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Sustainable innovation
The challenge that the world of packaging is facing, is finding sustainable packaging solutions: many large companies have launched programs to reduce or eliminate plastic in packaging and are looking for alternative solutions. It is a difficult challenge because barrier properties, lightness and the cost of plastic films are difficult to replace. We receive many requests, being specialized in printing on paper, but then we have to find technical solutions to replicate the properties of packaging in a single film, which is often very difficult.
To address these requests, we have established an internal task force, a working group that is moving on various fronts: research on materials, collaboration with suppliers, the study of new technologies and, in the finally, participation in groups of our clients’ projects to investigate the best solutions.
In recent years we have been investing significantly, both in the printing aspect, where we have inserted advanced quality control tools and upgrades to our printing machines, and
in converting, with the inclusion of several next generation machines. In the last 5 years we have invested more than
11 million euros, almost all in 4.0 systems. Great diligence
was paid to data control and the digitalization of the entire process. We are changing the entire information system
with the inclusion of a new ERP and the strengthening of the existing CRM.
For several years we have been working on continuous improvement and have introduced the Lean philosophy
into all our processes, whether productive, commercial or management. This path began for us with the application of Lean Management which allowed us to achieve the following results:
▶ Continuous improvements to reduce waste
▶ Reduction of print setup and colour proofing times: - 15
tons of paper/year
▶ 15% reduction in colour returns: - 33 tons of ink/year
▶ Preparation area layout: from 11.9 to 3.4 km/day per person
▶ Paper waste reduction construction site: objective -10%: - 80 tons of paper/year
Our products are all customized for our clients, for whom we seek the best solutions.
For instance, for a year we have been producing for an important multinational company that wanted to replace plastic film with sustainable packaging. We supply printed reels that go on both horizontal and vertical packaging machines, with a paper content greater than 95%, meaning the packaging is recyclable. In this case we worked on the support, on the printing process and on the inks in order to pass the recyclability tests in Europe and the United States, as well as provide very high print quality to replicate the same definition as the plastic film on paper.
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