• 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
    Sponsored Feature: LemuGroup innovates to address industry challenges

    Web Handling

    Cannabis Labels

    Film Innovation

    Narrow Web Profile: Vista Color Corp.
    Breaking News
    Converter News
    European Label News
    Industry News
    Industry People
    M&A News
    New Products
    Expert's Opinion
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    The Oldham Group names Doug McClure technical sales rep

    Siegwerk partnership aims to improve plastic waste recyclability

    CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers

    Fujifilm expands RxD inkjet pigment dispersions color range

    Anderson & Vreeland acquires flexo consumable assets from Grimco
    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

    MM Packaging adds first Nilpeter press for Dublin site

    Polytag develops new UV tag reading technology

    Enterprise Print Group adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI E

    Rotocon announces wine label design competition

    ABG adds laser perforation to shrink sleeve seaming solution
    Africa
    Asia
    Australia
    China
    Europe
    India
    Latin America
    Middle East
    North America

    CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers

    Anderson & Vreeland acquires flexo consumable assets from Grimco

    Hamillroad Software's Bellissima DMS honored in Brazil

    MM Packaging adds first Nilpeter press for Dublin site

    Rotocon announces wine label design competition
    Flexography
    Digital Printing
    Prepress
    Finishing
    Sustainability

    Siegwerk partnership aims to improve plastic waste recyclability

    CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers

    INX International Ink Co. emphasizes sustainability in new products

    Fujifilm expands RxD inkjet pigment dispersions color range

    Make life better with the power of paper
    Digital Printers & Presses
    Flexo Presses
    Label Converting Equipment
    Label Finishing Equipment
    Prepress Equipment

    MM Packaging adds first Nilpeter press for Dublin site

    Enterprise Print Group adds Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI E

    ABG adds laser perforation to shrink sleeve seaming solution

    KB Folie invests in first ThermoFlexX imager

    Stratus Packaging embraces automation with Bobst
    Dies And Tooling
    Flexo Supplies
    Ink & Coatings
    Prepress Supplies
    Pressrooom Supplies
    Substrates

    Siegwerk partnership aims to improve plastic waste recyclability

    ACTEGA’s vision for 2023

    CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers

    INX International Ink Co. emphasizes sustainability in new products

    Fujifilm expands RxD inkjet pigment dispersions color range
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Profiles
    Label Converters
    Trade Associations
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Martin Automatic Inc.

    SCENTISPHERE, LLC

    KTI

    Delta ModTech

    Ashe Converting Equipment
    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

    Not with a bang but a whimper

    ...

    Not with a bang but a whimper
    A TD350 finishing machine from Daco was recently installed at UK-based Acorn Labels.
    Related Content
    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    • Discover Achem Lamination
    • Heidelberg USA
    • O Labels Software Technology by Industry
    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    John Penhallow06.03.21
    The “digital drupa” show, which closed on April 23, was hailed (by the organizers) as getting “excellent feedback internationally, as demonstrated by the impressive final statistics.”  Well, up to a point. Just over 200 virtual exhibitors took part, compared with 1,828 at drupa 2016. The only major narrow web press manufacturers to exhibit were Omet and Bobst.

    Benny Landa had sworn to exhibit and was faithful to his word, but overall, this year’s virtual show had little to attract anyone in the label business. This year’s drupa conference program, on the other hand, was well-attended with five special forums on subjects, including artificial intelligence, the connected consumer, and the circular economy.

    The show’s organizers deserve a pat on the back for this, with just the caveat that in this locked-down world, conferences are two-a-penny. All being well, Dusseldorf in May 2024 will ring to the sound of machines whirring and beer glasses clinking. But whether it be drupa, Labelexpo or any other show, it will take time and persuasion before the equipment manufacturers, who are the mainstay of trade shows, sign on the dotted line.

    Plastics for packaging
    Many environmentalists may feel a small frisson of Schadenfreude when they learn that Germany’s industry association for producers of plastic packaging has sent out a distress call. Raw material shortages and steeply rising prices are throwing a spanner into the works of this smoothly run industry. Rising petroleum feedstock prices are the main culprit, causing price hikes of over 40% since January for PP, PE and other materials widely used in packaging and label production.

    The association condemns producers for their cavalier treatment of their customers: Martin Engelmann, association chairman, says, “While some suppliers provide a detailed explanation and regularly inform their customers about the measures taken, as well as time horizons, others consider the simple reference to ‘unforeseeable circumstances’ to be sufficient to justify force majeure. When it comes to transparency, the industry as a whole must do better.”  You said it, Doc.

    Recyclers say: Less plastic is not always a good thing
    Brand owners and retailers in Europe are coming under fire (and rightly) for using composite paper/plastic packaging with slogans like “40% less plastic,” ignoring the fact that they said composites are hard or impossible to recycle. This is pure “greenwashing,” according to recycling expert Isabell Schmidt.

    It can be argued that “pure” plastic packaging is also difficult to recycle, but Schmidt insists,“If the special properties of plastic are important for the packaging, then paper fibers should be completely dispensed with and a fully recyclable plastic packaging should be chosen.”

