ProPack Pro August 2021

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www.propack.pro August 2021

A FOCUS ON:

Changing the shape of business with rotary die cutting and inline stripping Composting with Hero Packaging Hero Packaging commits to removing plastic from packaging and shipping

The details of MCC acquiring Hexagon Enhanced offerings and innovation are at the forefront of future plans

Structural design made to order The Baseline team redesigns Brewery Tuatara’s packaging for ease of use and environmental sustainability

See us at PacPrint in 2022

ALSO INSIDE...

2021’s top labelling tech

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‘CUSTOMER IS ^ KING AT HERO PRINT’ ...AND IT SHOWS o Queen

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRADE PRINTER

EDITOR’S NOTE HAFIZAH OSMAN

Keep calm and keep packaging Lockdowns are never, ever easy.

Even though packaging may be considered an ‘essential service’ and can keep operating, the lockdowns have very evidently affected some of the packaging industry’s partners and clients.

Furthermore, the tradeshow that the Australian printing and packaging industry was most looking forward to – PacPrint 2021 – is now postponed to mid next year as the country grapples to take control of the latest round of outbreaks.

As one of the few industries that is lucrative with plenty of growth potential, packaging businesses need to continue playing to their strengths and supporting the industry, and

their value chains, as much as they possibly can.

In this issue, we focus on labels and labelling, and how innovations within this space can enable packaging companies to be competitively different.

We look at some of the latest labels and labelling technologies from manufacturers, examining their key features and areas of differentiation. We also have an in depth look into how these technologies suit the local market.

We also feature the productivity benefits of the Rollem Insignia, available from Graph-Pak in A/NZ. A fast make-ready and robust machine, the sheet-fed Rollem

Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutter caters to the fast-changing needs of the industry.

We also speak to Australian homecompostable packaging company Hero Packaging’s co-founders, Anaita Sarkar and Vikram Davé who explain how the business has committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping around the world.

So, there’s no denying that packaging is an enormous economic generator. Even though it may face a few hiccups, it’s evident that the path to success in this field is well defined.

Packaging businesses just need to ensure that they follow the trends and work it to suit their needs.

We hope you enjoy the read.

Hafizah Osman Editor hosman@intermedia.com.au Ph: +61 431 466 140

Stay informed… visit www.propack.pro and subscribe to receive the latest packaging industry news and views

ProPack Industry Supporters

Managing Director & Publisher: James Wells Editor: Hafizah Osman Design: Carrie Tong

Sales Manager: Brian Moore Sales Manager: Carmen Ciappara Production Manager: Jacqui Cooper

Pre-Press Manager: Tony Willson Printed by: Hero Print, Alexandria, NSW 2015 Mailed by: D&D Mailing Services

ProPack.pro is published by Printer Media Group, registered in Australia ABN 47 628 473 334. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, it is a condition of distribution that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the publication.

DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials.

The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Copyright © 2021 — Charted Media Group Pty Ltd

4 ProPack.pro August 2021

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CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE...

P24-26

P20 P6-8

Changing the shape of business with a Rollem Insignia

P6-8

A fast make-ready and robust machine, the sheet-fed Rollem Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutter caters to the changing needs of the printing industry

Compostable packaging drives the growth of Hero Packaging P10-11 Hero Packaging, an Australian founded home-compostable shipping packaging business has committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping in Australia and worldwide

Inside the MCC acquisition of Hexagon P12-13 Australian businesses Hally Labels Australia and Label Partners Australia, along with four Hexagon New Zealand subsidiaries, will soon be acquired by label giant MCC

Label Academy: Protecting brand assets P24-26

Smarter ways with labels and packaging P14-16

The role of the label and package print industries in combatting brand piracy gets examined

New technology and know-how are revolutionising labels and packaging, both at the conceptual stage and in manufacturing

Delivering on foodsafe packaging P28-29

DIC innovates for the narrow web market P18-19

With a greater focus being put around food safety and sustainability, the industry needs to know the materials that go into their packaging

A global leader in flexographic inks and solutions, DIC offers a wide spectrum of ink systems

COVID-19’s impact on food waste P30-31

New wine packaging for 170th anniversary

Food waste is bad for the environment and thought leaders expect a massive issue in food sustainability in future

P20

One of the oldest New Zealand wineries, Mission Estate, has updated its labels and packaging to be more sustainable and environmentally-friendly

Structural design made to order P22 The Baseline team came up with a perfect plan when Brewery Tuatara needed a branded testing table that was sustainable and easy to use

Sustainable coffee inside and out

P32-33

Coffee packaging needs to have all the necessary functional barrier properties as consumer buying behaviours change

Pack Diary

P34

A guide to the upcoming packaging industry events globally

THIS ISSUE SUPPORTED BY

www.propack.pro

August 2021 ProPack.pro 5

COVER STORY

Changing the shape of busin A fast make-ready and robust machine, the sheet-fed Rollem Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutter caters to the fastchanging needs of the printing industry

1

S

erving the evolving needs of customers is fueling the printing and packaging industries. And Graph-Pak is no exception when it comes to providing these industries with the most advanced technologies of today. Graph-Pak managing director Tom Ralph said key to the current needs of the industry is the sheet-fed Rollem Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutter. Designed for production-driven operation at an affordable price point, the machine aims to enable customers to maximise their business potential and profits.

“The Rollem Insignia rotary die cutter is a machine that we bring in from the US. As the print industry is going to survive and is only going to strengthen its position after going back a little following a bump in the road with COVID, it needs to equip itself with the necessary tools and machinery to take business to the next level,” Ralph said.

The press will be on display at the recently postponed PacPrint 2021 tradeshow in 2022, but Ralph said customers can already learn about the possibilities that the machine provides.

“Graph-Pak has been at PacPrint since 2005 and it is bread and butter for me. We will show our continual support for the tradeshow and will have great equipment on display that are a cross-over between commercial print and packaging,” he said.

According to Ralph, commercial printers are moving towards packaging and trends in packaging are showing no signs of slowing down.

Ralph said the Rollem Insignia benefits commercial printers that are embarking on current market trends and pivoting into the packaging space.

“These printers that are embarking on the crossover need some information and guidance into packaging as it’s a new world for them, and Graph-Pak 6 ProPack.pro August 2021

1. The Rollem Insignia benefits commercial printers that are embarking on current market trends and pivoting into the packaging space 2. The Insignia 7 features eight adjustable front head stops and a top suction air feed with four movable sucker heads 3. The Rollem Insignia works at a variable speed of up to 5,000 sheets/h and can work on a material thicknesses between 50gsm and 600gsm 4. The Insignia X3 features enhanced capabilities for printing and packaging, as does its other three counterparts

aims to be that source for direction.

It gives commercial printers the legup as it’s a fast make-ready and robust machine that will take them into packaging and back again with its versatility,” he said.

The Rollem Insignia rotary die cutter is a machine that die-cuts, kisscuts, cut-scores, embosses, creases, perforates, and hole punches – all with automatic waste removal.

It enables users to deliver on quality as well as fast turnaround on high-value products as it is simple to operate and features fast changeovers using flexible dies and speeds of up to 5,000 sheets per hour. It also handles substrates up to 38 point in thickness and can be run in-line with a folder or gluer for a complete production line.

The Rollem Insignia rotary die cutter comes in four size models – the Insignia 5 (20x20cm minimum, 51x38cm maximum), the Insignia 6 (20x20cm minimum, 51x51cm maximum), the Insignia 7 (20x20cm minimum, 76x61cm maximum) and

the Insignia X3 (20x20cm minimum, 61x61cm maximum). It also comes in a number of delivery options – namely as a single conveyor, smart stacker or in-line with a folding gluing unit.

The machine is labour saving, as it can withstand materials of density and tremendous forces – the Rollem Insignia is capable of applying up to 1,360kg of downward force directly onto the cutting station to ensure the flexible dies can cut through a variety of substrates. Each Rollem Insignia machine is also produced in the US and utilises a register system similar to that of an offset press for superior sheet-to-sheet accuracy.

“Its set up takes only minutes, as compared to the two hours it takes to set up its competitor, and has a short footprint compared to a flatbed flattened-style cutter. It is also an economical and fast way to turnaround short-runs. If users want to do diecutting, creasing and scoring at any reasonable output in-house, then the Insignia is the way to go,” Ralph said. www.propack.pro

COVER STORY

ness with a Rollem Insignia Able to run inline to many folding/ gluing systems, the Rollem Insignia can become a production driven solution for both short- and long-run work.

“The Rollem Insignia can help eliminate sending out profitable work and allow for more control over production and turnaround times.

The Insignia die cutting system does change the shape of your business,” Ralph mentioned.

The Rollem Insignia can also run in-line with most folder/gluer systems, enabling single-pass production from printed sheets to folded, glued products using a single operator.

“For commercial printers, the Insignia is something that they have got to consider – this machine is a must have, not nice to have,” Ralph added.

mount flexible dies, enabling an operator to adjust the die tool on the cylinder if needed.

“The four different models in the series suit different printers. For example, the basic SRA3-type machine suits smaller, digital players as it does commercial work but also niche, digital packaging,” Ralph mentioned.

“Older and more cumbersome die cutters are slow and labor-intensive, but they do the job. But commercial printers need to be effective and fast-tomarket and the only way to do that is to have one Rollem Insignia that does the job of four or five die cutting cylinders, at fast speeds.

“This way, you’re also gaining more real estate, as you’ll need lesser machines, are utilising your factory facility and labour better, and getting quality outputs at great speeds.”

2

3

Configured for productivity

The Rollem Insignia machines are capable of delivering either a full sheet of die-cut or kiss-cut product, or it can strip the die cut pieces from the matrix or skeleton of the sheet and deliver them onto a slow-moving shingle delivery table.

Each Rollem Insignia machine contains two cylinders; an upper and a lower. The upper cylinder is always magnetic and houses a flexible die, however a choice is offered with the lower cylinder between a matching magnetic cylinder or a hardened, solid anvil cylinder.

The difference between these two systems is that a dual magnetic machine will always require a paired set of ‘male/female’ dies to cut with, whereas a single magnetic machine will utilise a single die tool and cut against a lower anvil cylinder.

A single magnetic configuration is ideal when straight die-cutting, or when kiss-cutting to an adhesive liner. It is recommended to produce flat shaped products, or pressure sensitive kiss-cut work.

A dual magnetic system is commonly utilised when running packaging products or folding carton work.

Products such as folding cartons or presentation folders can be run in-line with a folding or gluing unit for singlepass production using a single operator.

Common applications for single magnetic machines include (but are not limited to): shaped greeting cards, packaging inserts, decals and pressure sensitive applications cutting to a liner, garment tags, event passes, invitations, door hangers, bottle neckers, ID card carriers and more. www.propack.pro

The Graph-Pak focus

4

Applications commonly produced requiring a dual magnetic machine could consist of channel scored folding cartons, presentation folders, embossed envelopes, uniquely shaped direct mailing pieces, POP displays and fold over greeting cards.

A paired set of flexible dies is also mounted onto the cylinders via a pin mounting system as alignment is crucial with a paired set. The Rollem Insignia machine’s upper magnetic cylinder can be micro adjusted to ensure optimal alignment of the flexible dies to one another. As for the single magnetic machines, they feature a recessed scribble line to

Graph-Pak has been selling the Rollem Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutters for about eight years but Ralph said it has only been in the last five to six years that the sales of the machine has been picking up in the industry – and that is due to the increasing pressures for fast, effective processing of requirements and speed to market.

The machines have also been updated in the last 18 months to include enhanced hybrid capabilities, for example, in the models 6 and 7 to do dual-rotary work.

“The market has been changing in the last five to six years. Commercial print has dropped off about 20 per cent to 30 per cent over the last decade, so printers have gone looking for other work, especially in packaging,” he said.

“And that work is the bread and butter for the Rollem Insignia rotary flexo magnetic die cutter.”

There are currently four Rollem Insignia die cutters installed in Australia, with Ralph’s future plans including more sales in the country as well as branching out the company’s sales into New Zealand.

