will be used to print labels and their 10-colour EF press will initially print shrink sleeves and wraparound flexible packaging. All presses have delam/relam units and the EF is also equipped with screen and double rewinder units for quick changeovers. With this product mix and press configuration, Asan Pack is equipped to provide a broad range of printing and converting requirements for their customers.

All three presses will be installed at Asan Pack in September 2016, and four of their operators have already successfully completed MPS flexo training and received their certificate of completion. Mehrdad Nabatchian, CEO at Asan Pack explains why the company chose MPS for all three presses: “All of our printing machinery is represented by top European brands, as we seek high standards in our production investments. We identified MPS as a reliable partner with superior technology, and they also offered a thorough training program for our operators who are new to flexo and the label printing process. We are excited to receive our new MPS presses and embark into the world of narrow web label printing.”

Asan Pack learnt more about MPS presses at Labelexpo Europe after two separate meetings with Reza Sah (MPS Iran sales representative) and following discussions with the local MPS Agent in Iran, Reza Mahmoudi (Paya Pardaz Ayandeh). Asan Pack accepted an invitation to visit MPS headquarters in The Netherlands for another live press demonstration in the Technology and Expertise Centre. The final negotiations took place at the Asan Pack headquarters in Tehran.

With a tagline that reads “MPS. Operator Focused, Results Driven”, MPS is a worldwide, well-known and high-quality brand of flexo and offset press solutions for label and flexible packaging printers. By providing extensive knowledge and world-class service to enhance the printing process, MPS helps customers excel. MPS has a team of experts when it comes to knowledge of the printing process and desired results in label and flexible packaging print runs. We share and apply our expertise every day, and can offer a specific solution for every customer.