GREEN BAY, WI—Paper Converting Machine Co (PCMC), a division of Barry-Wehmiller and a global supplier of high-performance flexographic printing equipment, has announced that its Fusion C is now capable of running Gelflex-EB central impression (CI) flexographic printing inks at 400 meters per minute.
The marketplace for high-speed CI flexographic printing continues to grow, with flexible packaging printers requesting higher-speed presses with greater efficiency. Gelflex-EB CI flexographic inks and Energy Sciences Inc.’s (ESI) EZCure Electron Beam (EB) are now able to meet customers’ demands on PCMC’s Fusion C, which is part of a series of flexographic printers that significantly reduce energy requirements by utilizing low-power consumption components, designs and operations.
“Offering our customers the ability to print Gelflex-EB CI flexographic inks is important,” said Rodney Pennings, PCMC’s printing, coating and laminating sales director. “As the market continues to evaluate more sustainable and recyclable packaging structures, customers are also considering alternative ink systems, which will allow them to reduce their volatile organic compounds. By moving away from solvent-based ink systems, printers can remove solvents at the source. Water-based inks and EB curable inks both fill this need.”
Gelflex-EB ink technology offers printers a cost-effective path to gain high-resolution print quality that removes more than 90 percent of solvents. It is safe for food packaging and can be used in both traditional reverse-print laminations or as a surface-print ink on multi-layer monomaterial recyclable structures.
“PCMC is a leader in bringing new environmentally friendly drying technology to market,” said Mike Branstrom, PCMC’s Global Product and Applications Leader. “Flextreme, our patented drying system, runs off heated compressed air. What makes this unique is there is no need for a natural gas burner to heat the air used in the drying process. The Gelflex-EB printing process is similar in that it does not require any natural gas burners. Apart from the energy savings, both drying technologies can be 100 percent powered by renewable resources. This was a big factor in our decision to offer this to the market.”