“New Zealand is a hot spot for me and we’re getting a lot of enquiries about the Rollem Insignia machine there. I doubt it’ll be very long before New Zealand sees its first Rollem Insignia in the country. Everyone who has invested in a Rollem Insignia in Australia has done it for the purpose of becoming more efficient. They were die cutting badly before on old, labourContinued on page 8 August 2021 ProPack.pro 7

COVER STORY Continued from page 7

intensive machines, getting complaints as they were taking too long, and were pouring lots of time and labour into their work. They’ve now managed to turn that around completely,” he said.

“If you have a Rollem Insignia, you’re prepared for the next 20 years or so.”

With the cross-over enquiries in commercial printing and packaging increasing, Ralph said that direction is one that will be a dominant part of the Graph-Pak business.

“The last 12 months for Graph-Pak has been all about reassessment – we had to focus on our attention to detail and change up how we operate, which has strengthened the company by 300 per cent. We’re much more agile and are always looking forward with all of the smarts that we may not have used to its full potential previously,” he added.

5. Graph-Pak managing director Tom Ralph will be at PacPrint in Melbourne showcasing the Rollem Insignia technology

“The conversation of commercial printers wanting to do packaging has been so strong, it would be in 60 to 70 per cent of people who contact me.

That says that the market direction is changing and that we need to move along with that change.”

Ralph also mentioned that he expects PacPrint, to now take place in Melbourne from 28 June to 1 July 2022, to be a medium for Graph-Pak to educate the industry about the current market trends and needs.

“Melbourne is a strong market for printing and packaging,” he said.

“Even if there isn’t as much domestic travel as there had been over the last decade, it’s going to be a worthwhile event as attendees will be able to meet in person and learn a lot!

“That’s not just for customers, but the suppliers too. We learn a lot by talking to customers who share their experiences.”

5

Can’t wait until 2022 to see the Rollem Insignia at PacPrint? Click here to see it now.

Specifications of the Insignia machines Insignia 5

Insignia 6

Insignia 7

Insignia X3

Material thickness

50gsm minimum 600gsm maximum

50gsm minimum 600gsm maximum

50gsm minimum 600gsm maximum

50gsm minimum 750gsm maximum

Sheet size

20 x 20cm minimum 51 x 38cm maximum

20 x 20cm minimum 51 x 51cm maximum

20 x 20cm minimum 76 x 61cm maximum

20 x 20cm minimum 61 x 61cm maximum

Speed

Variable up to 5,000 sheets/h

Variable up to 5,000 sheets/h

Variable up to 5,000 sheets/h

Variable up to 5,000 sheets/h

Register

4 adjustable front head stops Side guide; pull left or right Gripper finger spring system

4 adjustable front head stops Side guide; pull left or right Gripper finger spring system

8 adjustable front head stops Side guide; pull left or right Gripper finger cam system

6 adjustable front head stops Side guide; pull left or right Gripper finger cam system

Feed

Top suction air feed with 3 movable sucker heads; front and side air separation; feed capacity of 90 cm

Top suction air feed with 3 movable sucker heads; front and side air separation; feed capacity of 90 cm

Top suction air feed with 4 movable sucker heads; front and side air separation; feed capacity of 100 cm

Top suction air feed with 4 movable sucker heads; front and side air separation; feed capacity of 100 cm

Cylinder options

Upper: magnetic, ceramic and steel Lower: Hard anvil no lower jacket required

Upper: magnetic, ceramic and steel Lower: Hard anvil, no jacket required Optional dual magnetic system

Upper: magnetic, ceramic and steel Lower: Hard anvil, no jacket required Optional dual magnetic system

Upper: magnetic, ceramic and steel Lower: Hard anvil, no lower jacket required

Air supply

Becker feed pump built-in, compressed house air or air compressor required for stripping unit air knives

Becker feed pump built-in, compressed house air or air compressor required for stripping unit air knives

Becker feed pump built-in, compressed house air or air compressor required for stripping unit air knives

Becker feed pump built-in, compressed house air or air compressor required for stripping unit air knives

Electrical requirements

230V, 60Hz, 3-phase – 12Amp

230V, 60Hz, 3-phase – 12Amp

230V, 60Hz, 3-phase – 15Amp

230V, 60Hz, 3-phase – 15Amp

Footprint

396cm (length) x 122cm (height) x 101cm (width)

417cm (length) x 129cm (height) x 101cm (width)

460cm (length) x 147cm (height) x 140cm (width)

460cm (length) x 135cm (height) x 140cm (width)

Weight (die cutter only)

1,315kg

1,630kg

2,200kg

1,905kg

8 ProPack.pro August 2021

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GRAPH-PAK

Since 2006 GRAPH-PAK PTY LTD has delivered high quality products and services to the printing and packaging industries in Australia & New Zealand.

Our mission is to continue to provide advanced, reliable and functional equipment and engineering solutions and services that enable our customers to maximise their business potential.

SUPPLIER PROFILE

SERIESDIE DIECUTTER CUTTER SERIES SERIES DIE CUTTER SERIES DIE See us at PacPrint in 2022 CUTTER TheInsignia Insigniaisisaasheet-fed, sheet-fed,rotary, rotary, The The Insignia aadiesheet-fed, rotary, flexo magneticisisdie cutterdesigned designed The magnetic Insignia sheet-fed, rotary, flexo cutter flexo magnetic die cutter designed SHEETFED CONVERTING for production-driven operation at magnetic die cutter designed forflexo production-driven operation at Die-Cut, Kiss-Cut, Strip and Deliver at for production-driven operation an affordable price point. production-driven operation at anforaffordable price point. an affordable price point. an affordable price point.

INSIGNIAS W/ WASTE STRIPPING UNIT

A TRUE GUIDE & GRIP REGISTER A TRUE GUIDE & GRIPSHEET-TO-SHEET REGISTER SYSTEM ENSURE SYSTEM ENSURE SHEET-TO-SHEET AACCURACY. TRUE GUIDE GRIPGUIDE REGISTER SIDE&PULL IS ACCURACY. PULL GUIDE IS SYSTEM ENSURE OF PULLING EITHER ACAPABLE TRUE SIDE GUIDE & SHEET-TO-SHEET GRIP REGISTER CAPABLE OF ENSURE PULLING EITHER ACCURACY. SIDETOPULL GUIDE IS LEFT OR RIGHT MATCH PRESS SYSTEM SHEET-TO-SHEET LEFTCAPABLE OR RIGHT TO MATCH PRESS IS PULLING REGISTEROFEDGES. ACCURACY. SIDE PULL EITHER GUIDE REGISTER LEFT OREDGES. RIGHT TO MATCH PRESS CAPABLE OF PULLING EITHER REGISTER EDGES.TO MATCH PRESS LEFT OR RIGHT REGISTER EDGES. A TOP SUCTION AIR FEEDER A TOP SUCTION AIR IS POWERED VIAFEEDER A BUILT IS POWERED VIA A BUILT AINTOP SUCTION AIRINFEEDER BLOWER PUMP THE IN BLOWER PUMP INAIR IS POWERED ATHE BUILT ANVIA OPERATOR CAN AMACHINE. TOP SUCTION FEEDER MACHINE. AN OPERATOR CAN IN BLOWER PUMP THE INDEPENDENTLY IS POWERED VIA ADJUST AINBUILT INDEPENDENTLY ADJUST MACHINE. ANPUMP OPERATOR VOLUMES BOTH & IN BLOWEROF INBLOW THECAN VOLUMES OF BOTH BLOW & CAN INDEPENDENTLY ADJUST SUCTION TOANADJUST FOR THE MACHINE. OPERATOR SUCTION TORANGE ADJUST FOR THE & VOLUMES OF BOTH BLOW WIDEST OFADJUST MATERIALS INDEPENDENTLY WIDEST RANGE OF MATERIALS SUCTION ADJUST FOR THE POSSIBLE.TOOF INDEPENDENT VOLUMES BOTH BLOW & POSSIBLE. WIDEST RANGE OF SUCKERINDEPENDENT HEADS CANMATERIALS BE SUCTION TO ADJUST FOR THE SUCKER HEADS CAN POSSIBLE. INDEPENDENT ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE. WIDEST RANGE OFBEMATERIALS ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE.BE SUCKER CAN POSSIBLE.HEADS INDEPENDENT ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE. SUCKER HEADS CAN BE ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE.

Make your mark with packaging, cartons, promotionals, ID cards, postcards and more when you offer in-house die cutting.

With Insignia your customers will appreciate the quality and fast turnaround on their high-value products.

INSIGNIAS W/ WASTE STRIPPING UNIT DELIVERY OPTIONS:W/ Shingle conveyor, STRIPPING smart stacker or in-line with INSIGNIAS WASTE UNIT folding gluing unit.

INSIGNIAS W/ WASTE STRIPPING UNIT

FEATURE-PACKED: Die-cuts, kiss-cuts, cut-scores, embosses, creases, perforates and hole punches—all with automatic waste removal.

FAST, FLEXIBLE & EASY-TO-OPERATE: Simple, fast changeovers using flexible dies and speeds up to 5,000sph. Handles substrates up to 30pt thickness. Runs in-line with a folder/gluer for a complete production line.

FOUR SIZE MODELS (in inches) : 20x15, 20x20, 24x24, 30x24

Affordable, endless die-cut possibilities.

The shape of things to come.

A RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON A RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES AALLOW RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON FOR FAST, CONSISTENT ALLOW FOR FAST,SCRIBE CONSISTENT SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES MOUNTING & ENSURES ADIERECESSED LINE ONDIE DIE ALLOW MOUNTING &FAST, ENSURES DIE & FOR CONSISTENT TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL & DIE DIE MOUNTING ENSURES CENTERED. ALLOW FOR FAST,& CONSISTENT CENTERED. TOOLS ARE HUNG& PARALLEL & DIE MOUNTING ENSURES DIE

INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER

INSIGNIA SERIES ROTARY DIE CUTTER

The Insignia is a sheet-fed, rotary, flexo magnetic die cutter designed for production-driven operation at an CENTERED. TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL & affordable price point. Maximise your business potential and profits.

CENTERED. A PIN MOUNT machines SYSTEM ON DUAL This labour saving machine can withstand materials of density and tremendous forces, theA PIN Insignia MOUNT SYSTEM ON ENSURE DUAL MAGNETIC MACHINES are capable of applying up to 1,360kg of downward force directly to the cutting station to MAGNETIC ensureMACHINES the flexible ENSURE ATHEPINALIGNMENT MOUNT SYSTEM DUAL OF THEONPAIRED dies can cut through whatever it is being asked to do.

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• 610 x 610 • 760 x 610

Scan to watch the Insignia6

one hybridTO models EXTEND DIE LIFE. PRESSURES DETERMINE MINIMUM TO EXTEND DIE LIFE.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR HEAD OFFICE

Specialising in Capital Equipment PLEASE Sales, Service, Engineering FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT OUR HEAD OFFICE Specialising in Capital Equipment Sales, Service, Engineering Solutions and Consumables.

Solutions and Consumables.

FOR 1/44 FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR HEAD OFFICE Head Office: Office: 1/44 President Avenue Caringbah, NSW, 2229, info@graph-pak.com.au Head President Avenue, Caringbah, NSW, 2229, email: email: info@graph-pak.com.au info@graph-pak.com.au SpecialisingEnquiries: in Capital Equipment Sales, Service, Engineering Enquiries: info@graph-pak.com.au FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT OUR HEAD OFFICE Solutions and Consumables.

Specialising in Capital Equipment Sales, Service, Engineering

Unit 1G, 1-3 Endeavour Road, Caringbah NSW 2229, email: info@graph-pak.com.au Unit 1G, 1-3 Endeavour Road, Caringbah NSW 2229, email: info@graph-pak.com.au Toll Free: 1300 885 550 NSW www.graph-pak.com.au Unit Toll 1G, 1-3 Endeavour 2229, email: info@graph-pak.com.au Free: 1300Road, 885Caringbah 550 www.graph-pak.com.au Enquiries: info@graph-pak.com.au Solutions and Consumables.

Q&A HERO PACKAGING

Compostable packaging drives Hero Packaging, an Australian founded home-compostable shipping packaging business, has committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping in Australia and around the world

F

ounded in 2018, Hero Packaging, a compostable and zero-waste packaging company, has gone from strength to strength in just three short years.

