A commitment to increase circularity and sustainability in packaging

H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL), a leading global adhesives provider, announced that they have recently joined the 4evergreen alliance, a cross-industry alliance hosted by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) to improve the circularity of fiber-based packaging.

The initiative brings together a diverse network of around 90 organizations and stakeholders throughout the packaging value chain­ to push for innovation throughout the sector and develop robust, fact-based guidelines for the future of fiber-based packaging. The goal of the alliance is to raise the overall recycling rate of fiber-based packaging to 90% by 2030 and contribute to a climate neutral and sustainable society.

H.B. Fuller Global Sustainability Manager Elizabeth Staab says, “This is both an exciting and challenging period for the packaging industry. Collaboration throughout the supply chain is vital if we are to achieve changes that improve the world for this generation of consumers and beyond. Sustainability is a core pillar of our business strategy at H.B. Fuller, and we are joining the 4evergreen Alliance to expand collaboration with a variety of companies. We must ensure that we continue to invest in R&D projects that will deliver the scientist-designed adhesive products with the tailored high performance and low environmental impact needed to answer the challenges facing the fiber-based packaging industry both today and in the coming decades.”

A commitment to innovation and sustainability drives H.B. Fuller to prioritize technologies that fulfill increasing regulatory needs and consumer environmental awareness. In this case, adhesives are a very small, and often unseen, part of the final item of fiber-based packaging. And yet they are a key performance enabler. Fiber-based packaging is made of fibers that can have several lives by being kept in the recycling loop. During the life of that packaging, the adhesive maintains pack and brand integrity throughout the supply chain. Last, once it is discarded by the consumer into the correct recycling stream, adhesives continue to perform by ensuring the fibers can be recycled into new board and packaging of stickies.

One recent example is the Sesame®  sustainable fiber-based e-commerce opening tear tape. Unlike the standard plastic technology on the market, the global, patent-pending, tear tape adds fiber to the recycling stream. This solution is over 80% bio-based and utilizes a substrate that is responsibly and sustainably sourced, certified by PEFC (The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification). The product prioritizes sustainability while maintaining an excellent consumer “unboxing experience” of everyday packages.

H.B. Fuller palletizing adhesives are another example. They enable Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturers to design products with a waste-out approach, dematerializing the pallet packaging used throughout the supply chain, such as trays, slip sheets and stretch wraparound pallets that use polyethylene plastic, a material that is not recyclable in some parts of the world. Thus, when applied to the top of finished goods packaging, H.B. Fuller adhesives grip corrugated cases, bags and shrink-wrapped bottles into place and prevent pallet loads from shifting during transit – reducing the need to use plastic stretch wrap for pallet stability.

Staab continues, “Being more sustainable can mean different things to different people. It could mean easy to recycle. Or have a low carbon footprint. Or designed using circular economy principles. But most likely, it will be a combination of all these, in addition to complying with current and possible future regulations. The environmental challenges facing the world and the subsequent demand for low environmental impact products needs a multi-faceted and collaborative approach. There simply isn’t just one solution or one company with all the answers.”

Sesame ® is a trademark of H.B. Fuller Company (“H.B. Fuller”) or an affiliated company of H.B. Fuller.

About H.B. Fuller:

Since 1887, H.B. Fuller has been a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants, and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives. With fiscal 2021 net revenue of $3.3 billion, H.B. Fuller’s commitment to innovation brings together people, products and processes that answer and solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.

As the costs of raw materials, transport, labor, and energy continue to rise, hubergroup Print Solutions now reacts with a price increase for all global regions.

The price increase applies to all segments, i.e., to sheet-fed/UV and web offset as well as flexo and gravure products and will vary by product. Local contacts will inform customers about the concrete effects and be available for questions at any time. The ink manufacturer emphasises that it is working hard to minimise price increases for customers by using its global supply network, examining other sourcing methods, and utilising alternative raw materials. Nevertheless, a price increase is unavoidable.

Heiner Klokkers, CEO of hubergroup, states: “The situation on the raw material market is not easing, but instead continues to worsen. The printing ink industry is severely affected by the increased costs for transport and raw materials such as pigments, resins or solvents. To ensure that we can continue to supply our customers with high-quality products in the future, it is unfortunately unavoidable that we reflect the increased procurement costs in the prices of our products.”

In a major step towards ensuring transparency in liquor sales, the government has decided to inscribe e-labels with QR codes on liquor bottles being sold in the state.

The move is aimed at reducing the illegal sales of liquor as the QR code will help the authorities to easily scan and track the point of origin, point of sales and authenticity of liquor bottles. The order in this regard was issued by the taxes department last Tuesday.

