Orora has officially launched its cutting-edge digital direct-to-can printing system, Helio, with the first set of aluminium cans rolling off the line at its Dandenong facility in Victoria, Australia, marking a series of global and regional firsts for the beverage packaging industry.
Chris Smith, Executive GM of Orora Cans, revealed that the high-speed Velox NNC 500 press, now fully integrated into the plant’s second can line, is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere. What’s more, Orora has become the world’s first canmaker to embed this technology within a live manufacturing line seamlessly.
Important features of Helio
The Helio press brings advanced capabilities to the table, offering seamless 360° can decoration, a wide colour gamut with precise colour matching, and ultra-sharp 900dpi resolution. By removing the need for labels or shrink sleeves, it simplifies production, cuts operational costs, and answers a growing demand for premium customisation without raising per-unit costs.
Helio is now printing photorealistic, full-colour designs directly onto necked aluminium beverage cans at speeds of up to 500 cans per minute. Its vibrant quality and flexibility challenge traditional printing methods, offering a powerful new option for customers who need short-run responsiveness or want to make a bold visual impact.
“Helio is more than a press; it’s a leap forward in print innovation,” said Smith. “This investment underpins Orora’s commitment to delivering premium, agile packaging solutions for beverage brands across Oceania.”
Unlocking creative possibilities with sustainability
With no need for plates, sleeves, or labels, digital artwork is sent straight to press, dramatically reducing setup time and enabling instant design changeovers. The technology also unlocks creative possibilities that were previously out of reach, printing on the chime and neck of the can, using selective opaque white, combining gloss and matte finishes, and even applying high-build embossing for a tactile effect.
Anoop Thakur, GM Procurement and Sustainability at Orora Cans, said, “What stood out to us was the robustness of the Helio platform. It’s engineered for 24/7 operation, with built-in redundancy and self-monitoring that reduces downtime and maintains high output consistency. Every minute the plant is running, it consumes energy, so by reducing downtime and eliminating changeovers on long-run offset printing lines, we not only improve operational efficiency but also make meaningful progress toward our decarbonisation goals.”
From a market standpoint, Helio is especially suited for fast-moving beverage segments like RTDs, craft beers, sparkling waters, and functional drinks, where frequent design changes and promotional campaigns are the norm. It also empowers Orora to offer a more sustainable packaging solution by eliminating plastic labels and adhesives from the process.
Also Read: PPG unveils next-gen BPA-and PFAS-free coatings for aluminium can easy-open ends
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