• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Labels & Packaging
    • Markets
    • Technology
    • Equipment
    • Supplies
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Jobs
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Labels & Packaging
  • Markets
  • Technology
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Columns
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Dscoop Post-Show Coverage

    Slitter-Rewinders

    Craft Beer Labels

    Pharmaceutical Labels

    Luminer Converting Group: Narrow Web Profile
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    LemuGroup hosting Open House, Lynn Perenic honored and more

    PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging

    LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain

    Flexo Wash introduces FW 850 Laser Anilox Cleaner

    Appvion invests in new coating equipment
    Blog
    Video Bites
    Beauty & Personal Care Labels
    Beer Labels
    Beverage Labels
    Flexible Packaging
    Folding Carton
    Food Labels
    Glue-Applied
    In-Mold
    Industrial Labels
    Medical Labels
    Pharmaceutical Labels
    Pressure Sensitive
    Prime Labels
    Promotional Labels
    Security Labels
    Shrink
    Smart Labels
    Specialty Labels
    Spirits Labels
    Wine Labels

    PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging

    Baldwin heads to Tax Stamp and Traceability Forum

    UPM Raflatac's linerless range achieves CarbonNeutral certification

    Avery Dennison launches new dual frequency RFID inlays

    Lecta expands Adestor product line
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain

    Appvion invests in new coating equipment

    Phoenix Challenge Foundation announces High School winners

    LemuGroup showcasing versatile portfolio at Open House

    Brook + Whittle acquires Diamond Flexible Packaging
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging

    LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain

    Flexo Wash introduces FW 850 Laser Anilox Cleaner

    Impression Label grows with Kodak Flexcel NX technology

    Phoenix Challenge Foundation announces High School winners
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging

    Baldwin heads to Tax Stamp and Traceability Forum

    Gulmen Digital partners with Colordyne Technologies

    Amir Dekel joins GEW Inc.

    Richmark Label adds two more Bobst digital presses
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Flexo Wash introduces FW 850 Laser Anilox Cleaner

    Impression Label grows with Kodak Flexcel NX technology

    Mondi switches glassine-based release liners to certified base paper

    Siegwerk debuts sustainable UV offset ink series

    Sihl unveils Artysio Twist film
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Ashe Converting Equipment

    Delta ModTech

    Spinnaker Coating, LLC

    HP, Inc.

    Meech International
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live from Show Events
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • All Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Profiles
      • Label Converters
      • Trade Associations
      • Add Your Company
    • Labels & Packaging
      • Beauty & Personal Care Labels
      • Beer Labels
      • Beverage Labels
      • Flexible Packaging
      • Folding Carton
      • Food Labels
      • Glue-Applied
      • In-Mold
      • Industrial Labels
      • Medical Labels
      • Pharmaceuticals Labels
      • Pressure Sensitive
      • Prime Labels
      • Promotional Labels
      • Security Labels
      • Shrink
      • Smart Labels
      • Speciality Labels
      • Spirits Labels
      • Wine Tables
    • Markets
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Australia
      • China
      • Europe
      • India
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
      • North America
    • Equipment
      • Digital Printers & Presses
      • Flexo Presses
      • Label Converting Equipment
      • Label Fishing Equipment
    • Supplies
      • Dies And Tooling
      • Flexo Supplies
      • Ink & Coatings
      • Prepress Supplies
      • Substrates
      • Pressrooom Supplies
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Experts Opinions
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Blog
    • Whitepapers
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live from Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Jobs
    • Resources
      • Supplier Gallery
      • Literature Showcase
      • Homepage Showcase
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Narrow Web Europe

    Sticks and carrots

    ...

    Sticks and carrots
    Networking at Gallus Innovation Days in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
    Sticks and carrots
    The newly unveiled Gallus Smartfire digital press
    Related CONTENT
    • Mark Andy
    • Epson America, Inc.
    • Mark Andy debuts new Performance Series presses
    • Avery Dennison joins Plasticity partner program
    • ‘Essential, extreme engineering’ at first Martin Automatic Media Day
    John Penhallow09.10.18

    In the July/August issue of L&NW, Calvin Frost, author of Letters from the Earth, took a hard look at sustainability and recycling. He concluded that to get from here to there America needs markets, technology and education. Much the same applies in Europe. One advantage for us is that most governments, as well as the EU, are looking to provide bigger sticks and carrots to “tilt” the market in favor of better recycling of all kinds of packaging.