As per rule 26 of the foreign liquor rules, 1953, it is mandatory to affix security labels over the liquor bottles being sold in the state. At present, the security labels are fixed manually at warehouses of Kerala state beverages corporation. The IMFL bottles, which are stored in the warehouses, are taken out only after affixing the security labels issued by the excise department and verified by excise officials posted in each warehouse.

News courtesy Times of India Qr-code Labels On Liquor Bottles Soon | Thiruvananthapuram News – Times of India (indiatimes.com)

Executive Summit to address critical issues facing the European label community

FINAT, the European label industry association, has released the programme for its seventh European Label Forum, and its 64th annual conference overall. The event will be held from 1-3 June at the Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno, along the borders of Lago Maggiore (Italy).

The 2022 edition of the ‘ELF’ is FINAT’s first live event since June 2019, when Copenhagen hosted the event. The 2020 edition had to be cancelled, while the ELF 2021 had to take place entirely online due to the Covid19 Pandemic.

FINAT Managing Director Jules Lejeune is very pleased that FINAT’s flagship event is now back on the road. “Since we launched the new conference format in 2015, the European Label Forum has developed into THE annual executive summit for the European label community, where business leaders from the value chain gather to network, learn and engage in dialogue on matters of strategic importance to the industry.”

Opportunity to reconnect in person

“A lot has changed since the Pandemic in the way organisations connect, communicate and collaborate, and FINAT is no exception. But one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s the need for in-person contact to establish and maintain connections, build relationships and develop a mutual understanding. Without networking, informal discussions and non-verbal communication, the world will always remain a passive 2D experience. After 3 years of forced inactivity, our members are desperate to meet each other again and renew their contacts with peers from around Europe, especially now that Labelexpo Europe has been postponed. We have made sure to select a venue that has proven to provide the right setting to create the conditions for positive business dynamics.”

Critical issues and opportunities facing the label industry

The ELF 2022 comes at a time when the European label industry is facing crucial challenges, both in the short and medium-term. In the early months of the Pandemic back in 2020, the label industry passed the ‘stress test’ of excess demand (for critical products in food, personal care and medical products), combined with disruptions in raw materials supply and workforce availability. In 2021, the sector peaked again, this time because of the rapid economic recovery following the Covid recession.

And now, in 2022, the sector is facing an unprecedented ‘perfect storm’ of shortages of components, raw materials and consumables, compounded by local strikes; shortages of skilled labour and talent ready for the digital transformation; accelerated consolidation combined with abundant capital availability and succession challenges; opportunities and challenges associated with changing consumer behaviour and e-commerce; the challenges of Industry 4.0 and Big Data; the EU Green Deal and its associated tsunami of legislation, regulations and industry guidelines to advance the transition towards the Circular Economy; and, since the end of February, the global political and economic uncertainty associated with the war in Ukraine.

Compared to previous editions, this year’s programme brings together no less than six expert panels and numerous expert presentations addressing the above topics and more. Of course, these formats allow for maximum interaction and exchange for all participants.

FINAT President Philippe Voet concludes: “The primary role of FINAT has always been to provide a meeting platform for members and to support members by addressing matters that cannot be tackled individually. We are at a crucial turning point, and our industry has to stand together and leverage our collective know-how and expertise and navigate the future of labels. If there was ever a reason to attend the European Label Forum, it is in June 2022. I look forward to seeing everyone in Baveno.”

More details and registration links can be found on the event website.

Climate-neutral production from 2023 on and achievement of full climate neutrality by 2030—this is the strategic sustainability goal of Schreiner Group based in the district of Munich. As a result, the internationally oriented family-owned company for innovative high-tech labels and functional parts assumes a pioneering role in German industry.

Photovoltaic systems are installed on the parking garage roofs, insect-friendly wildflower verges benefit the company’s own bee colonies, charging stations for electric vehicles are available on the plant premises, and the most recently erected facility is a completely climate-neutral “green building”—even from the outside it is clear that Schreiner Group does a lot for the environment. “But in recent years, we have even clearly achieved a lot more,” says Dr. Thomas Gulden, who is in charge of the family-owned company’s environmental management. “We succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions by 70 percent and our share of renewable energies amounts to more than 55 percent. Furthermore, we purchase only green electricity at our German locations.”

Now Schreiner Group has set itself an ambitious goal. “By manufacturing sustainable products, we intend to achieve climate-neutral production from 2023 on and full climate neutrality by 2030.” This is the strategic sustainability goal that the manufacturer of smart labels and functional parts has adopted. For this purpose, the company has concentrated and optimized all actions for CO2 reduction and energy efficiency, for resource conservation and avoidance of waste, as well as for compliance with corporate governance and protection of human rights.

