Xeikon Expands Portfolio with Hybrid Print and Converting Presses
Hybrid presses can be defined as label presses that incorporate two or more printing processes (digital and conventional) in-line with finishing units (varnishing, spot color printing, slitting, die-cutting and different embellishment techniques). Hybrid solutions benefit a label printer and converter with medium to long runs with either limited variation in converting (die cutting, slitting) and/or the need to add conventionally produced features e.g spot varnish, cold foil.
Today the standalone digital presses and standalone converting line address the largest part of the market. To expand the growth potential of digital, new solutions are needed. Unavoidably, this will convert conventional printed work into digital production through cost optimization. Think of larger volumes of SKU’s with the same die-cut shape, full-color jobs which hold a static embellishing element. These can be printed more effectively with a conventional process and then enriched with digital full-color printing. Trends in the market indicate luxury brands benefit from what their print provider offers; shorter runs, more versions and variations, variable text or graphics, and personalization allowing much greater freedom of creativity. Nevertheless, they do not want to give in to brand identity which can be visualized through embellishing elements. Not unlike luxury brands, promotional brands are too looking to find better ways of connecting with consumers through the use of e-commerce.
Today, Xeikon launches a fully digital hybrid solution based on its digital press (Cheetah or Panther series), the recently developed (2) Xeikon Label Converting Unit (LCU) and (3) Xeikon’s X-800 digital front-end. This solution can be configured to the need of the converter and becomes a powerful production system enabling label converters to step up their productivity whilst remaining fully flexible for all their customers’needs.
The main values of our hybrid label solution are:
From substrate to ready-label: a complete, single-pass production process flow
Eliminates a number of production steps resulting in higher productivity
Reduces waste and setup time
Opens up new business opportunities
“At Xeikon we take customer input seriously. Our solutions are cloud-connected providing us with a lot of data on how the equipment is performing. This results in the ability to provide more automation in combining production runs to increase efficiency”, explains Filip Weymans, Xeikon’s VP of Marketing, “That is why, along with the presses, we develop fully digital converting and embellishing products such as the Xeikon LCU which can be configured into hybrid print and converting solutions.”
Xeikon hybrid solutions can hold both Xeikon’s Cheetah (dry-toner) as well as Panther (UV inkjet) technologies hence all end-use applications can be addressed through this offering.
Dry-toner is the proven technology for all applications requiring adherence to high food safety standards while delivering the highest, matte-finished quality and achieving high quality on standard natural paper substrates (wine and spirits).Today, the second-generation Cheetah technology is used in Xeikon’s current dry-tonerdigital presses.
Xeikon’s UV inkjet Panther Technology was introduced in 2017, with a specific focus on labels across industries requiring high durability including the health and beauty markets. These applications make use of the key benefits of the unique features of UV inkjet such as scratch, scuff, and rub resistance.
“Some of our customers call a hybrid solution the best of both worlds”, continues Filip Weymans, ”All developments at Xeikon fit into our mantra of digitizing label manufacturing with the purpose of enabling label converters to develop a profitable and sustainable future-proof business.”
Come and see the new Xeikon hybrid press at Labelexpo Americas
The new hybrid printing solution, based on the Xeikon PX3300 (Panther), will be featured during Labelexpo Americas, September 13-15, Rosemont, IL. Join Xeikon in Hall F, Booth 5703, to see this and all the latest label print technology.
Pack Expo 2022: Constantia Flexibles Shows How Consumer Goods Can Be Packaged More Sustainably
At the packaging trade show, Pack Expo International, the global packaging manufacturer Constantia Flexibles showcases its more sustainable product lines. From October 23th to 26th, 2022, the company will present the packaging solutions of tomorrow at the Mc Cormick Place convention center in Chicago, Illinois.
For many, the world has been at a standstill for the last few years. Almost no events took place, and the pandemic gripped the media landscape. But there has been a lot of innovation in the past few years. After a four-year break this fall, everything will revolve around tomorrow’s packaging solutions at the Chicago Convention Center. Constantia Flexibles, the world’s third-largest manufacturer of flexible packaging, will be right at the forefront: In the South Building, Booth S-2696, Confectionery Pavilion, the packaging company will present its packaging solutions for consumer goods.
The manufacturer’s more sustainable product lines will be in focus. Presenting packaging solutions for food, beverages, confectionery, dairy, meat and fish products to personal care and pet food, Constantia Flexibles shows how consumers can bring recyclable products into their homes. One thing is clear, a shift to more sustainable packaging solutions across all consumer product sectors must happen. Constantia Flexibles focuses on the principles of the circular economy to promote sustainability. “Multi-material packaging, in particular, causes major challenges for the industry, as it is difficult to recycle. Therefore, we are focusing on safe and equally high-performing mono-material solutions to meet the circular economy and to promote a more sustainable tomorrow,” says Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles.
