Flint targets global IML opportunities

Flint Group has identified global growth opportunities in the IML market as it launches a new product to expand its offering for sheet-fed offset label printing.

Flint Group has identified global growth opportunities in the IML market as it launches a new product to complete its offering for the segment

The company sees global production of in-mold labels as having grown at around four percent each year over the last 5-6 years, ‘due in part to the ability of the technology to enhance the product visibility and brand identification in the market’, according to Jürgen Riedlinger, director of global product management, sheet-fed at Flint Group.

‘And we believe in-mold labeling will continue to grow significantly as the manufacturing efficiencies and visual quality it brings gets wider endorsement. Currently in-mold accounts for less than three percent of all labeling, so there is plenty of room for it to grow.

‘While Europe currently holds the largest share of the global IML market, the main growth opportunities going forward are in North America and, due to an increase in demand for food and beverage products, the emerging markets of China, India and South America. We also see potential in the high-value markets like paint pails and nutraceutical containers, with high-impact, decorative and eye-catching metallic colors becoming more popular.’

Flint Group Sheetfed has developed Novastar D 2000 IML Bio, a mineral oil free, low migration sheet-fed ink for use in applications without direct food contact and alllowing non-UV print shops to compete in this growing market.