Small Sachets by Uflex Pack a Big Punch at FPA and AIMCAL Awards 2018

One of the reasons why Uflex is at the Helm while its Founder, Chairman & Managing Director Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi revered as the Father of the Indian Flexible Packaging Industry is the fact that the concept of sachet packs in India was introduced by him back in the mid-eighties. It was for these sachet packs that the expensive FMCG brands for ketchups, shampoos, mouth fresheners etc. suddenly came within the reach of the masses changing the very way these products were marketed.

Sun Chemical to commemorate 200 years of packaging innovation and showcase latest offerings too

During FTA InfoFlex 2018, Sun Chemical will highlight a new ink with excellent smear resistance and its portfolio of eco-friendly inks, while showing how its full line of coatings, inks and adhesives can produce packaging that pops off the shelf and enhances pressroom efficiency.

Konica Minolta to deploy India's first AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press

Konica Minolta Business Solutions, a global leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies will be installing its first AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet press in India. The cutting-edge AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet press solution which comes with a B2 plus Sheet-fed was first unveiled at DRUPA 2012. The solution during its launch garnered significant admiration particularly for its unprecedented image production quality and capability to print on a host of media.

AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet press, Konica Minolta’s innovative inkjet press can efficiently cater to latest production demands and incorporates patented UV inkjet technology, traditional sheet feeding and effective media handling upto B2+ size. The solution also eliminates the use of special digital stocks or expensive coatings and can easily handle quality jobs on a wide range of substrates

Some of the salient features of the revolutionary AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press include:

Unprecedented image quality:

The trend setting print output is achieved with Konica Minolta’s high-resolution print heads, 1800IS, which produces true 1,200 x 1,200 dpi resolution. Konica Minolta’s proprietary UV ink furnishes high quality light fastness as well as scratch resistance print outputs. This eliminates the scenario of complaints from end consumers regarding scratches or rub offs without lamination or any post printing treatment. The company’s original print head design and patented UV ink technology produces outstanding print results. Printing business also gets benefited from image quality a wide colour gamut and quality that matches offset.

Versatile print applications:

The revolutionary AccurioJet KM-1 UV digital inkjet press is very well designed to print up to 3,000 oversized sheets per hour. It produces a wide variety of new jobs such as heavy textured stock and packaging. It also enables printing businesses to print both profitably and in fully personalized fashion for end users, leveraging larger sheet sizes for 3-panel and 4-panel brochures, pocket folders, posters, point-of-purchase graphics, dust jackets, wrap-around book covers, and many more.

Unparalleled media handling:

With enhanced media flexibility, AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press processes sizes of up to 585 x 750 mm (B2+ size). It produces an extensive selection of commercial print and packaging applications with a maximum sheet thickness of up to 0.6 mm. The solution also enables printing on a wider range of coated and uncoated substrates including heavily textured, metallic, non-tear able media, eradicating the need for special substrate qualities or special treatment before or after printing. With AccurioJet KM-1 Inkjet Press, small-lot, short-turnaround jobs can be offered immediately after printing to the next production step as the iconic UV ink gets cured instantly.

Enhanced productivity:

The AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press machine can print up to 3,000 sheets per hour in simplex or 1,500 sheets per hour in duplex mode leveraging hybrid production workflow. It also eliminates the requirements of plates enabling easy addition of jobs to the print queues via the web, hot folder or existing offset workflows.

Excellent image stability:

AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press also delivers 100 percent consistency in paper feeding, registration, image quality and repeatability. This absolute consistency comes from excellent front-to-back registration accuracy, enabled by a gripper-to-gripper offset technology. Also, with this solution eradicating the requirement of pre and post printing processes, printing business can save significantly on turnaround time and operating expenditures to soar profit margins.

‘’The industry-leading AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet press solution has set new standards in the global industrial printing segment with its unprecedented output quality, short turnaround time and extremely low operating costs. With a perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and compact design, AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet is set to revolutionize the Indian printing market,'' said Yoshinori Koide, Director - Business Strategy & Project Management Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd.

Other important advantages of the revolutionary UV ink include:

Environment friendly operations coupled with Colour Capacity, Natural Gloss, and Colour consistency and scratch resistance print outputs. The revolutionary ink also helps in immediate fabrication, less wastage and cleaning.

“We at Konica Minolta have always strived to enable printing business across the globe tap new revenue opportunities with our cutting edge solutions. The AccurioJet KM-1 UV Inkjet Press solution will further pave the way for printing industry to harness new market opportunities as well as set new benchmarks for quality, consistency and turnaround time in the segment”, said Kuldeep Malhotra Vice President (Sales Planning and Communication) Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd.

Reproflex Scandinavia brings added value and quality with Bellissima DMS to flexo printers

Aniken Graphics, a joint venture between Hamillroad Software, a UK based prepress software company, and Apex International, a global leader of anilox and metering products, has today announced that Reproflex Scandinavia is approved to supply flexographic printing plates, screened with Bellissima DMS, to the Scandinavian market.

