virtual.drupa 2021 preview

The global print and packaging community will meet from April, 20 to 23, 2021 at virtual event promoting networking and knowledge transfer, and featuring three pillars: conference area, networking plaza and exhibition space. Live web sessions and videos complement the event, offering more in-depth information and the opportunity to obtain additional details about the proposed offers.

‘European companies make up the largest group with a 46 percent share. Other than exhibitors from Germany, the leading nations in terms of numbers are China, the USA, Switzerland, Italy and Japan,’ said Messe Düsseldorf in a statement. ‘Customers from all over the world have shown a great deal of interest in virtual interaction, with around 2,400 international visitors having registered for matchmaking and interaction with industry experts. 

Here is to what we should expect: 

Bandall

Bandall will be presenting a webinar called Finished? Not without Bandall. CEO Bram van Roosmalen will use various examples to explain the advantages of banding in the post press finishing industry, showcase the use of Bandall bundling machines, both standalone and automatic, for damage-free bundling, while also reducing packaging materials. 

Focus on bundling In-mould labels, deluxe cartons and post press finishing

During the webinar, Bandall will zoom in on various ingenious bundling techniques, like the Bandall TRB with Kissing Conveyor, where the input conveyor moves along the banding arc (so it ‘kisses’ the output conveyor) and helps to ensure a steady and perfect bundling result. 

Comexi

During the event, Comexi will present the company's news in flexographic, offset, and digital printing, as well as lamination and slitting. 

‘A primary pillar of Comexi is sustainability and concern for the global environment, which we extend to our innovative printing and converting solutions. We embrace our responsibility to flexible packaging, and do not solely believe in finding more sustainable alternatives, but also in a circular economy as a global solution itself,’ said Jorge Serra, marketing director of Comexi. ‘Innovation, automation, and digitization are our strengths regarding quality professional services that guarantee the optimal implementation of our products within the industry. All aimed at making Comexi's moto a reality: Better Packaging, Better World.’

At virtual.drupa, Comexi will conduct seven free of charge webinars, which are open to all registered fair visitors. Two webinars will explore new launches for 2021 and Comexi´s innovative technologies for flexible packaging. Furthermore, the webinars Sustainable Printing and Sustainability in the Converting Processes will address sustainability. The following three webinars will discuss Industry 4.0. 

Fujifilm

Behind the Never Stop Believing in Print approach, Fujifilm plans to announce several new technologies. 

It will showcase new processless thermal CTP plate, Superia ZX, offering significant improvements in printability (faster output, higher durability and improved robust scratch resistance) resulting from the addition of next-generation technologies.

Fujifilm is also launching a new model of the J Press 750S, known for its ultra-high quality, color stability and performance

HP

Haim Levit, general manager at HP Indigo: ‘We are very pleased to continue to support our commitment to the printing industry and Drupa by creating an opportunity to connect in virtual.drupa this year. Whilst we miss seeing our partners, customers and friends in the industry in a live show, the need to continue to protect our people and communities is paramount. However, what the last 12 months has proved is the very positive reception of our new NPI portfolio, which continued to drive significant innovation allowing businesses of all sizes to keep growing despite challenging business environments. We encourage everyone to visit virtual drupa and connect with us.’

Koenig & Bauer

Koenig & Bauer will be taking part in virtual.drupa with several live sessions. The press manufacturer will be presenting its packaging workflow and intelligent digitization solutions, among other highlights. Together with joint venture partner Durst, the VariJET106 press for digital folding carton printing will also be seen in action for the first time. 

The focus of the virtual trade fair appearance is packaging production. Folding cartons, corrugated board or films - Koenig & Bauer has suitable press solutions for various applications in its portfolio. The workflow for folding carton production can be seen live at virtual.drupa. The entire workflow, from printing and die-cutting to gluing, is carried out on Koenig & Bauer presses: the Rapida 106 X, the CutPRO X 106 and the Omega Allpro 110.

Visitors will also be able to gain an insight into packaging and decorative printing with the RotaJET single-pass digital press and flexo printing for short and medium runs with the Evo XC. 

Koenig & Bauer will be giving a presentation on how networked machines, the use of artificial intelligence and other data-based services can help printers make their processes even more efficient.

The new VariJET 106 for digital folding carton printing will be printing live for the first time. The hybrid press from the Koenig & Bauer Durst joint venture integrates the proven Durst inkjet technology into the platform of the Rapida medium-format presses.

‘We would have loved to meet our customers in person,’ commented Dagmar Ringel, head of corporate communications and marketing at Koenig & Bauer. ‘But after the postponement of drupa last year, the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 still calls for alternative ways of product presentations, discussions and sharing knowledge in the industry. With our live demo, a lecture and a panel discussion, our experts will bring a bit of the atmosphere of the real trade fair to the screen.’

OQ 

Promoting the key benefits of less solvent, less ink and less waste when choosing OQ Propyls, the company will use the drupa 21 trade event to explain how Propyls are proven to help printers tackle today’s current challenges as well as the potential to use Propyls as a complete replacement for conventional solvents in rotogravure or flexographic printing processes.

‘By supplying both the polymers used for film substrates and the Propyls solvent system for printing, and with storage hubs strategically located in Europe, Asia and the Americas, we are to able bring more complete packaging and printing solutions to the industry,’ said OQ’s head of global marketing, Markus Hoschke.

In addition to the expert team being present virtually to meet with current and future customers through the event’s Matchmaking tool, OQ will also host a special drupa web session on 21 April at 9:20 am, focusing on how OQ Propyls solvent blends can help printers achieve their goals and how it is a compatible solution to other alcohols in the printing industry.

Seiko Instruments

Seiko Instruments will be unveiling the result of a collaboration between four companies - a small web press that selectively and precisely applies water-based glossy varnish to a pre-printed web by inkjet. It uses Actega Terra developed glossy water-based overprint varnish, aNIR drying technology developed by adphos Digital Printing and ideeGO’s roll-to-roll machine.

Water-based liquids are very demanding during jetting and drying, therefore the right equipment for their application is important. Seiko’s RC1536A recirculating inkjet printhead, offers a high flow rate within its recirculation system directly behind the nozzles enabling the long ‘open time’ needed to achieve high quality in a wide range of finishing applications.

Available for water-based fluids, the company's flagship printhead is now ready for textile printing and in particular the printing of high-quality embellishments, in addition to many other areas such as coding and marking, printing on corrugated board and 3D printing.

This prototype has been continuously tested for several months now in the laboratory of Seiko's new service centre at their headquarters near Frankfurt (Main), Germany. The laboratory has been officially opened and the machine can also be visited in person.