Ceepackaging

Technology

DSM launches cork marking

Supplied as a masterbatch granulate, Micabs® can be added to a wide range of polymers to yield photo-quality, dark laser marks on light backgrounds. Unlike the current method of using a laser beam to carbonize the plastic itself, Micabs® contains well-defined laser active particles which change color under laser exposure, so that consistent marking is obtained irrespective of the polymer.

To commercialize the use of Micabs® for decoration of synthetic wine corks, DSM has partnered with Tampoprint AG, the market leader in pad printing systems and pioneer of closure marking by laser. Tampoprint’s Alfalas® MOF-Cork (Marking on the Fly) equipment, designed exclusively for Micabs®, is the world’s first fully automated high-speed laser marking system for synthetic wine corks. It utilizes the DSM technology to offer customers a complete solution for laser marking of freely-programmable layouts on synthetic wine corks.

Compared to conventional printing technologies currently used by synthetic wine cork producers, laser marking with Micabs® additive offers numerous advantages including improved productivity and total system cost reduction due to the simplicity, flexibility and robustness of the new process. Small series customization can easily be realized without any additional costs with minimized set-up’s, as no clichés are required. Because Micabs® technology does not require any pre-treatment of the cork surface nor use of messy inks or solvents, and no extra drying steps with UV lamps, overall production throughput can be increased as there is nearly no down time due to machine cleaning and changing clichés. The material is safe, clean and easy to handle. Further, the properties of the base polymer are retained. Micabs® can be successfully used in the processing techniques typically used in the production of synthetic wine corks such as injection moulding, and extrusion.

“The combination of our Alfalas® MOF-Cork high-speed laser marking system and DSM’s Micabs® additive technology is a highly efficient solution that can achieve production speeds of up to 24,000 corks per hour,” said Sven Richter, Sales Manager Laser Systems of Tampoprint AG. “Our partnership with DSM has enabled us to provide the market with a unique, high-volume process for marking synthetic corks. This integrated technology benefits our customers and our business.”

“The use of synthetic corks is increasing due to shortages of natural cork. Our joint solution with Tampoprint is solving intrinsic problems associated with conventional printing of synthetic wine corks giving producers improved quality and reproducibility,” said Valerie Reid, Business Development Manager, DSM Micabs. “With the versatility of Micabs®, customers can now choose from a variety of plastics and processes to create attractive, consistent graphics. Further, the quality and speed of this joint solution offers both our companies the potential to expand into other application areas.”

Micabs® may be used as an additive in typical concentrations of 1 – 5% (w/w) in synthetic wine corks in full compliance with the US Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and all applicable food additive regulations.

DSM owns the patent for the use of laser marking additives in synthetic wine cork applications and Tampoprint owns the patent for the laser marking process of synthetic wine corks.

Other Micabs® applications include tracking and tracing, product identification of livestock ear tags, electrical devices, ID cards, cosmetic packaging, tubing, closures and medical equipment.