Sealant and coatings help make possible the performance of value-added materials favored by converters and their customers. Flexible Packaging asked ACTEGA WIT to identify some of the current industry drivers.
John Signet, director of marketing, ACTEGA WIT.
Q. How
does the flexible packaging marketing look in 2010?
A: ACTEGA WIT (formerly Water ink Technologies) sees the current market in
recovery from last years’ low-growth position.
Most market segments are showing growth from narrow web, wide web and
corrugated. We are cautiously waiting to see if this trend will continue
through the rest of 2010 and into 2011. In June we began the process of
combining our operations with those of ACTEGA Radcure. The combined company
will be called ACTEGA WIT and offer a complete line of inks, coatings and
adhesives, including laminating adhesives for flexible packaging.
Q: What are you
hearing from
customers?A: Our
customers today are seeking ways to improve productivity with current
equipment. We work closely with them on programs that support this goal. We
provide on-site analysis of ink and printing operations and help the converter
evaluate areas for improvement. To achieve this, we feel it is important to
provide our customers with the most consistent, highest quality product that
enables them to reduced waste and set up faster. We’ve developed manufacturing
and quality procedures that ensure batch-to-batch color accuracy to the highest
tolerance possible. The results are printed on the product label so customers
can easily verify the consistency and accuracy of the color when it arrives at
their plant. In the end printers and converters achieve more uptime and less
downtime.
Q: Can you
point to a recent breakthrough your company has introduced?
A: One of the most impactful developments in recent years has been in UV inks and
coatings. ACTEGA WIT has developed a complete line of UV inks and coatings with
operator health and safety in mind. Our PharmaFlex line does not contain
aggressive skin sensitizers or other toxic chemicals that may be found in many
of the UV products on the market today. Specifically, PharmaFelx UV inks and coatings
are free of benzophenone, ITX, TMPTA, HODDA and other chemicals that are known
to be health concerns. In fact, our PharmaFlex products tested by a nationally
recognized packaging lab have demonstrated ultra-low levels of migration
through commonly used films and lidding material. Plus independent lab tests
have shown our products to be in compliance with all heavy metals standards.
Customers are assured that their employees and customers are using the safest
product on the market today. We see the health and safety issue growing in
importance as witnessed by recent product recalls, especially in children’s
toys.
Q: In what
segment of flexible packaging do you see the best opportunities?A: One area where we are seeing growth is in the narrow web printing and
converting of pouches. The short-run capabilities provided by narrow-web
converters is finding applications in specialty pouch products and products
with multiple stock-keeping units. Within our product line converters are using
our laminating adhesives plus our low-migration overprint varnishes and
adhesives.
ACTEGA WIT, Inc. 704-735-8282;
www.actega.com
