Page 29 - Packaging News magazine May-June 2022

May-June 2022 | www.packagingnews.com.au | COVER STORY
29
web converters servicing the indus- try. This, coupled with the monopoly of the two major supermarket brands, has historically dictated longer print runs, he says. However, the landscape has changed.
“Now, there are many SME brands outside of this looking to launch new products to market requiring a more agile supply chain, which until recent advancements in digital technology have been somewhat neglected due to the nature of smaller print run requirements,” Daws explains.
“And this is exactly where the opportunity exists! The label industry went through a similar transforma- tion, and I firmly believe we will see this present in the flexible packaging industry.”
Daws says, “We also must not forget the sustainability benefits that digi- tal printing delivers, not only in the reduction of obsolete print runs and the reduced waste in terms of press set-up, but in the technology itself. HP is recognised for its environmental leadership and ranks first as a tech- nology company in this space.”
HP Indigo digital presses are manufactured CO2 neutral and are independently verified for environ- mental credentials by Intertek. HP uses repurposed and recycled parts in its presses along with onboard recycling systems for zero waste. HP Indigo ElectroInks are also Nestlé approved and are certified home and industrial compostable.
Daws says, “HP and Currie Group look to assist our customers reduce their environmental footprint by means of a supplies and spare parts take-back program in partnership with Close the Loop. Many of
the consumables, including ink cans, are collected and are either recycled or repurposed thereby reducing the overall impact of print operations on the environment.
“In the last quarter HP Indigo’s partnership with Close the Loop saw 63 tonnes of landfill waste saved... these are impres- sive numbers. There is a lot
of talk around films in terms of recyclability and compostability
although it is the printing technology itself that can also play an important role. Given stringent targets set by APCO, the technology partners that converters look to invest with are key decision factors. This is at the fore- front in many of the conversations we have with our customers,” he says.
WHAT’S NEW ON SHOW
So what will Currie Group be show- casing at PacPrint?
Daws says, “We’re going to have the latest model being a seven-colour HP Indigo 6K Digital Press, showing a range of new ink sets and applications.
“We are excited to be demonstrat- ing HP SpotMaster for the first time, a new software tool on the press that has the ability to quickly match cus- tom and spot colours in a matter of minutes within a Delta E of 2, with almost no waste. Using Continuous Colour Control the press maintains colour throughout the print run, and will even produce colour target achieved results, which can be shared with the end user (brand owner). It’s a fantastic, simple tool that will enhance the colour gamut output of the press.”
To complement the HP Indigo press, Currie Group will have the lat- est model Digicon Lite 3 from ABG, an entry level, compact digital finish- ing system built to the same, exacting standards as the larger, market-lead- ing Digicon Series 3, and capable of running at 64 metres per minute in
LEFT: Digital packaging print opportunity abounds thanks to technology advancements embodied in the HP Indigo 6K Digital Press.
BELOW: Currie Group will have the latest model Digicon Lite 3 from ABG, an entry level, compact digital finishing system.
semi rotary, operating either in line or stand-alone to the press.
Currie Group is also hoping to show for the first time JetFX, a digi- tal embellishing print bar, which can be mounted to any press or convert- ing line to enable digital varnish and high build effects.
“On show will be examples of the level of packaging that can be achieved. Along with a large appli- cations showcase there will be opportunities for customers to lever- age some of the new ink sets available to HP Indigo presses. We will also pro- vide demonstrations of HP’s PrintOSx software tools and launch the new xR Services program,” Daws says.
“Collaboration is the theme of our stand – we will be highlighting the recent success with craft brewer Little Bang Brewery and we will have a bar set up on our stand that will run competitions with giveaways each day. Our customers will be able to sample tasting notes, around the dif- ferent technology on offer. It is going to be fun and exciting.”
Visitors to the Currie Group stand will also see the new HP Indigo xR Services VR Mixed Reality Glasses in action, whereby an HP Indigo oper- ator wearing a pair of VR glasses can get real-time collaboration, self sufficiency and support to resolve potential technical issues.
“It will revolutionise our go-to- market on services,” Daws says.
Commenting on the HP PrintOSx app-based cloud solution, Daws says, “We are seeing more printers
than ever take up the opportu- nity, with custom-built apps on areas including produc- tion management, automation, operational excellence, colour control, print optimisation, certification – it is all there, available for our customers
to leverage.”
For print businesses in
labels and packaging, and for those looking at adding to their existing portfolios, the Currie Group stand at PacPrint promises a wealth of knowledge, insight and
technology. ■