Labelexpo Southeast Asia introduces education program

Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2018 has unveiled details of a series of educational events taking place during the show, held at BITEC in Bangkok on 10-12 May.

Nilpeter opens new Technology Center in Bangkok in time with Labelexpo Southeast Asia

Nilpeter has opened its Technology Center in Bangkok and has re-located its office to a more strategically located region, King Kaew close to Suvarnabhumi airport. The new Technology Center is open for visits and our dedicated team is standing by for press demonstrations. 

Esko’s Equinox and Coflex helps converter ducplast produce plates for extended colour gamut printing

Spanish company Ducplast S.L. is the latest converter to switch plates for flexible packaging printing to extended colour gamut production with Equinox from Esko. The company implemented this new approach in partnership with repro house Coflex. Ducplast, located in Valencia, was founded in 1990 and has 50 employees. The company is a subsidiary of Grupo Dulcesol, leading brand in food products. Coflex, founded in 2004, provides flexographic plates to flexible packaging companies.

Mark Andy acquires Presstek: Offset customers to enjoy benefits, improved service and support

Mark Andy, the Total Solutions Partner to the label and packaging industry, today announced its acquisition of Presstek, a well-known global supplier of DI (direct imaging) offset plates and presses, CTP solutions and world-class service for commercial and in-plant customers.  With the Presstek acquisition, Mark Andy now serves as one of the only full-complement solutions providers to the global graphic arts and print industry.

MPS expands sales team to further support international growth

MPS has made three key appointments to its global sales team in response to successful international sales and preparation of forecasted future growth of its flexo, hybrid and offset printing presses.  Joining MPS in the role of Area Sales Manager are Niels van Groenendaal, Suwannee Tantisrisuk and Sebastiaan Rakhorst.

EKM Global Partners with PrintReleaf for Global Paper Reforestation

EKM Global, the international managed print service software supplier and consultancy, today announced it has entered a partnership with PrintReleaf to drive environmental sustainability in printer paper consumption. PrintReleaf is a rapidly growing organization dedicated to sustainability by monitoring printer paper consumption at companies and, by each paying a small fee for every piece of paper used, to fund reforestation programs to balance or grow our global forestry system.

Huhtamaki to acquire Ajanta Packaging for Rs 100.3 crore

The Indian unit of Finnish packaging company Huhtamaki will acquire Ajanta Packaging (India) for Rs 100.3 crore ($15.5 million) in an all-cash deal. The entire business of Ajanta Packaging is acquired as a going concern on a slump sale basis, Huhtamaki PPL Ltd, the local division of the Finnish firm, said in a stock-exchange disclosure. Meanwhile, Shares of Huhtamaki PPL advanced more than 4 percent intraday Monday on acquisition of the business of Ajanta Packaging. The acquisition will help Huhtamaki in consolidating its position in pressure sensitive label business, it said. The transaction is likely to be closed next month.

Esko XPS Crystal receives EFIA 2018 Gold Award for Technical Innovation

Esko is pleased to announce that its XPS Crystal flexo plate Exposure Unit has received the prestigious 2018 EFIA Gold Award for Technical Innovation. The EFIA Awards were held at The Vox Centre in Birmingham, UK on Wednesday 14th March. The Gold Award was presented to Robert Bruce of Esko by Paula Birch, Sales Director at Parkside Flexibles.

L9 announce the 2017 World Label Awards category and Honourable Mention winners

The L9 group of international label associations are pleased to announce the results of the 2017 L9 World Label Awards (WLA) competition judged by an international panel of judges representing each of the participating associations. The judging took place in Brussels the day before Labelexpo Europe at the exhibition venue. The L9 is an alliance of global label associations formed to jointly formulate policies and collecting strategic information of global interest to the worldwide label industry.

Cosmo Films bags prestigious SAP HANA Visionary Award

Cosmo Films Limited has recently bagged the prestigious SAP HANA Visionary Award for the year 2018 for embracing the leading cloud technology and harnessing and unlocking its true potential. Cosmo Films is a leading global brand, offering value added BOPP and CPP films for packaging, labelling, lamination and Industrial applications.

Heidelberg presents its new digital press - The New Versafire EV

The enhancement of the new Versafire digital printing generation is fully focused on customer benefit and the market requirements. With the Versafire EV, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) now offers a truly versatile digital production system, designed for use at entry level as well as by experienced digital printing providers. “The Versafire EV gives our customers a flexible production system that is specially designed to ideally meet the requirements in the graphic arts industry and that they can use to further enhance their digital business model as a result of diversification and optimization,” explains Stephan Plenz, Member of the Management Board responsible for Digital Technology at Heidelberg.

Connect receives FlexoExpert certification with the highest marks

Connect a Schawk Group Company, which is part of the Matthews Corporation, is one of the leading providers of digital reprographics and photopolymer printing plates in Europe. Specialised in delivering service solutions in the pre-press industry the company’s roots are within flexographic print processes.