As an Australian founded homecompostable shipping packaging business committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping in Australia and the world, its co-founders Anaita Sarkar and Vikram Davé share their business journey and what drives the company.

1

1. Hero Packaging is a compostable and zero-waste packaging company 2. Hero Packaging is committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping in Australia and the world

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Q: What is the story behind Hero Packaging and how did it become the business it is today?

Anaita Sarkar (AS): We are a husband and wife duo who are committed to removing plastic from packaging and shipping in Australia.

I had a business before Hero Packaging where I was selling handbags and accessories. That business was growing and we were sending out a lot of packages, which was using a lot of plastic. It horrified me how much plastic I myself was generating.

We knew there had to be another way to package items without plastic, so we looked for an Australian ecofriendly shipping solution. We looked and looked but came up empty-handed because we only managed to find paper mailers which weren’t waterproof and cardboard boxes which weren’t the right solution for us.

So, we began our mission to create shipping mailers that fulfilled our requirements. We worked hard to find supply chain partners who not only use completely renewable materials, but also have environmentally ethical practices and processes.

Vikram Davé (VD): We have learnt along the way that recycling is not enough. About 90 per cent of plastics and food scraps end up in landfill, and in that environment, they turn into methane which is a deadly enemy of our planet. So, we decided to specialise in mailers that were 100 10 ProPack.pro August 2021

per cent home compostable, but also made from such materials that if they ended up in landfill, they would still break down with no waste. That’s how our business started.

We have our non-padded home compostable shipping mailers, Heropack, and also a padded compostable solution, Herobubble.

In 2020, with the online boom, we saw a huge growth in our business – we’re now a seven-figure business with over 22,000 customers including: Cue, Lush Cosmetics, Veronica Mayne and Ripcurl, to name a few. We primarily service Australia but we’re increasing our reach into an international customer base in the US, Canada and Europe. More importantly, we’ve saved over 6,000,000 plastic mailers from entering the planet.

We have two parts to our business – in addition to the home compostable shipping mailers, we also have national and international retailers that come to us to get their branding on compostable mailers. In terms of off the shelf mailers, our customers vary from small

businesses – about 80 to 85 per cent – all the way to large online retailers.

We also have customers in the custom area – we consider ourselves the colour experts of compostable packaging. So, if brands want that extra bright colour or more than one colour on the mailers, we can create that.

Q: What are the compostable shipping mailers made of?

VD

: They’re made of a mixture of two things – primarily polylactic acid (PLA), which is essentially cornstarch – that’s the renewable component – and a synthetic, certified compostable substance called perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). Those two products mixed together creates the certified home compostable material, which is then converted into shipping mailers.

Q: Sustainability is the main message of the business – how has its uptake evolved since the company was created three years ago? www.propack.pro

HERO PACKAGING Q&A

the growth of Hero Packaging VD

: Local governments have been increasingly banning the use of single-use plastics and many industries are increasingly moving towards reusable plastics. In addition, online retail is growing at such a fast pace, even more so after the emergence of COVID. But you don’t see the full impact of all these plastic packages in front of you. It is an environmental impact that’s happening in the background – it’s such a big, underlying problem that needs to be addressed. : With small businesses, sustainability is a complex issue – it’s something that they do want to do but many of them don’t know how to do it. So, what we’re trying to do, with the creation of our products, is simplify it for them. It’s a simple step that they have to take to make their business more sustainable, and it’s an option that isn’t plastic. Packaging used to be just an afterthought because all there was in the market was plastic, but now it’s one of the first few things that companies think of to drive their business sustainability.

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AS

Q: What sets Hero Packaging apart from its competitors?

AS

: We’ve got the biggest range of compostable mailers – possibly in the world at this point.

We’ve offered coloured mailers from the beginning and we keep on adding new colours. We’ve also partnered with other business owners to create limited edition mailers.

We’re also keeping an eye on what’s happening in the market so that we can create new, sustainable products that are in demand.

We’re a fast-growing business and that’s just because of our range and the fact that our brand is fun. We also try to make packaging on-brand. : A lot of Hero Packaging’s customers understand where our brand is positioned – we will never sell plastic, even recycled plastic mailers. We are completely against any use of plastic.

There are a lot of companies out there that may sell compostable mailers, but they will sell it alongside plastic mailers and other plastic products. These businesses don’t really care about the environment; they deal with it purely on a transactional level.

Whereas we’re looking at it to make an impact. The reason why our customers choose us is because they’re on board with that mission. We’re not just a company trying to sell mailers,

VD

www.propack.pro

3. Hero Packaging co-founder Vikram Davé

we want to make an impact on the environment.

4. Hero Packaging co-founder Anaita Sarkar

Q: What is the difference in adopting compostable materials versus PET plastics?

VD

: With recycled PET and the marketing around that, there’s a lot of ‘greenwashing’ that happens because there is a plastics industry that needs to survive. We think that by supporting the market for recycled plastics, you’re also supporting the initial creation of virgin plastics and giving the plastics industry a justification for continuing because plastic can be recycled. : For consumers and businesses, they need to realise that whilst recycled plastic is good for the environment and that they’re repurposing plastic into something else, they’ve got to look at the end of life of anything that comes into market. And the end of life for recycled plastic is in landfill and into the ocean.

Even if it goes into recycling, only nine per cent of those are going to get recycled, and then again only nine per cent of those get recycled. By the end of it, almost all of these recycled plastics end up polluting our planet and remain there for hundreds of years.

With compostable materials, they do fully break down.

AS

Q: What would be the first step for a business in their compostable journey?

VD

: The transition is pretty simple – we offer samples and they’re available for purchase on our

website. Our customers, before transitioning, use certain sizes and configurations for their different products. So generally, what we recommend is for customers to get a sample from us before the transition.

They can have a look at all the different colours and sizes that are available and then can match up with what they’re currently using to what we offer and see what works best for them.

Following that, it’s just a case of shipping how they normally would.

Q: What are Hero Packaging’s aims moving forward?

AS

: There are two things we want to focus on – one is growing the business, introducing new products and launching internationally. We’re at the start of our business journey and want to grow it enormously. Without having to give too much away, we’re looking to bring any products related to e-Commerce into our compostable range. We want to make sure that the entire e-Commerce process is plastics free, which includes labels, sleeves and even consumer-style packaging.

On the other side of it is the education around compostability and being sustainable in business.

We’re trying to build a communication and education network amongst our business leaders that use Hero Packaging and educate them on how to compost the right way, and then how they can educate their consumers on how to use the packaging once they receive it. We also want to talk to schools and councils and get this process, which is currently in its infancy, going and growing.

August 2021 ProPack.pro 11

FOCUS MCC ACQUISITION

Inside the MCC acqui Australian businesses Hally Labels Australia and Label Partners Australia, along with four Hexagon New Zealand subsidiaries, will soon be acquired by label giant MCC

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he holding company for a number of specialist narrow-web label converters in Australia and New Zealand, Hexagon Holdings, has inked a binding Sale and Purchase Agreement whereby global label solutions provider Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) will acquire its businesses.

The acquisition includes Hexagon subsidiaries Hally Labels Australia, Label Partners Australia, Adhesif Labels New Zealand, Hally Labels New Zealand, Kiwi Labels New Zealand and Rapid Labels New Zealand for an undisclosed sum.

MCC is one of the largest label companies in the world, especially in market segments including beverage, wine and spirits, food and dairy, personal care and beauty, home care and laundry, healthcare, durables and technical, as well as automotive and chemicals.

With more than 9,000 employees, it operates some 80 label producing operations in over 27 countries today.

Established in 1916 and headquartered in the US, MCC has a long-running history in labels having operated for more than 100 years.

It is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality, pressure sensitive, in-mold and heat transfer labels and a major manufacturer of cut and stack, roll fed, aluminum and shrink sleeve labels.

Today, MCC services primary market segments around the world through operations in the North American, Latin American, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and Asia Pacific regions.

MCC itself has recently signed a definitive agreement to be acquired 12 ProPack.pro August 2021

1. Hally Labels Australia’s Brisbane factory floor

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2. Label Partners Australia printing beverage labels in its Adelaide premises 3. Adhesif Labels New Zealand was established in Auckland in 1981 4. Hally Labels New Zealand’s Auckland digital print room

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5. Rapid Labels New Zealand operates from a purpose-designed facility in Auckland’s North Harbour Industrial Estate

by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R), which is expected to close by the end of 2021 subject to customary regulatory approvals and other conditions.

MCC itself was created as an amalgamation of two businesses – its parent company, Platinum Equity, which acquired MCC in 2019 in a public-to-private transaction, combined it with WS Packaging, another US-based labelling company the firm acquired in 2018.

Also in connection with the recent MCC and CD&R transaction, CD&R also announced its signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Fort Dearborn from Advent International, and that it intends to combine MCC and Fort Dearborn to create a global label solutions company that will serve consumer packaged goods companies worldwide.

“At MCC, we have continually worked to invest in our people, processes and technology in order to strengthen our organisation and become one of the most trusted and innovative label manufacturing leaders across the globe,” MCC CEO Nigel Vinecombe said.

“Platinum Equity’s financial and operational support have been instrumental to our success.

“This combination with Fort Dearborn and the ongoing support of value-added investors provide the opportunity to continue to strengthen the business and provide best-in class service to our customers.”

CD&R CEO Nate Sleeper said bringing together the two label manufacturers will result in “strong strategic logic and promising value creation potential”.

“We look forward to working with the combined company’s leadership team to help drive innovation and enhance its offering to a highly discerning customer base around the world. We see numerous opportunities to drive operational scale, achieve sustained growth, and we believe our expertise can help position the combined company for success well into the future,” Sleeper said.

The combination of Fort Dearborn and MCC is expected to create a diversified platform across label technologies, end categories, geographies and customers. The combined company is expected to generate approximately $3 billion of annual revenue.

In addition, MCC’s transaction with Hexagon is expected to be complete in Q3 this year, when FIRB (in Australia) and OIO (in New Zealand) foreign investment regulatory approvals have been confirmed.

Following the completion of the acquisition, MCC’s enlarged Australasian group will be led by Daren Hudson, MCC president for Australia and New Zealand. Hexagon CEO Greg Howell will assist across an agreed transitional period.

“Bringing these companies together creates an impressive Australasian www.propack.pro

MCC ACQUISITION FOCUS

uisition of Hexagon network and clear market leadership in the region. We are delighted to be welcoming Hexagon’s staff, clients and suppliers to the MCC family,” Vinecombe said.

Hexagon Holdings chairman Clark Perkins said the MCC and Hexagon businesses are highly complementary.

“We are proud to have established Hexagon and built its operations over the past eight years to be the leading manufacturer of self-adhesive labels in Australasia. We can see many opportunities for the combined business in the Australian and New Zealand markets. The announcement is the culmination of the efforts of all of our employees throughout our ownership and we are deeply grateful for their efforts,” he said.

Extending Hexagon’s operations and history

Because the acquisition is by way of a share sale, MCC also confirmed that all existing arrangements with Hexagon employees, clients and suppliers will continue seamlessly.

Hexagon subsidiaries employ 510 staff, own 63 label presses, and operate from eight production sites including Adelaide, Auckland, Brisbane, Christchurch and Sydney. It produces self-adhesive labels, shrink sleeves, linerless wraps and VIP solutions for clients across A/NZ. The Hexagon story begins in July 2012, when Tiri Group (Sturgess Tennant Astley) and Greg Howell, having owned/managed the business in a former chapter, successfully acquired Auckland-based Rapid Labels.

Then in January 2013, Tom Sturgess and Mercury Capital purchased the Blue Star NZ and Webstar NZ businesses. Bundled inside that group was Panprint, a specialist Aucklandbased wine label converter.

When GEON NZ went into receivership late February 2013, the business moved quickly to acquire the assets of Kiwi Labels in Christchurch.

Once secured, the business was safely separated away from the GEON liquidation. It was in those initial years that a label collective of Rapid/ Panprint/Kiwi, led by CEO Greg Howell, formulated the ‘independentlycompetitive’ business model which Hexagon employs in NZ today.

