Self Adhesive Labels Industry In India and The World
The pressure sensitive adhesive labels and packaging industry is growing at a steady and rapid pace in India. It is now time that the contribution of those who have achieved success is chronicled so that those who wish to move ahead have a platform to look for information, news and interaction. This Website intends to provide all that along with inspiration and reference.
Harish Gupta, Managing Director of Sai Com Codes Flexo Print Pvt. Ltd. Rai, Sonepat, has registered amazing growth in self-adhesive labels industry in India. “Digistik”, a startup, is Harish’s move to bring in digital printing of labels in his range of offerings envisioning a new literate generation who are giving a fillip to demand by establishing their own startup ventures.These startups need short runs of labels and packaging to manage their inventories and not have finance locked up in stagnant stocks. He decided to invest in top-of-the-line HP Indigo digital printing press, primarily with startups in mind. He says, “Digistik is a startup for startups!”Watch his interview conducted by Harveer Sahni, Chairman Weldon Celloplast Ltd. and author of blog on self-adhesive labels; https://harveersahni.blogspot.comand www.labelsandpackagingworld.com
With growth of e-commerce and the increasing trend of retail business going online, there was an evident need felt for short runs with variable and personalized printing. This investment makes it possible to personalize packages and add variable barcodes for track and trace capability. According to Harish Gupta, HP provides with Indigo’s liquid ElectroInk technology and unique digital offset process, the most versatile narrow-web digital press solution for premium photo graphic quality printing delivering high resolution, uniform gloss, and sharp images with a very thin ink layer for a fine photo finish. These presses use automated color management tools and the in-line spectrophotometer to easily meet color standards creating higher value for your customers with the widest ink portfolio in digital printing. These presses are capable to print the entire metallic gamut with mid-brilliance HP Indigo ElectroInk Silver ink and prints that pop with optional fluorescent inks2 – yellow, orange, and green in addition to pink. One has options to attempt new business opportunities with one of the broadest portfolios of specialty inks. With HP Indigo one can experience improved reliability and uptime with AI-based Predictive Press Care (PPC) and in-line spectrophotometer.
UFlex, the largest flexible packaging producer in India and emerging global market player, has invested in a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Wide 4260 System from Miraclon. Installed at their largest site in Noida, India, the company is utilizing the FLEXCEL NX Technology to drive its own business growth and sustainability efforts, and to respond to a growing demand for FLEXCEL NX Plates from other trade shops and converters.
Parwez Izhar, CEO – Cylinders Business, Uflex Limited, says:“For our in-house packaging printing, FLEXCEL NX Plates enable us to convert an increasing number of jobs from gravure to flexo; underscoring our commitment to produce sustainable flexible packaging without impacting on quality. We also expect to see additional benefit from quicker make-ready times and minimizing wastage by coming to color quicker.”
He adds that the “simple but robust technology portfolio from Miraclon is another big advantage. With FLEXCEL NX Plates, we are able to optimize inventory management and can concentrate on all the different benefits we can achieve with one plate instead of having to use different plates for different jobs.”
The company’s plate-making division also supplies to trade shops and other converters in the region. Izhar concludes: “Many of the companies we supply plates to have been requesting FLEXCEL NX Plates to help them realize better on-press efficiency without impacting the quality of print produced – it’s really been established as the technology of choice for wide web flexible packaging printers. With our own FLEXCEL NX System up and running we can meet that demand and demonstrate its benefits to other customers too. A win-win for everyone.”
DUBLIN, Ohio, February 4, 2022, Ashland has introduced a new water-based pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) platform which is fully compliant in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 10993 direct skin contact applications. This portfolio is comprised of seven highly competitive Aroset™ and Flexcryl™ acrylic PSAs designed for demanding applications. These seven PSAs grades are available to the market and ready to service ISO 10993 regulated application needs.
