Arriving at the Stephens Convention Center for the opening day of Labelexpo Americas 2002, I had a good feeling. The multistory parking lot was filled to capacity, and shuttle buses circled the entranceway. This was the first of three days of exhibits and a conference program covering a wide spectrum of topics.
The event, held on alternate years at the Rosemont (Chicago) site near O'Hare Airport, was clearly identified as a label-making event. But to my mind, it equated to "Adhesives Used Here."
About 450 exhibitors were on-hand displaying machinery, equipment, materials, supplies and services. Show organizer Tarsus Exhibitions estimated upwards of 14,000 attendees interested in labeling and narrow-web converting. Several of the exhibitors had invited me to their booths because of their interest in the adhesives and sealants industry:
The silicone release-coatings team from Dow Corning* talked one-on-one with attendees on how the company could help them innovate, grow reliably and drive costs down. According to Brian Chapman, silicone release-coatings market manager for the Americas, "We want to build our understanding of the preferences, challenges, opportunities and trends that are shaping the industry's future."
3M* and Emtech Emulsion Technologies showcased their newly combined product line of label solutions in a large show presence. The companies had recently announced the finalization of their agreement to combine Emtech and 3M's label business into a single 3M operating unit.
Avery Dennison* Fasson Roll North America also took advantage of the venue to not only display its products and technologies but also to communicate its ongoing commitment to converter customers from the former Jackst¿ North American organization, which Avery Dennison recently acquired.
FLEXcon* offered a new, high-performance, permanent acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive designed to be reworkable on glass surfaces, making it ideal for wine labeling and other food and beverage applications. The adhesive helps minimize waste and downtime by allowing misapplied primary and secondary labels to be easily removed and relabeled.
ExxonMobil launched a film-label replacement for paper in cold-glue, cut-and-stack applications that delivers the benefits of film at paper economics. "This oriented polypropylene film fills a void in the cold-glue, patch-label marketplace for a film that runs on standard water-based glues," said Terry Jensen, senior market development manager.
Wacker Silicones* launched a new technology for high-speed silicone coating with the introduction of WACKER AMAR 70 additive. "It reduces to very low levels the silicone mist generated during higher-speed coating operations," according to Terry McEwen, marketing manager.
National Adhesives* featured several families of pressure sensitive adhesives for label applications, including hot melts and waterbornes. "The company also offers new solvent-based adhesives that resist UV light and high temperature, remaining clear where less-advanced adhesives would yellow," says Maoliosa Denye, marketing manager, Pressure Sensitive & Laminating Adhesives.
For information on future events, log onto www.labelexpo-americas.com.
*See listing in The ASI 50 starting on page 48.
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