Suppliers will be touting their wares at Packaging Innovations 2019, which returns to the NEC Birmingham. Now in its 14th year, the event once again includes the Label&Print show, where digital print will be marking its mark.
Also co-located with Empack and Ecopack, and new for this year, Industrial Pack, the event always draws a big crowd for the two days its runs. Heading to the show on 27 and 28 February, visitors can expect to meet over 300 exhibitors along with enjoying a range of presentations and debates, which will see big brands such as Coca-Cola, Marks & Spencer, Iceland and Innocent Drinks take to the stage.
Plastic packaging remains a central topic and the show will see another Big Plastics debate take place, no doubt emptying the halls again as the crowds gather to hear the latest developments. Also with plastic in mind, Iceland’s own label and packaging manager, Ian Schofield, will be discussing the company’s commitment to remove all plastic from its own-label product packaging one-year on from its initial pledge. After becoming the first supermarket chain in the UK to introduce plastic-free zones to its supermarkets, Daniel Frohwein, team leader and head coach at Thorntons Budgens Belsize Park, will be discussing how plastic can be removed from supermarket shelves.
Kevin Vyse, senior packaging technologist and circular economy lead at Marks & Spencer, will explore how companies can adapt to a circular economy mindset and how packaging professionals can make the most of virgin plastics, while Louise Stevens, head of circular economy at Innocent Drinks, will further discuss the circular economy.
Continuing the theme will be Justin Kempson, sales and innovation director at Charpak, who will share the company’s experience with creating innovative recycling solutions. Hans van Bochove, vice president European public affairs at Coca-Cola European Partners, will also take to the Ecopack stage to tackle single-use plastics as he discusses the drinks giant’s perspective on the issue and its plans to action change.
In addition to sustainability, speakers will be discussing the latest innovations in packaging technology. For example, Barbara Galli, global marketing and communication lead at Chiquita, will be explaining how the company has harnessed AR technology to engage consumers.
Hosted by the editor of FlexoTech, Michal Lodej, the Flexo Debate returns to discuss whether advances in technology have done enough to help flexo adapt to changing trends in the market today. The expert panel includes Jason Gilmartin, head of print (packaging and POS) for ASDA, Steve Mulcahy, CEO of Contact Group, consultant Paul Horton, Brand Print Colour, and Tom Allum, chairman, Abbey Labels.
Exhibitors A–Z
Abbey Labels (H21) will be focusing on its range of peel and reveal labels, which are offered in three- and five-page versions. Unique codes can be inserted on the inside page ideal for customers wanting to drive traffic to their website through competitions. Also on show will be foiled, embossed and laminated labels on a range of different substrates produced on the company’s conventional and digital label presses.
Advanced Labelling Systems (ALS) (E1) is supplier of automatic labelling systems and product handling equipment, including label applicators, print & apply, RFID, printers, barcode scanners and software. It also designs and builds custom product handling systems, produce self-adhesive labels and provide a contract over-labelling service.
AM Labels (G19) will be demonstrating two new models from OKI Europe, the Pro1040 four colour printer and the Pro1050 five colour label printer which adds white to CMYK. Both print on a variety of substrates, including clear, opaque, white or coloured, and use LED technology developed by OKI. Other products and brands on display include products from Epson (including the Select-a-Label system which incorporates a C3500 printer), Zebra and the Stand Alone label printing system from AM Labels with a Honeywell printer.
AstroNova (F18) will putting the main focus the QuickLabel QL-300 toner-based five-colour desktop label printer, which prints CMYK plus white in a single pass in 1200dpi resolution. The new printer has the ability to print in white, which allows direct printing onto coloured materials, such as black polyester or silver paper, and further ensures clear readability when printing barcodes, even on transparent materials.
Codeology (G11) is a British manufacturer of large character inkjet printers, outer case print and apply label printers and end-of-line automation systems, supplying solutions for packing, carton sealing, box labelling, barcoding and identification through to pallet labelling.The P100 Print and Apply Label Applicator is designed to provide online labelling of the side or side and end of cases to supermarket specification.
CS Labels (H22)will show its capabilities in digital labels, pouches and continuous film. The company, which prints on its fleet of Xeikon digital toner presses, is now producing digitally printed pouches in house after investing in a pouch-making line (read more in our dedicated feature).
Dantex Group (G25) will have the PicoColour UV inkjet press running on stand. The company is also introducing itslatest innovation, the PicoJet UV inkjet press via a video link. The seven-colour printing system can be configured to offer a wide colour gamut. Working at 350mm width and a speed of 75m/min, the PicoJet incorporates 600dpi at 2.5pl dot size, ideally placed for high quality and long run lengths.