Key attributes of the water-based ISO 10993 compliant PSA platform:
passed ISO 10993 biomedical compatibility testing
non-sensitizing (10993-10)
non-irritating (10993-10)
no cytotoxicity (10993-5)
competitive options for coaters/converters not able to service market with traditional direct skin contact adhesives
economical options vs. traditional PSAs used in direct skin contact applications
broad applications outside of skin-contact which includes labels, graphics, and protective films
APEO-free options available
LRP-2 paper repulpability compliant options available
CA Prop 65 compliance
“We are excited to roll out this platform as it allows new customers to tap into a mature market and come to the table with a set of competitive offerings which can displace traditional ISO 10993 compliant PSAs,” said Dr. Steven Medina, senior group leader, pressure sensitive adhesives, Ashland. “The attributes of this platform make these adhesives unique in the sense that it targets a niche market while still having the ability to be utilized in more traditional applications such as paper labels and vinyl graphics. The attractive cost structure, various benefits of using water-based PSAs, and highly sought- after sustainable attributes such as repulpability make this platform very appealing and one to add to our customers product offerings.”
For more information, please visit us at ashland.com or call 1-800-ASHLAND.
About Ashland
Ashland (NYSE: ASH) is a global, consumer market-focused additives and specialty ingredients company that is responsibly solving for a better world. Through science and a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability, we serve customers in pharmaceutical, personal care, architectural coatings, construction, energy, food, beverage, and nutraceuticals. At Ashland, we are approximately 3,800* passionate, tenacious solvers who thrive on developing practical, innovative, and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/sustainability to learn more.
* Reflects employee base following the planned sale in 2022 of performance adhesives.
™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.
CARTES, founded in 1970, is a global label machine manufacturing company, specialist on high value-added products market and pioneer in the development of innovative solutions for the self-adhesive as well as linerless reel to reel web printing finishing and converting processes.
At Labelexpo Europe 2022 they will be exhibiting and presenting CARTES’ newest technology, the Jet D-Screen unit for digital embellishment, which make easy to create multi-layer effects such as spot coating, complex tactile raise volumes and braille printing as well as very detailed foil and metallic doming transferring.Available for GEMINI and GT360 Series, also allows to personalize & beautify labels in just one-step, with no tooling costs, immediate start-up and no material waste.
In addition there also will be other new technologies on display that includeCartes well knownLaser converting system, available in Single or Double head versions, powered with 350W Semi-Sealed sourcing technology that provides an unlimited lifetime with a constant power and cutting quality, suitable for paper & film as well as for liner-less face stock processing with also all proper gadgets to automate processes, like the Automatic Barcode Reading, Turret Rewinding and the Auto-slitting systems, all them completing a perfect match with roll to roll digital press concept. Images and description of exhibits is as below;
GE362JJ
Digital Embellishment machine powered by two Jet D-Screen units and foil transferring
for metallic doming and detailed foiling.
GT365WSHJR
Finishing and embellishment configuration with Flexo coating, conventional Screen and Hot Stamping applications, Digital Screen printing with Foil transferring for Metallic Doming and Semi-Rotary die-cutting.
GE362 WL
Laser Converting machine with Flexo coating, Automatic job Change Over, Invisible Laser Cutting and Turret Rewinding systems ready for web-to-print processing.
“As the label industry continues to face numerous challenges, it remains increasingly important to stay in close contact with our customers and partners to strengthen each other and Connect to Grow together,” saidAtzeBosma, CEO of MPS. “Labelexpo Europe is ideal to do just that.”
Launch of the EF next generation press: the connected printing solution
At Labelexpo, MPS is debuting their seventh generation EF flexo press, reflecting continuous improvements to offer the best narrow web flexo press in the industry with ultimate productivity through connectivity.
The EF next generation press is now equipped with the slide-out ink drawer as standard, E-Sleeves, improved Job Memory functionality and two automation levels to ensure the highest quality printing with the fastest changeover time between jobs. New to the next generation EF press is the option of a wider 580mm web width.