With a primary focus on flexible packaging, their customers get a full-service package that includes everything from design and repro to finished flexographic printing plate. As well as providing global coverage to marketers, Schawk also offers regional connections and local insight, which is key to achieving brand consistency, accuracy and workflow efficiency. Today’s aim is to be advisors in production, print services, pre-media, and workflows.

Durban’s Advanced Labels adds the all new FA to existing Nilpeter press line-up

With the all new FA, Advanced Labels’ fourth Nilpeter flexo press, the company aims to add capacity in the highly competitive self-adhesive market, and insource production of yoghurt lids and in-mould labels.

The Durban-based labelling company purchased their first Nilpeter FB-2500 seven years ago, and has since added another two of the same model. This is their first FA flexo press. “From the start, we’ve had a very good relationship with Nilpeter. We’re always given the best advice, and they are very good at keeping us up-to-speed with the latest technology. The Nilpeter presses and our team in South Africa is a great combination,” says Richard Jones, Managing Director of Advanced Labels.

Featured theme pavilions sticking to hotspots, leading the industry to discover the future of printing

On October 18-22, 2016, The 6th All in Print China will be held again in Shanghai New International Expo Centre. It is estimated that All in Print China 2016 will occupy an exhibition area of 82,000m2 and use five indoor halls and a dozen of outdoor halls, covering a total of six major themes, i.e., All in Digital, All in Packaging, All in Press, All in Label, 3D Printing & All in Creativity and Webprint Factory, the latter two of which are featured theme pavilions especially developed in view of the hottest technologies and the frontier fields of the industry....

Mark Andy launches Digital Series HD

Mark Andy, label press OEM pioneering the hybrid print landscape, has recently announced a suite of enhancements to its Digital Series platform. The production-class digital solution has been reimagined to bring greater levels of productivity and profitability to the modern converter. Building off the platform’s successes, the latest true hybrid offering will take on the name Digital Series HD and combines flexibility of inline converting, high-resolution digital print, and best in class production capability.

Xitron announces digital front end support for XAAR printheads

Xitron, the leading independent developer of RIP and workflow products for commercial, digital, and high-speed inkjet printing has announced the completion of a development project that results in Xitron support for the use of XAAR printheads in inkjet presses. Designed to work in conjunction with drive electronics by Meteor Inkjet Ltd., the digital front end includes the popular Navigator RIP and workflow based on the Harlequin Multi-RIP platform as well as the Harlequin Host Renderer.

New GMG ColorPlugin 1.3 provides RGB-to-Multicolor Separation

Color management experts GMG have further expanded their plugin for Adobe Photoshop in Version 1.3. Now color accurate separations from RGB into Multicolor color spaces are possible with up to seven colors. This is based on GMG OpenColor separation profiles. GMG product manager Peter Schöffler explains: "By using separation with the Channel Extender, image data can be flexibly adapted to the printing process used." The conversion can be switched on or off at any stage during image processing. This way the final result can be directly simulate at any stage of processing. A further innovation: The ColorBoost function makes images more saturated and vivid.

China’s Digital Packaging Future: EFI showcasing Nozomi Inkjet and Escada Corrugator Control at iCorrugated

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. is showcasing the digital future of corrugated manufacturing at the iCorrugated Asia Expo, 21-23 March in Shanghai. An exhibit of corrugated packaging and display work highlights the outstanding print quality of the ultra-high-speed EFI Nozomi C18000 single-pass, direct-to-corrugated LED inkjet corrugated packaging press, along with a virtual reality (VR) demonstration of the press offering visitors a unique way to experience this breakthrough solution. EFI’s exhibit also features the company’s industry-leading corrugator control and closed-loop process control technologies, EFI Escada software.

Anthem Worldwide honored for Packaging Design Excellence

Anthem, a global creative agency that actively connects brands with consumers by amplifying desirability from brand design to brand campaign to drive brand performance, has been awarded two packaging design Certificates of Excellence in the 2017 American Graphic Design Awards.

The American Graphic Design Awards competition reflects the increasingly expansive ways in which graphic design shapes business and society, products and services, commerce and culture. Winners are those select creative and marketing talents who best use the power of design to advance the brand promise and forge an emotional connection with the buyer at the moment of truth.

Beau Label increases capabilities and competitiveness with Fujifilm’s Illumina LED Retrofit System

Fujifilm’s Illumina, an LED-UV retrofit system for converting any traditional UV or waterbase flexo press to LED-UV curing, allows for increased productivity and cost savings at Beau Label LLC, a third generation family-owned New Jersey-based print services provider celebrating their 51st anniversary in 2018.

Illumina represents the most powerful new or retrofit LED-UV curing system on the market. The UV energy emitted at Illumina’s 20% power setting is the same as the 100% power setting of other LED-UV curing systems. Patented LED technology delivers up to 44% more energy toward the substrate, resulting in faster curing.

