Seen for the very first time at the Labelexpo
Europe show, slated from 24 to 27 September 2019, has announced a dedicated,
flexible packaging arena to showcase conventional and digital converting of
stand-up pouches, along with the current trends pertaining to short-run
value-added flexible packaging on mid-web inline presses. The Flexible
Packaging Arena will showcase both conventional and digital converting of
stand-up pouches to GMP quality assurance standards, along with information on
the opportunities currently offered by short run value added flexible packaging
on mid-web in-line presses.
Bobst and its Revo partners Apex, AVT, DuPont,
Esko, Flint Group and X-Rite Pantone will show a conventional BOBST M6
combination press with in-line lamination – including a world-first showing of
GEW’s multi-point UV monitor (mUVm) in-line UV dose monitoring system. Xeikon
will show for the first time its CX500 digital press in-line with a new pouch
laminating system.
There will be 30-minute Flexible Packaging Arena
demonstrations running several times a day over the four days of Labelexpo
Europe 2019. They will also include a presentation from the industry-wide UV
Food Safe group on the work it is conducting on best practice in UV curing of
indirect food contact materials.
Each session will be filmed live and relayed via
large screens to show visitors. Sample packs will be available and
representatives from the companies involved will be on hand to answer more
detailed questions.
Lisa Milburn, managing director of Labelexpo Global
Series, said: “Flexible packaging is one of the fastest growing and most
exciting areas of the label and package printing industry, so we decided to
incorporate it as a major feature at our 40th anniversary edition of Labelexpo
Europe. We strongly encourage visitors to come along to at least one
demonstration during the show and see this fantastic collaboration in action.”
Bobst Revo partner technologies include Apex GTT2.0
anilox technology with Bellissima DMS screening; AVT Helios Turbo HD automatic
inspection system for wider-web platforms up to 670mm; DuPont Cyrel FAST
thermal plates; Esko workflow automation and CDI Crystal XPS flexo platemaking;
Flint Group food packaging compliant inks; and X-Rite Pantone color measurement
and standardization systems.
Matteo Cardinotti, managing director of BOBST
Firenze, said: “As the global market for flexible packaging continues to grow,
the demand for shorter runs, connectivity and sustainability grows with it.
BOBST has recently launched several ground-breaking innovations that will help
converters and brand owners to set new standards in these areas.”
Filip Weymans, VP marketing, Xeikon, added: “Xeikon
dry toner technology has the potential to expand the applications beyond
self-adhesive labels - applications which still fit with narrow web converters.
Pouches is one of those added value applications. It enables converters to
expand their product offering and business potential beyond labels. We see the
Labelexpo feature as the ideal platform to educate converters and print buyers
on the application possibilities that digital printing can serve today.”
Jan De Roeck, marketing director - Industry
Relations & Strategy, Esko, said: “At Esko, we see more and more of our
customers diversify into adjacent businesses. For label converters with narrow
web flexo and digital print and finishing equipment, it is a logical step to
venture off in the production of flexible packages, pouches and wrappers. The
path to excellence in flexible packaging production is not always
straightforward and obvious. Esko
endorses and supports the Flexible Packaging Arena initiative at Labelexpo
Europe as it provides us with an ideal opportunity to educate and inform label
converters of the workflow requirements and best practices for flexible
packaging design and pre-press.”
Kelly Kolliopoulos, global marketing director Flint
Group Narrow Web, added: “We are proudly partnering with the Flexible Packaging
Arena and welcome the cross-industry approach that helps converters expand
their capabilities. Our experts will explain the latest in Food Compliant Ink
technologies being demonstrated, and clarify how to meet strict brand-owner
demands.”
Show visitors can further deepen their flexible
packaging knowledge by joining the Flexible Packaging master class, taking
place on Thursday 26 September and run by industry expert Mike Fairley, author
of the Label Academy guide to flexible packaging production. Additionally, they will be able to view HP’s
food packaging compliant flexible packs on the HP Indigo stand.
REVO is an ambitious flexo industry initiative set
up in 2013 which aims to ‘digitally’ standardize and automate the flexo process
from pre-press to print delivery. Its members include BOBST, DuPont, AVT, Flint
Group, Esko, X-Rite Pantone and Apex.
The 9 Flexible Packaging Arena participating
companies are: Bobst, Xeikon, Apex, AVT, DuPont, Esko, Flint Group, GEW and
X-Rite Pantone.