Domino Printing Sciences (H20) will highlight the business opportunities its inkjet technology. There will be a range of samples available including labels printed on a range of industry standard media without the need for inline priming, textured labels created using Domino’s opaque white ink along with folding cartons and shrink sleeves, printed on the N610i digital inkjet colour label press.
There will also be a selection of samples printed with the K600i monochrome printer. Available with UV-curable, LED-curable, aqueous pigmented inks and white ink targeted primarily at printers looking for a digital alternative to screen printing, it can also be used for digital cold foiling and with Domino’s UV80CL fluorescent ink for security features.
Durst Phototechnik (F40) will show samples printed on its range of digital presses, which includes the high-speed Tau RSC press, now also available in a budget-priced version, which can be combined with an Omet XFlex X6 series flexo press for hybrid production or used as a standalone machine, and the Tau 330 E entry-level press.
Epson (G24) will display three ColorWorks printers, the C7500 with a rewinder, the ColorWorks C3500 and the ColorWorks C831, as well as samples of the wide range of labels that can be produced on the SureColor aqueous and UV presses. Emax Label Solutions will present a range of media for the ColorWorks models, with focus on label solutions for the GHS, horticulture and garment labelling sectors.
Esko (F15) will demonstrate itsSoftware Platform,which offersproject management, artwork creation, structural design, pre-press, 3D visualisation, workflow automation, quality assurance, palletisation, supply chain collaboration and approvalsolutions, along with Enfocus PDF preflight and workflow automation software; MediaBeacon digital asset management (DAM) and Blue Software for label and artwork management.
Falconer Print and Packaging (G49)will showcase new designs in prototyping and printed cartons, including the box created for 3 Pugs Gin, which took the shape of a dog kennel that housed twoslanted bottles and a uniquely shaped glass.
Foxpack Flexibles (E46) will show its capabilities in digital flexible packaging. Amongst the applications on show will be its digital coffee pouch, which features a valve that allows gasses to be released without compromising on the quality, taste or aroma.
Graphtec GB (H26) will debut the new LCX1000 label printing and finishing system, which combines the DLP1000 high-speed digital printer with the DLC1000 digital finishing machine that provides dual laminating and customised cutting functions. The system uses four-colour electro-photographic technology to offer a resolution of 600 x 2400dpi. The maximum speed is 124mm/sec, on print widths up to 152.4mm and a media-handling width of 216mm.
HP (F20) will be presenting its latest innovations in inks with new ElectroInk Silver and UV Invisible ink in focus. There will also be samples showing new security features, while the company’s SmartStream Mosaic and Collage software will be demonstrated live to allow brands, designers and printers to experience the possibilities it brings to packaging first hand.
Hybrid Software (G17) will be showcasing its latest innovation in variable data print technology for the Packz and Cloudflow range of native PDF products. The Packz VDP module allows any element of a label or pack to be variable, whilst still in pre-press. Elements can then be linked with the variable data supplied as a CSV file, allowing results to be seen live before creating a PDF output file.
Impression Technology Europe (H25) will be showing its own brand Eclipse label cutters as well as demonstrating a range of digital label printers from Epson and Compress.
IST (UK) Ltd (H28) will be showcasing a full range of UV drying systems for the graphic arts market with air-cooled units, water-cooled high power units and LED technology for the inkjet and digital markets. The show marks the UK debut for the new LEDcure SCR, a dedicated UV LED curing system for retrofitting to narrow web label presses.
i-Sub Digital (A50) supplies Mimaki solvent and UV printers as well as finishing equipment. It is the exclusive distributor of the i-Sub Digi-Foil system for short-run and mock-up print and foiling requirements.
Konica Minolta (H10) will demonstrate – for the first time in the UK – live production on the AccurioLabel 190 toner press, which has been developed and manufactured in cooperation with Grafisk Maskinfabrik (GM). The stand will also showcase the capabilities of the AccurioJet KM-1 B2+ sheetfed UV inkjet press and display samples of digital embellishment produced on the JETvarnish 3DWeb Color+ system for label and flexible packaging, including shrink film. The MGI digital inkjet embellishment press produces in-line flat and 3D spot UV coating, 3D embossed varnish textures, flat and embossed foil effects.
The company will also demonstrate its recently launched genARate software, which allows companies to create, publish, manage and analyse their own augmented reality experiences.
KTEC Group (H5) will show the Primera range of label machines including the FX1200E multi-lane press, the CX1200E and CX1000E presses, along with desktop printers from Epson, VIPColor, Toshiba, NeuraLabel and SwiftColor.
