Visitor numbers were up on 2002 – at 176,000 from 106 countries compared with 174,042 from 103 countries) – while the 2,668 exhibitors covered 11% more floor space. However, exhibitors generally judge trade exhibitions on the quality of business conducted. Messe Düsseldorf was thus delighted that over two-thirds of visitors were "executives with decision-making powers". The show also maintained its traditional international feel; 55% of visitors, a 3% increase on 2002, came from outside Germany, with the largest contingent (of 107,360) from Europe, followed by Asia.
Messe Düsseldorf says exhibitors and visitors expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their time at the fair, with 86% of companies interviewed rating the "business results" as "satisfactory" or "very good", and nearly 90% expecting to win post-fair business.
Two special features were magnets for visitors eager to acquaint themselves with packaging applications for bioplastics and RFID. The centrally located Innovationparc Bioplastics in Packaging showcase featured over 20 exhibitors and leading retail chains – including the Co-op and Sainsbury's in the UK – are now using "naturally-based" packs commercially for goods such as salads and fresh produce or testing them.
One typically enthusiastic UK exhibitor was Innovia Films, whose global communications manager Patricia Potts said: "The Bioplastics in Packaging area was an excellent concept and was well-organised. On some occasions people queued for some time to talk to us."
Also a big draw was a new RFID feature – "Innovationparc RFID – Supply Chain Solutions" – at which key RFID players highlighted the latest developments in a technology set to see increasing use in the global supply chain.
The next interpack will be held from 24-30 April, 2008.
Novel aerosol duo
Corus Packaging Plus launched an interesting duo – reportedly the world's first polymer-coated steel two-piece aerosol and a distinctly different take on the conventional container used for products like anti-perspirants and room fresheners.
The Protact (Protact is Corus's name for its polymer coated steel) two-piece aerosol is produced by Illinois-headquartered DS Containers using proprietary technology from Japanese partner, Daiwa Can Company. Expected to be in production by late 2005, the can will initially be targeted at the aerosol sector but could "easily be adapted" to other packaging formats and any liquid or viscous products.
Both can and end are made from Protact, which Corus says offers excellent anti-corrosion protection, "state-of-the-art" decoration possibilities and FDA and European food legislation compliance. Eight-colour decoration, an 18-bar pressure rating and a pressure release bottom are other key features.
Corus Packaging Plus's second launch (shown in concept form), the "Buzz", is a novel steel and plastic/glass pack designed to offer traditional aerosol users something different in terms of differentiation, spray convenience and ease of production by separating the various pack/product elements. A plastic or glass outer reservoir holds the content, with the propellant housed separately in a steel aerosol. On depressing a button the nozzle mixes the propellant and product via the Venturi principle (drawing the content into the nozzle); thus no specific aerosol-compatible product formulations are required.
Corus Packaging Plus T: +31 251 493 005 E: roger.steens@corusgroup.com
In-line slider applier
Pactiv Corporation demonstrated a new machine module for in-line application of its Slide-Rite resealable slider closure on vertical form, fill, seal machines in Düsseldorf.
The SR-3001 module's key selling point is the ability to produce both 3 or 4-side seal bags and RoPack stand-up bags while, in combination with the Pactiv SR-3001 module, the unit can manufacture "an even wider range of recloseable bags" operating at up to 75 cycles/min at what Pactiv describes as an "optimum cost/performance ratio".
The slide closure, which works like a zipper, facilitates repeated bag opening and reclosing, simultaneously preserving the contents' freshness and aroma. The VVI's "closed" design ensures a dust-free packing environment and allows gas flushing of sensitive food products. Rovema can incorporate the SR-3001 module in the VVI 200 machine at its factory, for subsequent optimised set-up at the customer site.
Pactiv Corporation T: +49 (0) 5641 96 325 E: jhonert@pactiv.com
Compact desiccant
Multisorb Technologies has introduced a concentrated sorbent, Multiform Coated Solid Form (CSF) desiccants.
Using condensed density technology, it is claimed to deliver twice the moisture protection in the same amount of dimensional space. Formed in the exact dimensions of a desiccant canister, it runs on the same dispensing equipment without recalibration.
