ITW ShineMark is pleased to introduce the Lenzy series—voluminous, lens-like effects for all your packaging and label applications. Pattern 607 is shown here. whether you need a re-imagined version of an old standard, a custom brand pattern, a graphic repeat or a security feature, our Lenzy series offers exceptional brightness and shelf appeal. The series is available across our product range; in cold transfer and hot stamp for flexo and offset applications plus metallized films, recyclable metallized transfer substrates and MetPet laminations. ITW ShineMark is a global manufacturer of sustainable metallized and holographic transfer products. For more information, visit www.itwshinemark.com.

Karen Kromat is the sustainable program manager at Case Paper.

Karen Kromat is the sustainable program manager at Case Paper, an 80+-year-old paper and paperboard merchant, converter and laminator. Kromat’s story started over 30 years ago as a graphic designer. Her diverse experience has touched many platforms within the industry. Kromat was a co-owner in a marketing firm, and she spent 12 years working for European and Asian paper mills, selling paper and paperboard in the Midwest. Kromat has been involved in product development and business development projects. She now has landed in the sustainability arena at Case Paper.

How did your career develop in the paper and printing industry, and what is your role now?

In the late 1980s, I started my career as a graphic designer during the time period before Apple had launched its Mac products (Macbook and other items). I created printer art boards by hand. Purchasing print – and knowing what paper/paperboard can and cannot do for my artwork – led me on this paper journey. Someone once told me, “The materials you use to print on are your arts’ canvas.” This stuck with me for every project I printed. I made sure my print project would achieve the results I wanted because I selected the right paper (canvas) for the project.

I worked for a German paper/paperboard mill and for an Asian mill. Later, I started focusing on paperboard for the folding carton and packaging industry. Back in the late 2000s, I was involved in writing another company’s sustainability policies. At Case Paper, I was in product development for seven years and rediscovered my passion for sustainability. With all the changes that were happening in our industry around sustainability, it made sense to move in that direction. I currently am involved with paperboard, packaging and sustainability.

How do you see the industry embracing global trends such as the circular economy and sustainability demands from brand owners and consumers?

It has been slow going, especially in the US vs. other countries. Regulations in other countries have surpassed the US. We still have individuals thinking that global warming is not real. Having this mindset for sustainability will put the US behind. In my opinion, it already has.

I am hoping with all the new Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, this will allow change to start happening faster. The SEC’s newer regulations, in addition to the following developments, should have a positive impact on sustainability:

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions now are more relevant than ever. Brands are requesting supplier documents. Suppliers that have better policies and sustainable practices in place, I believe, will maintain business while the suppliers that do not will lose business. The big brands have been involved with R&D and looking at material options – how is the item made, how is the item printed, how is the item used and how is it shipped? They have made commitments to lower their carbon footprint.

What are the biggest challenges the paper and printing industry faces when jumping into sustainability at these facilities?

How should the industry respond to successfully grow and thrive?

Become educated – knowledge is power. Look for resources to aid the business, such as trade publications. Ask questions. Have conversations with other business leaders and ask what they are doing.

Yet, in spite of the importance, several printers have told me no one is asking for sustainability requirements in recent projects. Some have disclosed that their return on investment (ROI) has not started to pay off for the sustainability initiatives they have made internally. They do it because they know it is the right thing to do.

Brands will no longer do business with companies that do not have sustainable business strategies as part of their corporate culture. To be successful, every company needs to be on board with sustainability efforts. This mindset is not going away.

Which markets/verticals are growing their use of print and print packaging? What is influencing that growth?

Single-use plastic bans and similar initiatives have changed the way consumers perceive packaging. Getting rid of single-use plastics was what started the ball rolling.

The molded-fiber market is replacing plastics. There now are printed blister packs that are 100% molded fiber.

