Future Links January 22nd
Today our news roundup from the printing industry covers solid growth predictions for the 3D printing industry, the relevance of the letterpress in a digital age, the role of customer engagement in digital print for packaging, a road-printing robot, UPM’s new membership at UN Global Compact LEAD, Du Pont and APM’s bio-based packaging materials and SICPA’s expertise in printing tax stamps for cigarettes.
IGC predicts substantial growth in 3D printing
Even though some 3D printing pioneers have been doing so well lately, the industry as a whole is set for substantial growth, according to a new report by market researcher IDG. IDG’s ‘Semiannual 3D Printing Spending Guide’ predicts that global spending on 3D printing technologies will grow at a 27 % compound annual growth rate. The 3D printing industry will grow from nearly 11 billion USD in 2015 to 26.7 billion USD in 2019.
More at 3ders
Letterpress is still relevant in the digital age
Invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, letterpress printing revolutionized the literary world by enabling works to be copied and widely distributed for the first time. The printing methods receded into background in the digital age but Tom Virgin, the founder of Extra Virgin Press, plans to help preserve the art of letterpress printing by bringing it to Miami and teaching it to a new generation.
More at Knightfoundation
Customer engagement key in digital print for packaging
Consumer engagement is the number one motivator when it comes to adopting digital print for packaging, according to a survey among 120 leaders in the packaging industry conducted by Smithers Pira. 53 % of respondent named increased customer engagement as their top reason, a quarter saw cost-efficiency as the main driver; while 14 % felt the ability to reduce risk during new product launches was the primary motivator.
More at Smithers Pira
UPM joins UN Global Compact’s LEAD
UPM has accepted a special invitation to join the United Nations Global Compact LEAD. It is the first forest industry company and also the first Finnish company to receive such an invitation. Global Compact LEAD is a leadership platform within the United Nations Global Compact that strongly promotes the integration of sustainability into business strategies. At present, 50 companies worldwide have been invited to join LEAD, the total number of member companies at UN Global Compact is approximately 8000.
More at Graphic Repro Online
DuPont and ADM make breakthrough in bio-based packaging materials
DuPont Industrial Biosciences and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) have developed a method for producing furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME) from fructose, which they have described as a breakthrough process. The technology has applications in packaging, textiles, engineering plastics and many other industries.
More at Labels & Labeling
SICPA continues to print cigarette tax stamps for California
It takes a unique combination of specialized inks and security technology to manufacturer tax stamps for tobacco products. SICPA is one of the leading providers of tax collection solutions. That is why the State of California now extended the contract with SICPA as its provider of state-of-the-art pressure-sensitive cigarette tax stamps.
More at Ink World Magazine