The Ecolutions family: high-performance recyclable packaging.
Consisting of the EcoLam, EcoVer, EcoPaper, and Ecoalu product lines, the Ecolutions family shows that recyclability and high packaging performance can be perfectly combined.
Eco Lam mono PE laminates are thinner and more heat resistant and offer a wider sealing window than other products in the sector. Another remarkable feature is the barrier characteristics, which can be adapted to the content. For example, EcoLam offers a water vapor barrier, EcoLamPlus has an additional barrier against oxygen, aromas, and mineral oils, and EcoLamHighPlus provides aluminum-like barrier properties.
The recyclable Eco Paper family offers many individual paper solutions. For example, EcoPaperPlus is perfect for applications that require a medium barrier. Applicable for products that require a barrier against aromas and grease, such as confectionery, snacks, and household and personal care products.
Eco Ver mono PP solutions are available in various barrier levels and can be used for various packaging applications. Especially EcoVer’s high thermal resistance offers new possibilities: the packaging solution features an improved outer layer in combination with a sealing layer that starts to seal already at low temperatures to allow a wider sealing window.
With 50% less thickness than standard coatings, Eco Peel Cover from our EcoAlu product lineprovides a more sustainable sealing solution for PP and paper cups. The absence of solvents in combination with UV flexographic printing, high resistance, and a sealing temperature range of 200 to 280°C show that Constantia Flexibles’ innovations promote sustainability on many levels.
More innovation, more sustainability
“We are most proud of our EcoPressoLid and CompresSeal innovations. They perfectly reflect how crucial investments in research and development are to make the packaging industry more sustainable,” adds Vervaat.
The Eco Presso Lid capsule lid from Constantia Flexibles is compostable, biobased, and perfect for sealing the top and bottom of compostable coffee capsules. The EN13432 certified material was awarded “OK Compost Industrial” by TÜV Austria in 2022 and convinces with its high oxygen barrier and excellent performance during the brewing process – two essential properties for high-quality, sustainable capsules.
Together with the Dutch film manufacturer Plasthill B.V., Constantia Flexibles has developed its latest innovation – the Compres Seal technology. It is based on a new micro-embossing technology that enables the basis weight of polyolefin sealing films to be reduced by up to 30% without any change in packaging thickness.
Constantia Flexibles at Pack Expo 2022
Learn more about product innovations and product lines. Visit Constantia Flexibles on-site at Pack Expo 2022 in Chicago Flexibles at the Mc Cormick Place Chicago convention center in the South Building, Booth S-2696, Confectionery Pavilion. Thomas Schulz, VP Marketing and Communication at Constantia Flexibles, will be available for statements and coordinate brief interviews with the Constantia Flexibles experts.
United Caps and Mimica Partner to Produce Innovative Intelligent Cap Designed for Accessibility, Food Waste Reduction
The partnership between Mimica and United Caps continues United Caps’ heritage of sustainability, delivering breakthrough technology and accessibility with a unique approach to food safety with innovation you can touch
United Caps, an international manufacturer of caps and closures, today reported that its exclusive partnership with start-up Mimica has resulted in a unique, innovative closure that is a breakthrough in dynamic freshness food labels, creating accessible, affordable freshness indicators for all types of perishable products, from food to pharmaceuticals. The goal is to reduce food waste and increase consumer food safety.
“Throughout our history,” said CEO Benoit Henckes, “we have invested heavily in innovation and R&D, and we view this innovation from Mimica as a game changer, one that has a profound effect on how caps are used, their contribution to the reduction of waste and carbon emissions and their ability to drive purchase.”
The concept for Mimica Touchcap, begun as a design project for Mimica’s founder, Solveiga Pakštaitė, was to make expiry dates inclusive to visually impaired people, before realising that expiry dates also drive large amounts of food waste. What if, she thought, there were a way to create a label that not only provided real-time information about the condition of food but could also be easily accessible to the visually impaired and cognitively challenged. The result: Mimica Touchcap, a freshness indicator that changes from smooth to bumpy if a product is no longer fresh.
With extensive testing and experimentation, Pakštaitė was able to calibrate a gel that never comes into contact with the product yet enables a specialised label to change from smooth to bumpy based on storage conditions and food profile. Working in partnership, the United Caps and Mimica teams were able to develop a fully recyclable cap that does not affect bottle recyclability yet offers a fast, easy way for a consumer to ensure food quality is still good.
