INX showcases advanced metal deco and digital printing technologies at Metpack 2026. Posted 6 May, 2026 Image: INX Across metal packaging operations worldwide, INX ink systems support the consistent performance that decorators and can makers depend on every day. Built through decades of collaboration on production floors, this foundation now extends to new technologies designed to meet evolving regulatory requirements, material changes and operational demands. At Metpack 2026, INX is demonstrating how this commitment to performance continues to drive innovation. Central to the exhibit is INXJet MDLM, a low-migration digital inkjet technology already running in production environments and gaining strong interest across the metal packaging industry. The company is also previewing a new low-migration ink system for three-piece containers, currently in beta testing, reinforcing its focus on solutions aligned with emerging compliance standards. Visitors to booth 3C15 will experience a comprehensive portfolio of metal decorating technologies engineered for stable, predictable performance in high-speed production environments. Featured technologies include: * AP Series inks for two-piece beverage cans. * TP Series inks for three-piece containers. * Mineral oil-free inks for monobloc packaging including MDO+. * INXJet MDLM digital can printing technology * INX Color Perfection colour management platform. * Live on-site demonstrations throughout the show. "Our reputation in metal decoration has been built on delivering performance that decorators trust every day," said Renee Schouten, vice president of marketing for INX. "At Metpack, we are demonstrating how that same discipline continues to drive innovation, from advanced ink systems to digital technologies that are already proving their value on press." INX continues to expand its portfolio of regulation-ready technologies - including mineral oil-free solutions developed to meet evolving MOSH and MOAH requirements across Europe - without requiring equipment changes or press requalification. INXJet MDLM further supports this direction, delivering high-quality digital decoration with the durability required for pasteurisation and alignment with global regulatory frameworks, including Nestlé Guidance, EUPIA Exclusion Policy, Swiss Ordinance, and CONEG requirements. INX is also showcasing how structured colour management supports reliable production across global operations. Through INX Color Perfection, the company integrates ink technology, measurement systems and workflow discipline into a unified approach that helps metal decorators maintain colour consistency, reduce variability, and improve efficiency across production environments. Live demonstrations will highlight how this system-level approach enables more controlled and predictable outcomes on press. INX welcomes attendees to visit booth 3C15 to meet with INX technical and commercial experts and explore solutions designed to support reliable, high-performance metal packaging production.

INX to showcase sustainable inks and nitrocellulose-free technologies at ExpoPrint 2026. During the March 24-28 show in Brazil, INX will present a portfolio of nitrocellulose-free laminating inks, flexographic and rotogravure ink systems, recyclable barrier coatings, and water-based technologies. March 3, 2026 Associate Editor As recyclability mandates and regulatory pressures accelerate across Latin America, INX International Ink Co. will use ExpoPrint 2026 to demonstrate how sustainable packaging inks and advanced coating technologies are evolving to support circular packaging initiatives without sacrificing pressroom performance. At Booth B-8-100 during the March 24-28 exhibition at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, Brazil, INX will present a portfolio of nitrocellulose-free laminating inks, flexographic and rotogravure ink systems, recyclable barrier coatings, and water-based technologies engineered for converters navigating increasingly complex production and compliance requirements. Across Brazil and the broader LATAM market, reverse logistics policies, extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, and brand-owner sustainability commitments are influencing packaging design decisions. Converters are under pressure to improve recyclability, align with emerging environmental frameworks, and maintain operational efficiency at high press speeds. "Converters are balancing regulatory compliance, recyclability targets, and productivity demands all at once," says Carlos Cunha, National Sales Manager of Liquid Inks for INX do Brasil. "At ExpoPrint, we want to demonstrate how our sustainable packaging ink systems are designed for real-world press conditions while helping customers anticipate where the market is heading." Nitrocellulose-Free Ink Systems for Evolving Packaging Requirements A central focus of the INX exhibit will be its expanding portfolio of nitrocellulose-free (NCF) laminating inks. While nitrocellulose-based chemistries remain widely used in flexible packaging, some brand owners are evaluating alternatives as recyclability guidelines and circular economy initiatives continue to mature. INX will highlight Innova Plus NCF, a nitrocellulose-free flexographic laminating ink