With consumers driving the demand for sustainability, the focus on greener solutions is increasingly crucial to future-proof businesses in the global market. Kurz was one of several exhibitors at the recent Labelexpo Southeast Asia tradeshow in Bangkok, Thailand, to outline its sustainability agenda.
Emphasising recyclable, deinkable, and compostable decorative products under the theme “Design and Sustainability. Sharing one Future”, the company aimed to inspire the labels and package printing community at the tradeshow.
Kurz Thailand managing director Boonchai Laohateerapong said the game changer for Kurz’s metallisation decoration cold foil/transfer film technology is now the same surface finish on a 50 per cent thinner carrier.
What used to be 12 microns as an industry standard was reduced to 10 microns in Thailand two years ago. As of last year, it has been producing cold foils in 6 micron thickness.
He said this results in reduced materials usage, which in turn reduces carbon footprints. In addition, it weighs less, which enables easier handling. It also allows for the make of longer reels, meaning less changeovers are necessary.
“Kurz has been improving on its sustainability over the years, and continues to do so. We don’t only think about the end product but also about the process. Our technology has developed, and we are proud of what we have achieved so far,” he said.
“Our customers are now looking for more sustainable solutions. Going green and reducing carbon footprints are leading conversations, so we want to educate customers that Kurz is the first to make PET cold foil films at 6 microns.
“Customers can be confident that they’re using the latest, superior technology from Kurz in regard to the sustainability of materials. Customers that are already using the slimmer cold foils are happy with its performance.”
Kurz was also showcasing the capabilities of the DM-Uniliner 3D at the tradeshow.
The machine is a spot coating, relief varnishing, and metallisation all in one operation machine, applied with digital technology.
The machine’s inkjet on substrate technology offers flexibility for the embellishment process, allowing for flat and haptic effects ranging from 4 to 100 microns.
Designs can be metallised either before or after CMYK printing. With a print resolution of 600dpi, the DM-Uniliner 3D ensures quality metallisation and varnishing, resulting in excellent surfaces and intricate structures, suitable for both thin and thick layers.
Moreover, the digital metallisation can be over-varnished and protected using digital UV spot varnish.