The Mimica Touchcap was the result of a collaboration between United Caps and Mimica and has the potential of saving many thousands of tonnes of food currently being disposed of while still safe to consume.
The result? A sustainable closure that consists of a base cap and over cap from United Caps, the activator and gel invented by Mimica, a bumps tray and the top foil label that becomes bumpy as food deteriorates. The Mimica cap arrives at the filling line in two parts: The base cap, which has been tested by key filling line manufacturers and requires only minimal changes to the filling line; and the over cap which is applied after the filling process with a dedicated machine integrated into the production flow like other modules such as labelling or film wrapping. The top cap, where the bumps will appear is dormant until it isactivated by the consumer which happens automatically when the cap is twisted open for the first time.
Extensive testing and experimentation was required to calibrate the specific gel and activator required to make the Mimica Touchcap functional.
“As always, we look at solutions like this in a holistic fashion,” Henckes added. “Is it innovative? Is it sustainable? What is the ROI for a brand who adopts it? Are there changes that need to be made on filling lines? What happens to the cap at end of life? The Mimica Touchcap ticked all those boxes. If just two days of shelf life could be added to food products, retail waste could be cut by 50%, and home waste of perishable products could be cut by 63%. Brands who adopt this technology could increase sales by at least 10%, including the willingness of consumers to purchase larger containers of products, such as orange juice, without worrying as much about spoilage prior to full consumption.”
The cap is currently undergoing a pilot project in the UK with an orange juice brand. Through this pilot and other United Caps research, it was determined that the total annual waste of juice in the UK alone amounted to 121 million kilograms, with a Mimica Touchcap waste reduction potential of 44%, equating to 53 million kilograms annually of juice.
The top foil layer of the Mimica Touchcap becomes bumpy when the product should not be consumed, enabling immediate assessment of food safety.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with Mimica to develop caps and closures for other types of products,” Henckes concluded. “Not only is reducing food waste important for the planet, but this alone also reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Estimations based on verified data predict increasing the shelf life of perishable food by even one day could save over 202.8 million tons of GHG from entering the atmosphere. The goals and objectives of United Caps and Mimica are perfectly aligned with respect to sustainability, food safety and more.”
United Caps will be demonstrating Mimica Touchcap at the upcoming drinktec show, scheduled for 12 to 16 of September at Messe München, Germany. United Caps will be
located on Stand C5.403 at the show.
Perstorp Announces Toxicity Targets to Safeguard Health and Environment
Leading sustainable solutions provider Perstorp further strengthens their commitment towards significantly reducing their environmental impact by releasing two new 2030 sustainability targets for (eco) toxicity. The targets intend to ensure that no chemicals of concern reach the consumer or professional market, and that newly developed products are safe and sustainable by design.
In order to reach the long term ambition of becoming Finite Material Neutral, Perstorp is setting 2030 sustainability targets for the areas with the largest impact. Targets have now been set for (eco) toxicity, which aims to safeguard both human health and the environment. Perstorp’s new targets are aligned with the EU’s zero pollution ambition in the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment, the EU’s taxonomy regulation and they support the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6 and 12.
Perstorp has set the following (eco) toxic impact targets for 2030:
No chemicals of concern should reach the consumer or professional market
Newly developed products should be safe and sustainable by design
The above targets will promote safe use of all chemicals put on the market throughout the value chain, and drive the development of minimizing the hazard in the product portfolio. The toxicity targets will also drive the transformation towards a circular society as chemicals with lower toxicity enable circularity by being easier to process and recycle. Thus, adopting the (eco) toxic impact targets is an important part of contributing to the chemical industry’s sustainable transformation.
“Our new (eco) toxic targets demonstrate our commitment to reducing impact on humans and the environment, and they make our position on toxicity clear to our customers as well as end-customers and consumers,”, says Christoffer Paulsson, Vice President Regulatory Affairs. “The targets are now being implemented and will help guide us to establish a more stringent testing, screening and reviewing processes for our products – both existing products and those under development.”
“Developing and implementing these targets is an important step for us to take in order to solidify our position as a sustainable solutions provider”, says Anna Berggren, Vice President Sustainability. “It shows our commitment to transforming and reducing our own environmental impact, and ultimately it will also lead to safer and more sustainable end-products.”
