Stora Enso Consumer Board
FIN-55800 IMATRA, Finland
Tel. +358 2046 121
Fax +358 2046 24716
PRESS RELEASE
25 April 2008
Stora Enso Gallop - Cutting edge solution for digital packaging
Stora Enso and Xerox are jointly announcing a pioneering solution for the digital printing and die cutting of packages. The Stora Enso Gallop production line works inline and on demand, shortening lead times, enabling quick changeovers and providing the possibility to print individual, variable data on each package cost-effectively.
The Stora Enso Gallop integrated solution, powered by the Xerox iGen3® Digital Production Press, includes inline systems for varnishing, stacking, conveying and die cutting. The solution is demonstrated for the first time at the Stora Enso stand at the Interpack 2008 exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany from April 24th-30th.
Clear advantages in pharmaceuticals packaging
Pharmaceuticals packaging is one of the areas in which the Stora Enso Gallop production line offers significant benefits such as on demand production and traceability and anti-counterfeiting measures. The pharmaceutical industry, for example, requires small batch sizes due to specific language requirements in Europe. With Stora Enso Gallop, production can be planned on demand and packaging materials can be delivered within one to two days instead of one to two weeks. The solution improves supply chain logistics, steering ability and stock turnover. Such a quick lead time is a major benefit for pharmaceutical companies as they want to cut the time to market for new products after the drawn-out regulatory approval process.
Pharmaceutical companies also seek improved anti-counterfeiting, safety and security features. Traceability and anti-counterfeiting measures can be improved by using variable data, i.e. unique marking of packages, which can be implemented cost-effectively by using digital printing technology.
The advantages of short runs and variable data also make Stora Enso Gallop a feasible solution for packaging cosmetics, media products and customised business gifts, for example.
Unique versatility and variable print
Stora Enso Gallop combines the latest, state-of-the-art technologies from the world's leading manufacturers. The line consists of a Xerox iGen3 press, an Epic CTi-635 varnishing unit with aqueous and UV-coating options from Xerox, and a new KAMA die cutter with 580 x 400 mm sheet size. A completely new stacker-conveyer unit handles the material flow from the varnishing unit to the die cutter.
"The integrated solution offers clear advantages for brand owners and any packaging supplier equipped with this technology. The die cutter is designed to match the Xerox iGen3 in sheet size and capacity, and it enables the quick changeover required for manufacturing various packages in short runs. This versatility, together with the variable data enabled by digital printing, makes the solution unique in the world," says Pekka Tommola, Managing Director of Stora Enso Digital Solutions N.V. "The Xerox iGen3 press with the new varnishing unit from Epic is the world's first integrated solution for digital printing and aqueous coating, which is required for product safety reasons in pharmaceuticals and food packaging. That's why it is a major breakthrough for digital printing of packages."
"The complete solution brings many of the productivity gains to the packaging market that Xerox customers have benefited from with our digital technology", said Valentin Govaerts, Senior Vice President, Production and Graphic Arts Industry, Xerox Europe. "With Xerox iGen3 technology, customers will see an increased return on investment, produce packaging more effectively and get their products to market faster. By producing shorter runs customers will also benefit from reducing the hidden costs of preparation, warehousing, and distribution."
Entire packaging process under one roof
For those customers that have already made investments in coating or die cutting the solution can be customised and configured for their requirements using the standard building block components. The Xerox iGen3 digital printing press offers the required colour gamut, output and printing quality for packaging end use, making it an attractive alternative for traditional offset printing, particularly in short runs. Stora Enso's Tambrite, Ensocoat and Ensogloss boards have been tested and approved for iGen3 use by Xerox.
Stora Enso Gallop is jointly marketed by Stora Enso Digital Solutions N.V. and Xerox. The line can be completed with folding, gluing and filling machinery currently available in the market, which provides the possibility of having the entire printing and packaging process under one roof.
The Stora Enso Gallop solution will be available for order taking in Europe from May 2008, and in North America from the second half of 2009.
Direct links to images:
For further information:
Stora Enso Digital Solutions N.V.
Pekka Tommola, Managing Director, mobile phone +32 475 54 02 33, Pekka.Tommola@storaenso.com
Jonas Pettersson, Product and Sales Manager, Pharmaceutical Solutions, mobile phone +358 40 715 5029, Jonas.Pettersson@storaenso.com
Xerox Media Contacts
North America - Linda Seelman, Xerox Corporation, 585-422-4048, Linda.Seelman@xerox.com
Europe - Robert Corbishley, Xerox Europe, +44 (0) 1895 843 239, Robert.Corbishley@xerox.com
Xerox®, the Xerox wordmark and the spherical connection symbol are trademarks of Xerox Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Prices, features, specifications, capabilities, appearance and availability of Xerox products and services are subject to change without notice.
