Sandon Global and Xsys enter strategic partnership to achieve high opacity whites

Packaging Solutions

Sandon Global has entered a strategic partnership with Xsys to combine its expertise to help flexible packaging printers achieve higher opacity whites at no additional cost. 

The two companies collaborated in the lead up to drupa 2024 to leverage existing and new technology to deliver improved quality that brings operational, financial and sustainable benefits for flexographic printers. 

In recent trials, Sandon Global’s High Volume Process (HVP) and Fluid FP anilox engravings combined with Xsys’ Woodpecker Nevis surface screening technology demonstrated that the same quality opaque white coverage could be achieved using lower volume anilox. Utilising these technologies demonstrated a reduction in ink consumption, cost savings, more efficient operation and increased printing speed. 

Paul Mitchell, regional sales manager – UK and Ireland, Sandon Global, said: ‘White ink traditionally represents around 50% of a flexo printer’s ink spend and, with converters under pressure to improve quality whilst minimising, or even reducing, costs, it made perfect sense for us to find a solution to address this challenge. Working in collaboration with Xsys, we have brought together our combined expertise in anilox engraving, imaging in combination with surface screening and plate technology to make printing high opacity whites at no additional cost a reality. With our support, printers can discover which anilox engraving is best suited for their needs, delivering high opacity whites and ensuring they can invest their time and money in efficiencies elsewhere.’

Sandon Global’s HVP engraving enables printers to combine good solids and tonal areas on one plate. It does this by combining high line counts and high volume through its unique cell design. This contrasts with conventional 60° engravings that are only capable of offering either a high volume or a high line count but not both, without compromising the crucial release characteristics of the anilox. 

Fluid FP is the evolution of the successful HVP and IPRO engravings – a semi-channelled engraving that allows an easier and controlled flow of ink between cells whilst maintaining a strong element of volume control.  

Paul Mitchell added, ‘We are delighted to partner with Xsys to bring the best of our technologies together to deliver high opacity whites at a lower volume, without compromising on quality. Not only that, but the sustainability benefits speak for themselves with a potential increase in printing speed, plus a reduction in ink and solvent leading to reduced energy consumption along with cleaning of exhausted air. It is a winning and sustainable solution for flexible packaging printers.’

Stuart Robinson, technical account manager, Xsys, commented: ‘Printers are under constant pressure to look at productivity gains and cost reductions in a more sustainable way whilst not compromising on quality. We are constantly working on developments to offer all our customers leading edge technology and products to help achieve this. The Woodpecker Nevis surface patterns developed for our ThermoFlexX TFxX Imagers offer the printer an optimised white ink laydown and opacity.’