Pack Expo 2022: Constantia Flexibles Combines Safety With Recyclability in Pharma Packaging
Constantia Flexibles proves that recyclable packaging solutions can also show excellent barrier properties with the product innovations Perpetua and Perpetua Alta. Therefore, pharmaceutical products can be packaged not only safely but also sustainably. Constantia Flexibles will present its product innovations and established packaging solutions in the pharma sector at the world’s largest packaging trade fair, Pack Expo International, in Chicago from 23 to 26 October 2022.
Product safety is the top priority of every pharma packaging solution. Sustainability often plays a secondary role in this process. However, the demand for environmentally-friendly packaging is growing. Consumers and entrepreneurs increasingly focus on products with the smallest possible environmental footprint. “In our Research & Development department we place equal importance on the safety and sustainability of our packaging. Our packaging is only fit for the future if it meets both our standards. With the Perpetua and Perpetua Alta innovations, we combine both – performance and sustainability,” says Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles.
Perpetua: sustainable packaging solution with high barrier properties
Perpetua is made of recyclable polypropylene-based mono-material. Its excellent barrier properties make it ideal for pharmaceuticals. Perpetua protects products in the best possible way from oxygen, water vapor, and light. This is essential to maintain the efficacy of medicines. In addition, the product line is cyclos-HTP certified, which means that its recyclability is between 90 and 96%, depending on the individual material specification.
Perpetua Alta: Recyclable solution with high chemical resistance
The further development of Perpetua Alta is based on polypropylene (PP), is recyclable, and has a high chemical resistance to pharmaceutical products. It can therefore be used for excessively demanding products from both the pharmaceutical and food industries. The unique characteristic of the mono-material solution is the combination of sustainability and resistance. In addition, compared to conventional laminates, it is lighter, has higher efficiency, and offers optimal protection against oxygen, water vapor, and light.
Child safety and anti-counterfeiting features for even more security
High-performance packaging protects medicines so that their efficacy is maintained. But safeguarding against counterfeiting and unwanted consumption by children are also factors that must never be neglected when developing pharmaceutical packaging. To prevent children from getting hold of the contents of medicines, all Constantia Flexibles product lines are available in various child-resistant designs. These can be individually designed. Constantia Flexibles also invests in the further development of counterfeit-proof components of packaging because around 10 to 30% of the world’s medicines are counterfeit. The original medication’s high level of security can only be guaranteed if the outer packaging is equipped with identification features, and the primary packaging shows counterfeit-proof features. Many of Constantia Flexibles’ product lines are therefore available with anti-counterfeiting features.
In addition to the innovations, Constantia Flexibles will be presenting its established product lines at the PACK EXPO trade fair. Further high-performance packaging for different applications, such as oral, injectable, or pulmonary administration, can be found at the Constantia Flexibles stand at Pack Expo 2022.
By Denis Finn, Product Development Engineer Guill Tool & Engineering, West Warwick, RI
The extrusion process brings with it several challenges, product quality being the frontrunner in many industries especially with extruded medical products. Medical tubing and jacketed products must be produced to confirm to very tight tolerances, often wall thickness(es) and diameter(s) being inspected to tolerances lower than 0.0004”/.01mm. Polymers used in the medical industry may also be extremely expensive. The entire extrusion system must be carefully controlled and tuned to produce these demanding products in a cost efficient manner. This is especially important for multi-layer and/or multi-lumen constructions.
The flow channel geometry the polymer flows through is a critical component of a well-designed extrusion system. Residence time, or the amount of time the polymer flows through the die assembly, should be considered in an effort to avoid burning and stagnation issues. Channels that are too large means the polymer’s exposure time to processing temperatures could begin to degrade the polymer. Too restrictive of a geometry often means the system will run at high pressures, often limiting production speeds. Along with this, users can encounter dead spots that prevent the material from flowing freely. If this is not corrected, we can run into material that’s been completely degraded. (See photos.) While these situations can occur with all polymers, this becomes a serious problem in the medical industry due to the usage of expensive materials. Also, medical products commonly use barium sulfate, a radiopaque substance which allows the finished product to be visible on x-ray scans. When barium sulfate is co-extruded with high temperature materials like fluoropolymers, the flow channels must be engineered to ensure the barium sulfate does not degrade. Dead spots and high residence time will cause the barium sulfate to yellow and ruin the product.