“We recently converted our nine-color conventional UV, and our eight-color water based ink press (now full LED-UV) to Fujifilm’s Illumina LED-UV retrofit system. Our install took only about a half day,” said Vincent ‘VJ’ Melapioni, president, Beau Label. “It was a very pleasant experience. We were up and running again very quickly.”

“We made the switch primarily due to the cost savings in electricity,” said Melapioni. “Prior to our conversion, we were running 110 or 120 amps of 480 volt service to a press to run the UV’s, and with Illumina, we are now running 10 amps of 480 volt service. That’s a significant savings.”

The Illumina LED-UV cure is an instant on/off process, dramatically lowering the energy usage and stress on lamp bulbs experienced in conventional “always-on” UV mercury lamp curing. LED-UV also eliminates the costs generated by cooling air blowers, ozone extraction and heat makeup systems. Illumina employs additional patented and patent-pending technology to achieve even greater savings, resulting in financial savings per retrofitted press per year. The patented design produces less heat than competitive LED technologies and heat-dissipation is also much more effective.

“With our previous system, we had a noise factor due to the powerful blower extracting the heat, which was also taking out the (HVAC) heating and air conditioning,” adds Melapioni. “Illumina has made a better working environment, which our operators appreciate. It’s quieter and more efficient to keep the temperature stable within our 30,000 square foot facility.”

Beau Label is also experiencing increased press speeds with Fujifilm’s Illumina system.

“Since installing the Illumina system we are seeing increased press running speeds upwards of 15 percent compared to conventional UV, and I know it’s capable of more,” adds Melapioni.

Beau Label is adapting to new output options since the Illumina install, catering to clients in the food, beverage, wine and spirits industry, as well as private label health and beauty segments, pet supplies, household, industrial and promotional products.

“Illumina will enable us to run shrink films without chilled drum rollers,” says Melapioni. “We are only a few months in, and that’s a possibility we are already entertaining.”

Beau Label converted to Fujifilm’s 300 Series inks when it converted existing UV presses to LED-UV. The more efficient design of Illumina is optimized with Fujifilm 300 Series flexo inks, and the inks are uniquely designed to perform equally well under LED-UV or conventional UV-arc curing.

“Fujifilm manufactures the (300 Series) ink, so in the unlikely event we have an ink issue, I’m not going to be told ‘it’s the lamps not the ink,’ and I know Fujifilm stands behind their high quality inks,” says Melapioni. “With the Illumina system, we’ve had no issues with curing or adhesion on any substrate, and the ink colors are more vibrant.”

Beau Label opened its doors in 1967, started by Melapioni’s father, who previously worked for his father’s offset business. Over the years, Beau Label has grown its business, making investments in capital, acquisitions, real estate, and people.

“My father and two of his partners started in the label business many years ago,” says Melapioni. “My father will soon be 78 years old, and he still comes in to work every day. I have a phenomenal team of over 30 full-time employees, with many of them being long-term, and dedicated to Beau Label, several with 30-plus years of service,” said Melapioni. 

With continuous investment and expansion of his business, Melapioni looks forward to adding Illumina to his others presses in the near future. “Beau Label is always looking for more business. If you’re not growing, you’re shrinking, you’re going backwards,” concludes Melapioni.

GSE introduces automation enhancements and vapour extraction capability to Colorsat ink dispensing programme

GSE, the global provider of ink logistics solutions for label and packaging flexo and gravure applications, has introduced automation and safety enhancements to its Colorsat ink dispensing programme. These include conveyor-blenders that reduce manual input when supplying dispensed inks to the press, and a vapour extraction unit for solvent inks.

The Colormix conveyors enable safe, easy transport of dispensed water-based and solvent-based inks or coatings, in buckets, between the point of dispensing and blending. They are suitable for the Colorsat Compact dispenser, a system for high-volume package printing, and the Colorsat Slim, for small and medium-volume flexible packaging and carton applications.

The Colormix blender can be semi- or fully automatic, depending on the dispenser it is installed with. The semi-automatic blender, suitable for both the Colorsat Slim and Compact dispensers, is delivered with a gravity roller conveyor. The 25-litre dispense bucket is transported to the blending position, activated by releasing a bar with a pedal. The blending process is activated by pushing a button. On completion of the process, the blending arm automatically withdraws from the bucket and turns to an adjacent container for cleaning of the shaft and blades before blending the next batch. 

The fully automatic system can be integrated with Colorsat Compact dispensers. Empty buckets can be placed on an infeed conveyor. After dispensing, the bucket is automatically transported to the blending position and blended without manual intervention. For assurance of a safe, explosion-free environment for handling solvent inks, the bucket is automatically grounded.

