KBA at Pack Print

Rapida 106 and 105 PRO on display

October 3, 2015

The BITEC Exhibition Center in Bangkok opened its doors on 26August for the four-day Pack Print International trade show. Just nine months ahead of the print industry’s internationally leading trade fair, drupa, 231 exhibitors from 21 countries presented their products and services to a predominantly Asian crowd. The Koenig & Bauer Group (KBA) and its regional subsidiary KBA Asia Pacific were among the exhibitors. Some 15,000 visitors from 75 countries found out about the latest trends in the world of print. For the first time, Italian subsidiary KBA-Flexotecnica,responsible for KBA’s flexible packaging printing segment, was present at this show. A flexible web press from this KBA subsidiary based in Tavazzano will soon be installed in Thailand and another press will be delivered to China. Flexotecnica aims to expand its position in the growing flexible packaging market further with the support of the KBA Group’s regional sales and service subsidiaries.

First Rapida 106

Half, medium and large-format KBA Rapida sheetfed offset presses are already well-established in commercial, book and packaging printing companies in Thailand and its neighbouring countries. In recent years these high performance machines from Saxony
have been very successful in Thailand. Installations of medium-format presses from the Rapida 105 series have dominated. And even though Thai printing firms are currently holding back in terms of making investments, the first KBA Rapida 106 at TCP on the edge of Bangkok will soon begin printing high quality packaging at speeds of up to 18,000 sph. The press, which is raised by 450 mm (17.7 inches), will be equipped with VariDry BLUE dryers, in-line color density measurement and a KBA QualiTronic professional sheet inspection system as demands for quality are rising constantly.

Rapida 105 PRO

The new Rapida 105 PRO which was unveiled at Print China just recently has also attracted its first Thai customers. Continental Packaging in Bangkok is to receive an 8-color press with coater and UV drying. This installation also underscores KBA’s leading position in packaging printing. A customer from Myanmar ordered a 4-color A2+ format Rapida 66 at the trade show. Stefan Segger, managing director of KBA Asia-Pacific, says, “Our international business also knows less favourable times. It is important for us to show potential and existing customers regularly that we are there for them and are able to offer them new products and services with which they can survive in a highly competitive
market.”

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.