Top executives from Miraclon, the home of Kodak Flexcel solutions for the packaging industry, are touring Australia and New Zealand, reconnecting with customers.

Ferag is the new distributor of the XSYS portfolio of flexographic printing plates and platemaking equipment in Australia and New Zealand.

MCC and Amcor were the two big winners at the annual Flexo Packaging and Label Manufacturing Association awards, each walking away with a hatful of gongs after dominating their categories.

The Flexible Packaging and Label Manufacturers Association conference is underway, with delegates treated to the biggest line-up of overseas speakers this event has ever hosted.

In a move that could have major implications for the flexo printing industry, Nestlé and Mars Wrigley are test launching their iconic chocolate brands in paper packaging in Australia.

Still in his mid-twenties, Jordan Shreeve has created a disruptive packaging business using new technology, and a clear understanding of the needs of the market.

Screen will use the upcoming Hunkeler InnovationDays to give the world’s printers a first look at its new flexible paper packaging press, designed to offer an alternative to plastic flexo packaging.

Thanks to strong demand from western countries, along with sustained growth in the packaging segment, and with an order backlog of almost €1bn, Heidelberg is well on track to meet its 2023 targets.

Strong growth in its Australian flexibles packaging operation helped Amcor to a six per cent uptick in sales revenue for the first half of the year, and an eight per cent rise in its EBIT, as the company signalled it will continue to invest in growth opportunities.

Leading print and packaging business Immij is investing strongly in packaging, acquiring businesses and installing new converting equipment.

Miraclon – which supplies Kodak Flexcel solutions – is expanding its leadership presence in the Asia Pacific, which includes ANZ, with Andy Yarrow the new regional commercial director.

Tim Sykes, brand director at Packaging Europe, assess the multiple factors that will drive the demand for digital packaging print technologies, and points to likely timelines.

The sixth CCE International corrugated and folding carton industry expo is set to run in March, with the Munich showground hosting a swathe of new developments in the fast-growing area.

Ball & Doggett has signed a partnership agreement with Sappi to distribute its sustainable barrier papers, which provide the sought-after barrier functionality in paper-based food packaging.

Printing packaging shot into the spotlight during the year as the big opportunity for printers of all kinds, particularly those whose volumes and margins are being squeezed as digital communications take more of the marketing dollar from commercial print.

QLM Label Makers is creating a new division, qlmflexibles, with innovative print businesses Luminar and Read Labels & Packaging, and will target both the digital and FMCG flexible packaging markets under the new brand.