designed for adhesive laminate structures, and Lamiall Sigma NCF, a nitrocellulose-free rotogravure laminating ink system engineered for consistent press stability and bond strength. Belle Flora NCF will also be featured as a high-performance laminating ink platform that provides robust print quality and is aligned with evolving sustainability expectations. These nitrocellulose-free inks are formulated to deliver strong lamination performance, reliable color strength, and machineability comparable to traditional systems. Company officials say the objective is to provide converters with practical chemistry options that support long-term regulatory alignment while maintaining production efficiency. In addition to next-generation systems, INX will showcase established solvent-based laminating platforms such as Innova Plus, Synergy, and Belle Color. These flexographic and rotogravure ink systems remain widely used throughout South America due to their high tinting strength and ability to run at elevated press speeds with reduced ink film weights. By enabling thinner films and improved productivity, these systems help converters manage cost pressures without compromising lamination integrity. Integrated Technologies Supporting Circular Packaging Goals Sustainability discussions at ExpoPrint will also extend beyond ink chemistry. INX will present Ecostage GB-XA, a transparent, chlorine- and metal-free oxygen barrier coating developed for polyester and polyolefin films. As brand owners increasingly pursue mono-material packaging structures to improve recyclability, barrier coatings play a critical role in balancing material simplification with food safety and shelf-life performance. Ecostage is designed to support recyclable packaging applications while contributing to circular packaging objectives across flexible formats. Also featured will be Aquamax, a recyclable water-based ink system recognized for strong resolubility properties that help reduce anilox clogging and improve pressroom efficiency. Designed for durability, gloss retention, and abrasion resistance, Aquamax has demonstrated suitability for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) applications such as supermarket bags, where consistent print quality and operational reliability remain essential. INX will further reinforce its cross-platform expertise with INXJet digital ink technologies and its global metal decorating ink portfolio, underscoring the company's broader strategy of innovating beyond traditional ink categories into advanced materials and integrated print solutions. The company's presence at ExpoPrint follows expanded manufacturing capacity in Brazil supporting flexographic and shrink sleeve ink production. The investment is intended to strengthen regional supply reliability while providing localized technical service to converters operating in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment. "Our strategy is centered on partnership," Cunha said. "Sustainable packaging inks must perform on press, comply with regulations, and support circular packaging design. We are working closely with converters and brand owners to ensure those priorities align."

Discover how INX International used AssetWatch and MaintainX to turn predictive maintenance insights into reliable, real-time action across global sites. If you've ever been on the plant floor when a machine failure stops production, you'll recognize this story. For years, INX International dealt with delayed equipment health data and limited ways to use it to prevent breakdowns. Root cause analysis was time consuming, and maintenance stayed reactive. That changed when INX integrated AssetWatch and MaintainX into their operations. As a key Industry 4.0 initiative, they built a global reliability model that links condition monitoring to maintenance. In its webinar, How INX Connects Predictive Maintenance to Action, INX's VP of Operational Excellence, Chris Rodgers, walks through how they're closing the gap between detection and action. A global manufacturer ready for change. Walk into any grocery store, and you'll see INX's work everywhere. If there's color on the packaging, particularly aluminum soda cans, INX makes the ink for it. INX is one of the largest manufacturers of high-performance inks and coatings in the world. But for all its innovation in print chemistry, INX faced a problem familiar to many manufacturers: day-to-day reactive chaos on the plant floor. Consumed by emergency repairs, INX operations teams didn't have much time to trace problems to their source. This meant they were making repeated repairs where an engineering fix could have eliminated the root cause. INX's equipment mix was a complicating factor: some assets had been running for 50 years, while others were brand new. Data visibility was inconsistent, limiting the potential for predictive insight. Rodgers and his team knew they needed to build a foundation for Industry 4.0 reliability - one that connected their frontline technicians, operators, and managers around real-time data. The proof: two critical asset saves with early detection. Simple three-roll mill repair with no production losses. INX first partnered with AssetWatch for AI-powered condition monitoring. At the Charlotte, NC