Antonio Scotti sighs. Everything was already ready for PCD, but once again, plans were disrupted by the pandemic. In Paris, the company was supposed to have presented the projects it had realized over the past few months and especially, their new patented technology for photoluminescent decoration. But the trade fair, set to take place in mid-January, has been postponed to the end of June and the range of restrictions linked to the variants and new pandemic waves looms again in the future.
Despite the disappointment still hanging in the air, to address the impossibility of physically going to some countries to be able to present the new technology in person, Tapematic has already come up with a “Plan B”: a VideoBox demonstration, to send to a group of selected clients, containing samples created with the PST Line II with this technology.
After all, the ability to reinvent themselves and remain resilient are the distinctive elements of our companies that have permitted the cosmetic sector to better cope with the pandemic than others and drive its recovery.
PHOTOLUMINESCENCE: UNIQUE AND ANTI-COUNTERFEIT DECORATIONS
“It’s a shame because PCD- comments Antonio Scotti, Sales Manager at Tapematic Spa – would have been an excellent occasion to present our latest innovation in person to operators in the sector: a photoluminescent method for the superficial decoration of articles such as caps and small bottles that can be done automatically by installing the Tapematic IDM II with PST line II module. Just recently, the technology obtained its patent both in Europe and in the United States”.
But does it involve exactly? How does the new photoluminescent decoration patented by Tapematic work? “The patent – continues Scotti – represents an exclusive decoration method which allows us to obtain a particular glowing effect and offer an additional advantage: the possibility of standing out from other competitors and effectively fight against counterfeit products. During the day, the parts with the decoration are clear and have a metallic effect while in the dark, they glow. With maximum flexibility on part of the customer who can decide what to render photoluminescent and what will appear in the dark: it could be a logo, an image, or supplemental information contained in a QR code…they are spoiled for choice.” The technique enables companies and brands to give free rein to their images and unleash their creativity. The only limit (currently): the format. At the moment, the Tapematic photoluminescence system is available for caps and small bottles.
2021 IN REVIEW
Just a few days remain in 2021, a year of both bright and dark moments, and thoughts are already racing to 2022. When (we hope!) we’ll finally see the light. “In 2021, there were various moments of recovery- explains Scotti– during which we were finally able to bring customers to our headquarters again, but there were also several stops due to new lockdowns and restrictions that involved various countries around the world. Unfortunately, many markets abroad are still in the grip of the pandemic and travelling is strongly advised against, if not completely impossible. For example, after the Olympics, Japan locked down, as did South Korea, which is only recovering now; China is blocked and to this day we still don’t know when we’ll be able to return to visit customers”. In short, difficulties aren’t lacking.
NEW MARKETS
If at the end of 2020 and over the course of 2021 the market looked to the Orient and especially China with great interest, driving recovery with double-digit growth, today this area is once again being tested by the pandemic. And the question of where to focus on in the coming months arises spontaneously. The Middle East and Europe are among the markets that could hold new and interesting surprises for Tapematic.
“In Dubai we have various projects in the pipeline that should come to light in 2022 and we’re working on some projects in France as well. The pandemic, which accelerated several changes that were already underway in the cosmetic industry, has made companies aware of the necessity to “shed their skin” and change. Change to stay on the market, evolve to grow. Today, companies need to be more flexible, more agile, capable of supplying smaller, customized lots and doing so more quickly. With our modular machines, we’re able to accompany our customers through this change and provide them with the tools that they need to satisfy the new demands of the market”. As Philip Kotler, the famous professor and guru of modern marketing said: “there are two kinds of companies: those who change and those who disappear”.