Industry News
Canon Labelstream 4000 series becomes first ‘Pantone Capable’ certified UV inkjet label press
Canon announced that the LabelStream 4000 series is the first UV inkjet press to have been certified ‘Pantone Capable’ by Pantone LLC, having assessed the press’s colour gamut relative to the full range of Pantone colours. The certificate confirms that, with the LabelStream 4000, customers can reliably and consistently produce an exceptionally wide range of Pantone colours.
The Pantone Capable certificate acknowledges that the LabelStream 4000 series, a four to six-colour, industrial-scale, UV inkjet label press can cover 1,740 (81.3%) of the 2,140 PANTONE Solid Formula Guide coated colours, using the 5-colour CMYKO ink set, by adopting a Delta E 2000 < 1.5 absolute tolerance. Applying a Delta E of 2, enables label converters to extend the Pantone colour coverage to 96% with only five on-press colours.
Using Xaar 2001 printhead technology, the LabelStream 4000 series deploys a highly-pigmented ink, set to enlarge the colour gamut and deliver an improved level of colour vibrancy and saturation. Thanks to the recently-introduced orange ink channel, customers can further extend the CMYK gamut in the yellow, red and orange areas without compromising print speed or reliability and achieve consistent high-quality output. The certification verifies that converters can now accurately simulate and digitally print an extensive number of colours on the LabelStream 4000, confidently meeting customer demands for consistency and quality, and opening up new application opportunities. Such accurately matched colours will also support the ongoing transition from conventional to digital production by eliminating the need for lengthy set-up processes to replicate colours that may have previously been out of scope.
European flexible packaging manufacturers concerned about polymer shortage and price
Members of Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) have expressed concern about recent developments in the polymer markets in Europe. In a very short period, manufacturers of flexible packaging were confronted with a number of ‘force majeure’ declarations or ‘maintenance’ announcements by leading polymer manufacturers in Europe, creating sudden and significant shortages along with price increases in the supply chain. The effect on converters means they may have difficulties in supplying finished products to meet customers order requirements, particularly in the food and beverage sectors. During times when canteens and restaurants are mostly closed, and more adults and children are working and studying from home, European consumers depend on a safe and stable supply of food and beverage products.
Almost half of the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), excluding beverages in the European Union, are packed with flexible packaging. Examples are all kind of packaged foods, pet food, personal and household care products.
Both small- and medium-sized manufacturers, and multinational companies of flexible packaging are suffering from this situation of the insufficient raw material supply causing increased complexity in the production schedules of FPE’s member companies.
Miraclon strengthens innovation leadership team
Miraclon has announced the appointments of Dr. Reid Chesterfield (pictured right) as chief technology and innovation officer and Dr. Zaki Ali as chief technology advisor to the CEO, expanding the executive leadership of the technology and innovation organisation. Dr Reid brings a wealth of industry, leadership, and commercialisation experience to Miraclon. His most recent role was global director of thermal interface materials at Henkel. Prior to that, Dr Reid worked at DuPont for 13 years in a variety of technical and management roles. Dr Zaki Ali, fondly known as the ‘godfather’ of the FLEXCEL NX Technology, has led the technology invention and product development from the very beginning of the flexo journey at Kodak that enabled the business growth and subsequent creation of Miraclon. He holds several patents for this unique technology that has helped transform the flexo printing industry.
Miraclon CEO, Chris Payne commented: “The expansion of our technology and innovation leadership team is an important step for Miraclon. Reid brings the right knowledge and experience to the team as we continue building on our rich heritage of development and innovation. Together with Zaki’s expertise, I am confident that together they will help Miraclon continue to lead the transformation of flexo and drive our customers’ businesses to greater success.”
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