Printer News - November 2012

Ecoslide-RX Implemented at Walmart

NEWARK, N.J.—Ecoslide-RX, a pharmaceutical compliance package that is more environmentally sustainable than traditional packs, will soon be available in Walmart's pharmacies. Introduced in late 2011 by Keystone Folding Box Company, a New Jersey-based manufacturer of paper-based packaging solutions, Ecoslide-RX is senior-friendly and achieves the highest-possible standards of child-resistance (F=1 rating), keeping at a premium both customer safety and ease-of-use.

"At Walmart, we are dedicated to quality patient care and have proven that adherence packaging assists in these endeavors," said Sandy Kinsey, vice president of pharmacy merchandising for Walmart.

Ecoslide-RX is a solution for prescription products, physician's samples, and clinical trial materials. It offers large, easy-to-read type on all sides and clear, simple opening instructions. Other benefits include:

• Ease of opening—The simple, child-resistant locking mechanism opens by a thumb press on a release button located on the corner of the carton's front panel. Inside the outer carton is a film/foil, push-through blister card that slides out when the CR lock is released.
• Compliance and safety—Ecoslide-RX offers the full range of compliance and safety benefits that top-rated blister packages enjoy over bottles, including a greatly diminished risk of contamination from dropping, spilling, or moisture; increased compliance via a pill reminder/weekly calendar; and additional printing space enabling large, bold labeling—important for any visually impaired consumers.
• Ease of storage/transport—Compared to amber vials, Ecoslide-RX is more stackable in medicine cabinets and convenient for use in purses and suitcases.

Sealant Technology

ADDISON, Ill.—Rollprint Packaging Products, Inc. has introduced a color-changing sealant technology for heat-seal applications. The coextrusion-coated sealant can be applied to any thermally-stable web including polyester, nylon, and polypropylene, or on any of the company's ClearFoil® barrier structures. Chevron pouches and lidding materials for trays are expected to be the first commercialized applications.

The technology has been engineered to allow a film of one color to transfer a peel indicator of a different color providing strong visual indication that a package has been opened. The objective is to enhance product security and help deter counterfeiting in a cost-effective manner. The sealant, which is applied across the entire web, can accommodate many color combinations to help support branding initiatives.

"When you peel open a standard chevron pouch, there is a subtle white indicator to show that the contents have been accessed," explained Dwane Hahn, vice president of sales and marketing, Rollprint. "What we've done is engineer a way to leave a strong visual reference with a desired color."

Not only does the new technology enhance security, but it also offers medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers a new way to communicate branding attributes or color code products by type or size. The transparent nature of the color application still allows contents to be visible.

"These market segments typically have not used visual elements to support brands to the degree that other categories have. We view this new sealant technology as a game changer to help manufacturers grow market share, while also enhancing security," Hahn said.

Spear Is G7 Master Printer

MASON, Ohio—Spear has achieved G7 Master Printer status, a benchmark for rating top-quality print processes from proof-to-print. G7 Master Printer qualifications are granted by IDEAlliance, a non-profit organization that specializes in developing standards and best practices.

Master status is presented to physical facilities that continually use the G7 Proof-to-Print Processes and use modern technology, techniques, and press controls to ensure close visual match on printed products. G7 is both a definition of grayscale appearance and a calibration method for adjusting any CMYK imaging device to simulate the G7 definition.

To become certified at its corporate headquarters in Mason, Ohio, Spear had to implement a qualifying process that includes optimizing all ink sets and print conditions; printing a fingerprint to evaluate the necessary curve adjustments; and then reprinting after adjustments are made. This is followed by a certification from an outside registered source.

"The G7 qualification has delivered a win-win to Spear and our customers," said Doug Bartlett, director of graphics at Spear. "Using this methodology allows our customers to use more standardization with their prepress suppliers—reducing costs and improving time to market. On our end it has given us a tool to more accurately calibrate our printing processes reducing set-up time and related waste. It also improves consistency in our print process within a run and from run-to-run, delivering a more consistent product to our customers."

Currently Spear is exploring G7 qualification at two other locations in the U.S.

Outlook Group's Reverse Printed MICROLINER

NEENAH, Wis.—Outlook Group Packaging & Printing Solutions has developed a pressure-sensitive labeling solution that expands the MICROLINER® thin label solution into new applications. Reverse print MICROLINER® RVP technology allows the printing on the underside of the facestock—eliminating the need for protective varnishes or costly overlams, while improving the durability of labels currently being surface printed. Overlams are commonly used to protect the label ink on products in refrigerated, wet, abrasive, or high-impact applications such as beverage, dairy, produce, and shower products. The MICROLINER RVP technology completely protects the label ink from these challenging conditions.

