UPM Specialty Papers
Story | 08/01/2024 05:25:26 | 2 min Read time

UPM x BOBST x Siegwerk: new opportunities for UPM’s packaging papers on standard flexo printing machines

UPM Specialty Papers x BOBST x Siegwerk

How co-creation powers your purpose

  • Enhancing barrier and barrier base papers with heat-seal properties while reproducing high quality images using standard flexographic printing
  • Tests combined UPM papers, Siegwerk’s UniNATURE water-based ink, and a BOBST MASTER CI printing press
  • Excellent high-resolution results while maintaining production efficiency

Opening new opportunities for standard flexo printing machines

Is it possible to efficiently print high resolution packaging papers and, at the same time, achieve heat-sealability using flexographic printing techniques? That’s exactly what UPM Specialty Papers, BOBST, and Siegwerk teamed up to find out on a recent co-creation project.

The project combined four UPM barrier and barrier base papers between 45 and 90 g/m² with Siegwerk’s UniNATURE water-based ink series. Two heat-sealing lacquers for paper and board applications from Siegwerk’s CIRKIT coatings range were also used. The printing took place on a BOBST MASTER CI, a 10-color wide-web printing press designed for water-based inks and 800 m/min speed.

Creating better, together

"Making the transition to fibre-based packaging requires close collaboration between packaging value network members. We are eager to explore solutions with partners that support this transition, while taking advantage of existing production methods,” says Mika Uusikartano, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio Management, UPM Specialty Papers. “Through co-creation with BOBST and Siegwerk, we have successfully developed new opportunities for flexographic printers that can be achieved under normal production conditions.”

 

The project demonstrated that UPM’s highly versatile barrier and barrier base papers can be enhanced with heat-seal properties, and still reproduce high-quality images in normal production conditions at virtually any flexographic print shop.

Testing parameters. Driving progress.

The partners also looked into the way different parameters affect print quality by testing a variety of print resolutions and anilox configurations – all of which produced high-resolution results on all four papers.

“One of the targets was to verify that production efficiency is maintained during processing. The results were excellent. UPM packaging papers showed that additional properties can be added, and papers can be further processed using existing methods and machinery,” Mika added.

UPM Specialty Papers’ versatile fibre-based packaging papers are ideal for food and non-food end-uses, ensuring protection and durability to meet future packaging ambitions. 

 

Barrier Base papers designed for further converting:

  • UPM Solide™ Lucent
  • UPM Prego™

Heat-sealable barrier papers:

  • UPM Confidio™
  • UPM Confidio™ Pro