Siegwerk, a global provider of printing inks for packaging applications and labels, is getting ready for components 2020, interpack’s supplier trade fair for processing and packaging, as well as the 17th edition of drupa. At both shows, the company will not only present its broad ink and service portfolio for packaging and labels but also demonstrate its contribution to the overall development of sustainable packaging concepts and its commitment to drive Circular Economy to practice – through ink and service solutions.

Another focus will be the company’s digitalization approach to identify new business models and improve efficiencies to build a strong base for future sustainable growth.

“The pressing question today is how the advantages of plastic packaging can be used without the negative side effects. We strongly believe that creating a Circular Economy is the solution to this problem,” explains Alina Marm, head of Circular Economy Hub at Siegwerk, a specially established unit to serve the transition towards a Circular Economy across the company.

Inks and varnishes play an important enabling role in a Circular Economy. In addition to the branding of the packaging, the technical functionalities of inks support all three levers in terms of reduction, reuse and recycling of packaging.

“Through new ink and varnish applications, we have the opportunity to close the technical performance gaps of recyclable mono-material packaging like paper and mono-plastic and support high quality recyclates,” explains Marm.

By establishing new online services like the Vendor Managed Inventory System MyInkroom, the online customer portal mySiegwerk or the webshop for sheetfed offset inks, Siegwerk has expanded its digital offering over the years increasing efficiencies and enhancing the overall customer journey.

Next to the standardization and automation of IT tools, the company is strategically looking into the potential of big data and artificial intelligence for improving production cycles and gaining further efficiencies. With the recent opening of Europe’s largest fully automated production facility for printing inks in Siegburg, Germany, the company has laid a foundation for future production demand.

Next to data-driven innovation and the digitalization of processes to further drive future growth, Siegwerk is driving the development of new business models, with services and platforms leveraging its ink and packaging know-how. Therefore, the company founded the new subsidiary Siegwerk Ventures to build up new ventures as new strategic pillars for Siegwerk’s future and generate new relevant revenue streams. “It’s all about extending our core business by creating growth in new market segments beyond selling ink,” explains Felix Bischopink, head of Siegwerk Ventures.

Siegwerk’s presences at components 2020 and drupa 2020 will both be touch points for discussions and conversations about future trends and current solutions for packaging and label printing.

“In order to advance packaging for a circular and digital world we need to work even closer together to test new ideas across the entire industry,” says Bettina Horenburg, director of corporate communications at Siegwerk. “Therefore, we want to bring people together at our booth to jointly ‘rethINK packaging’ and develop innovative ideas to meet future packaging and printing trends.”

As part of the company’s Touchpoint Packaging, partnership visitors can also listen to expert talks and panel discussions with Siegwerk experts at drupa giving insights into packaging printing trends especially focusing on circular economy solutions and the power of digitalization.