Printer News - November 2011

Pet Food Flex Pack

ATLANTA, Ga.—Star Packaging Corp. has introduced a new line of packaging solutions for pet food and treats applications that improves product sealing, offers a variety of convenient size and format options, and enhances in-store shelf presence.

Pet food and treats include a variety of vitamins and organic ingredients that must be protected through packaging to preserve product freshness. Star Packaging's new line of flexible pouches for pet food and treats features integrated, advanced barriers and organoleptic properties that keep contents fresh, without impacting texture or flavor profile.

Packaging styles range from stand-up to lay-flat to single serve, helping consumer packaged goods companies meet varying consumer needs. "We know that certain pet owners purchase packages to meet dietary restrictions, and we know that other pet owners prefer a reclosable large food package," says Fred Crowe, president and CEO of Star Packaging, "so we have developed a packaging line that is flexible to consumer needs."

Brand integrity is of key importance when developing packaging for pet food and treats. From high-end graphics to high-barrier laminates, the new line of packaging maintains the integrity of the product, while also providing shelf differentiation. "We design packages that uphold a brand's reputation visually," Crowe adds. "We strive to make our products stand out on the store shelf."

Atlantic Zeiser Attains 3M UL Certification

EMMINGEN, Germany—As an extension of its product safety and quality guarantee, Atlantic Zeiser Group announced its OMEGA and GAMMA printing systems, as well as the corresponding UV inkjet inks developed in-house, now hold UL certification on 3M materials. The certification guarantees that using 3M's high-quality label material with Atlantic Zeiser printing modules and inkjet inks will maintain a consistently high level of product quality.

"Atlantic Zeiser and 3M, have been working closely together for some time. The basis for this newly attained UL certification is our common interest in developing new products and solutions for label applications in UV inkjet printing," says Cathrin Becker, market and product manager of digital printing and coding solutions at Atlantic Zeiser. Initial tests for the certification process began in 2010 on the OMEGA and GAMMA printer ranges in combination with OMEGA 10000 and OMEGA 20000 inks.

The 3M range includes high-strength white and silver polyester films with matt or gloss surface coatings that are ideal for digital UV inkjet printing. The films have a high level of durability and are resistant to the effects of a large number of chemicals. As these materials represent a real challenge in printing, 3M certifies only a selected number of printer technologies.