Flexo Market News
Cannabis Packaging (Cont’d from Page 8)
from cannabis consumers is pushing cannabis brands to adopt an all-encompassing environmental strategy, from water and land usage to packaging. As mentioned, cannabis regulations are a moving tar- get, and yet, there’s one regulation that remains nearly universal: child-resistant packaging. Even states that le- galize cannabis use and don’t start with child-resistant requirements, most states end up there as the market evolves. Take Michigan for example. When its program launched in 2018, they didn’t require child-resistant packaging at first. Only a short time later, Michigan lawmakers changed the regulation requiring it. That meant cannabis brands were stuck with obsolete non- compliant inventory. Better Safe Industry experts recommend creating child-resistant packaging right out of the gate, regardless of what state law says at the time, to avoid a Michigan scenario. The path to child resistance is interesting and oddly specific. To achieve child resistance, the package must first be tested in an independent lab on 50 boys and girls between 3 ½ to 4 years old.The children are given a sample packaging and given 5 to 10 minutes to open. After 5 minutes, if a child has not attempted to use his or her teeth, the test administrator then announces that the children can use their teeth to get into the packaging if they want to. Only a small percentage of children can gain access to the package for it to pass and move on to the next step of testing that involves seniors between 50 and 70 years old.The goal here is to ensure that children stay out, but the seniors can still get in. Dynamic Child-resistant flexible packaging tends to use 4 to 4.5 mil opaque films. Converters often use opaque films because some states mandate that the product is not seen through the packaging.The thickness is a standard set by California and Colorado, although it doesn’t apply to every state. For states that don’t have a thickness requirement, 4 mil is generally the thinnest gauge that is recommend- ed for a child-resistant application. If a converter has thermal lamination capabilities, they can use a 3 mil film, and add a 1 mil thermal lamination on top and achieve the same level of thickness for puncture and tear resistance. The market is a dynamic one that’s filled with equal parts opportunity and challenges.
Adheso-Graphics, Inc. www.adheso-graphics.com
AGI manufactures, distributes and converts current technology flexo mounting tapes and backing sys - tems for corrugated plate mounting. Flexstik hard vinyl, FlexSoft, bi.esse brand, Gold Series. Thin tapes for sleeve and Narrow web plate mounting. Specialty tapes that cover the vast thick - ness range requirements and specific adhesion systems for all flexo mounting requirements. We provide technical service and problem solving ser - vices for unique customers & applications. A&V manufactures a complete line of photopolymer plate processing systems and is a leading distribu - tor of flexographic platemaking materials. A&V also sells digital imaging systems and software specifical - ly designed for flexography. Apex International www.apexinternational.com Anderson & Vreeland, Inc. www.andersonvreeland.com Apex International is an award-winning global lead - er of anilox rolls, sleeves, glue sets, metering prod - ucts, and print maintenance solutions. With five production facilities on four continents, a grow - ing portfolio of clients in over 80 countries, and a high-performance continuous-improvement culture, Apex’s mission is the customer’s production suc - cess. Through technical innovation, service, and manufacturing precision, Apex delivers reliable, durable, and predictable metering solutions to its client’s presses every day. ARC International www.ARCInternational.com ARC International is a world leader in the manufac - turing of roller products for flexography. The latest nanotechnology laser engraving in our Charlotte and Las Vegas manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers. Eaglewood Technologies, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com Eaglewood Technologies provides the award-winning Sitexco Laser Systems, Sanilox ™ Systems and Sani- Blast ™ Mobile Service. Sitexco Laser Systems are the latest technology in anilox roll cleaning and are perfect for packaging and label printers. Sanilox ™ Systems are the global standard of reliable, environmentally safe anilox roll cleaning. Sani-Blast ™ cleaning service has been cleaning rolls for over 20 years and offer several cleaning options to minimize downtime.
10 August 16, 2021 Flexo Market News
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