Kindai Bijyutsu upgrades flexo platemaking with Asahi Photoproducts

Water-wash flexo plate to deliver food-safe package printing

April 27, 2022

Japanese Flexographic Printer Kindai Bijyutsu has upgraded its flexo platemaking with solutions from Asahi Photoproducts

Asahi Photoproducts, a pioneer in flexographic photopolymer plate development and a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, reported that Kindai Bijyutsu, headquartered in Okinawa, Japan, has acquired an Asahi AWP-2530 AA – All-In-One water-wash processor for use with AWP-DEW CleanPrint water-washable flexographic plates.

The company produces labels and flexible packaging for a wide range of customers in the food industry. While Kindai had already been using water-wash plates, the company chose this solution due to improved performance with the AWP-DEW CleanPrint water-washable flexographic plates, including plate accuracy with precise registration, and excellent ink transfer, reduction in press stoppages due to plate cleaning, and elimination of the need for washout solvents.

“We are very satisfied with the print quality resulting from our Asahi AWP water-wash platemaking system,” commented Emi Oshiro, chief executive officer of Kindai Bijyutsu, “As well as with the stability it delivers with both our water-based and UV inks. Furthermore, as the need for package printing that is in harmony with the environment increases day by day, this acquisition positions us to deliver the highest quality products with even more reliability.”

Asahi’s CleanPrint is in harmony with the environment

Asahi’s CleanPrint water-washable flexographic photopolymer plate technology’s ability to deliver high-quality print performance results from its engineered photopolymer chemistry design. The water-wash technology also features a low surface energy plate resulting in fewer press stops for plate cleaning for significantly improved OEE in the pressroom and reducing press waste. These elements make them the most sustainable flexographic plates in the industry. In addition, AWP-DEW CleanPrint plates deliver extremely high-quality print due to their precise registration and ability to provide a perfect printing balance between highlights and solids.

“Kindai Bijyutsu is a pioneer in flexographic printing using water-based inks located in Okinawa Prefecture. The company has installed the AWP water-wash platemaking system to deliver better high-quality, stable, food-safe package printing for its many clients. We are very excited to be working with Kindai to expand the range of applications suitable for flexography and together help grow the flexo business in Japan,” said Miho Ohigashi of the Photosensitive Materials sales department Asahi Kasei Corporation in Japan.

The impact, resilience, and growth of responsible packaging in a wide region are daily chronicled by Packaging South Asia.

A multi-channel B2B publication and digital platform such as Packaging South Asia is always aware of the prospect of new beginnings and renewal. Its 16-year-old print monthly, based in New Delhi, India has demonstrated its commitment to progress and growth. The Indian and Asian packaging industries have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges over the past three years.

As we present our publishing plan for 2023, India’s real GDP growth for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 will reach 6.3%. Packaging industry growth has exceeded GDP growth even when allowing for inflation in the past three years.

The capacity for flexible film manufacturing in India increased by 33% over the past three years. With orders in place, we expect another 33% capacity addition from 2023 to 2025. Capacities in monocartons, corrugation, aseptic liquid packaging, and labels have grown similarly. The numbers are positive for most of the economies in the region – our platform increasingly reaches and influences these.

Even given the disruptions of supply chains, raw material prices, and the challenge of responsible and sustainable packaging, packaging in all its creative forms and purposes has significant headroom to grow in India and Asia. Our context and coverage engulf the entire packaging supply chain – from concept to shelf and further – to waste collection and recycling. We target brand owners, product managers, raw material suppliers, packaging designers and converters, and recyclers.

In an admittedly fragmented and textured terrain, this is the right time to plan your participation and marketing support communication – in our impactful and highly targeted business platform. Tell us what you need. Speak and write to our editorial and advertising teams! For advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in , for editorial info@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

– Naresh Khanna

Subscribe Now

As 2023 begins and FY 23-24 unfolds, will you support us?

What lies in store for the packaging industry in India and South Asia this coming year? Inflation, disruption of supply chains or environmental regulation? Or the resumption of high rural demand, continued investment and industry consolidation? Whatever happens, Packaging South Asia will be there, providing clarity and independent technical and business information in India and South Asia and around the world. We are a compact Indian organization bringing a window of fair and rigorous technical and business information that the industry can access this year and beyond. Please support us with your advertising and subscriptions, to keep us going and growing.

Thank you.