Packaging

Films, inks and printing systems perfectly in tune

Wednesday 15. July 2009 - Constantia Flexibles is cooperating with Linoprint, an innovation project by Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG

The aim of the cooperation of Linoprint and Constantia Flexibles is to enable companies to print short packaging runs digitally, cost-effectively, reliably and in high quality. The packaging solution manufacturer, Constantia Flexibles, brings its experience with substrates to the table, while Linoprint provides comprehensive know-how on the optimum combination of inks and digital drop-on-demand inkjet printing systems. The cooperation involves Linoprint and Constantia Flexibles working closely on the joint development of new films and surfaces. Linoprint has also optimized its print solutions for the aluminum films in the Constantia Flexibles portfolio. Constantia Flexibles is a subsidiary of Constantia Packaging AG and its customers include international companies from the foodstuffs, beverage and pharmaceuticals industries.
Customers save time and money – with high-quality print results
“I was impressed with the quality of the print results achieved using Linoprint systems on our aluminum films,” says Stefan Schneider, Key Account Manager at Constantia. “The customers of Constantia Flexibles can use the drop-on-demand inkjet technology from Linoprint in particular to process short print runs for packaging more cost-effectively than using static flexographic processes – and can do so with a consistently high level of quality,” adds Sven Michael, Head of Consumables at Linoprint. In addition, films for the Linoprint printing process do not have to have a special coating. “Other digital printing technologies often require expensive films with a special coating – Constantia and Linoprint customers avoid these extra costs,” explains Schneider.
New films can be used immediately
Packaging is designed to protect its contents, e.g. against cold, heat or other environmental factors. As these factors change, so, too, do the requirements that customers place on manufacturers like Constantia Flexibles. “In future, we will be working closely with Linoprint in the development of substrates. This ensures that the printing system and new film developments are perfectly matched right from the start. This saves customers time, because they no longer have to spend long periods adapting their printing systems to new substrates,” explains Schneider.
Initial discussions on the possibility of cooperation took place at drupa 2008. “In future, we want to extend our cooperation to include other substrates in addition to aluminum films,” says Schneider. For example, Linoprint is currently in the process of optimizing its printing systems for use with the plastic films used in the Food division of Constantia Flexibles. The cooperation partners are also investigating how they could work together in the area of security technology for packaging.