The sensors and feedback the system provides should be checked and doubled checked to ensure the polymer is being properly processed. The temperature of the polymer flowing the die cavity could differ greatly from the thermocouple reading. As we know, the thermocouple is a sensor that measures the temperature of the die assembly. In most cases the sensor is not directly reading the temperature of the polymer but is installed on the outside housing of a die assembly. A considerable thermal gradient can occur between the polymer and the thermocouple,giving false confidence that the polymer is being properly processed. Since the polymer temperature could actually be colder or hotter than what is indicated, it is imperative to take physical measurements from the melt stream when working with fragile materials or establishing recipes for the line. To do this, you should take the measurements while at production speed. As the polymer begins to travel through the restrictive flow channels, it will develop heat from viscous dissipation. The faster you go the more heat the polymer’s flow will contribute to the system, if everything else stays the same. Close monitoring is critical for many thermally sensitive materials like ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), where gels and other degradation may occur. For example, you might look at the thermocouple and see 300ºC but measure the direct temperature and get 330ºC. In this case, you need to adjust the thermocouple settings to get the right melt temperatures. Materials may also be prone to melt fracture, a phenomenon that produces an unsatisfactory surface finish on the product. Utilizing proper tooling sizes and processing parameters will avoid these troublesome issues.
According to Bill Conley, our National Sales Manager, if the extruder is running very slowly, we can also offer dual, triple or quadruple output dies. Instead of getting another line, you are effectively doubling the extrusion system to double or even quadruple your production. In this way, you save a lot of money on equipment and processing personnel.
Danimer Scientific Appoints Stephen Martin as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
Martin, a Duke University graduate and former Air Force officer, brings experience managing the legal affairs of publicly traded companies
Danimer Scientific, Inc. (NYSE: DNMR) (“Danimer” or the “Company”), a leading next-generation bioplastics company focused on the development and production of biodegradable materials, today announced it has appointed Stephen Martin as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. In this role, Martin will manage a wide range of legal matters across the company as Danimer continues to expand its manufacturing capacity to meet demand in the fast-growing bioplastics market.
Martin joins Danimer from Kaman Distribution Group, a leading national distributor of highly engineered products and services, where he had served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from 2020 until that company’s successful sale earlier this year. Before that, he was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Accuride Corporation, a vehicle components manufacturer, starting in 2008.
Stephen E. Croskrey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Danimer, said, “We’re thrilled to have Steve join Danimer at this important point in our company’s history. His broad skill set, familiarity with numerous industries, and experience managing the legal affairs of publicly traded companies will be vital as we continue scaling up our production of renewable and sustainable biopolymers, offering manufacturers environmentally friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.”
Martin served as an officer in the Air Force from 1992 to 1998, managing the procurement of avionics systems for the Atlas Launch Vehicle system and serving on a satellite command and control squadron responsible for operating a constellation of satellites. He is a distinguished graduate of Squadron Officer School.
Martin received his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law in 2001, graduating cum laude. He received his master’s from the University of Southern California and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami, both in electrical engineering.
“I’m pleased to be joining Danimer just as the potential of bioplastics is starting to be more widely known,” Martin said. “As Danimer continues to build momentum in this growing industry, I’m excited to apply my expertise to tackle legal questions and further strengthen our company for the future.”
Dow’s Innate Tf-bope Resins Enable Lion Corporation to Launch Recyclable Refill Bags for Shower Cream in Thailand
Dow (NYSE: DOW) has partnered with Lion Corporation to launch recyclable refill bags for Shokubutsu Monogatari’s shower cream in Thailand, using Dow’s Innate TF Polyethylene Resins for Tenter Frame Biaxial Orientation (TF-BOPE).
Leveraging the materials science expertise of Dow Thailand Group, the unique collaborative approach by Dow’s Pack Studios Singapore as well as the distribution network of SCG Chemicals (SCGC), Lion Corporation managed to successfully develop fully recyclable 200-ml and 500-ml shower cream refill bags for its beauty care brand, Shokubutsu Monogatari.
This initiative aims to advance a circular economy in Thailand by demonstrating the commitment of value chain collaboration with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions – through enabling the recyclability of refill bags and maintaining the functionality and quality of the packaging.
“Providing consumers more sustainable choices can only be possible with the effort and collaboration from the entire value chain,” said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “We are excited to collaborate with like-minded partners including Lion Corporation and SCGC, providing Dow with this opportunity to develop the easy-to-recycle refill bag for consumers in Thailand.”
“Refill bags are a popular choice in Thailand due to increasing awareness from consumers on the need to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. However, due to stringent technical requirements, traditional refill bags are often made of films laminated with multiple kinds of plastics – making it extremely difficult to recycle this packaging,” said Supot Katetopragran, commercial director of Dow Thailand. “Dow’s Innate TF-BOPE has durable material
properties, offering high toughness and excellent optics for stand-up shelf appeal and touch and feel, enabling the development of a high-performance all-polyethylene structure that can be easily recycled, along with responsible disposal and recycling infrastructure.”