GSE’s new vapour extraction unit sucks emissions from solvent inks as they evaporate when the ink is dispensed on the Colorsat Slim and Compact dispensers. On the Slim, vapour is extracted through holes in the dispense head. On the Compact, vapour is extracted from the back plate of the dispense position.

GSE’s Colorsat modular dispensing systems mix and dispense flexo, gravure and screen inks to precise quality and quantity specifications in minutes. Benefits are reduced setup times, ink-yield improvements of over 30 percent thanks to easy re-use of press-return inks, a cleaner colour mixing environment and better stock management. Tailored systems are available for the complete range of package printing situations, for water-based, UV- and solvent-based ink sets, from label printing dispensers that provide colours in 1kg – 10kg volumes, to high-volume dispensers for corrugated board and flexible packaging, with up to 34 components. 

Fujifilm named Independent Carton Group Supplier of the Year

The Independent Carton Group (ICG), an association of 18 independently owned and operated folding carton manufacturers, is pleased to announce that Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division, is the recipient of its Supplier of the Year Award for 2017. The award was presented last week at the 21c Museum Hotel in Cincinnati during the ICG’s general membership meeting, which was hosted by Zumbiel Packaging, one of the group’s five founding member companies.

“It’s an honor to receive this prestigious award from ICG members. I think it’s a testament not only to our product quality and continued innovation, but also to our exceptional service,” said Dale Schmitt, corporate account manager at Fujifilm, who was in attendance to accept the award. “Fujifilm has made a huge investment in support and training, educating everyone in a customer-facing position so that we can truly be a partner to our customers.”

Fujifilm supplies ICG members with printing plates, pressroom consumables, and a wide range of technologies used in the production of offset and digitally printed folding cartons, corrugated packaging and other paperboard packaging solutions. Fujifilm became an ICG supplier in 2006. It is one of more than 40 reputable companies supplying equipment and materials to the ICG members through the group purchasing program, which was introduced in 1999.

“We value Fujifilm’s partnership and congratulate the team on this well-deserved recognition,” said Jay Willie, executive director of the ICG. “As the industry looks toward the future of paperboard packaging and digital printing, the needs of our members will continue to shift. Fujifilm has demonstrated its ability to innovate and keep pace with an evolving industry.”

The ICG’s Supplier of the Year Award has been presented annually since 2012 to the supplier that receives the highest marks on evaluations completed by members for the prior calendar year. ICG members rate suppliers on quality, delivery, accuracy, service, expertise and other key performance metrics. Evaluations are used both as the basis for selecting the award recipient and as a means of assessing suppliers and sharing feedback to strengthen partnerships.

Honb’le Union Minister Suresh Prabhu inaugurates The Authentication Forum 2018 in New Delhi

In a strong move against counterfeiting and solutions to eradicate this menace, a two-day event, International Leadership Summit on Anti-Counterfeiting and Brand Protection “The Authentication Forum 2018” was held on March 15-16, 2018 at the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi, India. Organised by Authentication Solutions Providers Association (ASPA), the second edition of the Authentication forum was inaugurated by Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister, Ministry of Commerce & Industry & Civil Aviation, Government of India.

In his inaugural address, Prabhu reiterated the government's resolve to deal harshly with the rising menace of counterfeiting.  "We are going to make a very modern Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) era in India and that would lead to creating people investing into the brand and that will lead to a knowledge economy which in turn will make India a far better place and developed place," he said. 

To make Brand India a clearly acceptable brand we must first protect IPR because countries, companies, even Indian companies that are going to invest huge amount of money into brand building, creating new rights in form of patents, copyrights or new product development or molecule development all of them would need IPR protection. "If Indian brands want to become global then they must also be able to respect global brands in India," he added. 

Besides, Union Minister, eminent dignities including Registrar General, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Right Authority, Central Board of Excise & Customs, Hyundai, Society of Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Ernst & Young, KPMG, Hero Motor Corp., FMC Corporation, Pesticide Manufacturers Association of India (PMFAI), Anand & Anand and others also shared their viewpoints at the summit.

Dr. R.C. Agrawal, Registrar General, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Right Authority, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said: “Even as industry revenues take a major hit by counterfeits, the biggest loss is to the consumer. All of us need to work together to address this growing concern and the panel discussion with various cross-sector stakeholders at this important forum will serve this purpose.”

At the occasion, Dr. S K Singh, Scientific Advisor, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers, said, “Indian government is taking big steps in digitising agriculture sector to ensure farmers rights. He also emphasis need of that measures like traceability & anti-counterfeiting solutions which will ensure the quality commitment of agricultural products produce in India”. It is being noted that the size of the spurious pesticide market in India is as high as 30% by volume and 25% by value. It is predicted that the market for spurious Agrochemicals will reach 40% by value of pesticides sold in the country by 2019.

