DuPont showcased its CyrelFast 2000 TD thermal processing system for the first time at LabelExpo India 2022 held at the India Expo Center in Greater Noida, just across Yamuna River in Delhi-NCR. The technology ‘improves pre-press productivity’ with quicker setup and turnaround time, while reducing its environmental footprint.
At DuPont-Esko Graphics joint stand at the show, K Gururaj, DuPont Cyrel Solutions’ sales manager for South Asia, said, “Along with Esko, we are showing a complete flexo plate-making workflow for the label converters as well any flexo facility – right from the software to the CDI from Esko along with the exposure and the processing setup. More importantly, we are showing a solvent-less processing setup. We’ve had the CyrelFast technology for quite a few years but we’re showcasing the latest thermal processor, the TD 2000 for the first time in India. This is a more productive platemaking process and is environmentally friendlier as well, improving flexo for any label converter.”
Gururaj explained that not only did DuPont invent the photopolymer plate, it has also been driving practically every flexo innovation over the past 45 years. With the largest presence on the ground locally, it has a strong legacy in the country as well around the world. “We’ve got the strongest tech service team with many capabilities and we continue to invest in technical support and custom business building and development for our customers. We are not just trying to sell a box on a price, but looking at every sale holistically and trying to grow the market and creating business for our customers – completing the loop by backing it up with a very strong sales and service network.”
DuPont’s direct presence on the ground in terms of a direct team working out of its offices around the country provides both sales and technical support. The team is expected to increase as the company looks at increasing its efforts in sales, technical support, and developing the flexo market. It currently has two customer experience centers – one along with Avery Dennison and the other with Apex Flexokite.
Future of the label printing industry in India
The label industry in India has continued to evolve over the past decade with new solutions including active and intelligent labels, digital printing for labels, RFID technologies, and NFC tags. On these developments, Gururaj says, “After speaking to many stakeholders in the industry, undoubtedly, the label industry is growing but it’s a pretty dynamic market – newer requirements are coming up because of which newer technologies are getting into the industry. Digital, of course, is making its way and we are also seeing label converters not merely sticking to the classical pressure-sensitive label market – they’re willing to diversify or add to their portfolio some of the non-pressure-sensitive label work. This is something interesting to see.”
The Covid-19 pandemic affected the major packaging industry segments in India, including gravure, flexible packaging, corrugation, and labels. “We are opening up after the Covid-19 pandemic and then there is a global situation of war and pandemic. And on the other hand, we are seeing the government in India bringing in more regulation on waste management, disposal, and recycling. We’re seeing the industry thinking about these challenges and not just the label segment. I also mean flexible packaging converters and those in paper packaging – there’s a very hybrid level of consciousness on the sustainability front, adds Gururaj.
“You keep hearing this word – sustainability. What you see on the ground, is no longer pure hearsay or words being said. Serious thought is being given to it by converters in India, suppliers, and organizations connected to the packaging industry. I think that’s a trend we will continue to experience and not too far away.”
Commented on the show, Gururaj said, “The exhibition was extremely well attended like most shows this year. Most of the label industry converters and the suppliers to the industry were present. I think every exhibitor was packed and happy. Many of the existing label converters visited us and also, several converters who are not yet into labeling but are keen to learn about the labeling industry from the perspective of entering the industry.”
