Topics covered: Rheology, the Future of Food Packaging and Advances in Printed Electronics and Sensors · March, June and September 2025 · Free for ERA members · Register now
Special Webinars
What is rheology and why is it important?
This webinar gives an insight into how the rheological characteristics of inks and coatings are measured and how this relates to the finished product. Rheology is the study of fluids and how they flow and thus effects every part of the printing process, from the ink development, transfer between rollers, and the interaction with the substrate.
Traditionally, on press viscometry maintained printed colour by ensuring a consistent amount of pigment in the carrier fluid by monitoring the ink properties. As demands increase in terms of quality, reduced environmental impact and functionality, inks and coatings have developed into a complex blend of various shaped solid functional micro and nano materials in a carrier fluid, made of complex polymers with various additives. The carrier fluid may also contain polymers which impact other properties when cured e.g., become an oxygen barrier for food packaging.
Off press characterisation of the rheological properties of the inks and coatings can be used to predict performance including ink release, spread and penetration into the substrate. These can then be used in conjunction with on press measurements maintain constancy.
General Information
Date
11 March at 10:00 (CET) on Teams
Participation fees
ERA members: free of charge
Non-members: not available for non-members
Future of food packaging
Packaging enables food to be delivered from the producer in excellent condition with an extended window of shelf life and “best before” date for the consumer. For many years multilayer plastic packaging was seen as the best way to achieve this. However, having different plastics in the laminates has meant much of the material cannot be recycled, ends up in land fill or the oceans and ultimately as micro plastics in the food chain.
Advances in materials combined with printing and coating is enabling monomers, biopolymers and paper to achieve a similar or better level of food protection. Improving converter efficiency in terms of reduced running waste and consistent quality is also a key. This webinar will review the latest research, including those in the 2025 Advances in the Packaging Industry Congress and Print4All 2025 where corrugated is one of the core themes.
General Information
Date
10 June (CET) on Teams
Participation fees
ERA members: free of charge
Non-members: not available for non-members
Advances in printed electronics and sensors
Combining conventional and printed electronics opens the door to hybrid solutions for a wide range of products, including smart packaging and health care. As well as latest developments, the webinar will consider already available technology. How these can be these can be integrated into SMART products will be discussed.
A core aspect critical for the widespread adoption of smart technology is the ability to recycle materials and recover components from the waste stream. Recyclability, a key for long term sustainability, will also be discussed.
General Information
Date
30 September (CET) on Teams
Participation fees
ERA members: free of charge
Non-members: not available for non-members
