Are you organizing an event, or would you like to share a breakthrough in your business, be it innovation, green initiatives or new âeuros¯ training courses? Keep us informed of your news so that we can pass it on to the graphic arts community.
Carnet noir : Pierre Dutilleul, former general manager of the SNE, passes away
The Syndicat national de l'édition (SNE) has announced the death of Pierre Dutilleul, its former managing director, following a devastating illness, on April 4. A leading figure in French and European publishing, Pierre Dutilleul had headed the SNE between 2016 and 2023 after a career spanning more than two decades with the Editis group.
Trained as an engineer, Pierre Dutilleul has held key positions in many of the French publishing group's companies, including General Manager of several entities (Plon, Perrin, Robert Laffont, Julliard, La Découverte...), as well as Head of Human Resources and Communications. He has also been active on an institutional level: treasurer of the SNE from 2009 to 2016, president of the Federation of European Publishers (FEE) from 2014 to 2016, and member of the executive committee of the International Publishers Association (UIE) until his retirement in April 2023.
Appreciated for his discretion and sense of dialogue, he has left a lasting imprint on the book chain, both in France and internationally," emphasizes Vincent Montagne, Chairman of the SNE.
Tech-ni-Fold launches a new creasing device for thick signatures
British manufacturer Tech-ni-Fold has enhanced its range with the Section Score, a device designed to improve the in-line creasing of signatures, particularly on thick paper and cardboard. Compatible with most industrial folding machines (MBO, Stahl, Horizon...), this tool features colored plastic rings for easy adjustment and fold definition that preserves fiber integrity.
Designed for high-speed converting plants, the Section Score optimizes production times while ensuring a clean, splinter-free finish.
A new logo for Les Éditions Robert Laffont
Éditions Robert Laffont, founded in 1941 and part of the Editis group, has unveiled its new logo.
Now featuring a monogram with the letters R and L interlaced in white on a blue background, this new graphic sign marks a desire for renewal with simplicity.
"With these two letters, and their tranquility, our publishing house sums up in its logo its desire to ceaselessly understand and dream, the imperative we give ourselves to look at life and commit to it with strength, optimism, with all our eyes open." says Frédéric Martin, Managing Director of Éditions Robert Laffont.
Lecta expands its barrier offering with Creaset HGP paper
The Spanish group Lecta has extended its range of papers for flexible packaging with the launch of Creaset HGP, a single-sided coated paper designed for applications requiring high grease resistance. PFAS-free, this paper is ideal for butter packaging and animal feed sachets.
Compatible with flexo, offset and gravure printing processes, it boasts a recyclability rating of 95/100 from CEPI and an A level from Aticelca. This paper completes Lecta's barrier range alongside Metalvac GP PFAS-free metallized paper, also designed for greasy packaging.
Uniic launches Cyberprint to boost cybersecurity for graphics companies
Faced with rising digital risks in the graphic arts industry, the Union nationale des industries de l'impression et de la communication (Uniic) is launching the Cyberprint project, a structured program to support companies in the sector in securing their information systems.
Aimed primarily at VSEs and SMEs, the plan includes awareness-raising phases, confidential vulnerability audits, and support towards ISO 27001 certification. An initial cohort of ten non-competing companies will be monitored by a cybersecurity expert and Uniic's IS department.
The project is aimed in particular at printers specializing in desktop publishing, web-to-print, 360° marketing, routing or electronic printing, sectors identified as being particularly at risk. The initiative also aims to fill the gaps in insurance and business continuity, elements that are increasingly required in calls for tender.
Dataline acquires Dansk Dataservice's graphics activities
Belgian specialist in MIS/ERP software for the graphics industry Dataline announces the acquisition of the graphics activities of Danish company Dansk Dataservice.
Founded in 1983, the company develops IT Graphware, a software solution used daily by around 600 users in some 50 Danish companies.
With this operation, Dansk Dataservice customers retain their current software environment, while gaining access to MultiPress, Dataline's flagship software. The merger is designed to support the digital transformation of the Danish graphics industry, which is still partly dependent on non-specialized tools.
The Dansk Dataservice brand will be maintained, while investments are planned to integrate systems and enhance the services offered. This operation is part of Dataline's external growth strategy, which already counts over 1,000,000 customers in Europe, and aims to consolidate its position in the Northern European market.
Andritz acquires Italy's A.Celli Paper
Austrian group Andritz has signed an agreement to acquire A.Celli Paper, an Italian manufacturer of machines for converting tissue, board and graphic paper.
Based in Lucca and with a site in Shanghai, A.Celli Paper generates sales of 70 million euros with around 100 employees.
