Flint and Heidelberg Japan KK form alliance for dayGraphica distribution success

JAPAN – Flint Group, a global leader in printing and packaging inks and coatings, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Heidelberg Japan KK (Heidelberg).

This alliance holds immense potential for both companies and the printing and packaging industry in Japan.

This partnership will oversee the local distribution of dayGraphica® products on behalf of Flint Group, taking over this responsibility from its Day International (Day) business.

Flint Group’s range of premium printing blankets, renowned for their superior print, contrast, and density values, are now available in Japan. These blankets, designed for offset printing, offer a variety of options, including Sheetfed, Heatset, and News printing.

Roy van der Pijl, Senior Commercial Director for Offset Packaging Solutions at Flint Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We’re delighted to reinforce our position in Japan by reintroducing our dayGraphica® printing blankets.

“Given Japan’s leadership in offset printing press manufacturing and innovation, Flint Group views Japan as a vital commercial and offset package printing market.”

Mr. van der Pijl continued, “In the past, Day consumables met or exceeded customer expectations in terms of performance and reliability. Flint Group recognized the need to reconnect with the Japanese market and deliver the value of Day’s innovative products with heightened service levels.

“We chose to partner with Heidelberg due to their reputation as a dependable supplier to the Japanese market and our long-standing global partnership.

“The team’s knowledge and capabilities in offset printing and commitment to quality and reliability will be invaluable in reintroducing Day and its dayGraphica® printing blankets to Japan’s thriving print sector. We look forward to building this relationship over the coming years.”

Flint Group introduces TerraCode Bio

Meanwhile, Flint Group recently expanded its TerraCode range with TerraCode Bio, a new line of environmentally conscious bio-based extenders and coatings designed for the corrugated market.

Originally launched in 2019, TerraCode is Flint Group’s portfolio of eco-friendly inks and coatings for paper packaging applications. This expansion underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.

Kari Raassina, Senior Director of Product Management Europe at Flint Group, commented: “Our expanded TerraCode Bio range of extenders and coatings is a fantastic addition to our TerraCode portfolio for corrugated printing.

“Pre-launch trials with packaging printers across Europe were a resounding success. We are delighted to add these new TerraCode Bioproducts to our European lineup formally.

“Besides supporting sustainability in packaging, the range offers exceptional performance with excellent coverage, tonal values, and trap quality. For added versatility, TerraCode Bio is suitable for high-volume uncoated board and more detailed coated board designs.”

Mr. Raassina continued, “Our TerraCode Bio range is available as part of Flint Group’s ‘building block’ technology, which provides Paper & Board converters with unique flexibility and efficiency in planning corrugated post- and pre-print jobs.

“Furthermore, with seamless and convenient one-to-one replacement of incumbent extenders, the transition is simplified by eliminating disruptive changes to dispensing and production processes.”

Alessio Crivellari, Product Manager, Paper & Board Europe at Flint Group, added: “With our TerraCode Bio extenders, ink formulations can contain up to 90% bio-renewable or recycled raw materials, which is an enormous sustainability advantage for corrugated packaging converters focused on circularity.

“This technology can also reduce CO2 emissions of Flint Group extenders for corrugated packaging by up to 40%.”

Mr. Crivellari concluded, “We know there is no room for compromise in quality. TerraCode Bio offers performance that is equivalent or superior to synthetic technologies. It can be used with various ink base systems, including our HexaCode and OctaCode bases, enabling a seamless transition.”

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