SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 6, 2024 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG), a leading technology provider for the printing industry, and Solenis, a leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, are announcing a collaboration in the field of paper packaging at Fachpack 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. The aim of the agreement is to develop a cost-effective method for integrating barrier coatings for fiber-based packaging directly into the existing web-fed flexographic printing process with the HEIDELBERG Boardmaster. Barrier coatings are used to prevent the ingress or egress of water or water vapor, hot and cold liquids, oils, and greases from or into paper packaging.
"The growing global demand for sustainably produced, cost-effective, recyclable, and compostable packaging makes the 'Flexible Paper' segment an attractive growth market for us," says Dr. David Schmedding, Member of the Management Board responsible for Technology & Sales at HEIDELBERG. "Our new Boardmaster web-fed flexographic printing press, with its production speed of up to 600 meters per minute and availability of up to 90 percent, offers the ideal conditions for this. In cooperation with Solenis, we are aiming for the cost-effective production of packaging solutions for the food industry that are focused on efficiency and sustainability."
Visitors to Fachpack 2024, which takes place from September 24-26 in Nuremberg, can find out more about the cooperation with Solenis and all other HEIDELBERG activities in the packaging sector at the company's booth in Hall 7A/Booth Number 7A-246 and talk to the experts from HEIDELBERG.
Breakthrough in Cost-Effective Barrier Coatings Expected
The cost-effective application of barrier coatings plays a central role in the quality and safety of Flexible Paper packaging. The collaboration between HEIDELBERG and Solenis is therefore about optimally coordinating the individual assemblies of the Boardmaster, the chemical composition of the barrier coatings from Solenis, and the entire process technology and making them available to packaging producers. At the same time, the use of plastics is to be reduced by environmentally friendly alternatives with improved barrier functionality. The overall package should enable customers to expand their range of applications in the Flexible Paper segment with improved barrier functions. The result is cost-optimized production applications that are predominantly recyclable, reusable, renewable, and compostable.
"Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimize processes while meeting ambitious sustainability goals," said William Kuecker, Senior Director, Strategic Marketing at Solenis. "Our partnership with HEIDELBERG pushes the boundaries of what is possible for flexible packaging manufacturers. Combining state-of-the-art printing technology with innovative, high-performance specialty coatings enables packaging manufacturers to increase operational efficiency and product performance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and processes."
About Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading provider of printing solutions and services to the global commercial and packaging printing industry. Headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, the company offers a broad portfolio of products and services, including sheetfed offset presses, digital printing systems, postpress equipment, consumables, and software solutions. HEIDELBERG is committed to helping its customers succeed by providing innovative and reliable solutions that enable them to achieve their business goals.
About Solenis
Solenis, owned by Platinum Equity, is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp and paper industry, the institutional and industrial water treatment, the food and beverage industry, and the pool and spa markets. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad range of water treatment chemicals, process aids, functional additives, cleaning and disinfection chemistries as well as state-of-the-art monitoring, control, and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact and maintain a healthy environment. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 70 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 16,500 professionals in 130 countries across six continents. Solenis was awarded the Best Managed Company Gold Standard in 2024.