TLMI educates around engagement

TLMI hosted a record number of attendees at its biannual Technical Conference in Chicago, Illinois. With sessions geared towards the theme of ‘Breaking Boundaries: Insight into Business Strategy and Technical Operations’, presenters prepared the audience for the dynamic shifts in today’s business world.

Dan Muenzer, VP of marketing for Constantia Flexibles Labels Division and current TLMI chairman of the board, spoke candidly about competing decoration technologies and the evolution of packaging in the 21st century. As major and local brands strive to achieve various objectives in bringing their products to market – sustainability, engagement, speed-to-market, traceability – unconventional labeling methods, or new methods altogether, are finding their way into the traditional label and packaging manufacturing chain.

The acceptance of flexible packaging has been widespread throughout international markets in wholly new categories such as water, craft beer, DIY supplies and fertilizers. And while the growth of thermoform containers has helped increase PS label consumption on one side, the adoption of flexible lids for thermoform containers is occurring. Brands are finding appeal in the reduction of plastic and the improved clarity for viewing the product through the lid.

To a room full of converters that primarily produce pressure-sensitive labels, he said, ‘Could refillable pouches be the death of us? Not if we’re aware of what’s going on.’

Performance characteristics can be designed into in-mold labels with the use of special coatings to provide an oxygen barrier. For food brands looking to reduce waste in their value stream and reduce plastic consumption, IML delivers benefits.