    Ask any French person, and they will tell you that a) recycling is important to them, and b) France is the recycling champion of Europe. The reality is rather different. According to a report by Plastics Europe, the recycling rate of plastic packaging in France was 26% in 2016 (as compared to an average of 41% in the European Union). This puts France in 29th place among the 30 European countries covered, only just above the minimum level (22.5%) required by the European Packaging Directive (94/62 / EC, in case you want to look it up). Top of the class are Germany (50.1%) and the Czech Republic (51.2%), the only countries to have a plastic packaging recycling rate above 50%.

    In an interview with the Journal du dimanche, France’s Secretary of State for Ecological Transition (oh yes, there is) announced the government’s intention to set up a system of “bonus-malus” for consumers. No details are yet available but this will presumably be on a similar basis to automobile insurance premiums, rewarding the environmentally aware householder and taxing the all-in-the-same-garbage-bin one. Quite how this will be policed, and by whom, is also not yet clear, but this is at least in line with a campaign promise by President Macron to achieve 100% plastic recycling in France by 2025. Further evidence of Europe’s top-down approach lies in the symbols that each manufacturer of packaged consumer goods must display, usually on the label. The most commonly seen in Europe is the Green Arrow. Most consumers believe that this shows a recyclable pack. It doesn’t. It just means the manufacturer has paid an “ecology tax.”

    In France alone there are no less than 10 “recycling” symbols used on labels and packaging; not one citizen in 100 can say what each one means. And even those who can have difficulty in differentiating between PE and PP, to say nothing of the dozen or so other plastics in labels and packaging.

    Voluntary environmental organizations are doing their best to educate the public, but it is an uphill struggle. “In a bottle, there are already three different plastics,” says Téo Lucchini, development manager for Les Joyeux Recycleurs, an NGO.  “The cap, the bottle and the label represent three different plastics. Once we have the volume, then it will be possible to recycle them individually.” Good thinking Monsieur Lucchini. Fat chance.

    Putting the bite into recycling awareness
    Over the Rhine in Germany, consumers are in general better educated on recycling issues, and the government is already leaning on manufacturers of consumer goods. A new and more restrictive Packaging Act will come into force next year. The semi-public German Central Packaging Register (known by its German initials ZSVR) has generated an all-inclusive catalog that brings all forms of packaging into a “dual system” for collection and recovery. According to the ZSVR, too many types of packaging are currently outside of the scope of the law.

    “Only if manufacturers and distributors pay properly for the packaging will the new Packaging Act have teeth,” said ZSVR chairperson Gunda Rachut. “If it costs money, people will start thinking about avoiding packaging and designing it for recycling.”

    Will the Gallus Smartfire live up to expectations?
    This entry-level digital inkjet press was presented at the Gallus Innovation Days in late June. According to Michael Ring, Gallus’ director of Digital Solutions, the new “Smartfire” is particularly user-friendly. With a width of 240 mm and a semi-rotary diecutting unit, the Smartfire should appeal to printers who want to move into digital printing without breaking the bank. At a guess, it is the selling price first and foremost that will make label converters salivate: a genuine Gallus digital inkjet press for less than $170,000, and just $230/liter for inks. The other selling point of this model is that it gives access to the “Gallus Subscription Contract” that Gallus has launched for its customers all around the world. This contract gives several levels of service (the more you pay, the better and faster it is) with plenty of preventive maintenance to ensure the press stays operational. Swiss designed and Swiss engineered, the Smartfire is assembled in Portugal, where labor is very much cheaper. The Gallus brand name, plus the Heidelberg worldwide distribution and service network, should get this new digital press off to a good start. However, this price range of the narrow web digital market is not empty and up for grabs. The Gallus Smartfire will be a competitor to the Epson SurePress and the Screen Truepress, to name but two. Beta testing for the Smartfire has started and it will be available for sale before the end of this year. According to Christof Naier, the recently appointed head of the Gallus Label Division, the group plans to sell at least 100 before March 2019. Ambitious, but not impossible.

    The Innovation Days also gave space to present the Gallus Screeny technology. In Europe, at least, rotary screen-printing is viewed as a mature technology, with just two equipment manufacturers – Gallus and SPGPrints – having the lion’s share of the market. A product whose technology is pretty much standing still, many would say. “Totally wrong,” Bernhard Fritsche, director of the Gallus Screen Printing Division, told your correspondent. “Industry 4.0 is changing every stage of screen printing from the manufacture of Screeny A-Line plates – which is now done computer-to-screen with a resolution of 2540 dpi – right through to washing and drying.”

    During the Innovation Days, visitors saw the complete manufacturing process of a Phoenix UV-LED plate. This screen was also used for live demonstrations on the Gallus Labelmaster. Challenged to say how Screeny was better than the competition, Fritschke replied, “I would say firstly that our equipment and our service go from A to Z, so we are truly a one-stop-shop, and secondly I would insist on the speed and simplicity of Gallus’ screen technology that allows a screen exposure in less than five minutes.”