The Multiform CSF sorbent – which comes as silica gel, activated carbon, or a combination of both for "superior protection" and, as a concentrated solid with no lid – stops loose fill desiccant contaminating the production line. It can be substituted for canisters using the existing dispensing equipment on pharmaceutical packaging lines, and its smooth, edge-free coating is said to eliminate potential jamming in machinery.
The sorbent effectively eliminates "double drops" of desiccants into packaging, reducing space requirements and production time.
Multiform CSF is available in 1 and 2g canister configurations and custom shapes.
Multisorb Technologies T: + 35 8505 119 447 www.multisorb.com
Custom seal solutions
DuPont demonstrated its new Lock&Peel technology, which it says provides brand owners and converters with greater freedom to design in specific, unique peel properties for their packaging.
At the technology's core is a special grade of DuPont Surlyn ionomer resin which, depending on the selected seal temperature and other conversion parameters, delivers either a tight, hermetic "lock" seal or a well-controlled "easy-open" peel solution.
"The quality of a seal and its actual opening behaviour are critical as they determine the freshness of goods on arrival at the end customer and influence the overall quality perception," says Dr Karlheinz Hausmann, development specialist at DuPont's European Technical Centre.
DuPont says the peelability of sealing media is a function of the resin composition – typically a compound consisting of "essentially incompatible ingredients" – and conversion temperature, both adjustable along a broad spectrum to create customised solutions in terms of peel strength, whitening, a clean peel surface etc.
DuPont Packaging Solutions T: +44 (0) 1442 218500 www.plastics.dupont.com
Combatting forgeries
DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (P&IP) and its Security & Solutions business are now marketing two technologies to help brand owners combat counterfeiting and tampering.
Developed by identif of Germany, with whom DuPont recently initiated a marketing agreement, Bio-Molecular Fingerprint (covert) and Color Spectra Film (overt) include human and machine detectable "signatures" that can be integrated into "forgery-proof" packaging or labelling.
Utilising a combination of machine-readable and user-observable product authentication technologies, DuPont says Bio-Molecular Fingerprint and Color Spectra Film can "increase the product safety, performance and brand exclusivity" of pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, arts and media products, branded apparel and automotive parts.
Color-Spectra films show a strong colourshift visible to the eye when viewed from different angles. The film's colours can read with precision by a machine reader. The films are created by depositing a combination of nanometric layers onto film-based substrates.
Bio-Molecular Marker is supplied as an ink, with the product's labels imprinted with a customer-specific ink containing a single-strand synthetic DNA. The "marker" can be identified in the field via activation with a pen, which contains the corresponding sequence. After a 10-second chemical reaction the DNA strand "hybridises" and a luminescent signal can be measured with the handheld reader. The inks can be applied directly onto products or labels via all conventional printing processes.
DuPont P&IP T: +44 (0)1462 834490 www.uk.news.dupont.com
Amcor's flexible beverage pack
Amcor Flexibles' AquaFlexCan, shown for the first time in public at interpack, is described as "a new generation, easy-open, non-spill flexible beverage pack for non-carbonated water".
A product extension of Amcor Flexibles' successful easy-open and recloseable stand-up flexible container, Amcor FlexCan, the AquaFlexCan is claimed to be the first flexible container of its type for water and other still beverages. Providing striking on-shelf differentiation, the entire pack surface is printable.
To use the container consumers simply "tear-n-sip" and special seal geometry allows easy control of the liquid flow and limits spills if the pack falls over.
The AquaFlexCan is produced on a vertical FFS Rovema VPI 260 FlexCan machine and is made from Amcor AquaFlex – a new flexible material specifically developed for non-carbonated, fresh drinking water. Amcor Flexibles says it offers comparable shelf life to rigid containers and holds chemical and organoleptic certification, while its barrier properties ensure water remains fresh and pure.
Amcor Flexibles Schüpbach T: +41 34 421 51 11 E: bruno.brunisholz@amcorflexibles.com
Blistering speed
A thermoformer said to be the world's fastest machine for forming, filling and sealing of blisters, with an output of 1,300/min, was shown publicly for the first time by German manufacturer Uhlmann Pac-Systeme at interpack.
