Heidelberg allows carton converter to exceed demands for high-end food packaging

- Two plants now boast print capacities up to the 145 format

 

- Further automation and machine projects in the pipeline

 

Hammer Poznań, the Polish subsidiary of Hammer GmbH in Lübeck, Germany, has been working with the first Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 145 six-color dual-coating press in Poland since mid-2012, and is using the machine to exceed the demands from the high-end food packaging market.

 

A family-run company, Hammer was established in Lübeck in 1919 and has a workforce of more than 300 who manufacture high-quality folding cartons and other types of packaging for international brands in the food, over the counter and non-food industries. In 1995, the company opened a second plant in Poznań, Poland.

 

In Lübeck, a Speedmaster XL 105-6+L with fully automatic pallet logistics was installed alongside other presses in 2008, enabling the print shop to cover the 3B format. These presses are complemented by a range of post-press devices including two Dymatrix 106 Pro CSB die cutters.

 

After installing the new Speedmaster XL 145, the two plants now boast print capacities up to the 145 format, and it is using the press to produce high-end premium products for the food industry far more efficiently than has been possible in the past.

 

The Speedmaster XL 145 at Hammer Poznań is equipped with non-stop systems on the feeder and delivery, fully automatic pallet logistics, and simultaneous wash-up systems for rapid ink changes.

 

Ralf Linnerth, plant manager at Hammer Poznań, said: ‘The new press sets high standards for both quality and productivity.

 

‘A key contributing factor in this respect is the significant reduction in waste sheets compared to earlier press generations.

 

‘During the start-up phase for the new press, we tested various components and consumables with Heidelberg to find the best results for the specific requirements associated with food packaging. Besides the regular low migration quality inks, the program also included metallic inks and coating systems for UV finishing that are approved for contact with foods.

 

‘We have now completed this test phase and achieved a level of productivity that is beyond impressive.’

 

Hammer is already planning further automation and machine projects for the future, as well as healthy growth in production capacities at several sites.

 

Last year, Hammer's printing expertise achieved official recognition when it won the "Confectionery" category at the ECMA Awards.

 

Wolfgang Grotmann, managing director at Hammer, said: ‘Our customers include many of the leading brands. High-end food packaging is constantly placing new demands on coating and special effects, technical properties, and environmental compatibility.

 

‘Dual-coating technology from Heidelberg gives us a whole new range of opportunities that we can use to exceed these requirements by far. We are proud to be the owners of the first Speedmaster XL 145 with two coating units in Poland.’

 

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