Press release submitted on behalf of PRINTING United Alliance

PRINTING United Alliance, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphics arts association in North America, announced the appointment of Derrick Nelloms, PMP, as vice president, PRINTING United Expo. With a distinguished career spanning three decades in operational planning, event management, and strategic growth, Nelloms brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of delivering exceptional trade show and event experiences to the Alliance team.

In this leadership role, Nelloms will oversee the continued growth and success of the Expo, the industry’s annual premier trade show in North America, as well as assist in the optimization of other key events in the organization’s portfolio. His results-driven approach and dedication to operational excellence will further solidify the Expo’s position as the premier event for the global printing industry.

“Joining the Alliance team is an honor and I am excited for the opportunity to build upon the incredible legacy of PRINTING United Expo,” said Nelloms. “Having spent my career in events and operations, I am eager to work with this talented team to drive continued success, deliver unforgettable experiences, and foster growth across the global printing industry.”

Nelloms Brings Over 30 Years of Experience to the Alliance
Before joining the Alliance, Nelloms spent 18 years as operations managing director at Emerald Expositions where he oversaw the strategy, planning, and execution of flagship events, including GlobalShop, Imprinted Sportswear Show (Impressions), Hospitality Design (HD EXPO), CEDIA, Boutique Design (BDNY), Healthcare Design, Environments for Aging, and Sports Licensing. He was also instrumental in the successful launch of NBACON, leading efforts in budgeting, cost optimization, and vendor relationship management, which consistently enhanced customer experiences and streamlined event operations.

Nelloms’ career also includes a foundational role at the Georgia World Congress Center in Event Operations, where he worked with major event and tradeshow organizers on a range of industry-renowned events, including the World Energy Engineers, CTIA Wireless, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) Expo, International Home Builders, International Woodworking Fair (IWF), MegaFest, Microsoft, Partylite National Conference, Kitchen & Bath Show, Medtrade, Supershow, ESPN GameDay Live, and Supercross BMX Fanfest, to name a few. His work at the Georgia World Congress Center honed his skills in managing complex logistical demands and providing high-touch service for large-scale, multifaceted events.

“Derrick’s leadership, industry expertise, and passion for operational excellence are precisely what we need to continue elevating the Expo,” said Chris Curran, group president, media and events, PRINTING United Alliance. “His deep understanding of event strategy and customer engagement aligns perfectly with our vision to expand the Expo’s reach and impact. We are thrilled to have him on board and cannot wait to see his contributions to the team.”

Nelloms holds a B.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of West Georgia, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).

PRINTING United Expo 2025 will be held October 22-24, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. Visit PRINTINGUnited.com to be notified when online registration opens.

Join the Alliance
For more information about becoming an Alliance member to tap into the industry’s leading resources, training, education, content, and support, visit www.printing.org/membership.
About PRINTING United Alliance
PRINTING United Alliance is the most comprehensive member-based printing and graphic arts association in the United States, comprised of the industry’s vast communities. The Alliance serves industry professionals across market segments with preeminent education and training through iLEARNING+, workshops, events, research, government and legislative representation, safety, and environmental sustainability guidance, as well as resources from our leading media brands – Printing Impressions, Packaging Impressions, Wide-format Impressions, In-plant Impressions, and Apparelist. A division of PRINTING United Alliance, Idealliance is a global leader in standards training and certification for printing and graphic arts operations across the entire industry supply chain.

PRINTING United Alliance also produces the PRINTING United Expo, the most influential days in printing. The expansive display of technology and supplies, education, programming, and services are showcased to the industry at large, and represents all market segments in one easily accessed place. For more information, visit www.printing.org.

Press release submitted on behalf IMS Technologies

GOEBEL IMS, Calcinate BG, Italy – a brand of IMS TECHNOLOGIES – announced a new upgrade to the slitter rewinder: the automatic knife positioning system developed in collaboration with DIENES. This innovative system brings unparalleled precision and efficiency to the RAPID series, well-known in the slitting and winding industry for its exceptional handling of different materials, including paper and light board.

With this upgrade, the RAPID machine sets a new standard for high-performance production, delivering both ease of use and increased operational speed. Engineered to streamline slitting processes, the automatic knife positioning system offers features that cater to the evolving needs of today’s high-speed production lines.

Key Technical Features
• Fully Automated Knife Positioning: A stand-alone control system with dedicated touch panel and “Pick and Place” automation for fast, precise upper knife adjustments.
• High-Performance Capability: Featuring a minimum slitting width of 20 mm and web speeds up to 1,000 m/min, the system is designed to handle high-speed slitting demands with exceptional accuracy.
• DS 4 Shear Knife Holders: With 105 mm diameter knives and quick-change heads, the DS 4 holders incorporate a double vertical stroke guide for increased stability and reliable cuts.

Main Benefits
1. Easy Integration: Designed for seamless integration into existing RAPID equipment, this system reduces setup time and facilitates a smooth transition to advanced automation.
2. Efficient Maintenance: Maintenance is simplified, allowing top knife shaft adjustments without disassembly, reducing downtime and enabling rapid switches between slitting formats.
3. Enhanced Safety: 360° hand protection and minimized overhead work enhance operator safety, reducing risks associated with manual setup.
4. Increased Machine Availability: Offline knife replacements and quick-change heads boost uptime, while automated positioning reduces configuration time, maximizing productivity.
5. Stable and Error-Free Operation: Easy Set integration, touch-panel control, and saved slitting recipes ensure precise, repeatable slitting for consistent, quality results.

Meeting Modern Production Needs
The integration of this automatic knife positioning system marks a significant step forward in efficiency and safety for RAPID users. This upgrade is meticulously designed to support the demands of today’s advanced slitting and winding applications, enhancing not only performance but also operator experience.