At the occasion, Mr. U.K. Gupta, President, ASPA, said, “Counterfeiting is increasing globally. In India also, the problem is growing with an alarming rate of almost 44% per year. As per industry body FICCI-CASCADE, from the counterfeiting activity the Government of India incurred a loss of 26,190 crores in fiscal year 2011-12 which has increased to 39,239 crores in 2013-14, a growth of 49.8% in two years. The market for fakes are on a constant rise in India and has surpassed over Rs 40,000 crore in the organised sector alone, as law enforcement remains weak and fraudsters freely make inroads into the market."

Day one of the summit witnesses three panel discussion Role of Govt. & Industry in fighting fake and protecting consumer, understanding 5W’s of Counterfeiting and engaging consumers in fight against counterfeiting. At the last session of day companies including Holostik, Manipal Technologies and Rolling Optics delivered presentation on current authentication solutions against counterfeiting.

The day two of summit started with case studies from brand owners understanding their perspectives. Whilst, Dr. Bakul Joshi, Brand Protection Expert, FMC Corporation shared case study on protecting Agrochemicals products, Mr. Naveen Chauhan, Head Sales & Marketing (parts Business) shared automotive perspective. Presenting pharma perspective Mr. Sourav Mitra, Associate Vice-President Packaging Strategy – OSD said, Health is Wealth and to ensure it we need to firm stand against fakes. The event also witnessed a dedicated session on future of anti-counterfeiting technologies including blockchain, NFC, Optical and offline authentication. The audience also got a chance to have presentation on importance of branding, IPR and effective intelligence.

The forum ended with a The Big Debate - Global Growth of Counterfeiting Trade - Why is it increasing – lack of intent, of action or of awareness? In the debate a major question arose as to who is important -consumer or profit" Replying to it one of moderator mentioned that both are important but, we must keep in mind that if consumer survives, then the profit exists. One of panellist expressed his views as that sometime consumer himself buys counterfeit products especially in electronics products like mobile. Answering this one of delegate disagreed with speakers and questioned as to whether any parent will buy a fake medicine for his/her child. The brand is baby of brand owners and it is he, who is mainly responsible for its protection. The debate ended with conclusion is that Today, having an effective anti-counterfeiting and brand protection strategy is no longer an option but an essential part of any business strategy. Consumer protection is very important and authentication solutions in integration with digital technologies can play a vital and important role in it.

Color-Logic certifies HP Indigo 30000 Digital Press for metallic packaging applications

Color-Logic has certified the HP Indigo 30000 digital press for metallic carton applications. Confirming the certification, Color-Logic CTO Richard Ainge commented: "Test forms and samples files from the HP Indigo 30000 have confirmed the ability of the press to produce all Color-Logic decorative effects and our 250 metallic colors with excellent results. The digital HP Indigo 30000 also enables brands to take advantage of Color-Logic Security-FX techniques in the design and use of variable metallic data for addition security capabilities. The Color-Logic system and design tools are perfect for any brand desiring to differentiate themselves from the competition. The size and format of the HP Indigo 30000, together with its production speed, open up new markets for licensed Color-Logic printers in the packaging and POP markets.

Color-Logic develops color communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications. Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results. Color-Logic decorative effects utilize the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment. Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.

10 Years of Continuing Success: The Kodak Flexcel NX System transforming flexo with game changing technology

This year, it’s a decade ago that Kodak started pushing back the traditional quality and performance limits of flexographic printing with a revolutionary technological approach to digital flexo platemaking: the Kodak Flexcel NX System made its debut at drupa 2008. For the first time, this solution from the Kodak stable enabled flexo printers and repro service providers to develop high-res flexo printing capabilities and implement them in a commercial, standard production environment.

Kodak’s Flexcel NX System offered a solution to some of the limitations of the established digital LAMS technology, and pioneered the use of the digital flat top dots in the flexo industry. Kodak Flexcel NX Plates allowed packaging printers to achieve unprecedented levels of quality, and removed some of the key variables in plate production. As a result, flexo printers have not only raised the standard for flexo printing but now also compete for work traditionally produced with gravure, offset or digital print processes; a goal that was previously beyond their reach.

Kodak originally launched the Flexcel NX System as a solution for small to medium format plate making but continued to develop the platform, multiplying the initial successes. During the next few years, the Flexcel NX System family was extended with large-format versions, leading to full coverage of all segments – from narrow through medium to wide web – in the flexo packaging printing sector. The Flexcel NX System technology gained a global reputation as a process that cuts costs and enables greater efficiency and standardization in the pressroom – with flexible packaging, folding carton, labels and corrugated packaging (pre- and postprint).

Flexo innovation with unmatched market and growth momentum

“The Flexcel NX System technology developed into a tremendous success story that is still unfolding – for Kodak itself, for our customers in the flexo industry and for their customers too. We’ve sold more than 500 Flexcel NX Systems worldwide in the meantime, and we regularly record double-digit growth rates per annum in Flexcel NX Plate sales. That is way above the average for the industry as a whole,” said Chris Payne, President, Flexographic Packaging Division and Vice President of Kodak. “More and more flexo printers, brand owners and industry technology suppliers around the world are realizing how our Flexcel NX System technology is helping to turn flexo into an industrial printing process that combines consistently high-quality production with numerous cost and sustainability benefits.”

