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Koenig & Bauer shows cutting-edge Rapida technology at the “Print & Finishing” Open House in Belgrade
At the end of March, the Technical Association of the Hungarian Paper and Printing Industry (PNYME) organised a special event in Belgrade called “Print & Finishing” – with over 100 attendees from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Germany and Austria. A series of presentations enabled the association members to gather information on the latest industry trends, with a focus on commercial and book production. A subsequent practical session was hosted by the book printing company Publikum, a long-standing Rapida user based in Belgrade.
Solenis inaugurates new customer support laboratories and packaging center of excellence in Germany
Solenis, global producer of specialty chemicals, has officially opened its newest customer application R&D laboratories and packaging center of excellence in Mönchengladbach, Germany. The new international technical facility will help drive more sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries and consumer paper packaging.
SEE and Koenig & Bauer announce strategic partnership to shape the digital future of packaging
Sealed Air Corporation and Koenig & Bauer AG announced they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to expand their strategic partnership for digital printing machines. The partnership aims to significantly improve packaging design capabilities by developing state-of-the art digital printing technology, equipment, and services. Solutions developed by SEE and Koenig & Bauer will scale and deliver digitally printed materials dramatically faster, enabling brand owners to promote products by connecting with consumers through a digitally enhanced package.
XSYS expands platemaking portfolio with new Catena-E 48 exposure unit
Building on its portfolio of platemaking equipment, XSYS has announced the introduction of the ThermoFlexX Catena-E 48 unit for LED exposure of flexographic printing plates for the label, folding carton, and flexible packaging markets. The new addition to the Catena product family is a compact solution that delivers highest quality flat-top dot plates at an impressive level of productivity, coupled with low cost of ownership.
First-class conference line-up announced ahead of Chemspec Europe 2023
Now in its 36th event edition, Chemspec Europe 2023, the International Exhibition for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, will take place next month from 24 - 25 May in Hall 1 at Messe Basel exhibition centre in Switzerland. The event is the meeting point for buyers, traders, and agents searching for bespoke, new approaches and innovative substances, connecting industry experts worldwide via plenty of networking opportunities. In addition to the exhibition, Chemspec Europe encompasses a high-quality conference programme providing valuable insights into the latest industry knowledge, ongoing R&D projects and innovations.
InterPack
Sappi puts new barrier coating machine into operation at its Alfeld site
Packaging and speciality paper manufacturer Sappi Europe has invested a double-digit million euro sum in a new plant to produce innovative high-barrier papers – including an all-new type of barrier coating machine. Recently put into operation at the company’s Alfeld site in Germany, the in-house solution will produce high-barrier papers for recyclable packaging for food and non-food applications.
Digital printing is the future for book printer
Grafica Veneta, company for book printing, relies on a RotaJet single-pass digital press from Koenig & Bauer for its digital future. “The press has been in full production since autumn 2022 and will have a lasting impact on the book printing market,” says company owner Fabio Franceschi. “Our long-standing and trustful partnership with Koenig & Bauer is now growing to include digital printing. The RotaJet offers us and our customers a whole host of new opportunities in many areas. Thanks to the digital capabilities of this press, we can also print smaller jobs more efficiently and in top quality, and that will enable us to react quickly to changing market demands.”
Mondi increases FunctionalBarrier Paper capacity to meet growing customer demand
Mondi is investing in innovative technologies to increase FunctionalBarrier Paper capacity in order to meet the growing demand for sustainable paper-based packaging solutions. Mondi's range of FunctionalBarrier Paper offers tailored barrier properties that reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging, supporting the development of a circular economy. The range is being supported with an investment in a new extruder at Mondi Coating Štetí (Czech Republic). This will comprise the construction of a production building which will house state-of-the-art machinery such as an extrusion coater and a slitting machine. Production is expected to start in 2024.
Equipment-as-a-Service model for printing machines grows
The price per printed sheet is the focus: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), together with Munich Re Group companies, continues to successfully drive the expansion of the digital business model Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS) as a part of the strategic partnership. In this model, the customer pays exclusively for productive industrial performance, i.e., for the number of printed sheets. The price includes software, all necessary consumables, and service. The packaging manufacturer Weig Packaging GmbH & Co. KG concluded a further subscription contract as part of the cooperation at the beginning of 2023 to grow its business.
Packners GmbH installs the world's 600th rotary die cutter from Bobst
At the end of 2023, Bobst will deliver its 600th rotary die cutter worldwide, underlining its position also in this segment of the packaging market. The anniversary machine - a Masterline DRO with six printing units - will be installed at the new Packners GmbH plant in Emsbüren in north-west Germany. “We want to use this high-end rotary die cutter to create additional opportunities for new market segments in the production of high-quality corrugated board packaging,” explains Stefan Gausepohl, Head of Sales & Marketing and, as an authorized signatory a member of the Packners management team.
Archroma announces CEO transition
Archroma, a global player in sustainable specialty chemicals and solutions for the textiles, packaging & paper, paints and coatings industries, announced its transition plan for the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Heike van de Kerkhof, CEO of Archroma since January 2020, will step down effective April 30, 2023, to focus on other career opportunities. Mark Garrett, a seasoned industry executive, will assume the role of interim CEO. Archroma’s Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search process for installing a permanent CEO and has retained a leading executive search firm to evaluate both internal and external candidates.
Best business prospects for additive technologies
Additive manufacturing (AM) processes, which include 3D printing, are being used more and more in industrial production and are thus gaining further importance. “Four-fifths of our member companies have recorded increasing sales in the past twelve months. According to our latest spring survey, one in two saw growth rates in the double-digit percentage range,” reports Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the VDMA's Additive Manufacturing Working Group.
