Labelexpo Asia 2017 will present the Digital Trail and Smart Zone features for the first time. Taking place in Halls E1 and E2 of the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 5 – 8 December, they will highlight the latest advances in these technologies and their respective applications for label and package printing.

The top five disruptive technologies in flexible packaging are forecast to be intelligent (smart) packaging, recyclability, packaging openability, biobased polymers and digital printing, according to a new market report by Smithers Pira.

On the day of its 10th anniversary, the Kazan-based Danaflex group of companies has opened a new factory where Danaflex-Nano, a RUSNANO project company, will use a proprietary nanotechnology process to manufacture improved flexible packaging material. RUSNANO is co-investor in establishing the new facility. Total budget for the project is 2.45 billion rubles.

The printing of flexible packaging, cartons and tubes using narrow-web conventional and digital presses will be the focus of a new Package Printing Zone at Labelexpo Europe 2011. Live demonstrations and seminar sessions will all be part of this new visitor attraction. Mike Fairley looks at the evolution of this fast evolving sector.

More than 100 players are present on Russian market of disposable eating utensils with 5-8 companies operating in high-price segment and controlling almost half of sales. This group first of all comprises "Huhtamaki Group", the largest manufacturer of disposable utensils and package globally – client list of this manufacturer includes "McDonald’s", "Pepsi" and "Nestle", – and also "Master Cup" LLC with such companies as "Inteko" CJSC, Company "Artplast" and PTG “Mysteria (Mystery)” (Moscow, plant "Diapason") in its client list.

Robatech is expanding its new-generation adhesive melter range with a powerful all-rounder.

The all-electric Volta hot melt jetting head from Robatech has received an upgrade that makes it even more powerful.

Smurfit Kappa, one of the world’s leading paper-based packaging firms, continues its investment in sustainable technology in Mexico, demonstrating its long-term commitment to the country.

In addition to its presentations in Düsseldorf, the company had invited existing and prospective customers from all over the world to concurrent Open House events at the BOBST Technology Centres in Bielefeld (Germany), Manchester (UK) and San Giorgio Monferrato (Italy).

Starlinger & Co. GmbH has developed an Easy Open feature for the patented PP*STAR® pinch bottom bags. For the first time it is now possible to use this consumer-friendly opening feature on packaging made of BOPP laminated polypropylene tape fabric, a very lightweight but strong packaging material.

HEUFT systems are responsible for labelling and inspecting the quality of filled yoghurt jars at Emmi.

Once again this year on November 18th, Comexi Group held their Open House at Comexi facilities, which gathered more than 150 attendees in just one day.

With the Smart Sealing concept MULTIVAC presents a new traysealer concept for simple sealing applications without modified atmosphere.

According to the reports, data of Labthink are very close to medians in the items participated; Labthink has obtained outstanding and satisfactory results among 74 laboratories worldwide.

Labthink exhibited her newly developed X series of intelligent products, and demonstrated powerful functions of Labthink CystemTM Online Laboratory Management System, the new laboratory intelligence concept based on cloud-computing.

Dr. Goldfrank joined Mead in 1990 as president of Mead Imaging, which was subsequently sold. In 1991, he became corporate vice president of Mead Central Research and, in 1994, he became president of the company's Coated Board Division.

On a recent visit to Chicago, Packaging Automation interviewed Dr. Thomas Cord, CEO of packaging machinery automation provider ELAU and previously the company's R&D manager. In a word, the future of packaging is: software.