Packaging Solutions
Biopax, the sustainable carton packaging, paper wraps and self-adhesive labels solutions company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has made a new strategic investment with Heidelberg to support its ongoing efforts to optimise its sustainable options for clients. The company also has plans to add plastic free paper cups, tubs and salad bowls to its product portfolio across 2023/24.
Biopax currently provides ‘green’ packaging solutions to the food, beverage and non food sector in the UK and Ireland, and has started to export into European markets. Its strategic growth plans include setting up production capabilities for sustainable packaging in Europe, India and the People’s Republic of China.
After detailed research, it opted for Heidelberg’s XL106 models because of the wide ranging operational capabilities.
A spokesperson for the business said that as well as the performance and overall productivity of the XL106, another significant consideration for choosing the product is its carbon neutral certification which aligns with the company ethos to deliver high quality packaging that is produced with the environment in mind.
‘In addition to the green benefits, we also realised that the Heidelberg XL106 with Inpress Control would deliver and exceed our customers’ expectations in regards to their company branding and colour management strategies,’ said chairman Dr Terry Cross.
‘We consulted with several expert printers before we chose Heidelberg as our printing press supplier. These experts have spent many years working with various large format Heidelberg presses in the folded carton industry. We leaned on their experience and expertise when making our investment decision. To date, we have invested £20 million in the latest Heidelberg technology within our 70,000 square foot factory.’
He continued, ‘We are committed to creating over 170 jobs at our Belfast facility and have commenced initial groundwork on a site expansion plan which will see us almost double the size of our production and storage facility. This expansion will allow us to invest further into ultra high volume flexographic printing and dedicated rotary converting for some of the world’s leading brands.’
One of the major benefits of the XL106 is that it delivers extremely fast makereadies that are colour accurate to Fogra 39 or the latest Fogra 51 standards. That includes brand colours printed within a tolerance of dE2.5, and consistent colour on all print runs with the assistance of Inpress Control to ensure stable and accurate colour and faster turnaround times on FMCG cartons. This is due to the improved technology that assists in makeready and production.
The company is now awaiting delivery of a second XL106 press with the same specifications.
Terry Cross continued, ‘This will offer us and our customers a high quality product that exceeds their expectations. Our world class design software systems are fully integrated into our Heidelberg production kit. This helps us to optimise our machine outputs while reducing downtime and waste. This means we can get our products out to our customers faster and deliver benchmark print and finishing quality. Our customers are continually delighted at the enhanced service, flexibility and quality of the carton products they are receiving from Biopax.’
Alongside the XL106, the compnay has also invested in Heidelberg MasterMatrix die cutters, replacing the machines it had previously used.
The switch was made after discovering the MasterMatrix die cutter offered better value for money, higher output and advanced features including faster makeready times, higher running speeds, and higher quality cutting, creasing and blanking outperforming its competitors.