plant, AssetWatch sensors detected a bearing issue on one of the site's most critical machines - a large, slow-turning three-roll mill. "Without the three-roll mills, our Charlotte facility does not get their product out the door," Rodgers said. "There's not a lot of backup equipment." After an alert from their AssetWatch CME, the team shut the machine down before the problem cascaded into catastrophic failure. * A planned, scheduled repair prevented an emergency shutdown. * There was no disruption to production schedules. * Rolls were resurfaced instead of replaced - saving 3 - 4x the cost. In another case, a recently placed AssetWatch sensor caught a dangerous temperature spike in an air compressor enclosure. INX's maintenance team was alerted by their AssetWatch CME before the compressor overheated. Within hours, based on their CME's recommendations, technicians cleaned the enclosure and replaced filters. The temperature soon returned to normal, avoiding a full outage that would have shut down multiple machines. "This was a very big savings for us, because if the air compressor goes out, you're down," Rodgers explained. "A lot of equipment is down, a lot of time is lost, a lot of cost to be able to get that machine back up and running quickly so that the plant can get back up and running." These examples illustrate the real power of predictive maintenance when it's actionable - thanks to precise, real-time data, plus AI analytics and ongoing expert support. The turning point: connecting insight to Action. To create an integrated loop from detection to resolution, INX added MaintainX to its Industry 4.0 initiatives. Combining real-time condition monitoring with MaintainX's maintenance and asset management capabilities has transformed INX's maintenance operations. * AssetWatch monitors critical equipment for vibration and temperature anomalies. * When an issue arises, a MaintainX work order is automatically generated, complete with asset history, parts inventory, and real-time tracking of MTTR, MTBF, and other key metrics. * Technicians receive diagnostics, photos, and prescriptive recommendations from their dedicated AssetWatch condition monitoring engineer (CME). * Once the repair is done, the data syncs back to AssetWatch, informing the CME, training the AI in both platforms, and improving future insights. This "closed loop" integration now underpins INX's entire reliability initiative. Technicians have everything they need on their mobile device or desktop - prioritized work orders, asset history, step-by-step procedures, parts availability, and CME guidance. Empowering the front line, changing the culture. Technology alone didn't drive INX's transformation. People did. INX built a reliability culture grounded in training, collaboration, and ownership. Operators were trained in autonomous maintenance and given direct input into reliability processes. Before, an operator filled out a paper "red tag" when there was an equipment issue. The supervisor would manually input the data into the legacy CMMS and hand a physical copy to the maintenance team. * Every asset has a QR code * Operators scan it on their phone or tablet to open a work request instantly * Maintenance sees it in MaintainX in real time, with context and photos attached This shift - from reactive maintenance to shared reliability ownership - became one of INX's most impactful wins. Scaling reliability across sites. With Charlotte as the pilot, INX moved fast. Using standardized templates, architecture, and support from AssetWatch and MaintainX, the company replicated its success across U.S. sites within months. The rollout included integration with Oden Technologies, a high-level MES that monitors real-time asset utilization data. This means INX is now evolving from calendar-based maintenance to usage- and condition-based maintenance, much like changing a car's oil after 5,000 miles instead of every six months. Lessons learned from INX's reliability journey. 1. Choose critical equipment wisely. Start where failure hurts most - both "class A" machines and hidden assets like compressors and ventilation. 2. Standardize data and architecture. Build templates early. Every site will move faster with a proven integration model. 3. Train relentlessly. As Rodgers put it: "Train the maintenance staff, train the operators, and train the management. As soon as you think everybody's been trained, train them again." Adoption only happens when confidence builds. 4. Partner deeply. By leveraging AssetWatch's engineering expertise and MaintainX's intelligent maintenance workflows, INX kept internal resources lean while accelerating results. 5. Make reliability everyone's job. When operators, engineers, and maintenance staff share ownership, reliability becomes part of daily culture. Curious about INX's results? What started as a pilot in Charlotte has become a model for global reliability. By connecting AssetWatch's AI-powered anomaly detection with MaintainX's digital work execution, INX built a predictive maintenance system that actually works in practice - for people, not just machines. Want to learn how INX transformed maintenance and reliability? Catch the full replay of How INX Connects Predictive Maintenance to Action. Watch on-demand here.