Health and beauty was one of the first industries to look at making drastic changes to packaging and the use of plastics. These changes currently are on the shelves. TikTok has exploded as a way to advertise health and beauty products. Today, nine-year-old girls and older are purchasing skin-care products. This is a whole age market that never existed prior. I saw it with my granddaughters and their friends. Social media has changed the way new products are launched.

Another popular trend within the sustainability initiative is natural products. The natural product market is strong with the health and beauty and food and beverage arenas.

What are your predictions for the paper and print industry in the next five to 10 years?

Press release submitted on behalf of Univacco Technology, Inc.

Univacco Technology Inc. (Taiwan) announces the establishment of an all-new, wholly owned subsidiary, Univacco Europe, which will be located in Poland. To lead this expansion, Chris Corbett has been promoted to President of Univacco Europe in addition to his current parallel role in North America. He is tasked with developing and implementing Univacco’s aggressive growth strategy for North America and Europe to support the company’s global growth strategy. Per Univacco CEO Bruce Lee, “Under Chris’ leadership, Univacco’s North American business has achieved unparalleled growth over the past 7 years into market-leading positions in our target segments. We are now looking to leverage his extensive European experience in the hot and cold transfer film markets to achieve similar success.”

Press release submitted on behalf of Young Shin USA

Following 15 years of successful leadership of the YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED North American headquarters, Summa Heo, Sales Director of Young Shin Industries of South Korea, has announced the retirement of Phillip Mack, Vice President. Mack will maintain an advisory position with YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED until December 31, 2023, facilitating
the smooth transition of the firm to new leadership. Heo has appointed YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED’s Vice President of Technical Services, Ed Cowgill, as Vice President to succeed Mack in the overall operation of the firm. Cowgill added, “We have an enormous sales momentum and a highly experienced service team that will form the foundation of our future growth and expansion. With the expanded role of industry-veteran, Mark Caffary as Vice President of Sales, we will be actively pursuing new and existing sales opportunities for the corrugated and folding carton markets.”

“Throughout Phil’s tenure with YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED, he has made significant contributions in directing our continued success and expansion into the U.S. and North American markets,” stated Heo. “Since the establishment of the Young Shin organization in North America in 2008, Mack developed a trademark of excellence in sales opportunities and operational expertise. He was integral in our firm’s long-term strategy, operations, and visibility within the corrugated and folding carton industries.”

“I have been fortunate to have established and led YOUNG SHIN USA’s growth and expansion in the marketplace throughout the past 15 years. We have leveraged our sales opportunities and introduced a comprehensive, premier flatbed die cutter line to the market. Our representation of German-based STOCK Maschinenbau products also augmented Young Shin’s superior die cutter products with STOCK’s globally recognized excellence in labelers, laminators, single-face sheeters and in-line systems,” stated Mack.

The well-planned transition will also include the continuance of the firm’s current YOUNG
SHIN USA LIMITED North American headquarters at:

YOUNG SHIN USA LIMITED
1320 Tower Road, Suite 111
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
Phone: 847-598-3611
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Press release submitted on behalf of GenieCut

IMPACK, a pioneer in machinery solutions for the carton packaging industry, is thrilled to introduce the GenieCut, an in-line window patcher designed to redefine carton windowing.  On August 16, 2023, IMPACK completed the acquisition of the GenieCut and formed a partnership with inventor Jeff Shaffer.

“With already 25 installations running across North America and the UK, the GenieCut is a tested and proven concept! It integrates directly onto the folder-gluer and it is a game-changer for businesses looking to optimize their operational area and provide additional packaging options to their customers using their current folder-gluer production line.” – Mathieu Tremblay, Deputy General Manager

Compact & In-line

With the GenieCut, packaging producers can offer window patching as a new service to existing customers, or modernize and streamline their current window application process. The GenieCut’s revolutionary technology introduces a significant paradigm shift in terms of speed, functionality, flexibility and efficiency. One of the GenieCut’s standout features is its compact design, which provides the same functionality as larger competing systems while taking up virtually no additional floor space.