“Lion has always been committed to developing sustainable products and packaging. This is in line with the shifting needs of consumers, as they become increasingly interested in environmentally friendly products. The recyclable refill bag for Shokubutsu Monogatari shower creams is an example of how more sustainable packaging can help to close the loop – through collaboration from business alliances, Dow’s recyclable packaging solution, and support from SCGC. These made the development of Lion Thailand’s first recyclable refill bags possible while ensuring the quality of the product inside the packaging. This packaging also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance a circular economy in the country,” said Somsak Srisaardrak, SPC Business Executive Manager of Lion (Thailand).
The newly developed recyclable packaging is a milestone for Dow’s breakthrough Innate TF-BOPE resins, enabling traditional hard-to-recycle packaging to be easily integrated into existing recycling streams. The recyclable Shokubutsu Monogatari shower cream refill bags will eventually replace the older bags and are now available for consumers across department stores and supermarkets in Thailand nationwide.
Noteworthy: Around 80 customers, partners and employees as guests
Impressive: Arburg Poland successfully on the market for three decades
The Arburg subsidiary in Poland celebrated a round anniversary: its 30th year in business. Konrad Szymczak, Managing Director of Arburg Poland, greeted the 80 or so guests. The “Oktoberfest”-themed celebrations looked back at 30 successful years, with speeches and entertaining photo shows taking centre-stage.
“Today we are delighted to celebrate 30 years of Arburg Poland with our customers, partners, and employees,” said Konrad Szymczak. On behalf of Arburg headquarters in Germany, Silvia Bednar, Sales Representative for Poland, congratulated the subsidiary on its anniversary. Guests of honour included Dr. Sławomir Śniady, who was Managing Director of the subsidiary for 25 years, and Marek Zembrzuski, who held the role of authorised signatory at Arburg in Poland for 29 years. In his speech, Dr. Sławomir Śniady expressed his gratitude for the many years of cooperation. Together with Konrad Szymczak, Marek Zembrzuski looked back over the successful history of Arburg Poland.
A hearty feast
Around 80 guests came to the “Ok toberfest”-themed anniversary celebrations. Our technology was not neglected either: an electric Allrounder 570 A with Gestica control system manufactured brushes from polypropylene live. A special highlight of the celebrations were photo shows that brought back memories of the subsidiary’s milestones over the decades, and of previous trade fairs and customer events.
Development in Poland: From zero to a hundred
30 years ago the name Arburg and the Allrounders were not very well known in Poland. At first, we sold used machine there, but then, pretty quickly, new machines as well. The subsidiary developed very well and Arburg continuously gained more market share. The construction of the Arburg Technology Center (ATC) in Warsaw, which the company moved into in 2016, marked an important milestone. With a usable floor space of 800 square metres, it offers every opportunity to provide customers with first-class and comprehensive support. Still today, the services range from the expert hotline and Application Technology consultation, through the spare parts warehouse and the showroom, to training.
Interplas Continues Growth Trajectory With New Features for 75th Anniversary Edition
Since Rapid News Group took over running Interplas in 2010, the UK’s leading plastics event has been on a considerable journey of rebirth and growth. In 2023, the show will be back with new and exciting features, bringing together perspectives from all corners of the industry. This continued investment in the show by the organisers is set to further cement its position as the leading UK event for the international plastics industry for the short-, medium- and long-term.
Since the acquisition from Reed Exhibitions, Interplas has seen a resurgence in the key metrics that trade shows use to benchmark themselves by. Visitor numbers, quantity of exhibitors and stand space are all up. Perhaps the most visible indicator is that what was just half of one hall at the NEC in 2008 has now expanded across two halls… who said manufacturing in the UK was dead?
Dave Gray, Head of Content at British Plastics & Rubber/InterplasInsights.com sat down with Duncan Wood, Chief Executive of Rapid News Group to find out more about the journey the show has been on and what to look forward to in 2023.
DG: There’s no denying that the Interplas of recent years is a far cry from where the event was back in 2008. What are your abiding memories of that period?
Duncan Wood, CEO, Rapid News Group
From 2010, when we first took over, all the way through to running as one of the first post lockdown events in the UK with the postponed edition in September 2021, it’s been quite a journey. I would say a mainly positive experience for everyone who has been involved at RN. Although I don’t think anyone on our side would willingly go through the 395 floorplan iterations and 1000 budget revisions we had to handle in the run up to 2021!
In the end it is important to recognise that we are custodians of a show that existed long before any of the current team were born! So, our memories of the last twelve years are only a small part of the Interplas story. As we approach the seventy-fifth anniversary of the show it is important that we reflect on that history, but stay focused on the future of the UK’s plastics event. Our legacy will be what we do next. It is THE industry show and every decision we have ever made has always been framed by the question: does it move the UK plastics industry forward?
