Saica Flex has installed a new, fully automatic coating machine at its Deeside site in Wales. Though the company declined to confirm the manufacturer of the technology – which represents a £2.2 million (€2.5 million) investment – it said it is already fully operational in the factory.
The “state-of-the-art” coater increases the site’s previous coating capacity and according to Saica Flex represents a major technological upgrade as it can coat wider materials at significantly higher speeds and with enhanced precision, delivering improved efficiency and product quality.
Saica Flex Deeside will be able to expand into a broader range of linerless products with the system, it said – an increasingly important segment of the label market that eliminates the need for release liners, enabling customers to reduce both material costs and environmental impact by cutting waste associated with liner disposal.
The new coater also enhances the site’s operational capabilities and sustainability credentials, strengthening its competitiveness in an increasingly cost-conscious market. Raw material usage will reduce through the elimination of the disposable liner.
It said that in recent years demand has steadily grown, encouraging the company to invest further in this market. The system gives it four times the previous capacity, allowing it to take on new business, pursue larger contracts, respond more confidently to market demand, and meet customer lead times consistently.
“This investment marks a major step forward for our Deeside operations,” said Andy Salisbury, Saica Flex Deeside general manager. “The new coater enables us to deliver greater value to our customers through improved performance, cost efficiency, and sustainable solutions. It underlines our long-term commitment to innovation and leadership in the UK label market.”