Inspiration for Innovation

Jeff Shaffer, inventor of GenieCut, explained the inspiration for this new approach to window application: “Over the years, as a production manager on a folder-gluer line, I saw many ways that the outdated window patching technology could be improved. In the 1930’s a windowing machine was introduced that utilized a timed feeder, chain register, glue pot, printed glue pattern and a knife-to-anvil crosscut of the film. Nearly 100 years later, conceptually nothing much had changed…. until now. The GenieCut is a simple, low-maintenance design that promises years of easy operation with less waste and down time.”

Paradigm Shift in Window Application

This cutting-edge technology further increases productivity by significantly reducing, well, everything else – training time, set up time, cleaning time, and maintenance. How so? The GenieCut boasts a simplified, streamlined mechanism. It has removed unnecessary complexity, making it easier to operate and maintain. Many of the details you’re used to seeing on traditional window patchers simply don’t exist. The GenieCut does not have a glue pot, glue stencils or cylinders that need to be changed, customized or removed for cleaning. While standard window patchers can take 3 to 4 hours to set up, the GenieCut usually takes less than 15 minutes to set up when recalling an existing job. Since it does not interfere with or come in contact with the folder-gluer, the GenieCut can be maintained or prepared for a future windowing batch while the folder-gluer is processing windowless boxes. While traditional window patchers require fairly frequent blade replacements due to their knife and anvil cutting system, the GenieCut uses a patented stationary knife film cutting system.

Designed with the Operator in Mind

Speaking on the improved operator experience Jeff says, “The GenieCut is the most user-friendly window machine on the market! No prior window machine experience is necessary. With some basic knowledge of any adhesive extrusion system, operators already know how to run this machine.” This is a significant improvement over other leading machines, allowing businesses to achieve faster time-to-value.

IMPACK and Baumer hhs: Joining Forces, Creating Bonds

The GenieCut window applicator system features a specialized state-of-the-art glue system capable of feeding 60 glue guns or more. To accelerate customer return on investment, IMPACK and Baumer hhs offer optional glue gun modules for the GenieCut so that customers can select the smallest module that meets production needs. The glue gun modules come in standard widths of 6, 9, 12, or 15 inches and 18 inches for specialized productions. The glue system comes standard with an intuitive and user-friendly Baumer hhs touchscreen controller that allows operators to define precise glue patterns. Each dot of glue is 6.2mm center to center, adjusting the glue volume ensures an unbroken glue pattern once the film patch is placed. Film and glue patterns are stored in the controller reducing machine changeover from hours to minutes.

The New Benchmark for In-line Window Application

GenieCut sets a new benchmark for operational efficiency, outpacing other in-line and offline one-lane window patchers. Traditional window patchers have servo motors that need to “home” before cycling again, but the GenieCut design allows it to cycle continuously, so it can cut the film over 15 times a second. The maximum speed of the machine components is 200 meters per minute. With this high-speed window patcher, optimized folder-gluer lines can expect to achieve actual production times of up to 150 meters per minute or 15,000-40,000 boxes per hour depending on blank size. The GenieCut is capable of countless window patch widths on corrugated or carton straight-line, 4 corner, 6 corner, and crash-Lock boxes.

The Perfect Fit

“Sometimes, you encounter a new innovation and think, ‘This is ingenious; I wish I had come up with this idea.’ That’s precisely what crossed our minds the first time we laid eyes on GenieCut! The GenieCut fits into our product portfolio seamlessly, much like a missing puzzle piece. Like all of our products, the GenieCut is designed to improve functionality and productivity of folder-gluer machines and has the potential to help every single one of our customers be more competitive in the global market. Like IMPACK’s other patented products, GenieCut is a game-changer and is poised to become the new benchmark for in-line window applications.” – Dominic Theriault, President & CEO

Jeff adds: “I’m excited to be working in collaboration with IMPACK. With their many years of engineering excellence and quality manufacturing, they are in a position to take the GenieCut to the next level and bring it to folder-gluer producers around the world.”

