Co. offers an extensive array of water-based flexo and gravure inks such as the Aqua-Tech line for carton and label printers, low-VOC sheetfed inks such as the EcoPure® HPJ, which contains soyaoil, and other solvent-free products for converters interested in im- plementingsustainable practices. Approximately 30 percent of co.'s products are now made with replenishable vegetable oils. Co. also has low-temperature formulations for heatset inks that enable printers to reduce energy use, as well as non-VOC energy-curable inks. 
INX INTERNATIONAL INK CO., 800/631-7956, www.inxink.com

Co. develops a family of flexible-packaging films with a proprietary additive that makes them more stable, even at elevated temperatures. GlideFast™ provides consistent COF, helping to improve throughput and minimize waste. This film can be used for a wide variety of end products from confectionery to lawn and garden packaging.
PLIANT CORP., 847/407-5508 www.pliantcorp.com

Phantavision® is a color-changing UV/EB coating that presents a variety of colors at different angles. It provides high-contrast color shifts with irregular angles and changes smoothly on gradual curves. The effect can be as dramatic as desired with a variety of colors to create various appearances, making high-end packaging come to life.
NORTHWEST COATINGS CORP., 414/762-3330, fax: 414/762-9132, www.northwestcoatings.com

The Michem® Guard 349 and 350 are wax dispersions said to be ideal for imparting a matting effect to most aqueous coatings and varnishes. The coatings give water-based inks the performance properties of solvent-based systems without the environmental hazard. They also enhance other properties such as blocking, abrasion and water repellency, and scratch and mar resistance. Both wax dispersions are solvent-free.
MICHELMAN, 800/333-1723, www.michem.com

Co.'s IntegraShield Films offer high-performance fusion-seal lidding technology compatible with various grades of PET for high-end thermoformed blisters. Providing excellent tamper resistance, co. reports, they are ideal for replacing paperboard in blister packs for high-value goods. The films are heat-sealable on existing equipment for in-line form/fill/seal and pre-made blister-pack operations. 
CURWOOD, 800/544-4672, www.curwood.com

UniSet SA, a new wet-strength, pressure-sensitive label paper for breweries, is specifically designed for optimal performance in all facets of label production from printing, lamination, diecutting and matrix stripping, to end-use application on high-speed labelers. Its enhanced paper characteristics support complex white and metallized beer-label designs. UniSet SA offers sustainability advantages of paper over film, particularly in an era of rising costs for petroleum-based packaging materials.
STORA ENSO, 715/345-8060, www.storaenso.com

The Fasson MaxFlex Silver DTC is a premium, metallized paper that provides a reflective silver appearance, enabling a metallic look for labels printed digitally. This paper is pre-optimized for use on HP Indigo ws2000 and ws4000 series presses. The facestock is said to be ideal for tight wraps or small-mandrel applications. Aiding the recycling process, it is paired with S100R adhesive that lets the label be removed cleanly from the bottle after immersion in water hotter than 100 deg. F.
AVERY DENNISON, 800/944-8511, www.na.fasson.com

Extending its HoloPRISM® line, co. launches HoloPRISM® holographic plastics. The HoloPRISM® line, paper and plastic, can be used for cosmetic, personal care and entertainment packaging, gift wrap, labels and other packaging and promotional applications. HoloPRISM® is available in stock and custom patterns on a variety of base material choices.
VACUMET, 508/541-7700, www.vacumet.com

For nut, coffee and dry-foods packaging, N-Coat® is a nanotechnology-based, high-barrier coating that can achieve a barrier three to four times better than PVdC-coated PET film at a lower weight and cost, co. says. Targeting the above-mentioned food industries where high gas-barrier is important, the coating is applied on 48-gauge polyester film which results in a clear film with a gas barrier that reportedly competes with most metallized structures. The nano particles help eliminate issues with flex or stress cracking and allow converters to move away from using chlorine-based PVdC.
MULTIFILM PACKAGING CORP., 847/695-7600, www.constantia-multifilm.com

The shimmering excitement and anticipation of a special purchasing experience is offered by a new line of iridescent shrink-label films for special holiday combination packaging. Created to enhance consumer value for wine, spirits, upscale beverages, beauty and fragrance packaging, the film interacts with light, projecting a kaleidoscopic pattern of color. Iridescent shrink labels are made with PETG and PLA resins for an environmentally-friendly packaging material. Samples are available.
GILBRETH PACKAGING, 800/630-2413, www.gilbrethusa.com

Co. offers five finishes for luxury bag applications—broadcloth, canvas, oxford, smooth and pearlized smooth. All the papers contain a minimum of 30-percent post-consumer fiber, and the smooth finish contains 80 percent. “We like to call it sustainable luxury,” co. says. The papers have increased burst strength and tear resistance, as well as better foldability. The high moisture content produces a more supple feel.
NEENAH PAPER, 800/994-5993, www.neenahpaper.com

Said to perform reliably at temperatures from 450 to 540 deg. F, co.'s Series 100 pressure-sensitive adhesives attach immediately and invisibly without the work and appearance of mechanical fasteners or the dripping and drying of liquid adhesives. The materials are reportedly ideal for high-temperature labels for appliances and under -the-hood applications in vehicles, PCB tracking labels and battery-pack labels.
3M CO., 800/422-8116, fax: 877/722-5072, www.3M.com/converter