Value of Connect to Grow in a challenging market
In response to changing needs and market developments in the industry, in 2021 MPS embraced a new corporate vision and brand identity with ‘Connect to Grow’ as its new brand promise. The cornerstone of Connect to Grow is looking beyond the machine through intensive cooperation with customers to address all aspects involving their MPS presses, to help them achieve the best performance and maximum return.
With its MPSConnect platform that combines sensor technology with the internet (IoT), real-time data collection is possible from hundreds of events per second. This unbiased information helps to identify bottlenecks, errors, and inefficiencies to optimize press performance and decrease waste. Visitors to the MPS stand at Labelexpo Europe will learn more about this valuable initiative.
“MPS strongly believes that helping our customers reaches further than supplying the best printing machine,” saidBosma. “Through our MPSConnect connectivity platform we provide customers with the information and tools required to follow best practices and use their machines in the most efficient, standardized, and simple fashion. Sustainable labelling solutions is especially important in this challenging market with recent global supply chain issues of reduced raw material availability and staggering cost increases.”
Joining forces at Automation Arena
Following its previous participation in the Automation Arena in Brussels in 2017 and Chicago in 2018, MPS is again participating in the Automation Arena at Labelexpo Europe and their stand 7A45.
Huzhou, February 16, 2022 – Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for web handling applications, announced the opening of its new RotoMetrics, a Maxcess brand, rotary die-cutting factory in China. The new plant will manufacture and refurbish magnetic cylinders for flexible die applications and solid rotary die tooling. This new state-of-the-art facility will provide customers in China and the Asia Pacific region with better products and convenient localized services.
“This is exciting news for Maxcess,” said Nang Young, VP/GM APAC. “After more than a year of preparation and development, we are very pleased to see magnetic cylinders being produced in Huzhou. Solid rotary dies are also under testing, with full-time production anticipated during the second half of 2022. The pandemic brought great challenges, but with hard work, we overcame difficulties and made the production line run as scheduled. We sincerely look forward to working with customers and partners to produce these products locally so our customers can work better, faster and smarter. ”
With approximately 5000+ square meters of manufacturing space, the new facility will provide products and services for customers in packaging, labeling, rotary processing and other industries.
“Localized production is a win-win strategy,” said Daisy Dai, Operations Director of APAC. “For customers, compared with imported products, the products produced in our Huzhou factory not only have significant value advantages, but also provide faster delivery times. In addition, we can provide customers with services such as refurbishment and maintenance for magnetic cylinders, as well as blade sharpening for solid rotary dies, which will offer convenient maintenance for local customers.”
The Huzhou factory is an important facility in Maxcess’ global manufacturing footprint. To ensure a consistent production process and high manufacturing standards, the main production elements for the Huzhou factory were imported from the United States. In addition, the processes and operating systems, quality management systems, supply chain systems and warehouse systems are consistent with Maxcess’ global standards to guarantee high product quality.
Acronal RCF 3705 and Acronal RCF 3706 combine good adhesive properties with easy removal from the recovered paper stream during recycling of paperboard packaging
Positive effect on recyclability certified by “Papiertechnische Stiftung” (PTS foundation)
BASF contributes to a circular economy in the global label and packaging industry
In addition to the automotive and food industries, logistics is another sector with a high demand for pressure-sensitive labels. For several years until today, transport labels have comprised the fastest growing share of the market. This is confirmed by Alexander Watson Associates (AWA) Market Reports such as “European Labeling and Product Decoration 2017” and the “Global Annual Review Labeling and Product Decoration 2020”. This trend has been reinforced by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 with rapid growth in e-commerce and mail order sales, which currently accounts for almost 15% of the demand for labels in Europe.
These innovative adhesives solve a fundamental problem for paper and cardboard packaging recycling. While most of the adhesives used for paper labels interfere with the paper recycling process, the newly developed adhesives are easy to remove early in the process, making it possible to reuse and print recycled paper or paperboard packaging without any further issues.