In July 2014, the business consolidated its label assets to be owned by a holding company, which www.propack.pro

6. Kiwi Labels New Zealand, based in Christchurch, has been preparing, printing, applying and distributing quality labels throughout the country

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it named Hexagon. The formation of Hexagon saw a set of resourceful private investors, led by Sydney-based Mercury Capital, increase their involvement in Australasian labels.

In late 2015, Hexagon emerged from a contested sale process as successful bidders for the Hally Group.

This included acquiring Hally Labels in Brisbane/Christchurch/Auckland, AC Labels in Sydney and Mark-it Labels in Christchurch. Then in early 2016, the family of the late Rob Warren, along with Steve Cowie, selected Hexagon as appropriate owners of Adhesif Labels. Under Warren’s direction, Adhesif had been a leader in A/NZ labels for 35 years. Adhesif joined Hexagon in April 2016.

During 2016, AC Labels was fully integrated into Hally Labels in Sydney, creating Hally NSW, a platform that enabled Hexagon to expand its market position in the critical market.

Kiwi Labels and Mark-it Labels joined forces in July 2017, creating a larger, broadly-based business across multiple market verticals. Kiwi’s two Christchurch sites combined in Heathcote, was simultaneous with the arrival of new converting capability and capacity.

In April 2018, Rapid Labels acquired the trading assets of Panprint, with clients, equipment and staff migrating to Rapid. This was an important strategic move for Hexagon as it enhanced its competitive position in the New Zealand wine industry. The merger opened up Rapid’s leading wine embellishment suite for Panprint’s client base and enabled Rapid to invest in additional equipment for the top end of wine and craft beverage decoration.

In February 2021, Hally Australia and

Adhesif Australia joined forces – creating a single Australian business under the Hally brand that has been key in Hally building out a multi-state Australian network.

In April 2021, Hexagon also completed the acquisition of Adelaide wine specialists, Label Partners. Label Partners and Hally Labels are expected to amalgamate later this calendar year.

In the meantime, the business is trading as Label Partners (a division of Hally Labels), and post-amalgamation will evolve to be Hally Labels SA.

The MCC expansion in APAC

MCC has been making inroads into the A/NZ labels space, having also recently acquired Melbourne-based Herrods, a provider of in-mould label (IML) solutions in Australia and New Zealand, for an undisclosed sum.

Vinecombe said the acquisition was the result of demand for IML solutions as it is a high-growth labelling technology in which pre-printed labels are inserted into a packaging mould during a container’s manufacturing process, resulting in the creation of a fully recyclable, cost-effective, durable and consistent product.

“IML solutions are in high demand globally and Herrods is one of the best, most innovative providers in the industry,” Vinecombe said.

“For more than 50 years, the company has continually invested in its people, processes and technology, making it a valued and trusted partner to a wide range of local and international brands.”

Herrods currently has 69 employees and is said to be investing to expand its footprint in order to satisfy increased demand.

August 2021 ProPack.pro 13

FOCUS LABELS AND LABELLING

Smarter ways with labels and packaging New technologies and know-how are revolutionising labels and packaging, both at the conceptual stage and in manufacturing

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By Peter Kohn

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ith campaign cycles reducing, today’s label manufacturing in Australia serves a market of high segmentation, sharp demographics and short shelf life.

A label’s effectiveness must optimise smart graphics with quality printing and finishing, and a dash of built-in intelligence, such as QR compatibility.

Closely aligned to label technology is the broader field of packaging, where manufacturing and printing combine to produce creative new solutions, particularly in fast-growing sectors such as groceries, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

The Label & Packaging Expo – to be co-located with PacPrint and now scheduled for Melbourne in mid2022 – will most likely be the first opportunity in three years for industry businesses to gather at an ‘in-person’ event, where they can see, experience and evaluate innovations and advances first-hand.

And while it may still seem like a long time ahead of us, ProPack.pro has taken an early look at what labels and packaging innovations will likely be on show next year.

Rodden Graphics

Rodden Graphics represents and supports innovative and environmentally-friendly manufacturers, to ensure that its customers in the label and packaging industries remain competitive and successful, reflects James Rodden, the company’s director.

Among its representations from the label and packaging technology world, Rodden Graphics offers its customers solutions from the following European suppliers: Prati, Edale, Canon Production Printing, Codimag, Nanovis and ALT. “Prati Finishing Solutions is equipped with Futura technology, including 4.0 integration, enabling an unlimited number of instant upgrades to safeguard your initial investment and adapt to any market 14 ProPack.pro August 2021

1. The Canon LabelStream 4000 builds on reliable UV inkjet technology and robust web transport

scenario. It’s an exclusive platform created by Prati to allow maximum adaptability without heavy retrofits involving downtime and lost production,” Rodden said.

Edale is a leading manufacturer of high-technology flexographic and digital hybrid printing and converting solutions serving the label, carton and packaging industries.

Its range of equipment consists of label and carton machine systems.

As for the Canon LabelStream 4000, it builds on reliable UV inkjet technology and robust web transport.

The four to six colour press (CMYK + orange and white) offers speeds of up to 75 m/min and two print widths of 330mm and 410mm, resulting in one platform with limitless opportunities.

“Codimag Aniflo is the only offset technology available in the narrowweb industry. This gives customers the ability to print with the highest offset quality at the lowest cost, making Aniflo a very attractive cost-efficient solution for the label industry,” Rodden said.

“Nanovis provide efficient and VOC-free cleaning solutions with low operating costs, which meet all ecological and economical demands.

“With the manual cleaning device Bella DC-1300, HP Indigo owners can clean the relevant parts of their device quickly and thoroughly. ALT Anilox rollers have their own unique geometry in the NANO cell structure and this has proven its worth in every area they have challenged it against conventional engraving.”

INFO To find out more about Rodden Graphics, go to rodden-graphics.com

Alfex Laser

Alfex Laser provides a variety of solutions for signage and display,

branding, name plating, graphics, tracking and traceability applications and business.

These include the Kern LaserCell and EcoFlex systems, Epilog Fusion Pro and Fusion Edge series, Lotus High-Speed Laser Marking Systems, BOFA Filtered Extraction Systems and Vision Engraving and Routing Systems’ 1642R CNC engraver/router.

Many business owners now recognise the value and versatility of adding an Alfex Laser solution to improve production efficiencies and expand their capabilities and in turn increase profitability, explains Christian Buhagiar, its business development manager.

“By integrating a laser into your workflow, you can offer products from dimensional letters, to image cut-outs, engraved ADA, point-of-purchase displays, 3D models and more, using a wide range of materials ranging from acrylic and plastics, to wood and even metal. Two new models of the Epilog Fusion Pro series – the Fusion Pro 24 and 36 – expand the choice of work area sizes in this high-performance range to four, ranging from 610 x 610mm up to 1219 x 914mm,” Buhagiar mentioned.

“The Fusion Pro Series from Epilog Laser has unquestionably paved the way for the future of the laser engraving and cutting industry, with never-before-seen technologies including live camera positioning right on your computer screen and the fastest engraving speeds on the market today just to name a few.

“So, businesses can easily create or re-create custom artwork for their clients. The Epilog Software Suite makes for fast, easy set-up and allows operators to provide unique names for each job process if they wish, while the Epilog’s Iris camera positioning system saves production and design set-up time www.propack.pro

LABELS AND LABELLING FOCUS

and ensures precision results every time, by providing the operator with a live feed of the artwork position from inside the system.

“Also featured will be the new Fusion Edge 12, 24 and 36 laser systems, featuring live Iris camera positioning technology and 5G acceleration, amongst other features.”

The addition of these new models further expands the company’s portfolio to include mid-range options, ranging in size from 610 x 305mm up to 914 x 610mm.

“The feature-packed Edge series is fast and easy to set up using programs like Illustrator, CorelDRAW and AutoCAD. It also features Iris Camera Positioning Technology, plus a 7-inch touch-screen display panel, Safeguard protection package upgrade and job trace functionality tonot only improve workflow but also production times,” he said.

For those requiring a more industrial solution for heavy applications such as cutting acrylic and plastics up to 25mm thick, Alfex Laser will demonstrate the high-performance, US-designed and manufactured Kern EcoFlex laser system.

Available in two sizes – 1270 x 1320mm and 2540 x 1320mm – the system features laser power options up to 250 watts, high-speed motors and KCAM laser software providing users with a competitive edge over other laser system options.

“Alongside the EcoFlex, we also offer the high-performance, flagship Kern LaserCell laser cutting and engraving system, which answers the demand for systems that blend safety and performance, with the ability to cut 25mm acrylic with a flame-polished edge, as well as stainless steel, aluminium and most other metallics,” Buhagiar said.

“The LaserCell can accommodate laser power options from 50W to 400W to cut both metal and non-metal materials in a completely enclosed, Class 1 Safety Enclosure which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas like factory floors and classrooms.”

Finally, Buhagiar said the Vision 1624R CNC engraver/router makes it easy for businesses to offer customisation using milling, drilling, contouring, routing and more on materials from metal, to wood and sign foam.

“The 1624R is a medium-format machine with a work area of 609 x 406 mm, and a maximum path height of 178 mm on the z-axis, but it has huge potential to expand options and boost production time on everything from deep metal engravings, to routed wood signs, cut-out letters and 1.5 or 3D signs,” he mentioned. www.propack.pro

2. Alfex Laser offers the high-performance, flagship Kern LaserCell laser cutting and engraving system

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INFO To find out more about the Alfex Laser range, go to www.alfexlaser.com.au

Graph-Pak

This signature packaging specialist offers a raft of new products, among them the acclaimed Rollem Insignia.

Graph-Pak managing director Tom Ralph said A/NZ label makers can achieve extraordinary efficiencies with the Insignia.

“It gives commercial printers the leg-up as it’s a fast make-ready and robust machine that will take them into packaging and back again with its versatility,” he said.

“Its set up takes only minutes, as compared to the two hours it takes to set up its competitor, and has a short footprint compared to a flatbed flattened-style cutter.

“It is also an economical and fast way to turnaround short runs. If users want to do die cutting, creasing and scoring at any reasonable output in-house, then the Insignia is the way to go.”

Tom Ralph was elated at news of US-based PV Labels managing to double its output with the recent installation of a second Rollem Insignia 7 die cutter.

PV Labels offers durable, highquality PV warning labels, solar warning signs, NEC-690 labels and custom labels.

The company’s labels are UV screen printed and UV inkjet printed, and designed to last for years outdoors in the sun.

PV Labels’ usage of the Rollem Insignia started in mid-2020, when its president Steve Steams visited Rollem’s Anaheim showroom in California to run tests and see the Insignia live.

The Insignia 7 proved to be the ideal solution for the business, as it featured a 30 by 24-inch sheet capacity and the ability to print multiple-up labels on the large press sheet.

Also key to its needs was a solution to maintain its exacting cutting standards for their high-quality decals – which the Insignia aced.

PV Labels received a single magnetic Insignia consisting of an upper single magnetic cylinder cutting against a

solid anvil lower cylinder. A single die is attached to the upper cylinder, ensuring fast job changeovers and the ability to make critical depth-ofcut adjustments.

Steams said PV Labels has streamlined production, as the Insignia ‘through-cuts’ the decal shapes and delivers full sheets of cut labels to a receding stacker. When necessary, the machine also ‘kiss-cuts’ the liners, while diverting the matrix to deliver finished products onto a slow-moving conveyor ready for packaging.

Fast forward six months to February 2021 and PV Labels was ready to purchase a second Insignia 7 system to keep up with its output.

“We’ve come to rely on the automation, stability and consistent output capabilities we get from the Insignia,” Steams said.

“Even my customers when touring our shop comment on how impressed they are by our die-cutting automation and technology.”

Ralph advised that the Insignia rotary die cutter comes in four size models – the Insignia 5 (20 inches x 15 inches), the Insignia 6 (20 inches x 20 inches), the Insignia 7 (30 inches x 24 inches) and the Insignia X3 (24 inches x 24 inches).

The Insignia series also offers a variety of delivery systems to best meet the type of product produced and gives users the option of a single-magnetic or dual-magnetic cylinder configuration, each of which has specific benefits for processing PSA materials or straightline creasing.

