Maxcess brings consolidated tension control and FDA-compliant coatings to LOUPE Americas 2026

Upgrading web handling for the modern converting line

As the packaging and converting industry prepares for LOUPE Americas 2026 this September in Chicago, equipment manufacturers are laying their cards on the table. Maxcess, a global heavyweight in automated web handling solutions, has confirmed it will showcase a significant technological upgrade at Booth 818, focusing on tension control and surface engineering. The introduction of the MAGPOWR MAXTRAC system and the new Componex plasma coatings signals a clear push toward operational simplification and faster component replacement cycles.

The transition of the traditional Labelexpo into the broader LOUPE Americas format reflects a market that no longer separates narrow web labels from flexible packaging and folding cartons. Converters are running wider, faster, and with more complex substrates. In this high-stakes environment, web handling is not just a mechanical necessity; it is the primary defense against material waste and press downtime.

MAGPOWR MAXTRAC simplifies tension management

Tension control has historically required converters to juggle multiple controllers depending on whether they needed open or closed-loop systems. Maxcess is addressing this fragmentation directly with the launch of the MAGPOWR MAXTRAC. This new unit consolidates both open and closed-loop tension control into a single, versatile offering.

From an engineering standpoint, this consolidation reduces the learning curve for operators—a critical factor given the ongoing skilled labor shortage in the manufacturing sector. By providing an easy upgrade path for older components, MAXTRAC allows converters to modernize their existing lines without the capital expenditure of a full press replacement. Consistent tension is the backbone of quality printing and slitting, and integrating these controls into a unified interface minimizes the risk of web breaks and registration errors.

FDA-compliant plasma coatings with unprecedented lead times

Alongside electronic controls, Maxcess is tackling the physical interface between the machine and the substrate. The company is rolling out new FDA-compliant plasma coatings under its Componex and WEBEX brands. These coatings are engineered specifically for the most demanding tag, label, paper, and film applications, offering enhanced wear and abrasion resistance.

What stands out in this announcement is not just the technical specification—such as excellent adhesive and ink release, or the elimination of air entrapment—but the supply chain execution. Robyn Mazas, Americas Product Manager for Maxcess Precision and Performance Rolls, noted that the company has invested heavily in new processes and machinery to manufacture these hardfaced release and traction coatings in-house. The result is a guaranteed shipping time of seven days or less. In an industry where custom roller coatings can often sideline a machine for weeks, a one-week turnaround is a significant operational advantage.

A broader ecosystem of automation

The Maxcess portfolio on display in Chicago will also include the Tidland SmartSlit, an automated narrow web slitting system designed to enhance operator safety, and upgraded Fife guiding systems. Keith Laakko, Global Vice President of Marketing at Maxcess, emphasized that these proprietary solutions are built to help OEMs and converters save time and material while training the next generation of operators.

As we move through the second half of 2026, the demands on converters are clear: run faster, waste less, and adapt to new materials instantly. The integration of advanced tension algorithms with high-performance physical coatings demonstrates that the path to profitability lies in optimizing every millimeter of the web's journey through the press.

Consolidating open and closed-loop tension control into a single unit like MAXTRAC is exactly the kind of pragmatic engineering the converting sector needs to reduce downtime and simplify operator training. Will the shift toward FDA-compliant, rapid-delivery coatings become the new baseline for North American converters facing tighter supply chains? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai