18 technical presentations will discuss the latest developments in direct-to-shape decoration of plastics for various market applications during the second edition of Direct Container Print conference. Organised by ESMA (European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association) with media support of “Specialist Printing Worldwide”, DCP brings together machine manufacturers, ink suppliers, colour management experts and curing system providers, as well as printers, designers, packaging manufacturers and brand owners. The second edition of the conference takes place on 27-28th November 2017 in Radisson Blu Scandinavia Düsseldorf.
According to a report by Smithers Pira, the global packaging market has been growing with 4% per year and is estimated to reach 885 bn. EUR in 2020. The share of rigid plastics in that amount exceeds 20%, with only PET packaging growing with an estimated CAGR of over 5%. The advent of digital printing opened up new decoration opportunities and at the same time, the traditional, screen and pad printing technologies are not standing still. Launched in 2015, the Direct Container Print conference focuses on techniques which enable premiumisation, personalisation, mass customisation and “wow” effects in plastic containers in various shapes, such as bottles, cups, pots, tubes or boxes.
“It is our goal to demonstrate and explain technical opportunities which respond to the specifics of such distinct and demanding markets as food and beverages, personal care, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. During DCP, we discuss aspects ranging from food safe inks, to adaptable or standalone printing systems, handling variable data and mass customisation techniques”, says Peter Buttiens, CEO of ESMA. “Why does direct-to-shape raise interest of the brand owners? Compared to labels or shrink wraps, direct print is not as easy to remove and replace, it involves less process steps and less materials, such as adhesives or liners.”
DCP 2017 features educational presentations which provide a comprehensive insight in all processes contributing to an innovative, directly printed packaging. The submitted titles include:
- “Achieve perfect printing result on plastic objects with a scalable and easy to use industrial system for screen printing” by Dr Bernard Fritsche from Gallus
- “Brand colour management: Meeting customer requirements and expectations” by Gerrit Andre from ColorGATE
- “Can digital direct printing spice-up your brands? Here is how” by Jean-Marc Moriggia from Polytype
- “Inkjet printing onto spheres” by Debbie Thorp from Global Inkjet Systems
- “Label and Safety Data Sheet: Important information for workers‘ safety” by Gabrielle Heller from ESMA Health, Safety and Environmental Protection Committee
- “Late stage customisation: Zero lead time, zero material waste and mass customisation” by Peter Schkoda from Hapa
- “Requirements for ‘low-migration’ screen printing inks for food packaging” by Dirk Friedrich and David Turner from Marabu
- “ServoJet approach to direct container decoration with inkjet process” by Vittorio Ferrari from OMSO
- “The importance of inkjet inks in direct to container applications” by Phil Jackman from Sun Chemical
- “The Omnifire world” by Bobby Kleinveld from Heidelberg
- “UV print as a tool for prototype printing and industrial production” by Uwe Niklas from Mimaki
- “VDCIS industrial scanner for direct-to-shape prints” by Dr Nikolaus Tichawa from Tichawa Vision
- “What you need to know when specifying a UV-LED system” by Koen Santegoeds from Integration Technology
Keynote speeches complete the agenda with a holistic view of the supply chain, presenting trends in packaging and challenges faced by the brand owners:
- “Direct container decoration: Business cases regarding current technologies, applications and challenges” by Jochen Christiaens and Oliver Kammann from ESMA Expert Team
- “Direct container printing opportunities for future growth across pharma and other packaging” by Chris Waterhouse from iDiPac
- “Direct digital print: Threat or opportunity for the label industry?” by Sami Mulari from Alexander Watson Associates
- “Global trends and how they shape the packaging requirements of the brand owner” by Ger Standhardt from NVC Netherlands Packaging Centre
In the morning of the second conference day, the DCP Live panel discussion will take place, featuring a specially selected panel of industry experts answering questions from the audience about topical issues.
The full conference programme is available at www.dcp2017.org/programme
Next to the presentations, a networking arena will feature 25 international tabletops for further technology and business information exchange. The companies present at the tabletops include: Alexander Watson Associates, ColorGATE, ESMA Expert Team, Gallus, Global Inkjet Systems, Hapa, Heidelberg, Integration Technology, iDiPac, INX Digital, Isimat, KBA Kammann, Lüscher, Marabu, Mimaki, NV, OMSO, Photo Electronics, Polytype, RKS, RUCO, Sefar, Sun Chemical, Tichawa Vision and UViterno.
Altogether, an audience of 120 technology suppliers and users is expected to attend Direct Container Print conference 2017. For delegate booking please visit www.dcp2017.org/registrations
