Orora’s new digital printing on beverage cans is a first for the region’s packaging sector, the Australian canmaker has said.
The Helio printing system – using an Israel-made Velox IDS-NC 500 digital printer – started production at Orora’s Dandenong facility in Victoria in July, offering decoration for beverage can bodies in smaller order volumes than conventional printing on cans.
It is the first of its kind to be installed in the southern hemisphere, and Orora said it is the first beverage can manufacturer to integrate the Helio technology into a production line.
Helio is said to produce photorealistic, full-colour decoration directly onto necked two-piece beverage can bodies at a speed of 500 per minute. The technology sends label artwork files directly to the press and eliminates the need for plates, labels or sleeves. Orora hasn’t said whether the Helio system replaces or augments conventional lithographic printing on the line.
Having the capability of printing ‘direct-to-shape’, the Helio process enables decoration on the chime and necked area of the can, using selective opaque white, and with gloss and matte varnishes for visual and tactile contrast. High-build finishes to give an embossed effect are also possible.
The Helio system’s incorporation at the Dandenong plant follows its expansion in 2023 with the addition of a multi-size beverage can line, more end-making capacity at Ballarat, and a second line at Orora’s Revesby plant in NSW. Orora has invested almost AUD200 million in the past two years.
Orora Beverage Cans manufactures a range of aluminium cans including 500ml and 330ml classic cans, 355ml sleek cans and 250ml slimline cans, in addition to ends.
The company, which also produces glass bottles, has manufacturing sites across Australia and New Zealand.
Earlier this year, Orora enhanced its design capabilities with the launch of Orora Express, a portal that gives customers the ability to view their packaging designs in real time, with realistic 3D renders of can artwork.