The B 1880 has a cast mineral frame and offers easy operator access via simply sliding doors as well as simplified handling. Air and waste heat are drawn off inside the machine frame to ensure a cleanroom atmosphere.
Uhlmann T: +44 (0) 1252 743124 www.uhlmann.de
Molins offers flexibility
Molins Packaging Machinery (MPM) launched a number of new "flexible" machines from its various constituent companies.
Cartoning and case packing specialist Langenpac featured a top load robotic cell and its latest Chinook end load cartoner. Speed, flexibility and cost savings are among the claimed advantages of the Langenpac LRC-400i robotic cell, which can erect, fill, close and top load cartons using interchangeable modules that allow fast, easy product changes.
The cell comprises an LRC-400i robotic platform, EFFE tray erector and the Combi Tri-Sealer. In place of pick-and-place robots for loading individual products, the LRC-400i uses traditional collation techniques and an industrial robot to load the collation into the carton in a single move. The system is designed for high throughput, including faster format changes.
The Chinook can handle a wide range of products at operating speeds from 50 to 550 cartons/min. Its hygienic design meets HACCP standards. For example, its stainless steel plate construction "virtually eliminates dust and dirt traps" and drive parts are completely separated from the product handling area to prevent contamination.
Also making its debut was Sandiacre Packaging Machinery's new TG250-RC vertical form, fill seal bagging machine, a high speed, compact unit able to produce bags up to 350mmm wide at up to 200/min. Alongside a small footprint, the TG250-RC boasts quick changeover, product in jaw detection and automatic self-centering transport features.
Molins Packaging Machinery T: +44 (0) 1908 219000 www.molins.com
Improved wrappers
Krones showed radical redesigns of its Variopac tray shrinkwrapper and Wrapapac family of wraparound packaging machines.
The top-speed Variopac can now reach 100 cycles/min for trays shrinkwrapped in film, while operator access is easier and user-friendliness is further enhanced by larger doors, which enable two-thirds of the "access area" to be opened up. The operator and service sides of the machine are also now separated – there are no drives, photocell switches or similar components on the operator side.
New features include a blank separator, container spacer, software that computes the cam disk for the film wrapping module and an automatic film splicer that "copes effortlessly" with printed films. In addition, all drive functions are now fitted with their own servo-drive units. Krones says the multi-drive design means operators can make all significant adjustments at changeover automatically, significantly reducing downtime.
The redesigned Wrapapac wraparound packaging machine dispenses with what were previously in most cases mechanically synchronised drive units. A central motor which transmitted its power via chains and gearwheels has been replaced with decentralised servo-motors and there is now easier operator access.
Krones has also expanded the available handling options to include solid board, enabling the production of the "fridge pack" type drinks.
Krones T: +49 (0) 9401 70 2222 www.krones.com
Dual purpose food trays
Walki Wisa has developed a range of dual ovenable ready meal containers offering maximum consumer convenience in that they double up as food packaging and serving dishes.
Ready for use straight from the freezer, the WalkiTray and WalkiTray Lid products are manufactured from different board types and incorporate a heat-resistant polyester barrier layer. The polyester film is glue laminated to the cardboard, which Stefan Erdmann, technical sales & r&d at Walki Wisa Steinfurt, Germany, says offers several benefits. "Our product development process has shown that glue lamination offers better adhesion between the barrier layer and the cardboard," he explains. "The lamination process is also more flexible for both the customer and supplier. The fact that a glued tray tolerates oven heat better than a corresponding extrusion-coated product is also very important". Glue products also enable production in smaller volumes than extrusion-coated products.
Walki Wisa Group T: +358 (0) 204 16 9389 www.walkiwisa.com
First for plastic tubes
Showcased by alliance partner ExxonMobil: Santoprene and licensee Ten Cate Plasticum was Australian-based Zestron Research's technology which, "in a world first", enables the commercial production of multi-dose injection moulded plastic squeeze tubes.
Zestron's research md, Ian Jacobs, says the technology enables companies to enter "the very large and lucrative plastic tube market on an extremely competitive basis'", adding that the tubes are "not only significantly cheaper to produce than tubes made using traditional manufacturing technology, they also equal or better the quality of today's tubes".
