Packaging machine manufacturer Echaar expects its upcoming open house that will showcase the Flexomaster HR500 CI flexo press to be a huge success given the early response the new press has received from the industry, said Kirti Panchal, managing director, Echaar, to Packaging South Asia. Echaar will hold the open house from 13-20 April at its Ambernath plant near Mumbai.
Photo PSA
“At the upcoming open house, we will not only welcome packaging convertors but also brand owners. We expect a minimum of 200 companies to visit during the open house. We have extended the the event for another three days from 17 to 20 April so that it will now take place for eight days from 13 April to 20 April. We want the industry to see the progress we have made in the past 4 to 5 years. Echaar has learnt a lot from the industry over these years and with the Flexomaster HR500 CI flexo press, the company is ready with its top-of-the-line high-speed flexo made in India press,” Panchal adds.
Patented Easylock for quick changeovers
The Flexomaster HR500 has a speed of 500 meters per minute and works with water and solvent based inks. According to Panchal the press has very quick changeover time because of the Easylock technology that is a patented technology of Echaar’s partner, Italy’s CT Service S.R.L.S. Other highlights of the press include a carbon fibre doctor chamber, full auto wash system, heavy duty turrets on unwinder and rewinder, and automatic reel lifter, among others.
Echaar has collaborated with CT Service S.R.L.S. owned by Claudio Maggio who is an ex-founder and director of Uteco. A veteran of the industry, Maggio has worked with some of the leading Italian CI flexo press manufacturers.
In December 2020, Echaar conducted an open house to demonstrate the Flexodelight HL 400 CI press. The company also signed signed an agreement to supply its first Flexodelight HL 400 to Kolkata-based Kalyani Packaging. The Flexodelight HL400 press has a speed of 400 meters per minute and drum diameter of 1850 mm with Hestalloy coatings. With eight printing stations and a maximum web width of 1350 mm (and a print width of 1300mm) the Flexodelight HL400 can handle solvent and water-based inks. The press can print on LDPE & HDPE, PET, BOPP and paper.
“With the Flexodelight HL400 and the new Flexomaster HR500 we are now present in both the mid and high-speed segments. I believe in India there is huge potential for high-speed, high-performance CI flexo presses. CI flexo technology has improved a lot in last decade and is a more sustainable solution for the flexible packaging printing industry. Also, because Echaar presses are fully made in India, we can cater to Indian customers much faster than foreign brands. India is the primary market for us, unlike the foreign press manufacturers,” Panchal argues.
Flexosmart CI flexo press for entry level segment
Having produced CI flexo presses for both mid and high-speed segments, Echaar is now focusing on the entry level segment. With this in mind, the company is developing the Flexosmart CI flexo press. “The Flexosmart CI flexo press is nearly ready and will have a speed of 300 meters per minute. We will organize another open house later this year for the Flexosmart. With this press, a large number of convertors can shift to CI flexo printing as the price point is extremely affordable. It also has great features. Once the Flexosmart is fully ready we will able to offer a wide range of solutions in the CI flexo printing for all type of convertors. We expect a lot of orders for the Flexosmart,” Panchal says.