The core Flexcel NX System technology has been refined and advanced by Kodak over the years so that, time and time again, customers have had a real differentiator to set themselves apart from their competitors in the dynamic market environment. Kodak’s NX Advantage technology – advanced plate surface patterning which controls and optimizes the delivery of ink from Flexcel NX Plates to the substrate – is only one example here. Yet progress is not an end in itself: Kodak has been at great pains to ensure that every new innovation is also accessible to existing Flexcel NX System users. Even the original systems in the market can take advantage of the latest technology to give the first-class results which are nowadays taken for granted.

Exclusive 10 Year Anniversary announcements:

10 years of the Flexcel NX System provide Kodak with an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on this pioneering technology with two very special campaigns:

To mark the tenth anniversary, Kodak is launching a ‘Limited Edition’ of the Flexcel NX System into the market. Limited to just 25 units worldwide, this system will feature unique styling with an attractive modern design symbolic of flexography, packaging and Kodak’s unique technology. The limited edition Flexcel NX system will be available from April 2, 2018.

Parallel to this, Kodak is launching the new Kodak Global Flexo Innovation Awards. This innovative competition will be open to entrants throughout the world, and will celebrate the transformation of flexography over the last decade. It aims to honor achievements and advances in packaging design, production workflow and sustainable printing made possible by the latest developments in flexography. Any commercial packaging project printed using Kodak Flexcel NX Plates will be eligible. The winners in various categories will be selected by an independent jury of experts and showcased at a special ceremony early in 2019. Information on how to enter will be available in April.

“We are more than ever convinced that there’s a fantastic future in store for flexographic printing. Kodak will continue to drive the ‘Transformation of Flexo’ in all packaging segments,” commented Chris Payne. “Our strong commitment and the importance we place on collaboration throughout this journey is clear and we very much look forward to the next 10 years in Flexo.”

For more information on the 10-year anniversary and for updates on Kodak’s Global Flexo Innovation Awards program visit; www.kodak.com/go/10years.

HP Indigo digital presses demonstrate consistent capability to print to specified color spaces

Idealliance, a global thought leader in the graphic communications industry and a non-profit organization with 11 strategically located offices around the world, announces that both the HP Indigo commercial digital presses and the HP Indigo Label & Packaging presses have been certified with Master Elite Level ISO/PAS 15339 Certification designations. Idealliance ISO/PAS 15339 Certification is an element of the Idealliance Digital Press Certification for digital printing press manufacturers, allowing OEMs to certify and demonstrate press aptitude capability as it relates to capability to print to specified color spaces and color tolerance control.

By achieving the highest level of the Idealliance Digital Press and Master Elite Level of Idealliance ISO/PAS 15339 Certification, HP Indigo presses clearly demonstrated not only their capability to print to the largest color gamut, Universal Extra Large CRPC 7, within CIEDE2000 tolerances as specified in CGATS TR 016-2014, but also their capability to hold color consistently.

“This certification is a significant differentiator for OEMs such as HP Indigo,” said Timothy Baechle, Idealliance Vice President, Global Print Technologies & Workflows. “It offers buyers of technology empirical data upon which to base their purchasing decisions as well as offering print specifiers great confidence in production coming from HP Indigo technology. It is important to note that in achieving this certification, HP Indigo sheetfed presses driven by the HP SmartStream digital front end, held tighter tolerances than outlined in the Idealliance ISO PAS 15339 Master Elite bracket, which is an outstanding achievement. Our congratulations go out to HP Indigo and its entire technical staff for their tremendous work in achieving this status.”

“We are proud to be the first digital printing company to have received the Idealliance ISO PAS 15339 Certification,” said Aviram Iluz, Color Management Product Marketing Manager, HP Indigo. “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to continuously innovate in the realm of color and print quality and enable our customers to drive higher margins and grow their businesses by winning color critical clients. The ability to provide superior color that is accurate, consistent, and repeatable, sets our customers a step ahead of their competition. We are grateful for Idealliance’s consistent effort in driving the printing industry to achieve the highest performance in creation, production, and delivery of graphic communications.”

Reflex Label Plus targets rapid growth and expansion with new FA from Nilpeter

Reflex Label Plus has acquired a new 14-colour FA flexo press from Nilpeter, for its Keighley site in England, to meet customer demands for unique designs, high quality and embellishments, and achieve ambitious business expansion goals.

Initial thoughts – shelf appeal and wow factor

"The label sells the product. In this ever-growing market, there are more and more craft breweries and distilleries, all looking for shelf appeal, wow factor, and differentiation from competitors. At the same time, labels are getting very complicated, and the use of multiple print processes is often necessary to meet customer demands with regards to unique designs, high quality and embellishments,” says Shaun Hanson, Operations Manager, Reflex Label Plus.

