The new strategic partnership between Goss International and DG Press has seen the sale of the first Goss Thallo packaging press with EB curing.

Newspaper and web press maker Goss announced the takeover of the Thallo press system for flexibles - including shrink-sleeve and in-mould film - and preprint liner in May.

The Thallo 850 system - for a leading Russian packaging converter - is to be configured with EB curing from ebeam Technologies. This will enable instantaneous curing of "food-safe" inks - an important strategic benefit for every customer producing food packaging.

Goss product manager Richard Miedema says there is a growing market demand for EB curing with customers looking for it because it eliminates the need for photoinitiators in inks and so avoids the risk of food contamination. "EB curing is also increasingly important to customers in countries such as South Korea and China who can eliminate the cost and complexity of VOC removal equipment while meeting stringent emissions controls," he says.

The Russian customer's system will be configured for flexible packaging, combining web-offset printing units with in-line flexo and coating units.