INFO To find out more about the Graph-Pak range, go to www.graph-pak.com.au

Hilton Laminating

Established in 1980 to sell small laminating machines, Hilton Laminating has expanded to make an acclaimed name for itself at the high end of innovative laminating.

Hilton Laminating became a provider of products that facilitate the personalised digital print market, according to its founder and director John Peck. In the 1980s and 1990s, it manufactured its own equipment – some is still in circulation today.

Nowadays the company has widened its horizons to the dynamic opportunities of foiling, enabling print and packaging providers and finishers to use existing laminating machines to foil, with the inclusion of uptake/ rewind rollers, James Peck, sales manager at Hilton Laminating, noted.

Hilton Laminating has made a marketleading name for itself in laminating Continued on page 16 August 2021 ProPack.pro 15

FOCUS LABELS AND LABELLING Continued from page 15

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systems, roll laminators, pouch laminators, laminating film, spiral binding, wire binding and comb binding, as well as other binding products and finishing equipment.

One of its highlight offerings is the D&K Europa Flying Knife, the most versatile Automatic B2 laminator on the market, suitable for litho, digital and packaging.

It separates all film types, including OPP, Velvet Touch, Polyester & Nylon.

It has speeds of up to 20m/minute, and features a high-pile feeder for longer-run work.

Meanwhile, the D&K Neptune fully automatic compact B3 laminator with foiling unit features speeds of up to 15m/minute, a maximum laminating width of 370mm, is PLC controlled and

3. US-based PV Labels managed to double its output with the recent installation of a second Rollem Insignia 7 die cutter 4. The D&K Europa Flying Knife is one of the most versatile Automatic B2 laminators on the market, suitable for litho, digital and packaging

#Let’s Talk about mental health

has a small footprint. The Starglazer 1200 hot digital roll laminator has a maximum laminating width of 1150mm, comes with air cooling fans, includes side cutters and a foot pedal, and has core adaptors able to take 25mm, 58mm and 75mm cores.

“Our innovative range of laminators have been designed with today’s on-demand print market in mind.

The Europa Flying Knife with its ability to cut through any laminate and its available options makes it a perfect laminator of choice for the packaging and print market, for both digital and offset printing,” Peck said.

“The Neptune laminating system is a compact, high-performance laminating system designed for in-house use, allowing the printer to have full control of their finishing needs. The Neptune comes with a foil rewinder for high speed, automatic foiling runs.”

Peck added that Hilton Laminating offers a large range of consumables, depending on the end application.

These include a range of BOPP and PET films which are food friendly and UV resistant. Some of its ‘hero’ films include, D&K 30-micron Polyester and the Velvet Touch film.

“We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality, most innovative laminating systems and machines to the Australian market,” he said.

“We offer a large range to suit a variety of requirements in order to give our customers the ability to take control of their laminating, moving it in-house to produce finished products more efficiently and lowering their overall costs in doing so.”

Looking to the future in the sector, Peck said, “There are several new printers allowing faster production times with short-run work. The availability and quality of the substrates has improved dramatically, this is allowing higher-quality work, as the labels industry grows.

“From a finishing perspective, this means we need to look at equipment which can offer various finishing requirements that offer a point of difference in the market.”

INFO To find out more about Hilton Laminating, go to www.hiltonlaminating.com.au

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In these uncertain times, our mental health is equally as important as our physical health. If you or a loved one have experienced a potential trigger or showing two or more of these common symptoms it is important to seek clinical support.

Common Triggers to Developing Mental Health Crisis or Illness • Workplace pressures • Personal unrealistic expectations • Pregnancy • Menopause • Domestic Violence • Infertility & perinatal loss • Discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity

Common Signs and Symptoms

Behaviour

• Withdrawn • Not able to complete tasks • Relying on alcohol or drugs • Lack of concentration • Abstaining from social events

16 ProPack.pro August 2021

Feelings • Overwhelmed • Guilty • Irritable • Frustrated • Low Confidence • Unhappy • Indecisive • Disappointed • Miserable

Physical • Tired all the time • Sick & run down • Headaches & muscle pain • Churning stomach • Loss or change in appetite • Significant weight loss or gain

mananchor.com.au

MA0561

• Stress • Loss of a loved one • Traumatic events • Relationship breakdown • Alcohol & Drug abuse • Trauma • Bullying & intimidation • Social pressures & expectations • Financial expectations

www.propack.pro

The Europa Flying Knife can separate ALL film types: OPP, Soft Touch, Polyester, Nylon The Europa can run with speeds up to 20 mts/min and has a high pile feeder to maximise effeciency for longer run work.

laminating

Customise your Europa - Available options include: Single or Double sided, rewind unit for foiling, EL station for Embossing, Longer Feed tables - 85cm, 95cm or 104cm, optional stacker delivery system.

FOCUS INK

DIC innovates for the A global leader in flexographic inks and solutions, DIC offers a range of ink systems

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IC A/NZ is at the forefront of global narrow web high technology ink and coating solutions for the labels and packaging narrow web print market.

Vince Sedunary, DIC Victoria label inks sales manager and national narrow web business manager, said, “Via our global position as the leading ink supplier, DIC offers fit for purpose UV narrow web technologies, in conjunction with Sun Chemicals, a DIC owned company.”

DIC supplies a comprehensive range of UV flexographic, UV offset, waterbased, and solvent-based ink systems to the Australia and New Zealand and global print convertor markets.

DIC Sun Chemicals has a long history of innovative and custom-made ink technologies.

Its development of UV inks systems goes back to the late 1960s.

In the UK, DIC Sun Chemicals has developed advanced and leading UV

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18 ProPack.pro August 2021

1. Leading global ink supplier DIC offers fit for purpose UV narrow web technologies 2. DIC colour management enables concise and fully repeatable colour reproduction 3. Vince Sedunary, DIC Victoria label inks sales manager and national narrow web commercial manager

cured ink technologies and coatings.

These technologies, which serve the global market, conform to the new and up-coming changes in photo initiator requirements.

The company has trademark branded these as its ‘Solarflex Integra SNT range’ for UV flexo press ready finished ink, and include the high strength process colour set ‘Intense SINT’. DIC can also supply them as an onsite blending system using technology varnish and a high strength base colour system ‘Solarverse’. The UV Solarverse base colour blending system, the same as the finished ‘Solarflex’ inks, is tuned in for colour and electronic data management.

Sedunary pointed out that DIC also supplies a range of software tools to enable accurate colour management.

He said, “DIC offers a global colour management tool named Colourbox.

Using photo spectrometer mathematical measurement of colour, it enables concise and fully repeatable colour reproduction straight from the press room via internet connectable global interfaced software.

“You can match a label or package with printed colour within a set tolerance for exact reproduction for use at multi-site print companies.

“DIC Australia has training packages available on-site, and at the DIC laboratory. We provide full Colourbox technical support at a local and global level.”

Greater food compliance for UV ink products used in labels and packaging production shows how this area of print continues to change rapidly globally.

Sedunary said, “DIC Sun Chemicals has different UV food inks that meet low odour, low chemical migration, both in local and global requirements.

These high technology UV flexo inks are chemically approved to meet global regulations and requirements for secondary-incidental food contact on printed labels and packaging. We also have access to our global migration testing laboratories that enable full analytical reports on odour and migration if required.

“Our Sun Chemicals EU division has developed Rayoflex branded UV flexographic ink systems for varying levels of secondary packaging requirements. We can supply these full compliance systems at a local level once we establish with the customer the end use requirements of the label or package. The Rayoflex branded UV systems have a full ink package of primer, high opacity whites, high www.propack.pro

INK FOCUS

narrow web market strength processes, Pantone Matching System (PMS) colours and over print varnishes. The new Sun Chemical UK Solarflex Food Safe Packaging Inks are also tuned for Colourbox use and can be supplied as finished, press PMS ready inks or in a finished colour blend system for onsite use.

“DIC A/NZ has a global commitment to research and development of current and new ink technologies. We are able to access our global research and development facilities, with two of our largest UV EC Sun Chemical centres being in the UK and Europe.

From these technical development centres, we can lead with new available technologies and fully assess and test inks and coatings.

“Some of the recent new developments are around UV cure press ready for labels coatings for digital press applications. They have high level scruff and resistant properties, and these gloss and matt coatings were jointly developed with HP. Some of the other development work is based on new UV inks for sleeve applications and UV LED curable ink systems.

“At a local level, DIC A/NZ has fully equipped laboratories in Victoria and

NSW and highly trained technical staff and management teams to ensure the highest levels of technical testing, development and support. We can offer localised PMS colour formulations and supply of finished PMS colours as press ready to our customers where required.

We have the internal infrastructure to colour match our customers’ label and packaging requirements and provide full proofing of all ink systems on the end use substrates.

“This gives customers the ability to match PMS colour requirements to the exact film weights that their print presses will apply. We also have full testing capabilities and the equipment required for development and problem solving. In addition, we provide narrow web UV sales and support in the main Australian states to provide our customers with rapid responses and on-site ink logistical and technical support.”

Sedunary concludes, “Whether it is a local small, medium, or large global print business, DIC A/NZ and Sun Chemicals offers a range of products, and the expertise via our technology and skilled people, to support print labels and packaging convertors in the narrow web markets.”

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FPLMA goes from strength to strength In 2016, the Flexible Packaging Label Manufacturers Association (FPLMA) formed following the merger of the AFTA and LATMA, offering greater support.

Sedunary said,”For several years before the merger, executives from both associations had discussed the best way to serve the industry, and it was clear that the two organisations could be a stronger force as a combined association. Both associations had similar business plans, focused on imparting technical advancements to the printing industry.

“Combining the two associations made perfect sense and although the formation of the new associations meant the consolidation of both the executive board and leadership council members, the transition to the new association proved seamless, resulting in the retention of the knowledge base that existed within both associations.

“Since the merger, the profile of the FPLMA has continued to grow. The FPLMA has now developed far reaching corelationships with the FTA in US and in Europe, and FINAT - particularly in the exchange of information relating to technological advancements. www.propack.pro

“Involvement with TAFE and RTOS has also enabled the FPLMA to partake in the development plans relating to apprenticeship programmes.

Complementing the direction with the training organisations, all third year apprentices undertaking studies at a registered training organisation can be nominated for the prestigious FPLMA Apprentice Awards. The winner will travel to the US or Europe and attend the respective Flexo associations’ conferences.

The Apprentice of the Year then reports back to the association a review of their trip including presenting their findings at the next FPLMA Conference. The Apprentice Award provides a strong stimulus to the winner broadening their knowledge base which they will be able to use throughout their career path.

“All these functions run by the Association culminate in the Annual Print Awards two-day conference and Awards Ceremony evening. The numbers just keep growing in their attendances to this annual event. The two-day conference hosts speakers from around the world, complemented by leading local speakers.

The awards, dinner and dance, on average,

attracts over 350 delegates. This spectacular night is an opportunity for delegates to network whilst hearing from the best in the industry. All gold winners in each of the categories offered through the awards program are then sent to the respective worldwide associations such as the FTA US and FINAT where they can further gain accolades for their efforts.

“The next Conference of the FPLMA takes place on February 24-25, 2022 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the awards, dinner and dance on February 25 at the Crown Entertainment Complex. All of the information is available on the FPLMA website. Online bookings are already available. Members of the FPLMA have their own log in details, which gains them access to additional industry information including copies of previous conference presentations and workshops held throughout the year.

“The FPLMA committee and council looks forward to providing the print labels and packaging industry, as a whole, including our valuable members, with the most relevant and up-to-date information and updating the changes that occur within our industry on a regular basis.”

August 2021 ProPack.pro 19

FOCUS FOOD AND BEVERAGE

New wine packaging for 170th anniversary One of the oldest New Zealand wineries has updated its labels and packaging

H

awke’s Bay winery and iconic landmark, Mission Estate, has launched a new look for 2021 to coincide with its 170th anniversary.

Established in the Hawke’s Bay in 1851, Mission Estate is one of the longest standing producers of wines in New Zealand.

Emphasising the heritage aspects of Mission Estate in a fresh, contemporary style – while retaining its timeless elegance – the new designs will feature on the whole Mission Estate range, beginning with the Mission Estate and Mission Reserve wines.

