Washing away labels

MACtac Printing Products has developed a new labelstock that dissolves completely (face, liner and all) in water to facilitate the removal of labels when containers are reused. The labelled containers can simply be put into dishwashers or boiling water without the labels clogging up the system or contaminating products. The product, designatedWDP3201, features a dissolvable uncoated facestock, an acrylic emulsion adhesive and a super calendered kraft liner.

Boost to disposable cup market

ITC's board division has launched disposable poly-coated cups for hot and cold beverages under the Spectra brand name. The cups will be made by several small and medium enterprises out of ITC's poly-coated board made from ECF pulp. The cups will be available in 150ml, 210ml and 270ml sizes and will come in attractive colours. A new extrusion coating line has been commissioned at ITC's Bollaram factory near Hyderabad to service this product line.

Unique print visualisation solutions

Sun Chemicals has launched SmartColour, a set of colour management tools that helps brand owners visualize how their spot colours will reproduce on substrates ranging from plain and brown plain and corrugated paper to clear and pigmented white plastic films. SmartColour takes the guesswork out of predicting the outcome of spot colours on a given substrate. It enables packaging developers to see real colour end results anywhere in their workflow by displaying real ink colour on the designated substrate and matching the desired colour with the ink that will deliver the brand colour on retail shelves.

Three tools called ColourSmart DigiBases, DigiGuides and DigiProofs create a digital database of brand-specific colours, digitally printed colours and digitally printed colour references. A fourth component called SmartColour iVue, which operates as an Adobe Photoshop plug-in, allows the developers to see real colour end results anywhere in the workflow drawing upon the massive Sun Chemical database of real ink colours on common packaging substrates using different printing processes. This allows users to consider multiple alternatives on one or more materials before deciding on a desired combination to get the best reproduction of spot colours. This also obviates having to make changes after a standard proofing procedure.

Unique label systems

Food Quality Sensor International Inc. (FQSI) have developed a label that verifies freshness in packaged meat and poultry by measuring food-borne bacterial levels and changes colour when the products become unacceptable. The label is made from food-grade materials and includes a special smart sensor. It is stuck on the inside wrap of the package in contact with the product and is printed with an orange coloured “Q” that turns to tan when spoilage reaches unacceptable levels. As meat or poultry spoil, naturally occurring bacteria become too high and emit gaseous byproducts called biogenic amines. The molecules of these amines cause the colour change to tan and then to green or blue which denote “beyond spoiled”. The SensorQ labels are being evaluated and tested by Superior Farms, the largest fresh meat and meat products in the USA.

UPM manufacturer of Raflatac have also introduced Shelf Life Guard and Freshness Guard, labels that changes from transparent to blue when they sense that the modified atmosphere gas mixture (MAP gases) that is conventionally used to preserve products like fresh meat, poultry and fish or fresh produce has been replaced with air. Air will trigger spoilage like oxidation or rancidity, bacterial spoilage, loss of colour or aroma, unpleasant or unwanted odours, loss of nutritional value or physical changes like drying. Hence, it is excluded from inside the package and replaced with the MAP gas mixture. The colour change in the label acts as a warning signal and prompts the consumer to evaluate the contents by using his or her own sensory findings before consuming the product.

Improving print quality

Nu Tech Coatings has been awarded a US patent for a unique polymer coating application that eliminates the pressure between flexo plates and the substrate as a variable in control of printing quality. A thick polymer coating is applied directly on to the surface of existing or new flexo plate that acts as a shock absorber and obviates the negative effects of over impressing the plate on the substrate during a printing run. This causes shorter make ready and set-up times, increases press speeds and eliminates press downtime to make pressure adjustments during the print run. It gives consistent and good print quality and better yields. According to Nu Tech Coatings, over 150 printers are already using this system, especially narrow web pharmaceutical printers who require zero defect printing.

Welding flexibles with flameless heat

Steinel has introduced a new generation HotAir Gun, the HG 2310 LCD with greater convenience and efficiency. There is an innovative ergonomically shaped soft grip handle for balanced weight distribution and practically positioned controls. Steinel Hot Air Guns are recognized worldwide for their precision control, versatility, consistent performance and durability. Further, more than 25 accessories and nozzles are available for different types of applications.

The HG 2310 LCD is a light weight, electronically controlled, professional hot air gun with continuously adjustable air flow and temperature controls. It also features visual display of temperature and speed on LCD, selector button for 4 preset programs, memory button, and non-slip end cap.

It is typically used in plastic welding, softening plastic-coated materials, finishing of plastic mouldings, shaping, bending, and fabrication of thermoplastics, DIYs, and other multiple applications. Industrial applications include removing dents in fiberglass, preheating flux and material for die cutting and stamping, drying of moisture fillers, paint. Other uses include welding aircraft laminates, heat-shrink tubing, wrapping, cutting and joining of Styrofoam and protective packaging materials. Essentially a standard tool for all applications where flameless heat is required. The new generation Steinel hot air gun is now available in India through Pammvi Exports PL based in Mumbai.