The collaboration is centred on Heidelberg’s giant Boardmaster reel-fed flexo press, which can run at up to 600m/min and with promised uptime of up to 90% and non-stop production.

Heidelberg chief technology and sales officer Dr David Schmedding pointed to growing global demand for “sustainably produced, cost-effective, recyclable and compostable” flexible packaging, with the potential market viewed as a major growth area for the manufacturer.

“In our collaboration with Solenis, we are aiming for the cost-effective production of packaging solutions for the food industry that are geared towards efficiency and sustainability,” he said.

The two firms will work on optimising the various components involved, including the chemical composition of the barrier coatings and application process on the Boardmaster.

Solenis is headquartered in the US and employs around 16,500 people worldwide. The acquisitive group is owned by Platinum Equity.

Its European footprint includes three R&D and customer application facilities in Germany.

The firm’s products are used in a wide range of markets and industries including food and beverage processing, and pulp and paper.

Its range includes Contour, a PFAS-free barrier coating that is oil and grease resistant, and TopScreen biowax-based coatings for food grade paper packaging.

Solenis senior director of strategic marketing William Kuecker commented: “Packaging companies are under increasing pressure to optimise processes while meeting ambitious sustainability goals.

“Our partnership with Heidelberg pushes the boundaries of what is possible for paper packaging manufacturers. With the combination of state-of-the-art printing technology and innovative, high-performance specialty coatings, packaging manufacturers can increase their operational efficiency and product performance while meeting the growing demand for sustainable products and processes.”

Heidelberg showed a unit from the giant Boardmaster press at Drupa earlier this year, and a press is installed at the demo centre at its Wiesloch-Walldorf site.

The Boardmaster will form part of its showcase at the upcoming Heidelberg Days at the facility, from October 21-22.

Its configuration is scalable depending on customer requirements, and with web widths of 850mm, 1,000mm, 1,400mm and 1,650mm.

Heidelberg will also have information on the Solenis plans, and its packaging offering in general, at next week’s Fachpack show in Nuremberg, which is being held from 24-26 September.

Separately, Heidelberg UK is hosting an open day focused on its digital printing eco system next week.