The home and heart of Mission, La Grande Maison, which is one of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings, continues to be featured on the Estate label in an elegantly refined image.

A modern update to an old favourite,

20 ProPack.pro August 2021

An updated packaging and more environmentallyfriendly and sustainable practices are recent additions to Mission Estate’s strategy

the Estate label is still very recognisable. However, Mission Estate said the Reserve packaging has evolved further.

Now with a rich blue label and bevelled, gold foil lettering, the revamped label reflects the quality of the barrel-crafted wines.

A modernised Mission crest, representing a stamp of excellence and creating a family resemblance between the ranges, is also a new addition.

Inspiration for the crest has been drawn from historic packaging designs between 1960 and the 1990s, bringing Mission into a new era, while the blue cap calls out the year Mission was established, 1851.

“The real challenge is showcasing Mission’s strong heritage and timelessness in a way that is contemporary, as well as bringing our loyal Mission Estate followers on our journey while attracting new consumers,” Mission Estate marketing manager Jo Pearson said.

Mission added that it is also continuing to evolve in its viticulture and winemaking, while staying true

to its French heritage, with environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices at the forefront of its ideology.

“We consider ourselves guardians of our heritage and our land, and for more than 20 years we have been a founding member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and certified with the internationally recognised environmental management system ISO 14001. This represents our ongoing commitment and dedication to minimising our impact on the environment,” Mission Estate head winemaker Paul Mooney said.

With Mission Estate Syrah being the top-selling New Zealand Syrah* and a Gold Medal winner at the New Zealand International Wine Show 2020 for the 2020 Mission Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Mooney said the team is proud to have some of the finest vineyard sites in the Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough.

“We’re confident for another excellent year of great wines for the 2021 vintage,” he said. *Nielsen to 14 February 2021

www.propack.pro

Advancing packaging for a more sustainable world The Power of Packaging www.dic.com.au www.dic-global.com

FOCUS FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Structural design made to order The Baseline team redesigns Brewery Tuatara’s packaging for ease-of-use

T

he Baseline team came up with a perfect plan when Brewery Tuatara needed a branded tasting table that could be set up, packed down and transported, with ease-of-use and environmental sustainability as key requirements.

1. Baseline structural designer, Ruben Norris, with the final product 2. (l-r) Sam Hammond, head of production; Amy Molloy, client service manager; Stephanie Gasperini, chief executive; and Andrea Thompson, head of growth and operations

1

A tasting test

“Our team loves a puzzle – especially puzzles that require us to create a functional, aesthetically pleasing object that fits a client’s needs. When Tuatara came to us wanting a printed, branded tasting table for events, I began mulling it over straight away,” Baseline structural designer Ruben Norris said.

“Tuatara wanted the tables made from wood and knew we could design, print and cut plywood, as we’d previously made them some small tabletop signs. As a sustainable material, using wood suited the Tuatara brand, and it was keen to invest in using this durable and environmentally friendly product.”

2

Drafting the table

Norris explained, “For us it was a straight-forward brief. In Adobe Illustrator, I drafted a first design using measurements I’d taken from taping out the area required to display beer bottles, an ice bucket, some cups, allowing room for someone to work behind the table.

“The design also had to be sturdy enough to hold the weight of beer bottles and ice, be robust enough to survive in a crowded tasting environment, and clearly display Tuatara’s branding.

“After using Adobe Illustrator for the 2D designs, I imported my drawings into CAD to see how it would all work together in 3D, and applied Tuatara’s artwork to mock-up the look. In many ways it was similar to work I’d done for some of our other clients, Foodstuffs, Farrah’s and Hutt City Council, creating 3D, slot-together, flat-pack cardboard display units.”

Printing onto ply

The final tasting table design was essentially a five-sided box, with a top fitted above – each piece slotting together in a certain order.

22 ProPack.pro August 2021

While the table kits come with assembly instructions, Norris said they’re very easy to put together, especially matching up the branding.

“While printing on ply is environmentally a good decision, it’s not the cheapest. We designed the entire table to be cut from a single sheet of ply, with almost no waste,” Norris said.

“The great thing about this design is that it’s completely customisable.

We made thousands of micro decisions on this, so it’s entirely customised to what Tuatara needed and is easily customisable for another client.”

Sign off and delivery

“The tasting table designs went through a handful of iterations, each tweaked slightly from each other, before the final design,” Norris further explained.

“From there, a file for the Zünd digital cutting machine was sent to

our production team, who made an unprinted (to reduce costs) test model from ply to check it met all requirements – that is, it goes together and comes apart easily, and is structurally sound in real life.

“Once signed off, the job was slotted into our print and cutting schedule, and into production.

“Tuatara could definitely not have purchased its new tasting tables off the shelf. The advantage of coming to us is that we design specifically to the brewer’s bespoke requirements, then print, produce and deliver.

“The advantage is that we do it all,” Norris added.

Baseline is an end-to-end strategy, design and production studio, as well as specialists in complex logistics delivering influencer kits, branded experiences, and large-scale promotions around New Zealand. For more information visit www.baseline.co.nz www.propack.pro

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UPDATE LABEL ACADEMY

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Protecting brand assets The role of the label and package print industries in combatting brand piracy was examined in a recent Label Academy master class

T

he Label Academy’s third virtual master class covered the state of the art in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting technologies. As James Bevan, director of consultancy Vandagraf, noted, the scale of the global counterfeiting problem is terrifying.

According to OECD figures, counterfeit and pirated products are valued at US$509 billion, representing well over three per cent of world trade.

But even these figures are likely a gross underestimate of the true scale of counterfeiting activity, according to Bevan, since they only represent export seizures by customs, not counterfeits which circulate in domestic markets.

Furthermore, the OECD figures cover mainly consumer and pharma products, potentially leaving out 24 ProPack.pro August 2021

By Andy ThomasEmans; republished from Labels & Labeling, with permission 1. Secure QR labels can be used to authenticate provenance

industrial component counterfeits such as microchips, auto and aerorelated products.

Footwear represents well over one fifth of all counterfeit seizures, followed by clothing, leather goods and electrical appliances. A shocking seven per cent of counterfeits are medical equipment and pharma products.

Bevan pointed to the exponential growth of online retailing, magnified by the impact of lockdowns during the COVID pandemic, as a major driver of counterfeit products, including COVID test kits and PPE. Regular L&L contributor Vicki Strull, branding consultant at Vicki Strull Design, looked at how packaging – particularly in the context of e-commerce sales – can help reassure consumers they have received an authentic product.

Strull pointed out that factors such as robustness of the packaging construction, choice of substrate, print technology, colour consistency and use of advanced finishing techniques combine to give the consumer an expectation of quality which can be used as a benchmark when a product is delivered.

Strull pointed to embellishment, in particular, as a way for brands to distance themselves from fake products, which are always produced as cheaply as possible. These features

should be photographed in high resolution and shown clearly on the social media or web page as a reference for the consumer.

Given that footwear represents the biggest category of counterfeit goods, it was fitting to hear about the industry’s response from Christina Mitropoulos, director of brand protection and manufacturing initiatives at the American Apparel & Footwear Association.

Representing 360 member companies from manufacturers to brands and retailers, the AAFA’s Brand Protection Council (BPC) focuses particularly on the proliferation of counterfeit goods found within online marketplaces as well as on social media platforms.

Technology response

Paul Dunn, chair of the International Holographic Manufacturers Association, demonstrated how holography has evolved to become an integral component of sophisticated multi-layer security systems.

After talking about new technology developments such as the use of nanolevel optical structures, he used a sophisticated security label developed for the Tonino Lamborghini brand as a case study. This label is constructed from a high security tamper-evident substrate and includes, along with www.propack.pro

LABEL ACADEMY

UPDATE

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the hologram, alphanumeric numbering (Unique Identification number, or UID) and a QR code.

The labels are applied to Lamborghini swing tickets and warranty cards, which themselves incorporate advanced anti-counterfeit print techniques as well as spot UV security varnishes.

Using OpSec’s Insight platform all shipments of the hologram security labels are tracked to Tonino Lamborghini’s manufacturers, meaning the location, product traceability and status of every UID is known at all times.

As manufacturers apply the labels, they are required to declare within the lnSight platform which UIDs have been used. It allows the active monitoring of online sales channels and can detect patterns of infringing sellers.

Consumers participate in the authentication process by scanning a QR code to register their product.

The contribution of digital printing to a brand protection strategy was examined by Moshiko Levhar, Europe, Middle East and Africa security and brand protection business manager at HP’s graphics solutions business.

Levhar examined the multi-layered nature of effective brand security systems, taking in forensic, covert, semi-covert (requiring tools such as a magnifying glass) and overt www.propack.pro

2. One key application for NFC and blockchain is proving COVID vaccine authenticity

technologies. Digital print allows a wide range of variable graphic elements to be incorporated into a label, including micro QR codes, serialised microtext, guilloches and humanreadable QR codes. Levhar explained that HP works with a number of partners where specific secure technologies are implemented.

For example, where anti-diversion rather than anti-counterfeit is the goal.

Scan Trust provides its secure track and trace QR code technology.

Covert digital print technologies include printing of invisible yellow QR codes or other serialised text or codes.

These can be combined with forensic high end security inks to create multilayered brand protection systems.

Other techniques HP’s partners bring to the table include embedding a secure graphic within a QR code, making it impossible to copy.

Levhar said a case study protecting a high-value Ginseng brand involved a combination of unique QR codes and a guilloche symbol which appears on the pack and on the consumer’s smartphone screen, so the two can be compared. This provides more security and a new way to engage the consumer.

Using smart chips and tamper-evidence

Tony Fazhev, who leads Avery Dennison’s NFC-related activities

in Europe, explained the growing number of chip-based applications for brand protection, including seal tamper protection, encryption of product certificates, authentication via smartphone, as well as authentication of provenance through blockchain integration.

A key benefit of NFC chips, as part of an anti-counterfeit strategy, is how easily they can be concealed, for example behind the decorated label, on a bottle neck label, or within the closure of a product.

Fazhev pointed out how NFC encourages consumers to actively engage with product authentication and supply chain security simply by tapping with an NFC-enabled smart phone, at the same time opening up opportunities to engage with the brand.

One key application for NFC and blockchain described by Fazhev is proving COVID test kit authenticity.

Scanning the NFC tag on a smart phone also allows the patient to securely access diagnostic information.

Tamper-evident (TE) labels have long been a key element in the fight against product tampering, and Michael Welch, senior product manager, durables (US) at Avery Dennison, gave an in-depth explanation of how they work and key applications.

Continued on page 26 August 2021 ProPack.pro 25

UPDATE LABEL ACADEMY Continued from page 25

TE labels work by combining a strong adhesive with tearable face materials.

Destructible face materials split into layers or break into little pieces when removed, while Void labels leave behind warning text or logos when the label is removed.

TE labels can be either overt or covert depending on whether you are trying to deter theft/ tampering or deter counterfeiting.

Welch ran through how different types of adhesive impact the void label, whether permanent, dry peel or no residue, as well as the different types of frangible films and papers.

An important recent development is Amazon’s mandate for sealing and packaging of hygienic products using TE labels.

This specifies that TE labels must be opaque, incorporate a logo that cannot be replicated; leave a clear sign of tampering on the product when broken; should be of a different colour and should not blend in with the surface of the product.

In addition, the seal should also be sturdy, so the only way to break it is with ‘clear intent’.

A label converter perspective on TE labels came from Dr Adrian Steele, managing director at Mercian Labels.

Steele looked at how bad actors attempt to nullify tamper evident labels and how these attacks can be countered.

His case studies included security seals developed by Mercian for the Royal Mint, which involved a dual layer Labellock label with bespoke in-register sub-surface messaging and clean branding to confirm authenticity.

In the case of securing a Verifone card payment unit, Mercian added a bespoke halftone message which

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3. Digimarc’s chain of custody 4. Seven per cent of counterfeits are medical equipment and pharma products

showed the underlying package colour along with sub-surface numbering.

A solution for an auto parts manufacturer involved a covert UV blacklight sub-surface message and hidden colour shift inks.