    When it comes to recycling paper-based materials, you need a properly equipped paper mill, and that is at the root of a year-long controversy here in France. UPM’s century-old mill at Chapelle Darblay does just that, recycling 350,000 tons of used paper per year. Does, or rather did, since the site is due to be finally closed down in June of this year, with the loss of 220 jobs.

    Local authorities, unions and ecologists are all up in arms. Chapelle Darblay is 40% of France’s paper recycling capacity, but major groups like Stora Enso, IP and Mondi are showing little interest, and UPM is said to be more interested in closing the plant and selling off
    the equipment.

    Some go up, some go down
    Over the Rhine in Germany, another famous name in the paper industry has just bitten the dust: Zanders has been going strong for nearly 200 years, surviving revolutions, depressions and two world wars. But on April 30, 2021, this maker of Chromolux packaging papers finally gave up the ghost, throwing 380 employees out of work.

    It is a different story with labelstock producer Herma, who remains cautiously optimistic. “In 2020, business with self-adhesive materials, labels and labeling machines grew by around 5% to 381 million euros ($460 million),” says Sven Schneller, Herma’s managing director.

    Herma expanded its role as a leading supplier of logistics labels for shippers and recorded good figures with pharmaceutical and healthcare solutions. Herma’s international business this year is being held back by the pandemic and by Brexit (Britain is one of its biggest export markets). As with many other industries, Herma is also afflicted by rocketing sea and airfreight rates, to say nothing of the accidental blocking of the Suez Canal in March, which seriously delayed deliveries of labelstock to some of its Asia-Pacific customers.

    Also in Germany, the world number one printing machinery manufacturer Heidelberg is showing the same cautious optimism. Restructuring is the name of the game for Heidelberg, which is moving into non-print-related fields after its unsuccessful attempt to sell off Gallus. In its financial year to March 31, 2021, Heidelberg’s sales stood at 1.9 billion euros ($2.3 billion), only slightly down on the previous year. This better-than-expected result, according to CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer, was in part thanks to buoyant sales in China.

    A new initiative for glassine liner recycling
    Useful collection schemes promoted by major labelstock producers like Avery Dennison and UPM Raflatac have been around for a while. But used glassine, even if properly segregated, often comes in quantities too small to be economically transported. Now this problem is being addressed by Elise, a French company specializing in the collection and recycling of office waste, which in January started extending its range to cover used glassine liner. This is being done with the active cooperation of French label association UNFEA.

    Since the beginning of this year, Elise, a non-profit organization that counts many handicapped people among its 400 employees, has been experimentally collecting used liner in volumes too small to interest major players such as Veolia. Now, this service is being rolled out to cover the whole of France.

    “In practice, it is a matter of placing a bin at the end of the packaging line to store the glassine. When the bin is full, you just call Elise to collect it,” explains Pierre Forcade, general manager of UNFEA.

    Volumes as small as three pallets can be collected if production is regular, according to Sophie Bayoux, general manager of Elise. Elise is working with Cycle4green, and the waste liner is being aggregated for shipment to Lenzing Papier in Austria for recycling. Brand owners and label converters using this service can also benefit from a tax break; this means, according to Petri Tani of Cycle4Green, that the whole collection and recycling operation makes economic sense. 

    In at the finish
    Daco Solutions is a relatively recent entrant to the label finishing business. At its plant in the North of England, Daco makes slitter-rewinders, diecutters and other narrow web equipment. The company sells internationally but most of its business is with UK label converters. A typical customer is Acorn Labels, which has over the years installed 17 Daco converting lines.

    Acorn’s latest investment is a 2-color TD350 label converter with a fully automatic turret rewind module, two diecutting stations and a mono UV inkjet module. Daco’s plant is only a stone’s throw from the headquarters of AB Graphic, a much larger competitor. But not being an international heavyweight doesn’t bother Daco. As they say in the North of England, “Good beer comes in small bottles.”

    Yet more M&A
    Spanish label and packaging converters tend to look to Latin America for their acquisition projects, but Printeos, based in Alcala de Henares, recently acquired Label Makers, a specialty label manufacturer based in Bradford, UK. This latest acquisition will join other group companies in France, Portugal, Poland and the Czech Republic. Printeos, with 21 production plants and $290 million sales, is now well into the top 10 European label converters.

    At a more modest level, Brodart’s takeover of Criaud Etiquettes is a Franco-French affair. Brodart has been in the flexible packaging business almost since its founding over a century ago but has clearly decided that now is the time to move into labels. Criaud, also a family-owned company, but a juvenile of just 60 years standing, produces 400 million labels per year mostly for the food, cosmetics and logistics sectors.

    Olivier Laulan seems to be a rising force in France’s, and soon perhaps Europe’s, label business. The boss of Alliance Etiquettes has dropped his financial backer Activa and fallen in with the investment fund Chequers Capital. Laulan is looking to Chequers to bankroll his further acquisitions, both in France and in the surrounding countries. His aim is to cross the €100 million sales mark by the end of next year.