This operation will enable Andritz, which designs heavy equipment for the pulp and paper industry, to strengthen its skills in rewinding, roll packaging and services, with an integrated offer from fiber to finished rolls. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.
United Kingdom: 8,000 tonnes of packaging generated by Easter eggs
In the run-up to Easter Monday, paper and cardboard packaging manufacturer DS Smith has published the results of its latest UK survey on the packaging of chocolates consumed during the holiday.
It is estimated that Easter generates around 8,000 tonnes of packaging every year in the UK. While 89% of cardboard is recycled, over a third of consumers throw away aluminum foil, and 17% do not recycle plastic. 34% of those questioned said they did not clearly understand sorting instructions. Despite these challenges, 38% of those surveyed said that chocolate remains their main motivation for celebrating Easter.
Further rise in paper prices
Swedish manufacturer SCA raises prices again . Prices for brown and white kraftliners will rise by 60 euros per tonne, effective May 1, 2025. Mikael Frölander, Vice President Marketing and Sales at SCA Containerboard, justifies this increase by sustained demand and continued cost pressure in a supply chain considered to be balanced.
Greenium, new recycled papers for luxury packaging
At the recently concluded Luxe Pack Shanghai trade show, Koehler Paper unveiled Greenium, a new line of recycled papers designed for the premium packaging and printing markets. Its texture has been designed to meet the tactile requirements of the cosmetics, perfumery and spirits sectors.
Available in a number of versions, including Creative Board, Creative Print, COLORline IQ and Koehler Eco Paper, Greenium substrates offer high visual quality, clean whiteness and excellent suitability for common converting processes such as embossing, foil stamping and offset and digital printing, says the German paper manufacturer.
Konica Minolta honored by CDP for its commitment to the climate
Konica Minolta has been included for the eighth time in the Climate A Listâeuros¯ of the CDP, the international benchmark for environmental transparency.
The award recognizes the digital press manufacturer's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The assessment covers thousands of companies in 130 countries, whose practices are judged according to criteria of disclosure, climate performance and low-carbon strategy. Konica Minolta is committed to achieving carbon neutrality in all scopes 1, 2 and 3, in accordance with the standards of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Kraft Dinner pokes fun at packaging flaws in advertising campaign
In Canada, the Kraft Dinner brand has turned a packaging flaw into the central element of its new Unopenableâeuros¯ campaign, signed by agency Rethink.
Launched in March 2025, this advert for this mixture of pasta and cheese powder plays on a problem well known to consumersâeuros¯: the complicated opening of the cardboard box. The tab supposed to facilitate opening rarely works, prompting users to fan the packaging to gain quicker access to their dish.
Far from correcting this technical flaw, Kraft Dinner uses it to illustrate the impatience generated by its product. This approach takes a weak point in primary packaging and turns it into a vector for brand attachment. Through visuals in poster, press and digital, the campaign shows torn or mishandled boxes, which have become witnesses to a product too coveted to wait.
In terms of communication strategy, this campaign directly questions the concept of packaging as an interface between product and use. Here, packaging does not respond to a logic of ergonomics or preservation, but becomes a lever for storytelling, even a sign of authenticity. It's a unique way for Kraft Dinner to reconcile a lack of design with the desire to consume.
Heat from paper production heats municipal swimming pool
In Weener, Germany, paper manufacturer Klingele is once again supplying heat from its production to the Friesenbad outdoor swimming pool. Thanks to this recovered energy - mainly from air extracted from the paper machine - the water in the pools remains at 28�°C throughout the season.
This collaboration, which has been in place for over twenty years, extends the bathing season and saves CO2 emissions. To ensure a continuous supply, Klingele has brought forward its annual maintenance work. This initiative is in line with the company's strategy, which covers 88âeuros¯% of its energy needs with renewable or alternative sources.
April 23, 2025 is World Book Day
Next Wednesday, April 23, books will be in the spotlight. To mark World Book and Copyright Day, Unesco will highlight Brazilian literature by designating Rio de Janeiro as World Book Capital 2025. For one year, the city will promote reading, literacy and cultural diversity through an international program.
This symbolic day on April 23rd pays tribute to the great literary figures who died on this date in 1616, William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, and reminds us of the importance of all those involved in the industry: authors, printers, publishers, bookbinders, booksellers and librarians.
In France, according to an Ipsos study in 2023, readers read an average of 22 books a year. Almost half of them claim to read on a daily basis, although the time spent reading is still less than that spent in front of the screen. The comics segment accounts for 18.5% of sales, in a market that is slightly down by 2.9% compared to 2022.