MICROLINER labels use a down-gauged film liner and a reversed label diecutting process that reduces material costs, while improving operational efficiencies on existing label application equipment. Because MICROLINER technology uses a thinner and stronger liner, 30 percent or more labels can fit on a single roll, which translates into longer run time between roll changes, less operational downtime for changeovers, higher average run speeds, less waste, and lower shipping costs.

"This new evolution of the MICROLINER process expands our reach into new pressure-sensitive label markets," says Kevin Hayes, executive VP of sales and market development. "By applying the ink to the underside of the facestock, Outlook Group Packaging & Printing Solutions eliminates the need for varnishes or overlams that protect the label. The ink is protected by the facestock which gives the label a superior performance in the marketplace while reducing waste. Our customers are excited about the sustainability benefits of less material and waste in addition to the operational benefits that come with more labels on a roll."

Hammer Packaging Expands Headquarters

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Hammer Packaging has broken ground on a 13,000-sq.-ft. expansion at its corporate headquarters located in West Henrietta, N.Y. Once completed, the news structure will house the company's third variable sleeve offset press (VSOP), as well as make room for a fourth press. The addition of this press makes Hammer the largest user of VSOP technology in the world, according to company officials.

In 1999, Hammer moved into a new 90,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the art corporate headquarters. This facility also houses an array of large-format printing presses for producing cut and stack, roll-fed, in-mold, foam, and shrink sleeve labels.

"This is a significant investment for our company," said James E. Hammer, president and CEO. "The decision for the building addition is to better maintain our present workflow and maintain as much cost-effective manufacturing square footage as possible to support our aggressive strategic sales growth."

Hammer Packaging expects to have the addition completed by the end of November in time for installation of the new equipment. Earlier this year, Hammer moved and expanded its Flexo Operations to its Rochester Tech Park location with a second 10-color Nilpeter UV-Flexo press and an additional 60,000 square feet of space.

PPC: Gradual Growth for Carton Industry

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—The Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) has released its annual Trends: 2012 Industry Outlook and Market Data Report, an analysis of what lies ahead for the paperboard packaging industry. The report reflects a partnership of PPC and RISI, a provider of paperboard packaging industry market analysis.

The report identifies growth markets and analyzes trends for 17 key market segments of the paperboard packaging industry, which include food products (beverages, cereals/milled grains, confectionery, dairy, dry foods, frozen foods, meat, perishable bakery goods, and retail carry-out foods), as well as non-food products (cosmetics, hardware and household supplies, converted paper products, pharmaceuticals, recreational products, soap and detergent, tobacco, and miscellaneous end-use markets).

In this year's report, three end-use categories were classified as growth markets (those that can expect tonnage shipments to grow by 1.0 percent per year or more over the next five years), four as mature (with 0-0.9 percent growth rates), and ten that are expected to record a downward trend in shipments over the next five years.

"This report provides converters with valuable insight on what to expect over the next five years and how to best prepare for changing economic and market trends," said Ben Markens, president of PPC.

According to the report, although the recession is over, consumers are still struggling financially, as is the folding carton industry, whose shipments fell 4 percent in 2010-11. Folding carton shipments lagged about 2 percent behind overall growth in consumer spending on nondurable goods over the last decade. Shipments continued to slide in 2011, declining 3.3 percent for the year. Although total growth over the next five years is expected to average just 0.5 percent annually, carton shipments should rebound 1.8 percent in 2012.

Two interesting trends include: men are becoming more devoted users of cosmetics and toiletries providing opportunities for the use of clever packaging in this sector; the number of people age 65 and older is poised to double in the U.S. between 2000 and 2030—think easy to open, easy to read, and easy to differentiate from other medications.

PEOPLE

Prolamina Corp. announced that Gregory R. Tucker has been appointed chief executive officer. He previously served as CEO for Thermal Solutions, Inc. (TSI), in addition to leadership positions at Thermo Fisher Scientific Corp., Praxair Corp., and General Electric.

Bell Inc. has hired two new sales executives. Patrice Calmels has joined the company as vice president of sales. In this newly established role, he will have responsibility for leading Bell's sales team and will also serve as a member of its leadership team. The company also announced that it has hired Michael Milosch as Midwest regional sales manager.

Sonoco announced that Marty F. Pignone has been named vice president, Paper North America, effective December 1, 2012. He will replace John M. Grups, division vice president and general manager, who will be retiring from Sonoco following a 36-year career. Pignone will have responsibility for Sonoco's 12 uncoated recycled paperboard mills in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, along with related support functions.

The MATLET Group has hired Sheldon Ross as director of national accounts. He has more than 30 years of domestic and international experience in sales, marketing, and business development and will be based in Chicago.

Plastic Packaging Technologies has hired Jim Kennedy as director of packaging innovation. He will focus on developing and commercializing innovative solutions to meet the needs of customers and the evolving market for dynamic flexible packaging solutions. pP