FLEXO: Focus on waste prevention

Lake Image Systems, supplier of integrity, verification and inspection systems, claims that correct inspection strategies can help the flexo industry reclaim the 12-15% wastage it currently experiences.

Inspection systems are valuable in checking the quality of print as well as data integrity, but if placed early on a press wastage can be virtually eliminated, claims Lake.

Currently, labelstock is entirely unrecyclable, due to the combination of adhesives and silicone or waxed backing and substrates, so any rejected labels have to go to landfill sites or incineration. Costs are also incurred by wasting processing power while faulty labels are printed; as well as waste management and collection.

With the self-adhesive label market growing at around 5-6%, the industry could be generating almost 1 billion m² by the end of this year, according to FINAT.

Martin Keats, UK MD of Lake Image Systems, says: “The good news is that the benefits of installing an inspection system are not only instantaneous, but also affordable. The cost of an inspection system that was over £100,000 (€110,000) a decade ago can now be as little as £20,000 (€22,000).”