Pack Expo 2021 Recap of the In-Person Packaging Event

by DPS Magazine Staff

Pack Expo, co-located with Healthcare Packaging Expo, took place from September 27 to 29, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV. The in-person event boasted over 1,500 exhibitors offering products, technologies, and solutions to the packaging and processing community.

According to show organizers, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI), the event attracted over 23,000 people and included four expansive halls and more than 740,000 square feet of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Exhibitor Innovations
We present the following highlights from vendors on the show floor.

Brother Mobile Solutions, Inc. (BMS) a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brother International Corporation and premier provider of mobile, desktop, and industrial printing, labeling and safety signage solutions, displayed its broadened portfolio. At the event, BMS highlighted its active internal collaboration with Domino Amjet, Inc., a fellow Brother subsidiary.

Together, Domino Amjet and Brother serve the packaging and supply chain industries and are expanding their respective solution offerings for new and existing customers, including those which may have lower volume label printing requirements such as near-line manufacturing process management activities. Other key collaboration areas include providing label printing for manual applications-such as products for secondary labeling of cartons, trays, pallets, and shipping labels-all of which are in high demand across the supply chain.

Esko partnered with X-Rite Pantone to show off the latest collaborative software solutions that are helping consumer packaged goods and life sciences brands leverage packaging artwork, content, and color management for success. Delegates to the industry event will have access to content management in Esko WebCenter and get a first look at new developments in automated pack shot generation for three-dimensional, photo-realistic imagery that sets product visualizations apart from the competition.

Kirk-Rudy displayed custom, full-color inkjet printing with the FireJet 4c, powered by Memjet. The device prints on a variety of products including corrugated, paper bags, napkins, and coasters. It offers a resolution of up to 1,600×1,600 dpi, speeds of up to 150 feet per minute, a 12.75-inch print width, and pigment aqueous inks.

Markem-Imaje showcased its GS1-128-compliant 5940 G Touch Dry high-resolution inkjet technology, which prints barcodes, graphics, and text on corrugated cases and trays, expanded polystyrene, shrink wrap, and porous surfaces.

P.E. Labellers showcased its Simpl-Cut, which is designed to solve weaknesses in the traditional design of roll-fed labelers. Unlike traditional roll-fed labelers that use contrasting blades to cut the label, Simpl-Cut uses fixed blades on a rotating drum to cut the label. The fixed blades are contained in a cartridge that can be changed out and ready to run in less than one minute. The process of changing and setting up blades can take hours in traditional roll-fed labelers. Also, in the Simpl-Cut process, hot-melt glue is applied prior to the cutting of the label, virtually eliminating glue buildup on the drum. Finally, Simpl-Cut optimizes the labeling process by using only one drum to transfer and cut the label, whereas traditional roll-fed labelers require two separate drums for each function.

Printware introduced the iJetColor Pro PXG, the newest machine in the company's Pro series line of industrial inkjet presses. The PXG incorporates HP's FI-1000 fixed printer imager printhead to deliver pigment-based ink that is water, lightfast, and durable enough for uncoated packaging like paper bags, boxes, coffee sleeves, and coasters.

Rockwell Automation showcased its digital transformation technology, offering presentations on a variety of topics and presenting its latest solutions.

Siemens Digital Industries US discussed the importance of security when it comes to automation hardware and software and offered its white paper, Cybersecurity for Automation Systems.

The TruRenu sustainable flexible packaging portfolio features recyclable pouches and film laminations that qualify for the How2Recycle store drop-off label program. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) pouches and film laminates are made with up to 53 percent recycled content, the premade STANDCAP Pouch in a PCR format with up to 48 percent recycled content, and the new recycle-ready premade STANDCAP Pouch is an innovative 100 percent polyethylene structure designed to meet all the critical technical recycling guidelines from the Association of Plastic Recyclers.

WestRock exhibited its latest innovations in sustainable, connected, and automated packaging solutions, including the debut of three new machines-Cluster-Pak eMerge Combo, Pak On Demand Pouch System, and PFS 500 Small Format Tray Former.

Videojet Technologies displayed its latest product innovations, including the Videojet 1880 continuous inkjet printer and fiber laser innovations with the Videojet 7440 marking system.

Up Next
In 2022, PMMI brings us Pack Expo East returns from March 21 to 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA; followed by Pack Expo International from October 23 to 26, 2022 in Chicago, IL.

Oct2021, DPS Magazine

pack expo, digital printing and packaging

Sep 28, 2021Cassie Balentine