DG: What do you attribute the success of Interplas to since RN took over?
The simple answer is hard graft from an amazing team and consistent investment in the areas that matter. It is, of course, much more nuanced than that but the original decision to invest in the event was housed in a belief we could positively impact the plastics industry by bringing an event that was in the doldrums back to life.
The numbers for the show over the years in terms of visitors, exhibitors and floor space would suggest by any measure we have achieved that aim, in some cases spectacularly and in some cases against everyone’s expectations.
Even the 2021 edition, with a twelve-month postponement due to covid that meant it was one of the first post pandemic events (with all the uncertainty that brought) was topped off with a fuel crisis on the same week. And yet we still had a record rebook rate in the immediate quarter after the show. Testament that sticking to doing the basics like marketing the event well, even in tough times, will yield results for our clients… and in the end that’s who we do it for.
DG: It’s brilliant that the rebooks were so strong, but you can’t deny that visitor numbers took a hit?
For sure, Dave, but given we were one of the first shows post covid, with the uncertainty that still existed around mass gatherings, added to an unexpected fuel crisis and you have the perfect storm for lower attendance – but in the end the feedback we had onsite blew us away, the quality of attendee was extremely high as those who came, came to do business. So, if we can deliver in the chaos of that situation, I am excited about what we can do with a nine-month visitor campaign that will start in January 2023.
I do want to take a moment here to thank the industry for their support in 2021. It was fraught for everyone, but we were blown away by the support we received. It was a challenging period that made us stronger, and I genuinely believe our team is more robust and better equipped than ever to operate in challenging conditions. We always take the positives!
DG: Do you think that there are any long-term effects for live events post pandemic?
The most important thing is what we have learned through this period and one thing is for sure, live events are not going to be the same in the future.
But let’s also be clear, that’s not just a covid thing. That’s a direction of travel that had emerged long before we all stopped getting on planes in early 2020.
We run events across Asia and North America as well as having our interests in Europe, so our view is not restricted to the UK or to the plastics industry only. Long before covid appeared we had recognised that content needs to be really engaging, relevant and offer clear takeaways, that attendees valued an ability to pre-arrange meetings and to plan their time at the show in advance, and that show floor features needed to excite and offer useful information – not merely be places to sit and rest your feet.
Equally, long before covid appeared we had decided that an aim of being the biggest show in the world in any sector was a bit silly, and quite frankly unsustainable when you consider the carbon footprint of flying people half way round the world to see what they can see in their own country.
What visitors want and need are events that are valuable to them…and what is valuable and useful about spending two days in Düsseldorf trekking around seventeen halls in the hope of some inspiration and serendipity in an encounter?
I say that with a smile on my face because for the foreseeable future K Show is always going to be important. But there is a shift in thought process for attendees: they are more discerning today than five years ago and organisers must adapt.
So covid helped us hone and reinforce our thinking, we watched lots of organisers fail miserably with virtual exhibitions. Digital solutions can enhance live events but they will never replace the face-to-face encounter, and Interplas 2023 will be the first time we can bring together all our developments and ideas without restrictions.
DG: So, on that subject, looking ahead to 2023, what will be different?
The feedback we had relating to 2021 was great but we’ve never simply repeated the last edition… this time we get to deploy some very cool ideas that have been bubbling since 2018.
The first new element is in the planning phase. We are currently in the process of recruiting an Exhibitor Advisory Board to ensure we have a range of industry perspectives in our planning process. We’ve worked hard to win the trust of the major industry brands since we took over the show and it is essential that these important organisations have a voice in the direction of their industry event. Our first meeting is in November and we are excited by the composition of this group and the industry knowledge we’ll now be able to tap into to ensure we create a must attend event.
The second really exciting new play that links pre-show and the live event together is a significant technology investment that we have made. Our new web platform and event app mesh visitor planning and exhibitor lead generation together brilliantly. For visitors it means once registered they can start to review the AI recommended exhibitors (who have full featured profile pages), setting meetings, assembling check-lists of who to visit, products to review. It is a gamechanger in enabling visitors to plan to make the most of their time at the event.
On the reverse side, the exhibitor dashboard captures and shows all of these interactions, and enables exhibitors to reach out to registered visitors and set meetings ahead of the show.
