At the Toppan stand at Tokyo Pack, which took place from 24 to 26 February 2021, the company showed its new TOPMER high-strength adhesive for digital printing. TOPMER is suitable for retort sterilization, boiling sterilization, and heating in microwave ovens. It significantly expands applications for packages employing digital printing and enabling high-value-added products that meet the diversifying needs of today’s consumers. TOPMER went on sale in Japan on 24 February, targeting the food, toiletries, and cosmetics sectors.
Toppan recently announced ‘Social-Value packaging’ as a part of its Toppan S-Value Packaging range targeting value addition for society and fulfilling living. The Social-Value lineup includes the Toppan FP Digital Solution, launched in 2016 to provide flexible packaging optimized for multiple product types in small lots in response to the evolution of market needs from the traditional mass production for high volumes.
The Toppan FP Digital Solution also addresses the increasing number of roles packages are expected to fulfill to enhance differentiation from rival products in stores. The Covid-19 pandemic, meanwhile, has changed consumer attitudes, driving the growth of markets related to home cooking, pre-prepared foods, take-out, and delivery. It has therefore increased demand for products that can be prepared simply and quickly.
TOPMER is a high-strength adhesive that can be used for lamination on conventional general-purpose machinery. This means that in addition to packaging that undergoes retort sterilization, digital printing can now also be applied to packages for boiling sterilization and microwave heating, something that was previously not possible. Toppan has also improved resistance to heat and water, meaning packages are suitable for retort sterilization at 130℃ for 30 minutes and can also withstand boiling sterilization over long periods.
Digital printing of flexible packagings
Digital printing makes it possible to apply original designs to small lots, eliminating the need to affix labels to ready-made plain pouches and helping to alleviate labor shortages. In contrast to conventional mass-production methods for printing on flexible packaging, cylinders are unnecessary, allowing multiple design variations to be created for the same package.
Toppan has applied its extensive information processing technologies to achieve quality equivalent to that of gravure printing and enable the production of packages that stand out in stores. The technology also facilitates test marketing, limited edition package ranges, and a host of other possibilities. In contrast, the ability to produce only the required quantity of a given package when it is needed prevents excess inventory. It contributes to more eco-friendly solutions that help reduce waste and loss.
“Digital printing of flexible packaging opens up an array of possibilities,” said Masafumi Horiuchi, development manager in Toppan’s Packaging Solutions business. “The development of the TOPMER adhesive now enables us to extend that even further by expanding the scope of applications in response to the needs of our clients and today’s consumers.”
Smart Packaging Solutions Virtual Congress -19 March 2021
The Smart Packaging Solutions for India and South Asia Virtual Congress on 19 March focuses on food and pharma supply chains, brand security, and sustainability. Organized jointly by IPPStar and the AIPIA, the virtual congress’s topics include brand authentication, condition monitoring, and active and intelligent packaging that contributes to the safe delivery of authenticated products leading to safety, security, and customer engagement. Please look at the agenda of the conference here, and for registration, please click here. You can also email Ruchi at conference@ippgroup.in or Umesh at subscription@ippgroup.in. Call us in Noida at 120-4546988 or 4326053 – Umesh at Xtension 30; Ruchi at Xtension 33; Gaurav at Xtension 23; and Mohit at Xtension 25.