The technology enables the manufacture of tubes with "novel shapes, exciting new designs and innovative decorations incorporating integral closures, embossing, surface texturing and in-mould labelling features that existing tube-making technology simply cannot match".
Zestron says the technology is being licensed around the world to a "strictly limited number of licensees".
Zestron Research E: pauljacobs@zestronresearch.com www.zestronresearch.com
Weighing revolution
Yamato Scale launched the Sigma F1 Series of multi-head weighers which achieve 140bpm from only 8 heads and 210bpm from 12 heads and are suitable for a variety of products ranging from potato chips and extruded snacks to confectionery.
The company says emphasis is placed on the unique concept of "bottom based handling" which gives clear product windows by holding a dose of product in the bottom base system, allowing enough settle time prior to discharge.
Yamato believes that technically the machine is "revolutionary" – one weigher in single shift operation (referred to as Tectradic Architecture) utilises four independent weigh heads which hold a maximum of 16 pieces of weighing data to be used in combination. This is said to be achieved by use of a "unique algorithm and loadcell data processing technology".
One head consists of one feed bucket, one dual chambered weigh bucket and one dual chambered memory bucket. The company says this configuration ensures that the weighing combinations are vast.
The Sigma F1 is claimed to be fast, highly accurate and "extremely flexible". For example, Yamato says, the Sigma F1 8-head can run two totally different products with individual target weights at two different speed.
Other benefits include stainless steel construction, spring free buckets, fully interchangeable buckets and linear feed pans, and totally enclosed operating systems.
Yamato Scale T: +49 2154 9159 0 www.yamatoscale.com
Lidding innovations
A lidding foil that reveals the finest details under different light, a print process that enables different motifs to be incorporated in the same set of cylinders and a protective lidding system for aluminium drinks cans were among Hueck Folien's interpack launches.
Super Sheen is a smooth, embossed lidding foil with particularly weak reflective properties which reveals the finest details of images or text under the widest lighting conditions. To ensure precise colour reproduction, the shallow embossed depth does not reflect ambient light, meaning flexo or gravure-printed images are reproduced uniformly in strict accordance with brand or corporate colours.
In the milk and dairy sectors the trend for numerous product variations and national/regional versions is seeing the motifs on dessert lidding becoming ever more complex. Hueck's development of combi-rotogravure printing, which enables different motifs to be incorporated in the same set of cylinders and printed in a single process step, addresses these developments. Splitting the motif's colours into four "spectral" colours and a number of specials enables printing of the required designs. For users this means no additional costs for cylinders, an "attractive" price even on small runs, a simplified approval process and high quality printing over and above the "normal" colour range.
Hueck also demonstrated a range of extremely thin (13µm) aluminium foil lids which fit securely over drinks cans to prevent dirt accumulating near the drinking aperture, which also offer significant extra graphics space.
Hueck Folien T: +49 961 870 www.hueck-folien.de
"Next generation" can
Germany's tinplate manufacturer Rasselstein presented a new generation of can, the CosmoCan.
The winner of the German Packaging Award 2005 from the Deutsche Verpackungsinstitut (DVI), the container was developed with Swiss can developer Crebocan, valve, actuator and spray cap manufacturer the Lindal Group, and Unilever, and is said to be ideal for applications ranging from aerosol products to beverages and foods.
The manufacturing process uses laser seam welding for what is believed to be the first time in large-scale production. The cap, body and can bottom are laser welded, "creating a particularly smooth transition at the joints and giving the can an exceptionally premium look".
The process provides an opportunity for further downgauging, for while crimped tinplate cans have a plate thickness of 0.17 mm, with CosmoCan this can be reduced to 0.12 mm. Laser technology also enables cans and tubes with diameters of under 10mm to be produced.
The steel used is PET-coated on both sides. The coating film can be individually printed and the image is protected because it is on the inside of the film. This makes the cans also suitable for water-based paints and lacquers.
Rasselstein says that inline moulding, a hydraulic shaping process which forms the can with a water jet, enables the container to be expanded by up to 25% in any direction, enabling production of "extraordinary" can shapes.
Rasselstein T: +49 (0) 2631 81 0 www.rasselstein.com
