Mumbai-based Echaar Equipments is strengthening its presence in the international flexographic printing market with multiple installations of its FlexoSmart HR300. The latest unit, built for Sri Lanka’s Varna Packaging, is currently under shipment and scheduled for installation before Diwali, marking a significant milestone in the company’s export journey.
The FlexoSmart HR300 is a nine-color machine designed for versatility. “Eight stations handle standard CI printing, while a downstream coater can also function as a ninth printing unit due to its precise registration,” managing director Kirti Panchal said during the 12th Elite Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Conference and Exhibition in Mumbai. This allows operators to run either eight-color printing with a coater or full nine-color jobs, depending on the substrate and job complexity.
Varna, a leading flexible packaging company in Sri Lanka, tested the FlexoSmart HR300 on challenging nylon substrates, achieving speeds of up to 300 meters per minute—far exceeding previous capabilities. “Once they witnessed the machine’s performance firsthand, they finalized the order. The deal was closed on Dussehra last year, with delivery scheduled by Diwali,” Panchal explained.
The FlexoSmart HR300 is also being exported to other markets in Asia, Europe, and Africa, while domestically, Echaar has commissioned eight machines, including five CI Flexo units, two two-stack flexographic presses, and one solventless lamination unit. Additional machines are already under execution in India, reflecting strong demand in both domestic and international markets.
Panchal stressed that Echaar’s growth is driven by machine performance rather than brand recognition. “Customers come to us for quality and print accuracy. Varna chose our machine because it could handle their most challenging jobs, delivering European-level quality,” he said.
Varna Limited handles a wide variety of printing work, including surface and reverse printing across substrates such as nylon, polyester, LDP, BOPP, and CPP. The company’s varied requirements make it a demanding customer, showcasing the FlexoSmart HR300’s adaptability across short and long runs and multiple substrates.
Panchal highlighted the potential of the Indian market as a key driver of growth. “India is one of the fastest-growing markets globally. European manufacturers are increasingly focusing here, and Indian companies can overcome local challenges effectively,” he said.
Talking about Echaar Equipments’ participation in the Elite Plus, Panchal described the event as an invaluable platform. “It allows you to meet top industry leaders and learn about upcoming technologies. This is my fourth stand at the exhibition, and attending every year has always been worthwhile,” he noted.