Numerous actions are being taken to further enhance energy efficiency and to further increase the use of renewable energies—from optimizing air conditioning systems to switching to LED lighting to expansion of electric mobility. Obviously, the company is paying particular attention to its products: CO2 emissions can already be significantly reduced today by using sustainable materials such as recycled ones instead of petroleum-based plastics. All sustainable products can be identified by the “Integrated Sustainability” logo. In addition, Schreiner Group reduces its amount of annual waste by nearly 300 metric tons as a result of recycling activities. Compliance with social standards is regulated in the company’s code of conduct and subject to regular reviews—including supplier compliance.

“Our strategic sustainability goal does not pay lip service to sustainability,” says CEO Roland Schreiner. “For us, climate protection, social sustainability, and environmental fairness are a matter of social responsibility that we, as a company, want to and have to live up to. As a family-owned business we have always understood our responsibility for our employees, our partners, and for our region. This is a responsibility we have for future generations as well.”

Dr. Gulden explains the process of developing Schreiner Group’s strategic sustainability goal: “We started by defining our key action fields.” For Schreiner Group, these are climate protection, our own products, and our sustainability system. “We then matched the demands of our stakeholders with these action fields, created a roadmap, and defined actions to be taken. All individual goals and all actions are found in our strategic sustainability goal.” Climate neutrality by 2030 is an ambitious goal—but one with a clear plan.

As a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the geopolitical situation in Europe has permanently changed. This has wide-reaching human, political and economic implications in Europe and the situation is evolving rapidly. Our primary concern are the people suffering from the war. UPM is providing support to its employees in the affected areas. We have also started providing humanitarian and material support to Ukraine this week.

UPM will cease its deliveries to Russia for the time being. UPM businesses will keep the Russian customers and suppliers informed of the situation. While the forest industry is not directly targeted by the international sanctions at the moment, sanctions against the financial sector may impact UPM’s or its customers’ businesses and transactions in Russia. The full impact of the current and possible new sanctions and counter-sanctions will be known only as the situation evolves. UPM monitors the situation closely and makes decisions accordingly.

UPM has employees, customers and suppliers in both countries but UPM’s exposure to Russian and Ukranian markets is limited. UPM Raflatac has a distribution terminal in the Kyiv region with 13 employees. The terminal operations have been closed until further notice. In Russia, UPM employs 800 persons most of whom work at the Chudovo plywood mill. The operations are currently running as usual. UPM’s sales to Russia and Ukraine combined was approximately 2 % of UPM’s total sales in 2021. Assets in Russia are less than 1 % of the group total. In 2021, less than 10 % of UPM’s wood sourcing to Finland originated from Russia.

Tarsus Group, organizer of the Labelexpo Global Series, has today announced that Labelexpo Europe
2022 has been rescheduled, with the event now taking place 11-14 September 2023. The organizing
team has made the decision to move the event dates in light of the significant supply chain pressures
the European label industry is currently experiencing coupled with the fast-evolving situation in
Ukraine.
The decision comes on the back of close consultation with exhibitors, associations and the wider
industry, with many directly impacted by the shortage of components and materials. These
shortages, triggered by the pandemic, have been escalating over recent months with long lead times
now disrupting the supply chain in Europe. With the event set to take place in just under two
months’ time the lack of forward visibility led the event team to reschedule in the best interests of
the label community.
Lisa Milburn, Labelexpo managing director, explained: “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the support
we have had from the industry with many committing to Labelexpo Europe in spite of the issues
many of them are currently dealing with, we know the decision to reschedule the show will be as
disappointing for them as it is for us. This has been a very difficult decision for us to make, we have
been working tirelessly to overcome the supply chain issues and produce the show the industry
needs, especially in light of the challenges of the past two years. Unfortunately these issues have
proven to be insurmountable at this stage so we feel that rescheduling is the responsible decision to
make.”
Jules Lejeune, managing director, FINAT, also commented: “FINAT fully understands and supports
the decision that has been taken. Given the existing shortages of chips and components, the current
shortages of paper and other consumables to produce labels, and now the major geopolitical
uncertainties caused by the situation in Ukraine, there are simply too many hurdles to overcome.
FINAT remains a proud supporter of the world’s leading trade exhibition for the label and package
printing industry. We admire our longstanding partner Labelexpo for taking this extremely difficult
decision, and for putting the interests of the industry first.”
Given the rescheduling of Labelexpo Europe the next major global event for the package printing
industry will be Labelexpo Americas which will take place at the Donald E. Stephens Convention
Center, Chicago, 13-15 September 2022. Other upcoming Labelexpo events this year include
Labelexpo Asia (28 June-1 July), Labelexpo India (10-13 November) and Labelexpo South China (7-9
December).End –
For further information about Labelexpo, please contact:
Paul Connelly, marketing director, Labelexpo Global Series at pconnelly@labelexpo.com

Domino Digital Printing Solutionsis delighted to share three new 3D animated videos that have been created highlighting thesophisticated intelligentTechnologyi-Tech features that are incorporated withinthe versatile, high speedDominoK600i digital inkjet printer.Combining excellent productivity with 600dpi print quality, the cost effective, modular K600i is capable of printing variable data onto a wide range of substrates for a variety of both sheet and web applications including printing onto labels, mail pieces, tags, tickets, forms and security products at speeds of up to 200m/min(650ft/min).