“Although our existing press bank is quite comprehensive, there are limits, and we want to future-proof with this new investment – by having many print processes combined to produce complicated labels in one single pass. And also adding additional capacity to cope with our ambitious expansion targets,” he continues.

“Our challenges relate to how many different embellishments we can do in one pass. The new press will alleviate these issues, and save us a lot of time. We are looking to expand this exciting business through innovation – our customers want labels that make their products stand out, and this new investment will enable us to meet and exceed those expectations,” Shaun Hanson explains.

The most versatile flexo press on the market

Reflex Label Plus’ new FA is a 14-colour press, with 10 flexo printing units, two hot foil/embossing units, cold foil, and two fully independent RSI screens. The press will primarily be used for high-end beverage labels, craft beers, wine, spirits, cosmetics, and high-end combination labels. Installation has been planned for April.

The new FA is the most versatile flexo press on the market – designed to accommodate the printer’s ever-growing needs, and built around the modern print operator, with an intuitive user interface and fully mobile print controls. The FA allows printers to enhance the performance of their press with Value-Adding Units, Application and Automation Packages, according to application needs and budget. All main components are manufactured in-house at Nilpeter, meaning higher production quality and control.

Opportunities in high-end label production

“Our new press will be the sixth Nilpeter press on this site over 20 years. Reflex Label Plus went on an extensive tour of Europe, looking at press manufacturers, print shops, and processes. Important decision factors in acquiring another Nilpeter press was build quality, first and foremost, but also technical ability, know-how in single-pass printing and combining different print processes,” Shaun Hanson explains.

“Another big factor was support and service, not just from the parent company, but local "feet on the ground" – Nilpeter is the only company to offer 24/7/365 service and support, and they have skilled engineers living locally, frankly ticking all our boxes,” he continues.

“This FA press represents a major investment and a big vote of confidence in the Keighley site, which was acquired by Reflex in 2015. This press will give us both opportunity and capacity for rapid growth in high-end label production,” he concludes.

Group CEO happy to invest

Reflex Group CEO, Ian Kendall, added, “we are delighted to be investing yet again in Shaun and his team. This machine is not only about giving our customers more of what they currently want; it’s also about anticipating future market requirements in advance. We are totally focused on efficiency in our business, and this machine is going to help use materials more effectively.”

Kala expands Digital Printing with HP Indigo 6900

Kala is growing its digital printing fleet with an HP Indigo 6900 Digital Press, the newly released narrow-web press driving data for labels and packaging with higher speed and performance. The Utah-based labels and packaging converter recently rebranded from FlexTech. Kala will operate five HP Indigo labels and packaging presses for its growing business, already 90% digital, with the addition of the HP Indigo 6900.

“HP Indigo digital technology enables us to offer data-rich applications for brands to deliver value to their customers, including with variable data printing, personalized packaging and hyper-localized campaigns,” said Maui Chai, President and CEO, Kala, serving nutraceuticals, food and beverage, and cosmetic brands. “The HP Indigo 6900 advanced capabilities, including the new high-performance print server, Pack Ready for high-resistance labels, and integration with the HP Indigo GEM for digital embellishing, will serve as a growth platform for Kala’s innovative narrow-web label printing services.”

HP Production Pro for Labels and Packaging, the new Digital Front End onboard the HP Indigo 6900, delivers five times faster RIP power, higher productivity and scalability, including management of digital production across multiple presses. Kala has already expanded into flexible packaging with an HP Indigo 20000 Digital Press, adding pouching lines, offering high quality with fast-turnaround.

In 2002, the company purchased one of the first Indigo digital presses in North America and has built a business that has radically simplified print packaging, gaining an international client base.

Case Paper intensifies commitment to paper and packaging

As part of its ongoing growth initiatives, in the Spring of 2018, Case Paper will complete the installation of another Marquip Ward United sheeter at its Philadelphia, Pa., plant. The new sheeter will increase the plant’s sheeting capacity to 92,000 tons a year.

The seventh sheeter to be installed at the Philadelphia plant and the eleventh sheeter purchased over the past decade, Case Paper’s latest acquisition utilizes industry-leading knife technology. Moreover, a three-pocket slitting system and series of pulsed air jets improve reliability at higher running speeds, and side and lateral jogging mechanisms allow operators to stack the sheets more efficiently.

“Combined with a skilled workforce and a solutions-based management team, this new sheeter will improve our ability to quickly and efficiently deliver paper and board to our customers,” said Robin Schaffer, President and CEO of Case Paper.

As the paper and board markets continue to contract, the investment in state-of-the-art technologies has positioned Case Paper as one of the only distributors that can convert and deliver skids or rolls anywhere in the U.S., usually within 48 hours or less. Their previous equipment installation in mid-2017 at the Chicago, Ill., plant, increased capacity at that site by 30%.