Gallus Group has appointed Dario Urbinati to the role of chief executive officer. Urbinati succeeds Frank Schaum, who will now head Heidelberg’s Print Segment.

With 17 years of experience in the graphic arts industry and as its previous chief sales and service officer, Urbinati will continue to drive Gallus’ mission to turn the narrow web market toward a more sustainable and profitable future – providing new technologies to achieve it such as the recently launched Gallus One.

Urbinati comes to the role with significant experience of running label businesses, having served in senior positions with leading manufacturers around the world. Urbinati first joined Gallus in 2007, where he served nine years with the company. He then joined Omet China as its narrow/mid web managing director, before becoming chief sales and marketing officer for ACTEGA Metal Print, where he was instrumental in launching and then commercializing its sustainable metalization technology.

Commenting on his new role, Urbinati says, “I am honored to take up the role of Gallus CEO. This is a fantastic, growing business with incredibly talented and committed people and, with the might of Heidelberg behind us, an exciting trajectory for the future. While our ongoing mission is to support the success of our customers in the field, our wider ambition is to provide dynamic technologies and services to secure the future of the narrow web industry.”

Meanwhile, the North American label industry has taken hit after hit when it comes to the availability of materials for release liner. While 87% of release liner is paper-based, recent events like the Pixelle mill closure have succeeded in removing large amounts of materials from the market.

As alternative options are being utilized, there’s one option we’re not seeing much of: glassine. Glassine is a pulp-based material specially produced to be a thinner, more durable release liner. Its smooth, glossy surface uses less silicone to achieve a premium release.

The global market for glassine paper is expected to double in the next decade to $4.7 billion. And almost every other paper market in the world utilizes glassine: Europe, Asia, South America. Every market except North America.

So why is it that we’re the only one’s not open to using glassine as a primary material for release liner?

Here are the highest-trafficked news items for the week ending on December 16:

1. Dario Urbinati named CEO of Gallus
2. Why the North American paper market rejects glassine
3. Dantex launches new SuperText on PicoJet 1200 digital press
4. Felix Schoeller Group expands in North America
5. Matthew Gardner joins FLEXcon North America as CFO