Tokyo – February 16, 2021 – Toppan Printing (Toppan) (TYO: 7911), a global leader in communication, security, packaging, décor materials, and electronics solutions, has developed a high-strength adhesive for digital printing. TOPMER™ is suitable for retort sterilization, boiling sterilization, and heating in microwave ovens, thus expanding applications for packages employing digital printing and enabling high-value-added products that meet the diversifying needs of today’s consumers. TOPMER™ will go on sale in Japan on February 24 targeting the food, toiletries, and cosmetics sectors.
Toppan recently announced “SOCIAL-VALUE™ Packaging,” part of the “TOPPAN S-VALUE™ Packaging” range targeting added value for society and fulfilling living. The SOCIAL-VALUE™ lineup includes the Toppan FP Digital Solution, which was launched in 2016 to provide flexible packaging optimized for multiple product types in small lots in response to the evolution of market needs from traditional mass production.
Toppan FP Digital Solution also addresses the increasing number of roles packages are expected to fulfill to enhance differentiation from rival products in stores. The COVID-19 pandemic, meanwhile, has changed consumer attitudes, driving growth of markets related to home cooking, pre-prepared foods, take-out, and delivery. This has therefore increased demand for products that can be prepared simply and quickly.
TOPMER™ is a high-strength adhesive that can be used for lamination on conventional general-purpose machinery. This means that in addition to packaging that undergoes retort sterilization, digital printing can now also be applied to packages for boiling sterilization and microwave heating, something that was previously not possible. Toppan has also improved resistance to heat and water, meaning packages are suitable for retort sterilization at 130℃ for 30 minutes and can also withstand boiling sterilization over long periods.
Digital printing makes it possible to apply original designs to small lots, eliminating the need to affix labels to ready-made plain pouches and helping to alleviate labor shortages. In contrast to conventional mass production methods for printing on flexible packaging, cylinders are not necessary, allowing multiple design variations to be created for the same package. Toppan has applied its extensive information processing technologies to achieve quality equivalent to that of gravure printing and enable the production of packages that stand out in stores. The technology also facilitates test marketing, limited edition package ranges, and a host of other possibilities, while the ability to produce only the required quantity of a given package when it is needed prevents excess inventory and contributes to more eco-friendly solutions that help reduce waste and loss.
“Digital printing of flexible packaging opens up an array of possibilities,” said Masafumi Horiuchi, development manager in Toppan’s Packaging Solutions business. “The development of the TOPMER adhesive now enables us to extend that even further by expanding the scope of applications in response to the needs of our clients and today’s consumers.”
TOPMER™ will be on display in the Toppan Booth (S1-12, South Hall 1) at TOKYO PACK 2021, which will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center from February 24 to 26.
For more information on digital printing for retort packages
https://www.toppan.co.jp/solution/service/digitalprint/pac/ (Japanese site)
About TOPPAN S-VALUE™ Packaging
https://www.toppan.co.jp/living-industry/packaging/english/sustainability/
Solutions that function as a medium for communication to maximize the customer experience. Toppan provides optimal value for various aspects of everyday life, enabling smooth purchasing, efficient storage, preparation of tasty food, easy disposal, safety, peace of mind, and more.
Packaging and services generating value that helps to sustain business activities by enhancing efficiency in the supply chain, raising productivity, optimizing sales, and providing solutions to wide-ranging challenges.
Solutions that help drive reduction of environmental impact and create a circular economy. Toppan offers packaging using recycled plastic, mono-material packaging that enhances recyclability, and packaging using plant-derived materials such as paper and biomass plastic.
About TOKYO PACK 2021
Dates: February 24 to 26, 2021
Time: 10:00–17:00 (visitor registration from 9:30)
Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, West Hall 1-4 and South Hall 1-2
Theme: Working Towards a Healthy Planet
Organizer: Japan Packaging Institute
Official website: https://www.tokyo-pack.jp/en/
Toppan online exhibition website: https://v-messe.jp/custom/plaza/2021/tokyopack/
About Toppan
Toppan is a leading global provider of integrated solutions in the fields of printing, communications, security, packaging, décor materials, electronics, and digital transformation. Serving customers in every sector of business and industry, Toppan’s global team of more than 50,000 employees offers optimal solutions enabled by industry-leading expertise and technologies to address the diverse challenges that businesses and society face in today’s rapidly changing market.
For more information, visit https://www.toppan.com/en/ or follow Toppan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/toppan-printing/.