Page 68 - Print 21 Magazine March-April 2019

Packaging
Kodak launches
Kodak introduced the new Kodak Prosper Plus Imprinting Solutions
for the packaging industry. These solutions include four new imprinting components, as well as food safe packaging inks and pre-coatings for folding cartons, food wraps, paper cups and plates, and ream wraps.
The new Prosper Plus models will expand the capabilities for printers to leverage continuous inkjet as a complimentary capability to the Kodak Prosper 6000S Simplex Press, and the Uteco Sapphire EVO (Flexible Substrates) Web Fed Solution.
Aldo Peretti, CEO of the Uteco Group, confirmed the continued success of the Sapphire EVO press with the first unit sold to Nuova Erreplast (on view at the Uteco site) and the second to Kinyosha in Japan.
“The adoption of this hybrid digital web press is showing the value of digital printing with water-based inks on flexible substrates for a wide variety of applications including food packaging and personal care items. The combined knowledge of Uteco and Kodak has unleashed the possibilities and customers have taken note,” said Peretti.
Attendees were also first to hear news that Kodak and Uteco have extended their packaging solutions development partnership, with Uteco having signed an agreement
to purchase Kodak’s latest inkjet printing systems featuring Ultrastream continuous inkjet (CIJ) technology. Ultrastream was first launched conceptually at drupa 2016, with development plans for availability to OEM partners in 2019.
Kodak says its proprietary Ultrastream CIJ technology
delivers higher image resolution of 600x1800dpi, with faster production speeds of up to 150mpm, using environmentally-friendly and economic water-based inks, on both plastics and paper.
Uteco first introduced Sapphire EVO Solutions in June 2018, which the company says has captured the interest of the industry for both performance and sustainability and continues to be an important part of its digital portfolio. Uteco will be among the first equipment manufacturers to use Kodak Ultrastream to expand its high productivity digital press portfolio for flexible packaging in 2020.
Peretti said, “Our customers are looking for sustainably advantaged hybrid digital production solutions to enable short run versioning with compelling economics.” 21
packaging campaign
Kodak declared a major commitment to labels and packaging at its global packaging summit in Verona, Italy. Lindy Hughson was there for Print21.
Kodak’s decision to divest its Flexible Packaging Division has not meant the group is done with packaging. Quite the
contrary in fact: at its Enterprise Inkjet Systems (EIS) Packaging Summit and VIP Media Analyst gathering Kodak made it clear that EIS is a strategic growth area, and that through its recognition of the opportunity in digital inkjet Kodak is committing to the opportunity it sees in packaging.
The summit saw the imaging technology specialist launch its Creative Freedom campaign for packaging. It also had breakthrough Prosper Plus technology launches, and said there will be a hybrid flexo and digital UltraStream press in conjuntion with Uteco at drupa next year.
The Verona event was hosted
at the premises of the flexible printing solutions manufacturer Uteco, providing the select group
of attendees the opportunity to see first-hand the latest advances to the Sapphire EVO technology, developed in partnership with Kodak.
Pioneering packaging solutions: Kodak EIS Division sales and marketing director ANZ Paul Haggett with Print21 publisher Lindy Hughson in Verona
Uteco says the Sapphire EVO, which uses Kodak Stream inkjet technology, will produce runs of up to 20,000sqm at a lower price than flexo, and is competitive on longer runs.
In her opening address, Patti Smith, VP, worldwide business development & marketing, EIS Division, launched Kodak’s new campaign called Creative Freedom, which she said is designed to educate and promote the use of digital printing in packaging applications and embodies what Kodak technology can deliver to printers, converters, designers and brands.
For printers and converters,
this includes flexibility, efficient production for shorter runs, economical operations, and in-line and nearline technology implementation.
Of particular significance is the work Kodak has done in formulating a lamination grade ink set,
which promises to meet industry performance expectations relating
to lamination bond strength, using standard solventless and solvent- based packaging adhesives commonly used by packaging converters.
68 Print21 MARCH/APRIL 2019