Label Apeel (G20) will show its portfolio of labels created for food and drinks brands. The company offers digital labels printed on its HP Indigo press and specialises in embellishments for added value and standout shelf appeal.
Lagoon Tubes (C23)will be presenting its digital printing decoration technology, which will be on display alongside the company’s large range of direct print plastic tubes solutions for the cosmetics, personal and hair care industries.
Lemorau (F14) will exhibit the EBRM+ machine at the show. The rotary/semi-rotary tabletop finisher coats, die-cuts, slits and rewinds digital printed webs at a speed of 25m/min. It can run inline with a digital printer or as a standalone offline finishing unit and is available in 250 and 330mm widths. Also on show will be the CTA 1500 Automatic Core Cutter, which is capable of 40 cuts/min. The machine is user-friendly and includes a core edge trim function and automatic core length measurement.
Leonhard Kurz (C31) will highlight its embellishment capabilities and show the online application Foil Connect, which automatically calculates the amount of hot-stamping foil needed for a print job. Its Digital Metal portfolio offers the ability to add metallics to toner and inkjet printed materials and packaging.
Martek Industries (G6) will show the EBS-260 handheld printer, a fully portable inkjet printer with 54mm maximum print height and built-in touch screen controller, which is suited for printing text, 2D codes, barcodes and logos on large items, such as crates, concrete, pallets and pipes.
Mercian Labels (B25) offers custom-printed self-adhesive labels, cartons and security seals printed on its digital and conventional presses. Itsvariable data printing capability uses UV inkjet to produce variable data and barcode labels for a variety of uses, with inline verification capabilities to ensure all barcodes are ANSI grade scannable and there are no duplicates. The trademarked Label Lock range of security labels offer tamper evident security-sealing products sold under the Security Labels International brand.
Olympus Print Group (G18) is a specialist printer of pressure-sensitive labels and large format digital print, serving the wine and drinks, personal care, and home and leisure markets.
Plasfilms (F39) will be focusing on barrier films, lidding films and re-closable products alongside the promotion of its OPP and PET commodity products. The company has also recently introduced PP heat shrinkable film (HSF) from Taghleef Industries (Ti) into its portfolio.
Printela (G56) is the first company in Lithuania to offer flexible packaging printing on theHP Indigo 20000 and HP Indigo 6900digital presses. Productson show include flowpacks, pouches, shrink sleevesand labels for food production, beverages, cosmetics, textileandmore.
Skanem UK (G23) will showcase its range of labelling solutions, such as tactile and soft touch, metallic, scent release, holoprint and peel and read. It will also be launching its new portfolio of smart and intelligent labels. The offering includes NFC, RFID and QR codes alongside the new Magic Code labels.
The Alexir Partnership (G35) will be showcasing its latest packaging innovations across the different divisions, from packaging design to carton manufacture to procurement, and finished product from its co-manufacturing arm. Celebrating 30 years in the packaging industry this year, it has made a success out of digital carton manufacture and will have a range of samples on stand to illustrate the quality and flexibility that can be achieved.
The Label Makers (F19) will be using the show to promote its labels for the premium drinks market, exhibiting a selection of product developments. Taking centre stage on the stand will be the award-winning, reverse-printed back label for Portobello Road Navy Gin.
UEI Falcontec (C35) will showcase its precision engraved tooling for hot foiling and embossing. The company offers solutions for engraved die lock-up, including the UniLock-Up system, which is a pre-mounted die plate with dies in register to the digital file. Depending on the desired effect, it can incorporate either copper or brass engraved dies. To allow for modifications in the printed sheet, each die position can be slightly adjusted before final lock-up. To further enhance lock-up, it also has the SpeedChase and the latest NW SpeedChase.
Vivid Laminating Technologies(G21) will be showing two new systems at the show. The Matrix Metallic is a modular system designed to apply digital foiling and spot UV type effects across a range of paper types, allowing digital printers to embellish and add value on demand. Also supporting lamination, the Metallic is compatible with the Matrix Omniflow deep pile feeder, which can stack up to 700 sheets for auto-feeding.
The new Vivid Easycut flatbed CNC cutter offers an integrated solution for printing, signage, packaging proofing, pattern making, prototyping and small production runs of rigid packaging media and other sheet fed materials. It is suitable for cutting intricate designs on cartonboard, photopaper, vinyl sticker, photo-masking films, oil-board, sandblast resist rubber, PET, PVC, polyamide, stiff paper, microflute board or industrial materials with adjustable cut pressure. A standard Matrix lamination, foiling and spot UV system with Omniflow feeder will also be on stand along with examples of the Magnum cut, crease, fold and perf systems.
And last but not least: Whitmar Publications will be on stand H9, so please do come and say hello!
