Heidelberg
Rainer Hundsdörfer, chief executive officer of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. Photo PSA

The Heidelberg Packaging Days opened on the evening of 7 November, at the iconic glass-and-steel Print Media Academy building in the city with chief executive officer Rainer Hundsdorfer welcoming the assembled printers, converters and large contingents of print journalists from Europe and the Asia Pacific region. The Packaging Days demonstrations of a large number of the company’s packaging presses and converting equipment from its partner MasterWork took place the next day at the newer Print Media Academy and demonstration center at the company’s main manufacturing site in Wiesloch just outside the city. Apart from Hundsdorfer’s welcome, a short keynote was delivered by Steffen Schnizer of Multi Packaging Solutions which just three months ago became the first customer to install a Heidelberg Primefire B1 digital press.

HeidelbThe demonstrations at Wiesloch showed Heidelberg’s strong focus on delivering value to the packaging converter with the multicolor presses and coaters showing value additions that enable them to be the most innovative and profitable suppliers to leading global brands. The demonstrations of the XL75 Anicolor 8-color plus double coater, the XL106 8-color with double coater and foiler and the XL145 6-color plus coater running at a full speeds of 18,000 showed the company’s workflow and make-ready software prowess.

Cartons using Heidelberg‘s Multicolor 7-color software and the new Intellistart II lining up the jobs on the press consoles demonstrated the company’s extensive domain knowledge that is being incorporated increasingly in software-based solutions that enable its customers to be the most efficient innovators. MasterWork diecutters with foiling and blanking options and a range of folder-gluers rounded out the company’s comprehensive packaging options in an atmosphere where customers could explore their own futuristic solutions.

Multi Packaging Solutions

Fullview of PrimefireDSC00072
Heidelberg Primefire 106 press at Multi Packaging Solutions in Obersulm. Photo PSA

We had an opportunity to visit the first installation of the Primefire 106 B1 digital press at Multi Packaging Solutions, which is a member of the West Rock group in nearby Obersulm. Schnizer explained that for his company digital means a new level of offerings to his customers that go beyond mere digital printing and offer a range of security and interactive packaging solutions. “Digital for us is not only digital printing. Digital is really helping our brand owners to be more successful.”

mono
Heidelberg Primefire 106 output samples at MPS in Obersulm

The highlight was, of course, to see the Primefire 106 in live production inside a sophisticated plant where it was meant to and where it well matched the quality of Multi Packaging Solutions’ impressive array of special application sheetfed offset presses. And at first look, the press meets the high standard of color reproduction quality and precision that is a part of the Heidelberg promise. As Schnizer said, “We are a leading producer of high-quality cartons for the cosmetic industry and we do some work for the luxury liquor brands. Although within the West Group we have had experience with digital for 17 years, until the Heidelberg Primefire 106 press, digital was not good enough for high value cosmetic and personal care cartons. It is early days, but so far we are pleased with the results of our partnership with Heidelberg.”

Multi Packaging 5133
Steffen Schnizer, managing director of Multi Packaging Solutions in Obersulm, Germany. Photo PSA

Located just 90 minutes from Heidelberg’s Wiesloch factory, Multi Packaging Solutions has pioneered several packaging innovations in partnership with Heidelberg. These include the development of full UV interdeck and end-of-press coating solutions wherein the first presses were installed at Obersulm and went on to become industry benchmarks. At the same time Schnizer is able to already enumerate several ways in which the new Primefire becomes a part of the company’s solutions in delivering innovation and value to its customers. As and when Multi Packaging Solutions is able to show the value and possibilities of the Primefire project, the investment could also have considerable value for the other members of the West Rock group.

Packaging South Asia — authentic, impactful and influential

An English-language packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, Packaging South Asia is in its 19th year of publication. We do not make any claims about being the best or the most widely read. However, if you are interested in targeting the Indian and South Asian markets to sell equipment, technology, software, and consumables, we can help.

To improve your marketing and grow sales, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.

Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our platform and channels are differentiated by hands-on practice and an understanding of business and financials. Our team, including some of the best technical writers, is ready to meet you and your customers for content.

India and South Asia’s fast-growing packaging industry is continuously expanding capacities with efficiency and appropriate innovative technologies. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our monthly or two weekly packaging eZines.

For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

Naresh Khanna – 21 January 2025

Subscribe Now
unnamed 1

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Previous articleTomra Sorting Solutions eyeing the Indian mid-segment market
Next articleClariant Healthcare Packaging
Naresh Khanna
Editor of Indian Printer and Publisher since 1979 and Packaging South Asia since 2007. Trained as an offset printer and IBM 360 computer programmer. Active in the movement to implement Indian scripts for computer-aided typesetting. Worked as a consultant and trainer to the Indian print and newspaper industry. Visiting faculty of IDC at IIT Powai in the 1990s. Also founder of IPP Services, Training and Research and has worked as its principal industry researcher since 1999. Author of book: Miracle of Indian Democracy. Elected vice-president of the International Packaging Press Organization in May 2023. One of the judges for Packaging Sustainability Awards 2024 and 2025.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here