For more information about this revolutionary in-line window patcher or to talk to an expert about your specific needs, please visit the GenieCut webpage on our website and fill out the form.

https://impack.ca/folder-gluer-in-line-window-patcher

One hundred years ago, Henkel began selling its first adhesive solutions to neighboring companies. From the development of laundry detergent packaging adhesives for its own use to today’s advanced solutions in more than 800 industry segments the company’s world-leading adhesives, sealants and functional coatings are integral parts of countless consumer and industrial goods. Henkel Adhesive Technologies shares the visions of its customers and enables the development of groundbreaking innovations in areas such as sustainability, mobility and digitalization.

“With our pioneering spirit and innovative strength, over the last 100 years, we have become the world’s largest manufacturer for adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, creating value for more than 100,000 industrial customers, as well as millions of consumers. Our next step to create value across industries around the world is to develop the sustainable solutions necessary that enable circularity and CO2 reduction,” explained Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “Then as now, we collaborate with our customers to turn challenges into opportunities and to innovate products and solutions.”

The success story of Henkel Adhesive Technologies began 100 years ago, because the company made a virtue out of necessity. After the end of the First World War, the occupation of the Rhine and Ruhr threatened to cause a shortage of adhesives at the company’s home base in Düsseldorf, which were needed to seal the own product packaging for detergents. In 1922, Henkel therefore started to develop and produce paper, cardboard and packaging adhesives for its own use. With the construction and start-up of its own adhesives factory, the company also began selling adhesive products to neighboring companies on June 26, 1923. The first products included the painter’s glue Mala and the wallpaper paste Tapa, both based on potato flour.

A century full of highlights
Adhesive Technologies has globally pioneered through patented inventions, innovation power and strategic acquisitions. Inventions for example include the first Pritt glue stick in 1969, which took inspiration from the twist mechanism of lipstick and revolutionized papercrafts for more than 50 years. In 2001, Pritt was given a “Space-Proof” seal of quality and was sent to the International Space Station.

In the industrial sector, adhesive solutions from Henkel have transformed production processes and product designs in automotive, electronics, packaging and many more. The technologies provide tailored functionalities that include strong bond, sealing, coating, conductivity of heat and electricity, recyclability and many more. With the acquisition of the Loctite Corporation in 1997 Adhesive Technologies successfully integrated capabilities to move the business to a new level. Today, Loctite is the world’s largest adhesives brand.

Henkel has demonstrated the diverse performance capabilities of its solutions in many ways over the past 100 years. In 1987, for example, Ceresit products were used in the renovation of the Great Wall of China. And in 2015, Henkel developed a customized adhesive to professionally reattach the broken-off beard of Tutankhamun’s famous death mask.

“We are very proud of our success story of 100 years at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. A look at the last 100 years impressively shows the continuous development of our technological know-how and market expertise. With this strong history of innovation and remarkable achievements behind us, we look forward to a bright future where Adhesive Technologies continues to make history and create the solutions of tomorrow,” concluded Mark Dorn.

Globally leading with high-impact and sustainable solutions
The central focus of Adhesive Technologies’ innovation activities today is on developing sustainable solutions for its customers. The business unit is consistently working on products that enable resource efficiency in production and during use throughout the entire life cycle and that are based on renewable or recycled raw materials. In addition, Henkel offers a growing portfolio for the recyclability of, for example, packaging or consumer goods and the repairability of everyday products.

To take its innovation capabilities to the next level, Adhesive Technologies has opened its Inspiration Center Düsseldorf at its home site in 2022. In this modern innovation center with more than 30 laboratories, over 650 Henkel experts work on highly effective and sustainable solutions in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. At the same time, the state-of-the-art building serves as a global customer center where Adhesive Technologies presents its entire technology portfolio and strengthens collaboration with its customers from over 800 industry segments. In 2023, the business unit will gradually open another global innovation center in Shanghai. For more information, visit www.henkel.com.