For further information on integrating the system with your RAPID machine or to discuss the benefits for your production line, please contact us at
support-hq@imstechnologies.com.

GOEBEL IMS and DIENES continue to drive innovation in the slitting and winding industry, delivering solutions that empower businesses with cutting-edge technology.  For more information, visit www.imstechnologies.com.

Press release submitted on behalf of Metsä Board

Metsä Board, Espoo, Finland, the leading European producer of premium fresh fiber paperboards, has launched a new solution to enhance and simplify the recycling process for packaging materials customers receive as part of Metsä Board product deliveries.

Metsä Board has introduced QR codes on the pallet and reel labels of its products for all volumes delivered to its customers. The QR code directs customers to an intuitive app that provides detailed information on the various packaging materials used to protect the paperboard during the logistics chain. This information will assist customers in determining how each component of the delivery’s packaging should be recycled.

By providing accessible and clear recycling information, the company aims to make it as easy as possible for customers to sort and recycle all the materials they receive with the product deliveries. In addition, customers will be able to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and ensure the materials are recycled as part of the local circular economy loop.

“The implementation of the new recycling QR codes on our paperboard deliveries stems from a strong commitment to sustainability and customer convenience,” says Isto Hongisto, Product Safety Specialist at Metsä Board. “Recycling can sometimes be complex, and our goal is to make it as seamless and straightforward as possible for our customers. This initiative will not only save them time, but it will also ensure that the materials used in our deliveries are recycled in an optimal way.”

The new initiative is part of Metsä Board’s ongoing strategic commitment to sustainability and innovation in its operations. The company invites all customers to take advantage of this new feature and contribute to promoting efficient recycling practices within the packaging industry.

The QR codes have been visible on all paperboard deliveries as of November 2024.

Metsä Board is a producer of lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. The pure fresh fibers we use in our products are a safe, renewable and recyclable resource, that can be traced back to northern forests. We aim to have completely fossil free mills and raw materials by the end of 2030. We promote a culture of diversity, equality and inclusion.

Metsä Board is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. In 2023 our sales totaled EUR 1.9 billion, and we have around 2,300 employees. Metsä Board is part of Metsä Group, whose parent company Metsäliitto Cooperation is owned by over 90,000 Finnish forest owners. For more information, visit www.metsagroup.com/metsaboard.

Press release submitted on behalf of INX International Ink Co.

INX International, Schaumburg, Illinois, today announced a brand extension for INXhrc(TM) RC natural-based inks: a new UV/LED dual cure low migration formulation for plastic and foam-based packaging joins the tried-and-true UV curable formulation. Both offer a series of operational, regulatory, and sustainable benefits for brand owners and printers.

INXhrc RC LM is a Nestle-compliant, high-performance ink solution with clean, renewable, and sustainable ingredients used for the printing of low migration applications on rigid container packaging. Designed with high levels of biorenewable content and formulated without VOC solvents, it delivers top-tier print quality and reduces the carbon footprint of packaging materials by up to 30%. With excellent adhesion and color consistency attributes, these inks are food-safe for sensitive packaging applications.

“Consumer expectations,” states Renee Schouten, INX International’s vice president of marketing, “for manufacturer accountability in regards to safety and sustainability continues to increase, so low migration inks are becoming a more important consideration for the packaging industry. This is especially true for the impact of plastic and foam-based rigid containers, so we are replacing petrochemical derived resins with natural and renewable materials.

“These two INXhrc RC formulations offer superior dry offset printing quality of rigid containers or decorative packaging, and help lower your carbon footprint. By keeping consumer safety and the environment in mind, you have regulatory confidence and access to a product using biorenewable, clean ingredients without compromising performance.”

INXhrc RC LM is ideal for nonfood contact surfaces on rigid materials. Verified by a third party laboratory as an eco-friendly alternative to standard UV inks by using ASTM D6866-20 Method B, it meets food safety regulatory compliance measures such as Regulation EC No. 1935-2004. Known as the Framework Regulation, it sets requirements for materials to safeguard human health.

The natural components of INXhrc RC are not derived from food crops, ensuring they are non-allergenic and food-safe. Free of harmful chemicals, they do not contain any nanomaterials, fluorochemicals, fanal pigments, heavy metals or PTFE.

INXhrc RC inks have a history of providing outstanding printing benefits. Its high strength and gloss produce sharp, vibrant colors and eye-catching finishes, and precise color matching with single-pigment bases allow for accurate PMS shade matching. Excellent adhesion and abrasion resistance make for enhanced durability. Superior flow and transfer capabilities also make it ideal for dry offset printing on rigid packaging presses such as VanDam, PolyType, and Kase.

Schouten cited a longtime Michigan based customer who began using INXhrc inks in 2017. A leader in single-use food packaging, they have achieved impressive carbon emissions reductions and strengthened their sustainability goals and environmental responsibilities.

“When Dart Container Corporation made the switch from traditional to natural-based inks with INXhrc, they anticipated a positive effect on their environmental footprint,” explained Schouten. “However, they were surprised by the enhanced ink performance as well.”

Over the course of seven years using INXhrc inks, the world’s largest manufacturer of foam cups and disposable food containers has experienced a major annual decrease of 200 tons of CO2 carbon emissions. Lowering VOC emissions by 75%, Dart created a safer working environment while reducing their environmental impact. They also improved their pressroom performance with better ink mileage, less downtime, and increased production efficiency while maintaining the high print standards they are known for.

Click on the following link to learn more about the Sustainability vision and approach INX takes, including details about the Coloring a Safe and Sustainable Future model, regulatory, quality assurance, and social responsibility measures, and a copy of the 2023 Sustainability report.

About INX International Ink Co.
INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. Stay updated on the latest developments and follow INX on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X, or visit our website.