Taggants and watermarks

Secure taggants represent a key vector of development for brand protection strategies. Michael Brice, the vicepresident of sales and business development at INX International Ink, and Keith Goldstein, CEO of VerifyMe, both explained how they jointly developed a system for printing secure covert or overt codes using virtually any conventional or digital printing process.

Inks specially developed by INX incorporate VerifyMe’s patented RainbowSecure pigment, which fluoresces at a particular wavelength when illuminated by the company’s VeriPAS mobile authenticator.

They said the RainbowSecure pigment is inorganic with a high degree of lightfastness.

The wider RainbowSecure ecosystem also adds the ability to detect, track and trace, and authenticate these printed codes or marks via a secure cloud server and to geolocate the product.

INX has tested the ink system with its own NW series of digital label printers and CIJ printers, as well as on conventional flexo and offset presses.

Concluding the master class, Digimarc’s ‘product evangelist’ Jay Sperry discussed the company’s itemlevel digital watermarking technology.

This solution was recently adopted by the ‘Holy Grail 2’ project for the automated sorting of plastic containers.

Digimarc’s technology involves printing imperceptible barcodes onto product packaging or labels (or etched onto the product itself), which can then be detected by automated scanners and a range of other detection devices, including smart phones.

Variable Digimarc codes gives each and every product its own digital identity, which allows traceability through the supply chain.

The digital ecosystem built by Digimarc also enables the quick validation of product authenticity by customs officers, supply chain staff and consumers.

A key feature of the Digimarc code is redundancy, with images repeated across the label or pack surface.

Sperry said this feature virtually guarantees that the codes can be read in any orientation.

Andy Thomas is strategic director of Labels & Labeling, a part of Tarsus Group. Previously group managing editor for almost two decades, he has extensive knowledge of the label and package printing industry, having previously edited British Printer and Packaging News magazines in the UK.

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26 ProPack.pro August 2021

www.propack.pro

Is your Fountain Solution food safe?

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2 in 1 is the unique food safe fountain solution that is a food grade certified printing chemical.

More than 5 million litres of 2 in 1 Fountain Solution has been dosed through Baldwin, Technotrans, MGE and other alcohol dosing systems in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, Austria and Germany.

2 in 1 Fountain Solution is the only EU Food Safety and FOGRA Certified fount and alcohol combination specifically designed for offset printing. This unique food safe ‘one pack’ system takes away the variables of the conventional ‘two pack’ fount and alcohol dosing system.

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2 in 1 Fountain Solution enables the press operator to take better control of the dampening system so more effort and time can be dedicated to the process of printing.

2 in 1 Fountain Solution is compatible with conventional, hybrid and UV inks.

2 in 1 Fountain Solution is suitable for on sheet fed, commercial web, envelope, and metal decorating presses.

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• Improved water balance and reduction in water gives all the advantages of faster drying (20% less water).

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• Cleaner back cylinders and metering rollers give rise to less maintenance and down time.

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• Greater scuff resistance and in many cases eliminated necessity to varnish.

Office +61 2 9360 6970 or Mobile +61 408 284 205 PO Box 535, Randwick, NSW 2031 Australia orders@lti.com.au www.lti.com.au New Zealand shipping available

FOCUS FOOD SAFETY

Delivering on foodWith a greater focus being put around food safety and sustainability, printing and packaging companies, alongside F&B manufacturers, need to know the materials that go into their packaging

F

ast food chains and other F&B manufacturers are increasingly becoming more aware of the materials that go into their packaging and how they impact consumers.

With scientists finding links between exposures to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a wide range of health problems, for example, there is now a pressing need for food and beverage (F&B) packaging to adopt food safety and sustainable practices.

These scientists have emphasised the dangerous health impacts of PFAS and other toxic chemicals in food packaging, noting that these chemicals can easily migrate out of packaging.

In addition, they found that the toxic exposures continue even after the packaging is disposed of, delivering on evidence that shows that these chemicals can make their way back to people through drinking water, food, and air.

As such, scientists generally often refer to PFAS as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in the environment.

Following increasing concerns over food safety, some global F&B businesses have plans in place to alter their packaging. For example, in January this year, international fastfood giant McDonald’s announced a new global sustainable packaging commitment, banning the class of perfluorinated and PFAS toxic chemicals from all of its guest packaging materials.

The company stated, “We’re proud to take another step in our product stewardship journey with our commitment to remove all added 28 ProPack.pro August 2021

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1. Packaging materials and solutions used in the packaging printing industry need to be food-safe, especially when they have direct contact with food

fluorinated compounds from our guest packaging materials globally by 2025.

“We’ve set goals to source 100 per cent of our guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified sources, and to recycle guest packaging in 100 per cent of McDonald’s restaurants, by 2025.

“We understand that recycling infrastructure, regulations and consumer behaviors vary from city to city and country to country, but we plan to be part of the solution and help influence powerful change.”

The company also disclosed that it has already eliminated BPA, BPS, and phthalates in its guest packaging.

As of 2020, 78 per cent of its global guest packaging weight comes from fibre materials, with the remaining 22 per cent made up of plastics.

“In 2008, we eliminated long chain PFAS, including Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), from all guest packaging globally. We also eliminated BPA/BPS and phthalates from our guest packaging in 2013 and in 2015, respectively,” the company said.

“There are systemic challenges that stand in the way of achieving a circular economy, but we want to invest and engage in strategic partnerships that advance circularity in the communities we serve around the world,” the company’s corporate office mentioned in a statement.

“As the world’s largest restaurant company, we believe not only that McDonald’s has a role to play in addressing this issue but that we can use our scale to transform packaging and waste systems across our industry.”

Another global fast food chain, Burger King (known as Hungry Jack’s

in Australia), also recently prioritised sustainability and better packaging.

Along with a revamped branding, its parent company Restaurant Brands International announced in May that it will be rolling out its Green Packaging pilot program.

The guest packaging is currently being tested in 51 of its companyowned restaurants in Miami, US and utilises alternative materials, such as Frypods made with renewable unbleached virgin paperboard; cutlery made with cPLA, a plant-based plastic; and napkins made with 100 per cent recycled fibre.

It will also be testing paper and plantbased straws along with strawless lids, in addition to testing two new options for Whopper sandwich wraps, which represent a 13 per cent and 34 per cent reduction in paper compared to previous wraps, respectively.

“Sustainable packaging is a cornerstone of our Restaurant Brands for Good journey, and this new pilot represents a huge opportunity for us to make a difference,” Burger King head of innovation and sustainability Matthew Banton said.

“We’re optimistic about our progress and are committed to reducing waste to do our part in creating a more sustainable future.”

The company added that the green packaging pilot is another action that Burger King is taking to align with its principle of doing what’s right.

“In that spirit, we are continuing to develop our global partnership with Loop to reduce single-use packaging through reusables and are looking to include two new cities, Paris and London, in addition to the earlier announced target cities of New York, Portland, and Tokyo,” the company said.

In the right direction

World Packaging Organisation (WPO) president Pierre Pienaar said concerns around packaging is an evolving scenario as people are learning new things all the time.

“What is now an issue, people didn’t know it was before. One would like to ban things immediately but it’s not as simple as that. There’s a process that has to happen to eradicate it throughout the system. By banning it right now, it still won’t be eradicated completely,” he said.

“By targeting it and reducing it now with a goal of eradicating it by 2025, www.propack.pro

FOOD SAFETY FOCUS

-safe packaging 2

they’ll be able to remove PFAS as well as other harmful materials out of the pipeline.

“There are ramifications for banning things immediately.”

According to Pienaar, if one looks at the global scenario, there is a lack of a single standard for all countries to follow, resulting in different countries being on different stages of sustainability practices.

“Developing countries simply don’t have the infrastructures to be able to quickly make the switch; yet they require the end product. So, for them it has to be a phased process,” he said.

“That’s not easy for many developed countries to appreciate but that’s their reality without aid and education.”

Pienaar said generally, packaging used for F&B should be made of mono materials as much as possible.

“That’s a blanket statement, but there is more to it than just that.

Globally, we can replace up to 80 per cent of all polymers with a monomer or recyclable material – so we don’t have to use multi-laminates. For the remaining 20 per cent, we can only work on it when we get our recycling system right,” he mentioned.

“Let’s get the 80 per cent right first so that we can stop this huge strain on our natural resources and start a fully circular economy system.

“There’s a lot of talk happening worldwide, but not a lot of action.

“If you take the top four countries in terms of population – China, India, Indonesia and the US – we are yet to see hard, fast targets set to achieve by 2025. It’s not well defined.

“That is why moving towards mono materials is the first step that we need to take in the right direction.” www.propack.pro

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2. Early this year, McDonald’s announced a new global sustainable packaging commitment, banning the class of perfluorinated and PFAS toxic chemicals from guest packaging materials 3. Burger King (Hungry Jack’s in Australia) announced in May that it will be rolling out its Green Packaging pilot program

A need for certified solutions

LithoTech International Australia and New Zealand managing director Dr Tim Roberts said there are many chemicals in the printing industry that are not considered to be food-safe, particularly fountain solutions.

Fountain solutions are water-based mixtures specially formulated to dampen lithographic printing plates before they are contacted by the inking rollers. These solutions are used by the packaging printing industry as well.

Dr Tim Roberts said LithoTech International has a “2in1” Fountain Solution (see ad on page 27) that has received a certificate from the Fraunhofer Institute, which states that the product is used in the printing process of cardboards intended for food contact application and is in compliance with the European Union Plastics Directive. However, most if not all other fountain solutions and particularly alcohol used in the industry aren’t certified as safe to be used in contact with food.

“This solution is safe for food packaging – in other words, direct contact with food. I think we’re the only one in the world with the certification,” he said.

“This is important because in some instances, like in the case of many food outlets, food is directly put into the printed container. From that, you can have migration of chemicals into the food.

“We use normal propyl alcohol, which is water-soluble; all other alcohol used in the market is (isopropyl alcohol) IPA, which is only water miscible. Alcohol can also carry contaminants so it is very important for printers and food outlets to know the

origin and history of the IPA they use. Some of these IPAs sold in the market may have been used for other processes before it comes to the printing industry, so may be contaminated and not from source.

“As such, we’re concerned about contamination in these products used because it’s suitable for print but it’s debatable if it’s suitable when it comes to food packaging. IPA is marketed purely on price and there are few checks and balances as to the actual purity, origin or history.”

Dr Roberts also identified some other benefits of the “2in1” Fountain Solution marketed by LithoTech, which include: • Reduced ink costs • Faster turnaround times • Less waste • No operator mixing error • Brighter colours • Less chemical mixing and • Purity, origin and history records In addition, Dr Roberts mentioned that the industry needs to do its due diligence and all solutions that come in contact with food packaging need to be certified food safe.

Furthermore, he said people working in the printing environment also deserve this protection.

“It’s the responsibility of the food outlets to ensure their customers are protected from contaminants by ensuring their packaging suppliers use food grade certified printing chemicals.

This should be clearly specified in their supply contracts and checks should be made,” he said.

“They’re going to have to reinvent the wheel and lift their game because people today are more informed and are becoming very particular as to what they ingest on a daily basis.”

August 2021 ProPack.pro 29

FOCUS PROPAK AND WPO

COVID-19’s impact on food Food waste is bad for the environment and thought leaders expect a massive issue in food sustainability going into the future

T

he shutdowns and closing of borders during COVID19 has very severely disrupted global supply chains, affecting the food and packaging sector. With a lack of agricultural workers in many countries, plenty of food packaging plants were closed and consumers started hoarding food in fear of limited supplies. Due to this hoarding, there has not been enough reusable or returnable packaging in the market, according to industry thought leaders.

In a ProPak and World Packaging Organisation (WPO) webinar series session, these thought leaders addressed how COVID-19 is impacting the role that packaging plays in food waste and food insecurity.

World Design Organisation president Dr Srini Srinivasan said one of the biggest challenges that the industry is facing today due to COVID-19 is a disarray of food systems.

“In the past, supply chains were welloiled machines but come COVID-19 and its associated restrictions, our ability to buy and consume have been challenging. Therefore, the global demand for food, especially fresh food, has plummeted,” Dr Srinivasan said.

“This has resulted in a lot of food waste – at normal times, there is around 40 per cent of food that goes into waste but COVID has only caused these numbers to increase.”

