Flint to invest in press for R&D

As announced at Labelexpo Americas 2016 on day two of the show, the press will allow the company to deliver on its global strategic vision, including selective investment. Other areas of focus within Flint Group’s global narrow web strategy are geographical expansion, including an expanded footprint into South America, Southeast Asia and Africa, a focus on pressure-sensitive labels, short run flexible packaging and shrink sleeves, and innovation through product developments such as low migration and LED curing. The new press in the US will facilitate these efforts, particularly product development initiatives.

Flint Group has previously invested in a Nilpeter combination printing press as part of its program to develop future ink technologies, as reported here.

At Labelexpo Americas 2016, Flint Group Narrow Web is presenting: Flexocure Ancora 50, a low migration UV flexo range of inks for food label and certain packaging applications; Flexocure Ancora, a low migration UV flexo range of inks suitable for the most stringent food label and packaging applications; EkoCure Ancora, a low migration UV LED flexo range of inks suitable for stringent food label and packaging applications; Hydrofilm ACE, a water-based flexo ink system that meets food compliance for label and packaging applications; and Lithocure Ancora, a low migration rotary offset range of inks for food label and packaging applications.

‘Our theme for Labelexpo Americas 2016 is “Expand Your Capabilities”,’ said Guillaume Clement, Global Vice President for Flint Group Narrow Web. ‘We strongly believe that narrow web converters can strengthen and improve their business through innovation that enables expansion into new segments, such as short run flexible food packaging.’  

Kelly Kolliopoulos, global marketing director for Flint Group Narrow Web, added: ‘With our dedicated portfolio of low migration inks – or better terminology “food packaging compliant” inks – we provide narrow web converters with the right products to expand into the growing market segment of flexible packaging.

‘The innovative journey to develop UV LED curing products, that was started four years ago by Flint Group together with key converters and lamp and press partners, is advancing toward the next milestone development, low migration UV LED curable flexo inks. It is a well-documented fact that UV LED curing improves productivity and offers lower total applied cost in UV flexo printing. We believe strongly in low migration UV LED technology because it offers all the economic benefits of better press uptime, increased press productivity, and reduced energy consumption in addition to assuredness of cure and food packaging compliant formulations.  EkoCure Ancora provides the converter with an opportunity to grow their business in a new market space, and the peace of mind that they will meet the compliance requirements of the food packaging industry.’ 

Niklas Olsson, global brand manager at Flint Group Narrow Web, concluded: ‘In addition to our new offerings for flexible packaging, we have a full range of tools and expertise available for our clients to help them improve profitability, new ways to manage brand colors, and the ability to train and guide on food packaging printing enabling them to better address increased demand for short run work.’