Industry News - September 2014

As the field of printed electronics grows, it could have significant implications on the flexographic industry. Research has been underway at the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics at Clemson University and will be presented at the Flexographic Technical Association’s fall conference in Minneapolis (October 20–22). Clemson’s lead researchers will take part in the presentation, including Brad Gasque who will discuss “Printed Electronics in the Flexographic Pressroom.”

Prisco, a Newark, New Jersey based manufacturer and distributor of offset pressroom supplies, has launched an environmentally conscious initiative, “Go Green with Prisco.” Among the products and solutions that are part of this initiative are the FloClear systems for fountain solution recycling, the PriscoTech WaterMizer, which allows plate processor wash water to be recycled and reused, the PriscoTech SolvKlene II Solvent Recycling Systems, and a variety of low-VOC and no-VOC fountain concentrates. Prisco will be showcasing these items at Graph Expo.

Badger Plug has designed pad plugs to protect corrugated boxes and rolls from becoming damaged when shipping roll products. The variety of plugs include plugs with extended corners or reverse flanges, which better distribute roll weight inside the box. Other pad plugs with alternating deck surface improve the integrity of the box ends.

New from FUJIFILM North America’s Graphic Systems Division, Clarity Water Washable Flexo Plates can improve production times while reducing cost-in-use when compared to thermal, solvent or other water-wash systems. Clarity can decrease platemaking times to less than 40 minutes. The water wash chemistry removes the need for solvents and wicking cloths and consistently produces 200 lpi at 4,400 dpi, 1 percent process dot structure.

3C! Packaging of Clayton, NC is celebrating its 35th anniversary by adding enhanced foil lidding for blister packs and printed foils with extruded plastics for sachets to its product offerings. 3C! specializes in pharmaceutical packaging and provides custom folding cartons, printed literature, inserts, outserts, labels, foils, and unit dose compliance packaging. The company has also added a Nilpeter 13” FB-3300 six-color servo flexo press and has completed the PANTONE Certified Printer Program.

Jaren Marler has been named Mark Andy’s newest chief technology officer. Marler’s background includes work with inkjet print heads, web handling, and digital printing. Before coming to Mark Andy, Marler assisted in developing and commercializing the fastest digital print technology for commercial printing.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time to have Jaren lead Mark Andy’s digital initiative as well as help guide our entire company through an important transformation,” CEO Kevin Wilken says. “We are confident that he will bring a fresh, inventive vision to the role, supporting our commitment worldwide to provide technology and solutions that focus directly on converter profitability and success.”