The other very cool, and financially beneficial aspect to this investment for exhibitors, is that the app enables every exhibitor team member to scan visitors and therefore gather leads on their own smartphones… all for free. So, no more expensive data scanners needed and what’s more, the data loads instantly to the dashboard so no waiting at the end of the day for the leads to be downloaded from the scanners.
DG: OK, so that’s ahead of the show… what can expect we when we get there?
I think the third really big investment is in the content at the event, we’ve tried a number of formats over the years but we’ve never really nailed a high-level conference, so for 2023 that’s precisely what we are going to do. We are creating a purpose-built closed theatre on the show floor and inside that for three days there will be a programme of the highest quality… but don’t think ‘Death by PowerPoint’, the format of the programming will be as innovative as the topics under discussion. We’ll take on the issues that matter to our industry including Circular Economy, Reshoring, Energy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Sustainability and Digitisation. Because we are not only a show organiser, we are embedded in the industry with our media plays including the highly regarded magazine British Plastics & Rubber, our ability to use our connections to wire together a programme of the highest quality is unrivalled in the UK. I can’t wait to reveal some of the speakers and formats.
Our new technology investment also means we have the capability to bring the content to life in a digital environment ahead of the event, showcasing what exhibitors are bringing and signposting the most exciting sessions for registered visitors. Beyond 2023 we also have something new coming for the plastics community but more on that at the show next year.
We’ll also have the Knowledge Hub back on the show floor, alongside a new VIP Buyer programme which we’ll be rolling out in Q1 next year when registration opens. Every feature is designed with a clear thread running through it.
Obviously, sustainability is at the heart of the industry’s challenges right now, with energy costs reaching concerning levels for manufacturers. So we’re dedicating time on the conference stage to explore strategies for dealing with that.
Then of course the supply chain challenges of recent years have given many brand owners pause for thought. More and more we’re hearing from contract manufacturers who are seeing tooling and processing being re-shored as a result of inconsistencies in the supply chain, as well as varying levels of quality. We’ll be making sure we profile the best of British contract service providers.
The final element at the event, and frankly the real stars of the show, are the exhibitors. Despite only having two years between shows this time I am pleased to say the floorplan is looking fantastic. August was a superb month with over 30 companies signing up, both halls are filling up nicely.
DG: How else do you go about creating the right environment for networking at a show like Interplas?
The plastics industry is a social bunch, so social events play a huge part in the all-round event package. In 2021 we hosted our exhibitors on two nights, seizing the opportunity to get together again after the pandemic. It went so well we’ll be hosting our exhibitors, speakers, advisors and VIPs again on both the evenings of Day 1 and Day 2 next September.
We’ll be providing the food, drinks and entertainment for everyone, creating the platform for the biggest informal get-together of the British plastics industry. These socials are our way of saying thank you to the event stakeholders, in particular the exhibitors, who make the show the brilliant vehicle for the UK plastics industry that it is.
DG: And of course, it’s going to be a huge year for the show as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary. How are you planning to mark the event?
We’ve got plenty of ideas, but one appeal I’d like to make to all readers is that we are looking to collect as much Interplas memorabilia as possible to display at the show. We’ve found and acquired some amazing old show guides, but we would love to see, and display at the event, any photos, tickets or Interplas related things from times past.
The most significant part of the celebration will be the announcement on the evening of Day 1 of the 75 most influential people in the UK plastics industry. We’ll be opening the nomination process for this in the coming weeks and anyone from the industry will be able to nominate those individuals who they feel are most deserving of recognition for their contribution to the industry. We hope to see as many of the 75 individuals there in person as possible, where they’ll be able to catch up with connections old and new.
DG: Recently we’ve seen a new entrant into the space, with the inaugural edition of Plastics Live taking place earlier this year. How do you see that?
We operate in an industry that is worth over £25bn to the UK. We don’t expect to have this space all to ourselves! There is always room for great events that are capable of pushing the industry forward and that are demonstrably different to what is in the market already. To be fair, we’ve always had smaller shows operating in the gaps between Interplas editions, whether it was PDM or others that came and went before. It’s all good.
DG: So, a lot a lot of exciting things planned… what’s next for the team?
Yes, lots going on, but we still have huge ambition and the event has even more potential so it’s easy to stay motivated when you look at it like that.
Next for us is to open up nominations for the 75 Most Influential awards. We’ll all be at the K-Show in October, and we’ll be hosting our regular Reception aboard the BPF boat on Thursday 20th October on the banks of the Rhine… any BP&R readers who would like to come to that, please drop us a line.
Then we have the inaugural Exhibitor Advisory Board meeting and then the important step of registration opening will happen in January and at that point we want everyone reading this to register to join us in September… it will be a birthday to remember!