According to Dr Srinivasan, companies are cutting losses by reducing production rates, which in turn has resulted in numerous job losses. This in turn, is increasing the food insecurity in some countries.

“People are also fearing the possibility of sustainable packaging transmitting COVID-19, so they are going back to single-use plastics and other materials,” he said.

“Suddenly, the engine that was welloiled and running has come to a stop.

Now, we need to find different ways and design new systems as to how we can create a better economy for the food industry related to packaging.

“This is a challenge we are going to be facing for the next few years, until we find a way to get out of it.”

30 ProPack.pro August 2021

The general consensus is that we need to find different ways and design new systems to lower food waste and food insecurity

Dr Srinivasan mentioned that the pandemic has changed the buying habits of consumers – from in-store to online – which has necessitated changes in design.

“This new habit isn’t going away.

Therefore, for e-Commerce to flourish, we need to evolve packaging to be able to withstand transportation, or delays in refrigeration, for example.

Additional design elements are needed to preserve food under certain circumstances,” he said.

“Design elements have also got to factor in the freshness or readiness of produce for consumption. Costs will increase, for more money to be spent on design, but this will be compensated in other savings such as time.”

University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (Vienna) course director of packaging technology Dr Manfred Tacker said COVID-19 brought about a greater need for packaging as people feared that the coronavirus would be passed on through unpackaged products.

He added that there was a greater demand for convenience food and food with long shelf-life as people were panic-buying large amounts of food to store.

“With COVID-19 infection rates fluctuating, there is a lot of money flowing into the economy. There is also an added pressure on packaging, as many flexible barriers are not recyclable and needs to be redesigned,” Dr Tacker said.

“But as this happens, we need to think about increasing food security.

There is strong pressure in reducing the complexity of supply chains and in establishing local productions; and we also have to look to creating green and circular economies to be able to protect our world.”

Dr Tacker said consumers are demanding hygienically packaged food, and with more recyclates emerging in the market, these products need to be safe.

“The chemical safety of recyclates is very important. We need to develop www.propack.pro

PROPAK AND WPO FOCUS

waste and food insecurity

ways to measure their toxicity and if there is any migration upon food contact. This will make sure that a circular economy is possible for plastic packaging and other materials as well.”

However, Dr Tacker also said that when considering compostable packaging, with a lack of a material stream for the collection of compostable packaging, they are currently being incinerated with normal waste.

“This is a problem that needs to be solved in the near future as otherwise, this will present a big obstacle to compostable and biodegradable packaging.”

Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) executive director Nerida Kelton said there are significant issues with food waste on a global level, especially as a result of COVID-19, and that food systems globally are weak and fragile.

“When you’re looking at numbers, in terms of tonnage, we’re looking at 500 million tonnes of waste per year. When you look at it from a consumption www.propack.pro

perspective and with a value in place, you’re looking at approximately $500 billion a year in food waste,” she said.

“We need to re-envisage the food systems, and we need to look at design.

During the pandemic, we’ve noticed that we have significant increases of waste, we have levels of losses in perishable agricultural produce, a significant restriction of movements regarding hamper transportation, and surging job losses which have increased the demand of food banks.

“COVID-19 has shown consumers what the true role of packaging is, which is to protect, preserve, contain and transport. Now more than ever, we need to start communicating the important and significant role that packaging plays in minimising food waste. We have a long way to go but people are beginning to understand its value.”

Kelton said the AIP has been working on introducing safe food packaging design guidelines with industry that are designed to minimise and prevent

food waste using innovative design features that can contain and protect food, preserving its shelf-life.

“What we’re trying to do is create an awareness and understanding with packaging technologists around the world to consider all elements that can potentially minimise food waste across the supply chain,” she said.

Kelton said this includes circular design, palletisation, tamper evidence, looking at nutritional aspects, active and intelligent packaging, portion control, easy opening and resealability, controlled dispensing and inclusive design, on-pack communication and clear communication around date labelling such as ‘best before’, ‘use by’ and ‘good after’.

WPO global ambassador Kishan Singh spoke about the COVID-19 lockdowns in South Africa, and how the ruling around a ban on alcohol affected the country.

“While metal packaging plants continued to run food packaging, demand for all alcohol beverages in cans dropped to zero within a week,” he said.

“This went on for about four months so there was an excessive supply of aluminium in the country. Also, given that there was restrictive movement in South Africa, the impact of this was that waste pickers for recycling came to a standstill. This resulted in a surplus of post-consumer packaging now left in the field.

“Now that we’re coming back to the new normal, we are seeing a slight imbalance in the system. This will definitely take some time before this imbalance is restored.”

Singh added that with more consumers staying home in South Africa, people have opted to buy goods and food that lasts longer.

“Most of this is solved by metal packaging – so you’ll find lots of canned products being sold and therefore the demand on metal, generally, has seen an increase. If I had to project, over the next five to 10 years, I foresee metal packaging taking a bigger chunk of the packaging pie globally because of its intrinsic value and its ability to be recycled,” he said.

“In South Africa, going off 2018 stats, we are recovering about 78 per cent of metal packaging post-consumer, which is recovered and reutilised. This is a good number and very comparable with European benchmarks. Because of this, I see a preferred choice with metal packaging.”

August 2021 ProPack.pro 31

UPDATE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING

Sustainable coffee inside and out 1

Coffee packaging needs to have all the necessary functional barrier properties as consumer buying behaviours change

A

ustralians love coffee – whether sipping it in a café, or ordering coffee pods to make their favourite blends at home. Buying behaviours have also changed, and consumers expect coffee to be sustainable inside and out, starting with the way it is grown, sourced, staffed, manufactured, and more recently how it is packaged.

Coffee packaging needs to have all the necessary functional barrier properties to maintain optimal freshness and shelf life, be airtight, protect from sunlight, be durable; all the while offering the lowest environmental impact.

32 ProPack.pro August 2021

2

Three innovative coffee packaging designs that stood out at the 2021 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PIDA) Awards that tick all the boxes are SIPP Instant, Melbourne Coffee and PodPress Capsule System.

Nerida Kelton, AIP

1. SIPP Instant wants to be accountable for the future of the planet along with producing the best functional beverages on the market 2. SIPP Instant has created a different product to the traditional instant category which is totally organic and Fairtrade

SIPP Instant

As a premium instant coffee company, SIPP Instant wants to be accountable for the future of the planet, along with producing the best functional beverages on the market. It has created a different product to the traditional instant category which is totally organic and Fairtrade. The products contain heat resistant probiotics, complex healthy carbohydrates for slow energy release and premium freeze-dried Columbian coffee.

The new SIPP Instant packaging was designed to elevate the functionality of the brand and features an ABA certified home compostable internal film. The principal raw material for its cellulose, is a renewable raw material from eucalyptus trees in South America.

The cardboard exterior packaging is made of 100 per cent recycled

cardboard and non-toxic inks.

The cardboard box features a window to show the product and the compostable film inside, to appeal to the customers’ curiosity.

Each panel of the box has purpose; instructions/process of making the product, health benefits and ingredients, and messaging around its sustainable practices.

SIPP Instant is aware that its product is a new concept, so wanted its packaging design to be easy to understand for new customers. The new packaging colour palette is eyecatching and contrasts with the dark colour palette traditionally used for instant coffee. The new design has not only enhanced functionality but has added value to the brand, as it remains aligned with the ethos and environmental values of the business.

The new packaging is sturdier and more suitable for retail shelves and now offers SIPP Instant more opportunity to expand in the wholesale and distribution sectors. *SIPP Instant was recently awarded Gold in the PIDA Awards – Beverage Design of the Year category. www.propack.pro

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF PACKAGING UPDATE

the waste stream and landfill. The used coffee grounds are readily removed from the capsules, and used for garden composting, or simply spread on the topsoil, providing an inert protective layer for home garden plants.

The system itself can be produced using recycled material to complete its participation in the circular economy.

The Podpress reusable and resealable coffee capsule system captures all the plastic packaging for capsule-based coffee usage and diverts it from landfill.

Given that Australians use more than three million coffee capsules per day, uptake of the Podpress system by even a small proportion of capsule users will make a significant reduction of spent capsules ending in landfill.

REFLO said it believes that anything that can be done to divert used capsules from landfill will make a significant difference to the environment. *PodPress Capsule System – Reflo was recently awarded a silver in the PIDA Awards – Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year – Reuse category and a bronze in the Beverage category.

3

So, when buying coffee, look out for brands that are making a sustainable difference inside and out.

Melbourne Coffee (Cyclpac)

The Melbourne Coffee concept evolved from a desire to challenge the space of flexible packaging and create a mono structure material for coffee. The innovative solution is a recyclable, sustainable solution for coffee that also offers barrier to oxygen and vapour. Cyclpac has developed a packaging solution that could change traditional approaches in the coffee industry for good, replacing ‘mixed’ laminate packaging materials.

The packaging is 90 per cent LDPE, has a technical barrier to gas and vapour, a mono-structure lamination, BOPE, seven-layer high barrier coextrusion with EVOH, and is reverse or surface printed.

Developing the sealant layer to hold the release valve internally was essential to the development and required some variant testing.

When producing a 90 per cent PE mono structure, the resistance to heat offered by the BOPE was critical to product performance and success.

The material (Mono structure PE with barrier to Vapour and Oxygen) is recyclable and complies with the Australasian Recycling Labelling Program in A/NZ and the sisterprogram called OPRL in the UK. The Melbourne Coffee packaging encourages consumers to ‘Make a www.propack.pro

Difference’ and to ‘Recycle Me’.

To Melbourne Coffee, the packaging is as important as the coffee. *Melbourne Coffee (Cyclpac) was recently awarded Gold in the PIDA Awards – Sustainable Packaging Design of the Year – Recycle category.

PodPress Capsule System (REFLO)

The lightweight, compact PodPress Capsule System has been designed as a sustainable alternative for those who drink their coffee from in-home machines that use pods. The PodPress offers sealed packaging of ground coffee in the form of completely re-usable capsules and 100 per cent recyclable foil seals. Podpress gives customers freedom to choose the capsule contents, as they can refill any number of capsules and coffee types, install a new cover and store capsules for future use.

The aluminium foil closure is 100 per cent recyclable and if balled up to sufficient size – approximately 30mm diameter – will be captured by recycling streams. The PP capsule bodies that carry the ground coffee are easily cleaned and reusable indefinitely.

If desired, the capsules can be packed together and in packs of nine are easily captured in the recycling systems of cities, once again diverting them from

3. The lightweight, compact PodPress Capsule System has been designed as a sustainable alternative for those who drink their coffee from in-home machines that use pods

Nerida Kelton is the executive director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and vice-president – sustainability and save food of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

4

4. The Melbourne Coffee solution is a recyclable, sustainable solution for coffee that also offers barrier to oxygen and vapour

August 2021 ProPack.pro 33

PACK DIARY

UPCOMING EVENTS 2021 AIP Australasian Packaging Conference

Label and Packaging Expo (NEW DATES)

August 17-18, 2021 Virtual event aipack.com.au/

June 28-July 1, 2022 Melbourne, Australia labelandprintpackagingexpo.com.au/

ProPak India 2021

Foodtech Packtech 2022

September 30-October 2, 2021 Mumbai, India propakindia.com/

September 20-22, 2022 Auckland, New Zealand foodtechpacktech.co.nz

FoodPro 2021

AUSPACK 2022

Labelexpo Southeast Asia 2023

October 10-13, 2021 Sydney, Australia foodproexh.com/

May 17-20, 2022 Melbourne, Australia auspack.com.au

February 9-11, 2023 Bangkok, Thailand labelexpo-seasia.com

ProPak and Plaspak Philippines 2021

PacPrint (NEW DATES)

interpack 2023

November 11-13, 2021 Pasay City, Philippines propakphilippines.com/

June 28-July 1, 2022 Melbourne, Australia pacprint.com.au

May 4-10, 2023 Düsseldorf, Germany interpack.com/

Got an event? Send an email to hosman@intermedia.com.au with all the details and we will put your event on the page.

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AWARDS w.p rop rin taw ard Save the date s.c Friday 26 November, 2021

People in Print

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34 ProPack.pro August 2021

Outstanding Achiever in Print

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