    Coronavirus – is it male or female?
    In French, every noun has to be masculine or feminine, including new arrivals like coronavirus. Most writers opt for le coronavirus (or le covid), but a minority is holding out for the feminine gender. Insults are being exchanged in editorial offices. Does this mean the French are crazy? Or just that they’re happy at last to find a controversy that hasn’t (so far) put anyone in the hospital? Take your pick.
    Suggested For You
    Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands
    Discover Achem Lamination Discover Achem Lamination
    Heidelberg USA Heidelberg USA
    O Labels     Software Technology by Industry O Labels Software Technology by Industry
    Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements
    Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials
    GraphTech Ltd. GraphTech Ltd.
    Green Bay Packaging Inc. Green Bay Packaging Inc.
    Plastics Converting Solutions, Ltd Plastics Converting Solutions, Ltd
    Global Graphics touts SmartDFE Global Graphics touts SmartDFE
    Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom Fujifilm, Edale find success with flexographic showroom
    Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels Fujifilm forecasts bright future for labels
    Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio Fujifilm responds to label and packaging growth with versatile portfolio
    Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform Archroma launches online regulatory and compliance platform
    Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island Toray Plastics (America) delivering clean energy to Rhode Island

    Related Sponsored Content

    • Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      Lemu Group Helps Customers Meet Surging Demands

      The industry leader in the manufacture of technologically advanced end of line packaging automation specific to the roll label and POS industry.

    • Discover Achem Lamination

      Discover Achem Lamination

      ...

    • Heidelberg USA

      Heidelberg USA

      ...
      Courtney Linebarger, Creative Service Manager 05.10.22


    • O Labels Software Technology by Industry

      ...
      Sebastian Morrison, Manager 04.27.22

    • Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      Kocher + Beck highlights GapMaster enhancements

      In an interview with L&NW, David Morris explains how his company's latest technology gives the operator full control of the diecutting process.
      Greg Hrinya, Editor

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • Brook + Whittle Acquires LLT Labels
    • Anderson & Vreeland Acquires Flexo Consumable Assets From Grimco
    • Why The Paper Industry Isn't Attractive To Investors
    • FLAG Achieves Record Membership In 2022
    • The Pixelle Mill Closure And Its Impact On The Label Industry
    Breaking News
    • The Oldham Group names Doug McClure technical sales rep
    • Siegwerk partnership aims to improve plastic waste recyclability
    • CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers
    • Fujifilm expands RxD inkjet pigment dispersions color range
    • Anderson & Vreeland acquires flexo consumable assets from Grimco
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    January/February 2023

    • Sponsored Feature: LemuGroup innovates to address industry chall
    • Web Handling
    • Cannabis Labels
    • Film Innovation
    • Narrow Web Profile: Vista Color Corp.
    • View More >

    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

    ADM Expands Production to Meet Demand for Probiotics
    Wiley’s Finest Debuts Peak DHA Featuring 600 mg of DHA and 300 mg of EPA
    FDA to Allow Qualified CVD Risk Reduction Claim for Cocoa Flavanols in High Flavanol Cocoa Powder
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    Personnel Changes at BASF
    Dr. Kurt Wood to Deliver Mattiello Memorial Lecture at ACA’s 2023 CoatingsTech Conference
    hubergroup Chemicals to Debut at the European Coatings Show
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Konica Minolta Introduces Mobile X-Ray Systems to Latin America
    NIH MedTech Program Aims to Develop Neurological Treatment Tech
    Formula Plastics Appoints Bill Gerard as President
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    ValiRx Signs Lease Deal with Nottingham Laboratories
    Civica Partners with Ypsomed for Insulin Injection Pen
    Charles River Laboratories Completes the Acquisition of SAMDI Tech
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Tree Hut Introduces Body Wash Line
    Zara Introduces Mini Artists—Beauty Products for Kids
    L’Oréal USA Taps Stephanie Kramer as Chief Human Resources Officer
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    FTC Extends Public Comment Period on Potential Updates to Green Guides
    Arm & Hammer Taps Dave & Jenny Marrs, TikTokers for Budget-Centered 'Give It The Hammer' Campaign
    Meaningful Beauty Age-Proof Hair Care System Now Available on Amazon
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Siegwerk, Wildplastic, TU-Hamburg Partner on Deinking
    Brilliant Group and Terra Firm Launch Partnership
    hubergroup Chemicals Debuts at the European Coatings Show
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    The Oldham Group names Doug McClure technical sales rep
    Siegwerk partnership aims to improve plastic waste recyclability
    CELAB-Europe launches new web hub for liner recyclers
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Hospeco Offers TaskBrand Prep-Paint-Finish Wiping System
    Toray to Expand PPS Production in Korea
    Masque Bar Launches Compostable Sheet Masks
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    OSSIO Introduces Non-Permanent Compression Staple
    Dennis Jones Joins Intelivation Technologies as Manufacturing VP
    Jury Convicts Chiropractor, Orthopedic Surgeon in $31M Fraud Scheme
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Zebra Technologies Extends Partnership with the NFL
    OE-A at LOPEC – Printed Electronics Up Close
    Monthly Recap: LG OLED, Avery Dennison and JOLED Top This Month’s Stories

    Copyright © 2023 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