Xeikon Café closes after successful week

Xeikon’s event detailed the role of its dry toner digital press equipment in a range of labels and packaging applications, 15 in total from pharmaceutical, heat transfer and in-mold labels to folding cartons and paper cups, and included various models from its press portfolio, including the 3500, 3300 and 8800, running and printing work.

Some of these jobs were being converted directly at the event, such as in-mold labels produced using a 3500 that were being die-cut and stacked by Dutch manufacturer Rietstack, which was attending an event for the first time and showing its IRS 440 system.

AB Graphic was running a Digicon Series 2 converting line during the event, with UV varnish, screen printing, foiling and embossing being added to pre-printed wine labels.

Other suppliers at the Xeikon Café Packaging Innovations came from each point of the label printing supply chain, such as Actega and Treofan to Hybrid Software, Michelman and Advanced Track & Trace. Many reported a strong response to their attedance with interest from both new and existing Xeikon digital press users.

Many were directly discussing their products for in-mold labeling, such as Michelman’s new DigiPrime 4453 primer, launched for use on Xeikon digital presses when producing in-mold labels. This primer was developed by Michelman after testing that determined the need for a primer to increase dry toner adhesion to make digitally printed in-mold labels produced on Xeikon presses suitable for wet environments.

In-mold labeling was also a regular topic across the three days of technical conferences. Michelman, Treofan and Xeikon itself all directly addressed that market, while other suppliers like Meech, Highcon, Hybrid Software RotoMetrics and UPM Raflatac spoke about the areas of the label supply chain of direct relevance to their companies.

A business conference program also provided a handful of real-world examples of converters using Xeikon technology, such as Kohl Pharma, The Label Makers and C&P Packaging, which produces folding cartons. Read more about C&P Packaging’s investment in digital here through sister magazine Packprint World.

Xeikon said that, in total, the event attracted over 350 visitors from 48 countries, including delegations and representatives from Asia, the Middle East and across Europe.

Wim Maes, Xeikon chief executive officer, said: ‘At the very heart of Xeikon, in our production site in Lier, Belgium, graphical arts industry stakeholders multiplied efforts to demonstrate how digital production can help leverage profitability and increase value delivered to consumers across the world.

‘We from Xeikon are proud to close this edition of Xeikon Café with an unprecedented attendance and a strongly positive feedback. Together with our 28 partners, we have been able to deliver a world class event comprised of a consistent business and technical conference program and excellent business networking opportunities.’