This solution reaffirms BASF’s commitment to achieving a sustainable circular economy as set forth in the European Union’s Green Deal. By passing the Green Deal, the EU sets the objective of achieving climate neutrality in industry and society by 2050. To help reach this target, BASF became a founding member of the cross-industry coalition CELAB (Toward a Circular Economy for Labels) in 2020. The global network is working on solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the labeling industry and to promote a circular economy for self-adhesive labels in all industries. As Thomas Schiele, Vice President Adhesives, Fiber Bonding and Paper Coating Chemicals at BASF, pointed out, “The constantly growing demand for packaging has made its recyclability a key issue for the packaging industry. Steps need to be taken, not only with respect to the packaging materials, but also the adhesives that are being used. Our innovative adhesive technologies open up completely new possibilities for a working circular economy, both in the packaging industry as well as in many other sectors.”
In cooperation with Gmund Papier, the adhesive materials specialists at VPF in Sprockhövel are developing the first self-adhesive label stock made from 100 % hemp. The 120g/m2 hemp paper consists of pure European hemp fibre and is another sustainable paper alternative to conventional papers made of wood. The paper is remarkable for its soft feel, excellent printability and improved waste paper cycle.
Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated plants on earth and was used early on for paper production. The Gutenberg Bible from 1455 was made of hemp paper, and until about 1880, 75 – 90 % of the world’s paper demand was covered by hemp fibres.
Unlike trees, hemp grows quickly, can be cultivated without any problems and can be fully utilised. A hemp field has four to five times the yield of a forest of the same size. Hemp grows to a height of up to four metres within a year and can be harvested three times a year, producing more biomass than any other domestic crop. Since hemp fibre is naturally very light in colour, little bleaching agent is needed for subsequent paper production. Hemp is characterised by fibres that are five times as long as those of paper fibres, which means high tensile, tear and wet strength with accompanying long durability; at the same it time the long fibres means hemp fibres improve the waste paper cycle and can be recycled particularly often, reports the paper manufacturer GMUND.
After lengthy trials and ageing tests, VPF now coats the Gmund Hemp 100 % paper (VPF 10555) with a strongly adhesive UV acrylate, HM716UV with 25 g application weight. Because of the strong final adhesion of the adhesive, the hemp adhesive material can also be reliably bonded to almost all more difficult substrates despite the relatively high grammage of 120 g/m2.
To further optimise the carbon footprint, VPF exclusively uses a 70 g recycled liner (NSA700-476) for the self-adhesive finish of the hemp paper, which consists of 70 % recycled content.
The new type of hemp adhesive material is now available from VPF starting at a minimum quantity of 500 m2. Sample rolls and A4 samples are available at any time.
AeroLED is a high power UV LED system for full cure, printing, coating and converting applications up to 60cm wide. Its innovative design makes AeroLED extremely cost-effective and step changes the accessibility of LED printing.
GEW have announced the launch of a major new product for both the company and the narrow web printing market. AeroLED is a fully air-cooled, high power UV LED system for full cure, printing, coating and converting applications up to 60cm wide. AeroLED delivers power and reliability with a unique concept which eliminates many of the operational problems in existing air-cooled LED systems on the market. Moreover, the innovative design makes AeroLED extremely cost-effective and step changes the accessibility of LED printing.
The benefits of AeroLED
In an AeroLED system, the first significant innovation is in the air-cooling process. Cool, filtered air is distributed from a single centralised fan sited away from the press and exits through the UV lampheads, for quiet and reliable operation. The remote positioning of the fan avoids common problems caused by ink mist and dust ingress, while large air filters reduce the filter replacement cycle. There is no need for integrated fans or electronics in the individual lampheads, which eliminates the high pitched noise and contamination issues that these bring. AeroLED features the same LED chassis and core components as GEW’s LeoLEDlamphead, for proven reliability straight from launch day. As with LeoLED, the new lamp uses GEW’s standard cassette design for easy maintenance, with tough watertight seals to protect the LED modules from ingress and to make cleaning easy and safe. Every aspect of the design has been carefully considered to deliver robust performance and long-term reliability.