Watch these videos and discover how Domino’s unique, automated,i-Tech componentsActiFlow, CleanCap and StitchLinkcombine to create a flexible and highly reliable digital printing system with superior performance that requires minimal maintenance.

The i-Tech ActiFlowcontinuous ink circulation system degasses the ink preventing air bubbles and blocked nozzles for superior jetting performance, resulting in less rejects, less maintenance and reduced downtime; the revolutionaryi-Tech CleanCapautomatedprint head cleaning and capping station maintains optimumreliable print nozzle performance, with reduced start-up time and minimal operator intervention; and i-TechStitchLinkoffers automated print head alignment for accurate registrationand seamless print across the full web print width.

These3D animation videos can be viewed at the links below:

Domino K600i i-TechActiFlow:https://domino-na.wistia.com/medias/7923k4i950Domino K600i i-TechCleanCap: https://domino-na.wistia.com/medias/6kakp0x8i4

Domino K600i i-TechStitchLink:https://domino-na.wistia.com/medias/5q485b6fpo

The K600i is based on Domino’s proven and reliable Generation 6 inkjet technology, of which there are approaching 1000 global installations. To find out more about this versatile, monochrome UV digital inkjet printer, visit the K600i product page at:https://go.domino-printing.com/PRJan22iTechK600i

Proven and reliable technology is just one of the cornerstones of The Domino Difference. Come and visit us on Booth No 9A60 at Labelexpo Europe and experience The Domino Difference for yourself. Domino will be hosting daily live demonstrations of the K600i at this event which is taking place at Brussels Expo from Tuesday 26–Friday 29April 2022.

Sei Laser, a leading company in laser technology for the graphic arts, self-adhesive labels, and packaging sectors, will participate in the 2022 edition of Labelexpo Europe. The stand will display the company’s flagship Labelmaster in both 350mm narrow-web and 600 mm medium-web versions.

Labelmaster is a modular system which can be configured for both roll to roll and roll to sheet digital die cutting, running at speeds up to 100m/min.

“We can say that Labelmaster has become a “classic” in digital die-cutting at Labelexpo, with hundreds of customers using our technology every day,” says Ettore Colico, Converting Director at Sei Laser. “This makes us particularly proud. Our digital cutting and finishing system is now mature and perfectly tailored to the needs of visitors. Sei Laser strongly wanted to be present in Brussels, especially after a forced period of “rest” at the trade fair. We feel it is our duty to send a positive message to the market. We will showcase the best-selling and most appreciated Label master configurations: we want to be “concrete” and show visitors the typical equipment used by our many customers.” says Ettore Colico, Converting Director at Sei Laser.

Groundbreaking software mitigates artifacts in the inkjet printing process

Cambridge UK 10 February, 2022: Global Graphics Software, a Hybrid Software Group (Euronext: HYSG) company, has been granted a US patent for “Systems and methods for printer density compensation and stability” (Patent 11,167,549) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent relates to the technology which underlies PrintFlat™, Global Graphics’ groundbreaking software that improves uniformity and removes unwanted banding from inkjet output, enabling digital production of a wide range of products including wide format graphics, flooring and décor, laminates, and packaging.

 Global Graphics Software is a developer of innovative software components for digital print including the Harlequin RIP^®, the Direct range, and ScreenPro™, the fastest solutions on the market for driving data through digital presses and ensuring high quality output.

 Mike Rottenborn, CEO of Hybrid Software Group, explains, “We are delighted that this invention has been recognized with a US patent.  It is a truly innovative solution which enables inkjet press manufacturers to obtain uniformity and stability without sacrificing one over the other, giving them greater freedom in how they design and optimize their printing systems.  Its value has been proven in production by our customers for nearly five years, and we believe that this patent will encourage other inkjet manufacturers to implement PrintFlat in their solutions.”

 PrintFlat software masks the banding or unwanted patterning in inkjet printing that is caused by variations in inkjet printheads that jet ink onto a printing surface.  It also compensates for manufacturing differences between new printheads.  PrintFlat is quick to deploy, cost-effective and can be added to any inkjet press already out in the field.  Problems can be particularly acute in large format printing as well as décor applications such as wallpaper and flooring and certain colours are more susceptible to visual imperfection than others.  The advantage to print service providers is that they can print more jobs digitally than previously and offer a wider range of printed products to their customers. PrintFlat has been welcomed by the industrial inkjet and graphic community. In 2019 it received a Printing Industries of America Technology Award for its innovation and potential to significantly impact the industry.