Converting Quarterly

Sponsored Content In manufacturing processes, adhesives are used to efficiently and effectively join dissimilar, thin and heat-sensitive substrates by creating strong, durable bonds that distribute stresses evenly. Among the various adhesive solutions, UV hot melt is gaining traction due to its instant curing; eco-friendly nature; and broad resistance to chemicals, moisture and temperature.

Durst Group has announced plans to acquire MPS Printing B.V., a Netherlands-based manufacturer of flexographic printing systems for labels and flexible packaging. The transaction is expected to take effect Jan. 1, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. MPS would operate as MPS – A Durst Group Company and continue to develop, manufacture, and market its existing equipment. Its management team would remain in place, with Michiel Borst serving as managing director.

This fall, ARC will bring the converting community together through two distinct events designed to address different segments of the industry while fostering a common goal: advancing technical knowledge and strengthening professional connections. This year’s ARC Summit, Sept. 29–30 in Minneapolis, focuses on the medical market, a significant and growing sector for roll-to-roll products.

By Robert C. Fry, Jr. , Ph.D. The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised its federal funds rate target by a quarter of a percentage point at its meeting this week, moving the target to a range of 3.75% to 4%. It was the fed’s first rate hike since July 2023. The rate hike was a response to inflation that has been persistently above the fed’s 2% target. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in August, as expected, leaving it up 3.4% year-over-year.

By E.J. (Ted) Lightfoot, Ph.D. There are 17 basic classes of the causes of coating defects, and there are two fundamental approaches for addressing them. This begins a series of articles on choosing the right approach for a given defect.

By CQ Staff The roll-to-roll converting market continues to move forward in 2026, but growth is not simply about volume. Across packaging, labels, films, tapes, medical products, and industrial materials, converters are being asked to do more with changing substrates, tighter tolerances, shorter runs, and stronger sustainability expectations. That creates a market with real opportunity, but also more pressure. Demand remains steady.

By Greg Williams Greetings to ARC members and Converting Quarterly subscribers. I hope you all have had a successful summer and are looking forward to an exciting third quarter. We are grateful for your support and participation in our community. I trust you will find the insights included in this issue of CQ, including a Special Market Report on labeling and release liners, informative. We are looking forward to several important upcoming events.

By Chris Kerscher One of the privileges of working with ARC is having a front-row seat to conversations taking place across nearly every corner of the roll-to-roll manufacturing community. Over the past few months, those conversations have happened in conference halls, committee meetings, manufacturing facilities, government workshops, and one-on-one discussions with members. While the products may be different, the themes have been remarkably consistent.

By David R. Roisum, Ph.D. We all work on customer-supplier disputes because they are all too common. Occasionally, I’m called in as a neutral third party, and sometimes both are my clients. In any case, playing fair means forgoing one’s company allegiance and sticking with the facts. Also in any case, system economics should be the final arbitrator.

Figure 1.Mass market EV adoption (Source: J.D. Power). By Tim Roddy The battery manufacturing process has been evolving for some time now. Efficiency in the process has been paramount in the development of new offerings by many of the big-name manufacturers. With technology being improved annually, manufacturers have found new ways to improve the products entering the market.