Labelexpo 2013: beyond the label

Labelers look with growing interest toward outlets in flexible packaging, narrow web expands and technology breaks down the barriers between aplication areas. From Brussels, the latest developments in machinery, supports and auxiliaries for labeling.

Labelexpo Europe 2013 (Brussels, September 24th-27th) closed its doors after four packed days of meetings and presentations, once more confirming its status as a must-attend event for the international labeling industry. Organized by Tarsus every two years and, as the name suggests, focusing on labeling, this event has established itself as a no frills business opportunity and enjoys a steady growth in attendance that has not failed even in the most difficult times, sustained by the constant growth of its target sector.
This year, the number of exhibitors reached 600 (550 was the 2011 record), and especially that of visitors, hailing from 158 countries (123 in 2011), which reached 31,795 over 28,636 in 2011 (+11%). Indeed, operators from all over the world converge here, including many Italian ones. We have witnessed this firsthand during our visit to the fair, and as much has been related by representatives of industry and institutes, among them Valter Viscardi, secretary of Gipea (Italian Self-Adhesive Label Manufacturers Group, Assografici), who met representatives of nearly every member of his organization in the halls of the exposition center.

Shedding light on trends. Labelexpo is a logical choice for monitoring orientations and developments of demand and technology and, also from this point of view, it has not disappointed. As has been highlighted by many authoritative observers, among them Sante Conselvan (owner of I&C and president of Atif), labeling grows more by slow maturation than by sudden bursts, but at the fair the new developments stood out with particular clarity. For example, in the increasing adoption of narrow web by medium range printing machine builders (Uteco, for one important Italian example), or the spreading and active interest in quality multi-process solutions (Omet is a classic example) for enabling managing operations of different types and degrees of complexity on the same installation and in one step.
In fact, Labelexpo 2013 saw machinery that is even faster and higher performing, but especially more flexible and open (Gallus, Durst, Müller Martini, Epson, Mark Andy…), and integrated with all possible finishing soluitons, in line and otherwise, for decorating the print (Durst, EFI with six lasers, HP Indigo...). Visitors saw firsthand the advancements in speed and flexibility, cutting across all technologies, the key role of electronics and management software, the growing importance of digital printing for short runs, the flowering of UV auxiliary solutions (latest generation Gew lamps and advancements in LED drying), the successful implementation of eco solutions (ecological and especially eco-compatible) in supports, adhesives, inks, lacquers that are ever thinner and more effective. And suitable for food contact.
Finally, among debut novelties can be counted, for example, the Core brand self-adhesive linerless laminate by Ritrama and the revolutionary Six True system for product authentication, developed by a pool of Italian concerns and patented worldwide, presented at the De Rossi Vittoriano stand. In the pages that follow, a preliminary summary of the products and solutions on show at the fair.

Thin films, versatile adhesives Avery Dennison Materials Group Europe has developed the CleanFlakeTM range of films (Bottle-to-Bottle) in order to enhance PET recyclability. Thanks to a special adhesive that is easily separated leaving no residues, the flakes of recycled PET can be reused to produce new films and tubs. Also at the fair, the new ClearCut, which, in combination with BOPP and MDO fims, enables reducing the thickness and environmental impact of labels (reducing weight by as much as 31%). The adhesives used leave more time for reworking labels not applied correctly and enable obtaining labels suitable even for no label applications that require a particular resistance to compression.

Digital: advancements all around Durst has developed a new version of the Tau 330 digital UV inkjet printing system. The machine can now be equipped with the new Sunjet line of low migration UV inks by Sun Chemical, suitable for primary food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging, thus expanding the range of applications for these substrateless films, for which the machine has also been set up with a special cooling roller, which lowers the temperature during the drying process. Durst has also worked to enhance the machine’s productivity, with an end-to-end in line digital finishing workflow. The system adopts a modern laser die-cutting technology by Spartanics with 1000 W lasers, enables automatic switching between the various print processes, manages multiple processes in one step and can be equipped with modules for UV coating and lamination. Lirmaprint is the exclusive representative of Durst’s Labels & Package Printing division.

For labels and packaging Fujifilm introduces the new UV Graphium digital inkjet printer, developed and produced by FFEI Ltd for the production of labels, packaging and special print operations in short and medium runs on a wide range of media. The machine supports up to five digital modules and six flexo stations, allowing integration in line of printing and finishing, all done in one step. It also uses advanced printheads with the new Fujifilm Uvijet ink, with drop sizes from 6 to 42 picoliters, which enable a reliable and steady repro in eight levels of grey.

Adhesives for tapes, labels and graphic arts After the acquisition of Forbo, the product offer of HB Fuller has further expanded and now includes new water-based and hot melt based products as well as solvent-based adhesives. At Brussels a particular interest was aroused by the  Fulltak® brand waterbased line, that includes the highly versatile SE5235 and super-permanent SE5392 which ensures superior adhesion to a wide variety of surfaces, as well as good detachment resistance, long life and guarantee of absolute transparency.

Precious foils There is an increase in the food area for precious inserts on the labels or packaging of premium products and the pioneers of less alluring manufacturing sectors are also putting in their demands. Like the innovative manufacturer of engine oil, which presents the top line of the range in a gold wrapper with 100 micron PE label, offset-printed in 4 colors and decorated with Kurz hot stamping Light Line® 385 Laser Seamless foil, hologram and QR Code. In Italy Kurz is distributed by Luxoro (Parona, PV).