Robond™ L, a water-based, dry-bond laminating adhesive, developed specifically to meet general and medium performance applications, reportedly features greater bond strength, chemical resistance to filled products and excellent laminating performance on crystal-polypropylene films and laminate constructions with aluminum foil. Beta testers of the product found that lower coat weight or high running speeds did not cause foaming or anilox-roller clogging, co. says. The adhesives can also be run on solvent-based coating equipment.
ROHM AND HAAS CO., 847/649-3800, www.rohmhaas.com/AdhesivesSealants

Co. reports it is now able to produce linerboard grades with greater strength characteristic while using less wood fiber at its Pensacola, FL, mill. The new high-performance lightweight linerboard line is sourced with 100 percent virgin wood fiber and is fully recyclable and recoverable. It also allows customers to reduce their overall packaging, co. says.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER, 800/207-4003, www.internationalpaper.com

Co. introduces 22690-87 Flexo Texture UV Coating that cures to a raised, rough surface that appears as an off-white matte finish. The coating is resistant to scuff and rub, and complements most other ink systems. It can be tinted in a variety of colors, and rotary-screen versions are also available. 
UVITEC PRINTING INK, 800/478-6330, www.uvitec.com

First to be introduced in the Envi line of environmental packaging grades for folding cartons and luxury shopping bags is the Envi Folding Box Board (FBB). It is an 18-pt, single-ply uncoated paperboard said to be ideal for fragrance, cosmetics, gourmet food and wine packaging applications. Envi FBB comes in a bright white shade and is made with 80 percent post-consumer waste, one of the highest recycled-content levels currently available in the market for single-ply, high-caliper uncoated paperboard, co. says.
MONADNOCK PAPER MILLS, INC., 877/877-2098, www.mpm.com

A new highly resistant, non-top-coated, non-smudge-proof, chemi-thermal face paper with standard sensitivity—Direct Thermal Premium Eco—is said to be an ideal choice for point-of-sale price marking and other retail uses that require greater environmental endurance than typically provided by standard non-top-coated face papers. The substrate offers additional water and oil resistance and is meant to “bridge the gap” between co.'s Direct Thermal Eco and Direct Thermal Top face papers. It can be paired with a white kraft liner for superior converting capabilities, co. says.
UPM RAFLATAC, INC., 828/651-4869, www.upmraflatac.com

With a 92 brightness, co.'s heavy-duty tag stock is offered in a range of grades formulated to deliver strength, durability and print performance. Basis weights of 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 are available. Applications include sporting event tickets, restaurant receipts, divider/index tabs, time cards, price tags and other tag/label end uses.
BOISE, INC., 800/864-2450, www.boiseconvertingpapers.com

Co. broadens its geographic reach while supporting converters with a wide ranging product portfolio of silicone-coated release-liner substrates. Market solutions tailored to individual needs for the pressure-sensitive adhesives industry include graphic arts, hygiene, medical, tape, label, sealants and fiber-composite liners. A variety of flexible packaging and barrier materials are also offered.
MONDI PACKAGING, 920/729-5202, www.mondipackaging.com

The Bondtite White F/S is a silicone-free UV opaque white ink that can be used right out of the container, co. says, for flexo or rotary screen printing. No additives are required. The ink is a full-strength white that is formulated to run on all makes and models of rotary screen heads.
WATER INK TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 800/426-4657, www.waterinktech.com

Showcasing co.'s full line of premium synthetics, a new swatchbook displays lines of white, super smooth, waterproof, and tear- and chemical-resistant synthetic papers. A new UV-printable grade that requires no primer, as well as translucent grades, are available, co. says. The book demonstrates a full range of applications for the synthetics including diecutting, embossing, spot gloss and varnishes.
YUPO CORP. AMERICA, 888/USE-YUPO, www.yupo.com

Frostbite™, a freezer-grade hot-melt adhesive, features excellent initial tack and ultimate adhesion to flexible packaging and varnished paperboard packaging when applied at freezing conditions. It is especially effective when applied at room temperature and then subjected to –40 deg. F. Although testing is recommended, co. claims it will also adhere to a variety of surfaces despite the amount of frost or moisture. 
SPINNAKER COATING, LLC, 800/543-9452, www.spinnakercoating.com

Co. offers two release film lines. The OPTILiner™ line has stable, uniform release properties and easy winding characteristics, co. says. The SUPRALiner™ line has multiple substrate and coating options, as well as all the characteristics of OPTILiner.
SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS, 508/852-3072, www.plastics.saint-gobain.com

ThermaFLAG sterilization indicator inks change color to signal a medical sterilization process has occurred. Suitable for flexo- or gravure-printing processes, these water-based inks target the medical and dental packaging market. Containing no heavy metals and producing low VOCs, the inks provide resistance to high temperatures and have strong adhesion to most substrates used in medical packaging such as Tyvek®. Co. offers a variety of starting and signal colors for various methods including dry heat, steam, chemical vapor, radiation and others.
SUN CHEMICAL CORP., 866/SUN-SBS6 www.sunchemical.com