    A proliferation of partners
    Gallus invited more than 30 partner suppliers to participate at its Innovation Days 2018 in St. Gallen, including Martin Automatic (rewinders), Phoseon (UV LED curing), GEW (curing technology), Meech (anti-static and web cleaning), Recyl (cleaning equipment), Spilker (tooling), Siegwerk (inks), Wink (dies), Zecher (anilox) and AVT (inspection systems).

    A forgotten corner of Europe
    A Romanian-born friend now living in Phoenix, AZ, USA complained recently to your correspondent that nobody writes anything flattering or optimistic about the land of his birth. There are several obvious answers to this, none of them particularly flattering. One less obvious answer is to look at that country’s label industry, which, believe it or not, is doing quite well. Avery Dennison opened a slitting/distribution center there 10 years ago, and Mark Andy has developed close working relations with the country’s leading label converters. These include Sunimprof Rottaprint, which claims to have a one-third share of the local PS label market, as well as exporting substantial volumes to Western Europe. Sunimprof, which employs 200 and has annual sales in excess of $25 million according to general manager Cristi Nechita Rotta, has installed four Mark Andy presses over the past 10 years. With 200 employees and sales exceeding €16 million, Romprix is also among the largest label printers in Romania. For its cutting tools, the company has developed excellent working relationships with RotoMetrics for the continuous supply and maintenance of these parts.

    Cristian Dobrota from Romprix explains, “We have known for many years Graphic Open Systems (GOS), the distributor of RotoMetrics in Romania, and appreciate their professional advice and assistance. When GOS and RotoMetrics launched their joint venture in 2015 by opening a workshop near Brasov, we knew we could get quick help with any situation that might arise.”

    With so many small and medium orders to be made on his semi-rotary presses, Dobrota notes that cutting tools represent a significant part of the overall cost of labor. Fast and professional service is therefore essential to maintain production efficiency. James Wellsbury, head of RotoMetrics Packaging Division, said, “Our Brasov site provides support to all of Southeast Europe and starting from scratch has achieved annual sales of $500,000 in three years. We are delighted that Romprix, through GOS, is a beneficiary of this service.”

    Tell-tale labels guide burglars
    Most labels are put to honest uses. Not all. The municipality of Livry-Gargan, a Paris suburb, has issued a warning to residents to remove any suspicious labels stuck to their doors or letter-boxes and to do the same for their neighbors. It seems that a gang has been posting these labels marked “Locksmith Serrurier” not to offer help to the honest citizen when locked out but to identify apartments whose occupants are on holiday. Not an original scam but an effective one during August when half the population of Paris is away on holiday. By the time you read these lines, your correspondent will be on holiday too – hoping the neighbors will remove any dubious stickers from his door.
    Related Searches
    • europe
    • uv
    • press
    • gew
    Suggested For You
    Mark Andy Mark Andy
    Epson America, Inc. Epson America, Inc.
    Mark Andy debuts new Performance Series presses Mark Andy debuts new Performance Series presses
    Avery Dennison joins Plasticity partner program Avery Dennison joins Plasticity partner program
    ‘Essential, extreme engineering’ at first Martin Automatic Media Day ‘Essential, extreme engineering’ at first Martin Automatic Media Day
    Epson press receives 91% Pantone Coverage Certification Epson press receives 91% Pantone Coverage Certification
    Getting Smart Getting Smart
    Gallus Innovation Days 2018 Gallus Innovation Days 2018
    Third Gallus Innovation Days concludes in Switzerland Third Gallus Innovation Days concludes in Switzerland
    Gallus launches new digital label press Gallus launches new digital label press
    Avery Dennison highlights latest additions to functional packaging capabilities Avery Dennison highlights latest additions to functional packaging capabilities
    D.P.R. Labeling joins Epson at Expo Pack Mexico D.P.R. Labeling joins Epson at Expo Pack Mexico
    Mark Andy announces UK Open House Mark Andy announces UK Open House
    Gallus sets sights on Innovation Days 2018 Gallus sets sights on Innovation Days 2018
    Siegwerk expands Ink Safety Portal services and resources Siegwerk expands Ink Safety Portal services and resources

    Related Content

    • Mark Andy

      Mark Andy

      ...
      Lena Chmielewska, European Marketing Manager 05.10.22

    • Epson America, Inc.

      Epson America, Inc.

