Labels and packaging are just beginning to explore the available technologies that make packaging and labels smart
The biennial FINAT Technical Seminar, taking place 7-9 March 2018 in Barcelona, promises to deliver practical advice on how the industry, and label converters in particular, can achieve real results.
The programme will be launched by internationally-acclaimed keynote speaker Andy Hobsbawm, co-founder and chief marketing officer of IoT smart products platform Evrythng. Mr Hobsbawm will look at the technical side of the way in which smart products can transform brand relationships, business operations, and service experiences. Labels and packaging are just beginning to explore the available technologies that make packaging and labels smart. With live solutions, Mr Hobsbawm will show the audience how to answer the call and transform their labels into smart, digital assets.
In addition there will be sessions on topics such as workflow optimisation – a key topic for label converters today; the challenges and pitfalls of choosing an MIS supplier; digitalisation of production processes; business connectivity; and the principles and benefits of workflow automation.
Daragh Whelan, process manager of Bobst Firenze, will discuss the technicalities of three different levels of digital automation for flexo print, and give insight into the economic values behind investment in each technology.
Troubleshooting workshops will explore self-adhesive multi-layer peel-and-reveal labels, led by John Hammond, sales director of Nilpeter UK, and flexible packaging and sleeve labels, led by Nanette Thomas, CEO and founder of Synthogra.
Martin Stierle – FINAT technical committee member – chairs a session on inks and decoration, opened by Bo Meyer (UK), European business development manager of UEI Falcontec. Mr Meyer will detail value-added options for labels through the use of hot and cold foiling, embossing, and adding texture.
Developments in ink drying and curing will be explored, and effective UV ink cure with a reduced photo initiator platform assessed as a useful added-value feature for food labels. Also up for discussion will be varnishes – their manufacture and constitution, the different types available, and appropriate applications.
The programmes final session will focus on on facestocks and finishing, for example facestock media for water-based inkjet inks for demanding applications; recent advances in PSA label films, BOPP labelling films, as well as cavitated core layer splitting resistance for different cavitating agents and skin and tie layer composition; and the variation in standard tests for core anchorage and end-use application challenges.
Closing the seminar will be a timely exploration of traceability, food safety, authentication and branding with smart labels, demystifying IoT technologies and showing how smart labels – embedded with electronics, software, sensors, or actuators – are used to increase consumer engagement as well as provide traceability and product security.
