Italian flexible packaging manufacturer Masterpack has equipped its Soma central impression (CI) flexographic printing press – which it installed in 2023 – with Vetaphone corona treatment technology.
The installation of corona treatment is intended to improve production performance on polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) substrates at its facility in Veruno.
The investment reflects Masterpack’s ongoing focus on producing high-performance packaging for a range of applications, including fresh produce, dry foods, and ready meals. Founded in 1988 by Claudio Binda, the company remains family-owned and operates two production sites with approximately 200 employees. It reports annual revenues nearing €70 million (£61 million).
“Our strategy has never been about chasing volume,” said Raul Rizza, chief operations officer at Masterpack. “Instead, we focus on innovation and the production of technically functional packaging that meets evolving customer requirements. We work at the edge of what the technology allows.”
The Soma Optima² press, an eight-colour model with a 1050mm web width and a maximum speed of 500 meters per minute, is capable of handling both solvent- and water-based inks. It includes advanced features such as automatic plate mounting and register setting, aimed at reducing setup waste.
The press is integrated with Vetaphone’s VE1L-T corona treatment unit, which uses an iHP 300 transformer and iPM 200 generator to deliver 8kW of output power. This is designed to ensure consistent surface treatment across a variety of film substrates.
“Our experience with Vetaphone has been excellent,” Mr Rizza added. “The technology integrated seamlessly into our workflow and performs reliably across the different substrates we use. Reliability is essential here – we process around 10 million metres of plastic film every month across 38 different jobs per day.”
Giuseppe Rossi, Vetaphone’s area sales manager for Italy, commented: “It’s encouraging to see our systems making a tangible impact in daily production. We tailor each installation to the needs of the customer, and Masterpack’s setup is a good example of how corona treatment can support complex, high-speed operations.”
The installation also supports Masterpack’s export business, which includes FDA-compliant packaging for the US and Canadian markets, in addition to its established presence in the EU.
With growing regulatory requirements and the continued development of recyclable and sustainable packaging materials, Mr Rizza emphasised the importance of strong supplier partnerships. “Technology like Vetaphone’s helps us adapt quickly and maintain high standards,” he said. “We’re already considering a second Soma press with integrated corona treatment.”