AeroLED’s efficient optical design enables the lowest energy usage of all GEW products. This delivers energy savings of typically 50-70%, when compared to a conventional UV arc system. In addition to offering greatly reduced operating costs, printers upgrading to LED are able to free up a significant level of mains capacity, which can then be used to install new machinery and subsequently increase production capability. Two AeroLED systems have a lower electrical supply requirement than just one conventional arc UV system.
In addition to the sustainability benefits of AeroLED, GEW highlight the ease of installation to those considering a retrofit upgrade to GEW’s new air-cooled LED. Robert Rae, Managing Director of Sales at GEW, explains: “As AeroLED has GEW’s familiar E2C cassette design, upgrading an E2C system with RHINO/RLT power only requires switching to the AeroLEDlampheads and the addition of a fan filter unit. All other components on press remain the same. This means that a retrofit upgrade can be implemented in as little as one day, and makes AeroLED the most cost-effective route to LED printing available, worldwide.” He adds: “Those new to GEW products will find the cost of a complete new AeroLED upgrade to be highly competitive, and something that pays for itself typically within two years through energy savings, not to mention the increased productivity that LED systems bring to press.”
Cool, filtered air is distributed from a single centralised fan sited away from the press and exits through the UV lampheads, for quiet and reliable operation.
A further advantage of LED in the curing process is its predictability and stability of UV output. AeroLED delivers a step change in process control by ensuring stable UV output year after year, and eliminates the uncertainty of conventional UV lamps, reflectors and mechanisms to ensure consistent production quality.
As is the case with all new GEW UV products, AeroLED uses GEW’s RHINO power supply and control range, for ultimate reliability with Industry 4.0 approved, IoT Remote Monitoring as standard.
Why retrofit with AeroLED?
UV LED is no longer just a technology for the future, it has become an essential technology for the present day. This change has been driven by the recent and dramatic increases in global energy prices, creating an unprecedented demand for low-energy, sustainable LED solutions as well as improved ink technology and availability. Technological advancement is leading to ever more efficient and cost-effective UV LED products, as is demonstrated by the introduction of AeroLED. Robert Rae summarises his view on the current market: “At GEW we are seeing a record number of orders across all system types and LED business significantly increasing from both OEMs and end customers alike. In the next two years, LED could reach 50% of GEW’s output and we are gearing up for this, with a recent major investment in further new UK production facilities. “He concludes: “With the introduction of AeroLED, with its unique concept and highly competitive cost, the case for printers to upgrade to LED is stronger than ever before. The opportunities are huge and we are convinced LED will soon become the dominant technology in our narrow web market.”
On 17th January 2022, IPAMA had convened the 121st Meeting of its Governing Council virtually, which was attended by majority of its members. The most important point, to organize the 15th PRINTPACK INDIA, was discussed and deliberated. Keeping in view the prevailing conditions and recommendations of the Exhibitors, Associate Partners and in consultation with the officials of India Expo Centre, the Governing Council had decided to postpone the Exhibition for 1 or 2 months and organise it at India Expo Centre from May 26- 30, 2022 which appears a safe period for the Exhibitors and all other concerned parties, including the Business Visitors who are the backbone of any Exhibition.
The 15th Edition of PRINTPAK INDIA Exhibition was scheduled to be organised at India Expo Centre from March 11-15, 2022. IPAMA had also finalised various arrangements well in time for the largest Show in the country on Printing and Packaging Industry. However, due to sudden increase in COVID19 and Omicron cases in different States, the Office Bearers and IPAMA Secretariat officials had discussed to the senior representatives of the Exhibitors and the Associate Partners to ascertain their views relating to the organisation of the Exhibition on the scheduled dates. Majority of them had recommended to postpone the same for a couple of Months, but they were not keen to postpone it for a longer period.
