Links November 20th
Today our news roundup from the printing industry covers the race to produce 3D printed athletic shoes, a company allowing 3D printing with incomplete visual information, Opel’s cost and time savings due to 3D printing, Verso Paper’s uncertain future, label supplier’s efforts to reduce waste, Americk’s acquisition of Adare Advantage and an outlook for the Chinese ink industry.
For 3D printed athletic shoes, the race is on
Adidas and Nike have already announced that they are working on 3D printed shoes. Now, New Balance has joined the race for the first model produced – at least in part – with 3D printing technology. And it looks like New Balance may beat Adidas and Nike to the finish line. The company announced that its new running shoe model that incorporates a 3D printed midsole will be available in April in Boston as a limited edition collection.
More at Fast Company
Company links 3D printing and virtual objects
So far, 3D printing required digital 3D models. Printing from videos or computer games was impossible without creating a CAD file first. A start-up in Newcastle wants to change that. The company called Whispering Gibbon claims to have found a way to 3D print from incomplete visual information. The technology called RenderFab allows users to generate their own custom figurines or items from images captured within video games or even movies.
More at Rapid Ready
Verso Paper considers restructuring
The U.S. pulp and paper manufacturer Verso Paper has announced the possibility to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The company is also considering the sale of four mills. Because of financial difficulties, Verso is also looking into the sale of certain mills and facilities.
More at EUWID Pulp and Paper
Suppliers focus on waste removal from label supply chain
The first Working Without Waste conference has taken place in Heidelberg, Germany, attracting more than 30 delegates from the label printing industry in Germany, Switzerland and Austria interested in learning how to identify sources of waste and how to deal with them in order to stay profitable and competitive. More events with industry and sustainability experts are scheduled in different cities in the coming months.
More at Labels & Labeling
Americk Packaging acquires Adare Advantage
Americk Packaging has acquired Adare’s packaging business, Adare Advantage, for an undisclosed sum. The company said the acquisition will complement its existing flexible packaging, labels and carton operations and increase the range of products available to its European customer base.
More at Print Week
The Chinese ink industry is expected to grow
The printing industry in China is expanding and so is the ink industry. According to several leading ink manufacturers, the market exhibits signs of growth driven by the packaging industry after a slowdown due to broader economic conditions. While some Chinese print executives are optimistic, there are some uncertainties pertaining to factors as the stable growth policy in China and price fluctuations of raw materials.
More at Ink World Magazine