Archroma Packaging Technologies, a global provider of coatings, adhesives, sealants, colourants, and process chemicals, has taken delivery of three VCML pilot coaters designed and developed by RK Print Coat Instruments Ltd. The coaters are in place at each of the new Archroma Packaging Technologies global ‘Centers of Innovation’ (COI) and play their part in the development of sustainable materials.
The three Archroma Packaging Technologies global Centers of Innovation in Mumbai, India; Prat, Spain; and Charlotte, North Carolina, USA are strategically sited within regions and countries showing dynamic growth in product sectors such as fibre & board packaging and biobased materials, tape and labels, along with specialty & graphic papers; flexible packaging and wood.
Providing reliable and scalable R&D solutions
Dinakar Gnanamgari, Vice President Innovation and Portfolio Expansion, commented: “Archroma Packaging Technologies partnered with RK Print Coat Instruments because it underscores our commitment to provide reliable and scalable R&D solutions – helping brands, converters and mills trust our chemistries to deliver consistent results at scale.”
The Center of Innovation (COI) in Mumbai will focus on providing sustainable and value-added solutions to serve important markets such as flexible packaging and wood in the Asia Pacific region.
The COI at Prat in Spain will focus on the tapes and label, specialty & graphic paper sectors and is equipped with advanced laboratories and with equipment such as the VCML to support customers in advancing performance, circularity and sustainability of packaging solutions.
The third Archroma Packaging Technologies COI in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, will focus on fibre & board packaging and biobased materials for continued product development for circularity and sustainability of packaging solutions.
The VCML pilot coaters share a degree of commonality in that they are capable of direct gravure, meter bar and air knife. These highly versatile VCMLs also enable operatives to laminate when using pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA’s).
The machines are similar so that each of the Centers of Innovation can replicate the results obtained at another plant, if the need arises.
A wealth of features
Web control and web tension are via load cell for closed-loop regulation. Edge guides are included, and the VCMLs in this instance are fitted with two hot air impingement dryers and a 2.5 KW infrared dryer.
The short-run capability of the VCMLs, together with the coating applicator technology provided, allows for the coating of various barrier and other functional coatings.
It is of note that packaging technologists tread carefully to ensure that the permeability or barrier properties of the packaging material are appropriate. Barrier critical properties that may be required for paper packaging, tape & labels, flexible packaging include humidity control, oxygen permeability, heat resistance, air tightness, etc.
There are many coating applicator methods that may be considered. The reverse gravure coating technology supplied with the VCML for Archroma Packaging Technologies pilot coaters is one option. With its large wet coat range, reverse gravure offers uniformity and freedom from pinholes. Absence from pinholes is vital, as pinholes negate the effectiveness of any barrier that has been put in place.
However, while the reverse gravure nip method is a worthy contender for applications in areas such as fibre & board applications and reverse gravure for flexible packaging, each of the other coating methods supplied contribute to product viability. Every coating technology has its strengths and drawbacks. The decision on what is the most effective coating method is often arrived at through experimentation and evaluation of cost, end-use requirement and other factors.