      ...
      Mike Pruitt, Product Manager - SurePress 04.23.21

    • Flexible Packaging | Flexo Presses | Flexography | Label Converting Equipment

      Mark Andy debuts new Performance Series presses

      The all-new P9E, P7E and P5E presses are engineered to support ever-evolving converter needs.
      10.01.18


    • Substrates | Sustainability

      Avery Dennison joins Plasticity partner program

      Over the three year period Avery Dennison and Plasticity aim to collaborate on plastic pollution prevention.
      09.05.18

    • Flexo Supplies | Label Converting Equipment | Pressroom Supplies
      ‘Essential, extreme engineering’ at first Martin Automatic Media Day

      ‘Essential, extreme engineering’ at first Martin Automatic Media Day

      L&NW was on hand for an exclusive tour and presentation at the equipment manufacturer's facility in Rockford, IL.
      Steve Katz, Editor 09.04.18


      Trending
      • Maxcess debutta con RotoMetrics AccuAdjust Dual Adjust Anvil | Etichetta e Narrow Web
      • ABG Launches New Omega SRI3 | Label and Narrow Web
      • ABG launches new Omega SRI3
      • LemuGroup Prepares For Open House In Spain | Label and Narrow Web
      • LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain
      Breaking News
      • LemuGroup hosting Open House, Lynn Perenic honored and more
      • PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging
      • LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain
      • Flexo Wash introduces FW 850 Laser Anilox Cleaner
      • Appvion invests in new coating equipment
      View Breaking News >
      CURRENT ISSUE

      April 2022

      • Dscoop Post-Show Coverage
      • Slitter-Rewinders
      • Craft Beer Labels
      • Pharmaceutical Labels
      • Luminer Converting Group

      Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
      You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

      • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms And Conditions
      • Contact Us

      follow us

      Subscribe
      Nutraceuticals World

      Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

      Lonza Expands Capsugel Capsule Offering with Titanium Dioxide-Free, White Hard Gelatin Capsules
      Cargill to Double Production of Tapioca Syrup
      Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine to Become Sonoran University of Health Sciences
      Coatings World

      Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

      Lan Deng Joins The ChemQuest Group as Director
      Benjamin Moore Receives Two J.D. Power Awards
      Sherwin-Williams Declares Dividend of $0.60 per Common Share
      Medical Product Outsourcing

      Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

      MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—May 14
      Teleflex Launches UroLift 2 System and UroLift ATC System in the U.S.
      ENDRA Life Sciences Achieves ISO 13485 Recertification
      Contract Pharma

      Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

      LOTTE to Purchase BMS East Syracuse NY Manufacturing Facility
      Bora Pharmaceuticals Acquires CDMO Assets from Eden Biologics
      Cytiva Opening New Facility in Switzerland
      Beauty Packaging

      Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

      5 Packaging Execs Inducted into NJPEC Hall of Fame
      Nautica Unveils New Eco-Conscious, Alcohol-Free Fragrance
      Sigma Beauty Launches Clean Blushes, Bronzers and Highlighters
      Happi

      Latest Breaking News From Happi

      Proposed Senate FDA Legislation Includes Cosmetics Reform
      China Beauty Sales Slow; Blueland Enters Personal Care Category; Lady Gaga’s Cosmetics Relaunch
      Method For Stabilizing Retinoic Acid Precursors
      Ink World

      Latest Breaking News From Ink World

      Weekly Recap: INX’s New VC Fund, Flint Group and Siegwerk Lead This Week’s News
      The 2022 CPIPC Golf Outing Set for June 22
      NUtec’s NUbis Bulk Ink System Enables Continuous Printing
      Label & Narrow Web

      Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

      LemuGroup hosting Open House, Lynn Perenic honored and more
      PCMC and Hudson-Sharp assist Aspen Press & Packaging
      LemuGroup prepares for Open House in Spain
      Nonwovens Industry

      Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

      Weekly Recap: Ontex Confirms Possibility of Attindas Deal, Purell Launches New Wipes & More
      TSG Finishing Starts Modernization Project
      Berry Global Sets New Target to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions
      Orthopedic Design & Technology

      Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

      ODT's Most-Read Stories This Week—May 14
      Steven Haddad Joins Extremity Medical as Chief Clinical Officer
      FDA OKs Accelus' FlareHawk TiHawk11 Interbodies
      Printed Electronics Now

      Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

      Weekly Recap: Fraunhofer, Nanosys and Avery Dennison Lead This Week’s Stories
      eMagin Corporation Announces 1Q 2022 Results
      Identiv Continues to Expand Global RFID, IoT Footprint

      Copyright © 2022 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

      AD BLOCKER DETECTED

      Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
      Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


      FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login