Wrap around and selfadhesive Manucor has brought the latest film labeling developments to the fair. For wrap around we cite the transparent gloss PL, one side treated, with thicknesses of 25, 30, 35 and 40; LLS, this too treated and transparent; white gloss LLM, treated on one side, cavitated, very low specific weight; the LLDM cavitated white metalised with high metric performance: the LLC white, high gloss, one side treated, cavitated with a low specific weight; and the LMA with  paper-like effect. For selfadhesive labels  glossy transparent films (SL) were presented, along with a five-layer white cavitated film for hard and semi-rigid (SLC) labels and a white pigment and 5 layers, treated on one side (SLW).

A natural liner he new Ecoliner by Mondi is produced without using any type of chemical bleaching and, on request, can be made of FSC-certified raw material. It is therefore an eco-compatible substrate, the manufacture of which requires less resources, which enriches the Mondi Green Range of materials for packaging, optimized to reduce consumption, waste and certified as sustainable by the recognized international bodies. Ecoliner stands out at a glance for its natural color and is available in widths from 20 mm to 2300 mm, from 62, 80 and 90 grams. Combined with a biodegradable adhesive it stands as a radically ecological alternative.

Offset for labeling With the latest VSOP (Variable Sleeve Offset Printing) and Alprinta V print presses, Müller Martini relaunches the pluspoints of offset  printing in labeling and flexible packaging: lower cost of plates, wider range of substrates and reduced environmental impact. In particular, the VSOP with sleeve technology enables a fast and easy change of print formats, without having to replace complete inserts, with obvious benefits especially in the case of print lengths that change frequently. Each order can be prepared offline and adjustments are made automatically.

Mid-range multiprocess Omet enhances its ability to produce machines to print online using various technologies and high-performance electronic controls, which reduce the set-up times and material waste during start-up and production. An example? The XFlex X6 with 430 mm  web width (but is available up to 530 mm), 3 units flexo and offset 5 groups sleeves, designed for label printers that are based on standard offset printing but are now benefiting from the advangates of flexible multi-process technology. To complete the configuration: cold foil, screen printing group, the Rock'n'Roll scrap collection system, and the register control system Vision-1.

A marker and an applicator Primera Technology Europe (represented in Italy by Primetec) presents the AP550e semi-automatic label applicator. AP550e applies labels directly on a wide range of flat surfaces such as boxes, bags, pouches, lids, jars etc. The positioning is done without wrinkles or creases, exactly where required, significantly increasing line productivity.

Ideas for linerless Ritrama (standard and special selfadhesive materials) proposes Core Linerless Solutions®: a competitive and efficient solution, developed in collaboration with Prati (converting machines) and Ilti (labelers), which allows the thickness of the selfadhesive film for labels to be halved while exploiting the liner, giving it a new function. Core Linerless Solutions® is composed of a thin film of PP on a siliconed release liner, which is printed at the highest speeds on conventional machines, and then conveyed on the special Prati module to be converted into linerless monomaterial. Here the machine "opens" the printed film and turns the liner, which is laminated on the surface of the adhesive material forming a protective layer, alternative to overcoating. On the same line the label thus obtained is then cut and microperforated and finally wound onto single coils.

An anti-fraud imprint A pool of companies with complementary specializations (at Labelexpo with De Rossi Vittoriano)  has created Six True: a verification system proposed as a "fingerprint" that can uniquely identify an object, and as a simple and inexpensive solution to be created and impossible to replicate. Six True is a system of signs that is printed or applied on the single product to be protected, and that is controlled by the end consumer via smart phone. It consists of a two-dimensional barcode (QR) and a unique unreproducible sign, created by randomly and "mechanically" combining microdroplets of color with special materials. The image of each sign+code pairing is then stored in a central database and "activated" once the manufacturer confirms the product’s introduction into the distribution chain. At this point, by downloading a free app to their phone (or other device), anyone can scan the sign and connect to the Six True site to find out in but few seconds if the product is genuine or not. And to receive all the further information that interest them, thus promoting marketing initiatives, promotional experiences and more.

Inks for all technologies SolarClear® Digital UV Coatings is a new range of four flexo UV-curable coatings, suitable for printing with HP Indigo ElectroInk®. Sun Chemical has developed them with adequate protection properties, slip-resistant and reflective coatings including high-gloss, opaque, printable and low migration versions. They were presented at Labelexpo with the other Sun Chemical products for the labels and packaging field, among which the two new high-opacity white inks UV SolarFlex Neutron White and SolarFlex Sleeve High Opacity White (the latter for printing on the back of shrink sleeves and other difficult substrates) and the low migration EtiJetTM ULM inks for inkjet applications.

No label look and other types of labels All the awesomeness of the no-label look on the new 50 micron substrate, made by UPM Raflatac for the personal care market. It is called Raflex Pro Clear and accompanies another MDO film, the Reflex Pro White, that on the contrary, boasts the highest opacity as the basis for a high quality decoration. These materials combine the advantages of PE and PP, aesthetics and functionality, the flexibility required to follow the contours of the packaging, the high compressibility and rigidity needed for effective handling even at high speeds. Raflex Pro has a thickness and a weight reduced by 40%.