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GMI opens applications for scholarships
The Groupement des métiers de l'impression et de la communication (GMI) is launching the third edition of its scholarships, designed to support young people involved in the printing and visual communications sectors.
Awarded up to 2,000 euros per winner by a jury of professionals, these grants are open to apprentices up to 1st year of BTS and students up to Master's level.
Registrations are open until May 15, 2025, and applications must be submitted by July 10, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 26, 2025.
Le Seila moves after 21 years in Paris's 3rd arrondissement
After 21 years at 62 rue de Turbigo (Paris 3rd), the Syndicat de l'emballage industriel et de la logistique associée (Seila) is changing address. As of March 17, 2025, its offices will be located at CAP 120 âeuros 120 avenue Ledru-Rollin, Paris 11th, where it will join other players in the forestry-wood industry.
Lecta unveils a recyclable barrier backing paper
Paper manufacturer Lecta has extended its range with Linerset FP, a barrier backing paper for flexible packaging, offering a more sustainable alternative to non-recyclable multi-layer materials.
Designed to meet the requirements of converters and printers, this paper combines strength, flexibility and transparency, and is suitable for bags, pouches and other packaging applications. Specially developed for flexographic printing, it is available in several weights (40 to 78 g/m 2 ).
Certified PEFC or FSC on request, Linerset FP complies with the most stringent environmental and safety standards, particularly for food and industrial packaging. Lecta thus confirms its commitment to the circular economy and the development of more responsible packaging solutions.
Printing ink sales down in 2024
The Fédération des Industries des peintures, colles, encres, couleurs pour l'art et résines (Fipec) presented its industry report for 2024 at its annual press conference.
Between 2023 and 2024, the total market for paints, stains, coatings and varnishes will fall by -4.7% in value to 2,868 million euros, and by -3.2% in volume to 1,020,000 tonnes.
The printing inks branch (packaging, advertising prints and paper presses), represented by the Association des fabricants d'encres d'imprimerie (AFEI), posted a 5.1% loss in value to 139 million euros, and a slower decline in volume of -1.6% to 30,000 tonnes. This sector is marked by the fall in paper media (-1.6% compared with 2023) and environmental regulations requiring retailers to reduce the amount of printed advertising (with the Oui Pub scheme).
Ahlstrom extends its range with a paper for flexible food packaging
Ahlstrom launches LamiBak Flex, a new base paper designed for flexible food packaging. Building on the LamiBak range, this material is a grease-resistant, recyclable barrier paper made from FSC- and PEFC-certified wood pulp.
Designed for converters and brands, LamiBak Flex is optimized for coating, metallization and extrusion, reducing the need for primers and barrier coatings. PFAS-free, it meets the requirements of recyclability standards in the USA and Europe.
According to Guillaume Latourette, Vice-President of Ahlstrom's food packaging division, LamiBak Flex represents a breakthrough for high-barrier paper packaging, offering a viable alternative to plastics and metallized substrates.
Alliance Machine Systems acquires Systec Conveyors and Automatan
Alliance Machine Systems International, specialists in automated equipment for corrugated and folding carton packaging, announces the acquisition of Systec Corporation and Automatan. This operation is designed to strengthen Alliance's global offering in packaging automation and handling solutions for the corrugated and folding carton industries.
Alliance Machine Systems International is part of Barry-Wehmiller, a $3.6 billion group specializing in capital goods and engineering solutions.
Based in Indianapolis, Systec has been developing conveyor systems since 1992, while Automatan, based in Wisconsin, has been designing laminators and labelers since 1976. Both companies will continue to operate under their current structures, while benefiting from the resources and international network of Alliance Machine Systems.
Completion of the transaction is scheduled for March 31, 2025.
Metsä Board cartonboards reduce the carbon footprint of food packaging by 60%
According to a life cycle assessment (LCA) carried out by Metsä Board and verified by the Swedish environmental research institute IVL, replacing WLC (White Lined Chipboard) with MetsäBoard Classic FBB folding carton reduces the carbon footprint of food packaging by over 60%.
This gain is mainly due to the use of fossil-free energy at the Group's production sites and to the light weight of virgin fiberboard, which nonetheless retains its functional and mechanical properties.
This study is part of a series of verified assessments already covering the cosmetics and pharmaceutical segments, providing brands with quantified comparative data to reduce their environmental impact, particularly Scope 3 emissions.
