Starpack awards are eagerly sought by the UK packaging industry as public recognition for excellence. For the first time, Pacific Inks sponsored one of the awards – Graphic Design. The award went to D.S. Smith Corrugated of Louth in Lincolnshire for their Aero Chocolate Display Box - the judges stated that “ the packaging was well executed, with good synergy between the bottle and pack”. Shown congratulating two representatives from D.S. Smith is Roger Fenna Pacific Inks UK sales manager; he is standing between Andrew Thompson (right) and Guy Moulding (left) both from D.S. Smith of Louth.

Once again, corrugated packaging demonstrates versatility and the ability of the box industry to  print high quality graphics that are attractive to consumers. Pacific Inks congratulate D.S. Smith of Louth, Lincolnshire on this well deserved award.

Amcor Kiwi Packaging's, Mitsubishi Esprits II-100 crew in Christchurch, New Zealand, won two Highly Commended Certificates at the 2011 Pride in Print awards presentation.

Amcor Kiwi have used Pacific Inks for more than 12 years and are regular winners at the NZ awards for the excellence of their flexo printed corrugated cases.

Left to Right: Raymond, Dit, Murray, Cory, Steve, Rhydian

We have seen the future – it is thin ink film printing.

There is no future in using heavy applications of flexo ink made from coarsely ground pigment - ink pigments must be milled ultra fine so that inkjet channels flow freely and fine laser engraved ceramic anilox rolls are not damaged by chambered doctor blades.

Pacific Inks have invested heavily in high energy mills able to reduce pigments from ultra fine to nano size particles. This technology produces strong, brilliant, vivid inks that yield bright colours on lightweight corrugated liners.

Strong inks ensure a thin ink film weight that dries quickly at high print speed.

SAI Global recognised 15 years of continuous ISO9001 certification by Pacific Inks Australia Pty Ltd. It is rare for companies to operate an independently audited quality system for 15 years without any conditions.

Pacific Inks offer customers sound and reliable quality assurance - preferring to build quality into its ink products rather than resorting to wasteful after delivery correction.

We constantly seek to improve our products and test methods so our customers are secure and safe using our inks " said Erich Alber, national technical manager of Pacific Inks Australia.

As we pour chemicals down the drain, it is easy to forget the consequences to our environment. The corrugated industry uses millions of tons of water based inks, cleaners and adhesives. All of these vital materials may contain industrial grade detergent – one particular type is known as APEO alkylphenolethoxylate. Even the name sounds nasty.

APEO is an excellent active detergent, unfortunately this powerful activity also strips life giving layers from tiny aquatic organisms. Moving up through the aquatic life chain, the effect of APEO is seen wherever waterways carry effluent. Bio treatment does not significantly breakdown APEO.

Finally the solution is to stop releasing APEO into the environment, which means we must stop using APEO based chemicals.

APEO free inks have been available from Pacific Inks for many years and the last vestiges of water based products have been stripped of APEO for the EU market, where the release of APEO is now controlled.

This is a simple, but very effective solution – your box plant simply stop using APEO based inks and the problem is solved.

Award winning point of sale company, Screenprint Doncaster United Kingdom have just taken delivery of a new Accubatch fully automatic ink blending system to match their bright, modern premises.

“ Doncaster were our first Aquasheen water based screen ink customer – their team had an open mind about trying new technology and were delighted with the results as soon as they switched to Aquasheen” said Erik Marjo, group managing director of Pacific Inks.

Danny Brewster and his team are looking forward to the Accubatch upgrade – “ A big improvement on our earlier model installed 10 years ago” he said.

 Roger Fenna & Andy Hart of Pacific Inks UK ensured the installation and commissioning went smoothly. There was no interruption to work flow despite the need to remove the old equipment to make room for the new Accubatch.

“ Screen printing offers vibrant colour and complements our digital printing – switching to water based inks from Pacific Inks ensures we have a clean, healthy work environment, no waste issues and our customers like the finish without any compromise” said Danny.

James Hedger of APC holding their winning Red Bull entry for the Corrugated Packaging 2010 award in the NZ Pride in Print competition.

APC use Pacific Inks AQUASHEEN water based screen printing inks to produce award winning quality loved by its customers. AQUASHEEN is a world leading water based screen ink used to produce high quality point of sales displays and beautiful, short run packaging.

In the past, screen printing often involved the use of flammable solvents.  APC switched to AQUASHEEN water base screen inks more than 10 years ago – ensuring a clean healthy workplace and improved quality.

Pacific Inks Proflex process inks demonstrate clean, post print, flexo printing and fast drying onto coated board.

This quality can replace costly litho laminating.

Pacific Inks have developed a range of water based flexographic inks suitable for printing corrugated and paper sacks used by the dairy industry.

Last year, several infants died and thousands were hospitalised in China by consuming contaminated milk formula. Analysis revealed the presence of melamine and cyanuric acid in the milk formula that caused the tragedy.

By adding direct to milk powders, melamine and cyanuric acid mimic milk proteins that cause false high milk protein readings during routine testing.

Concerned dairy producers now demand packaging that is certified free of melamine and cyanuric acid. The MC free range of inks are ideal for flexo folder gluers, in-line die cutting and pre-printed liner papers. Responsible packaging companies have adopted these MC free inks to assure dairy customers that their paper based packaging is safe and secure.

Pacific Inks also offer aqueous extrusion primers that are melamine and cyanuric acid free. These primers are used to make polyolefin coated multi ply flexible packaging.