At the LabelExpo 2022, UFlex mainly displayed its flexo plates and specialized gravure cylinders used in flexo printing. The packaging major showcased anilox cylinders, special coating cylinders, and elastomer and polymer flexo plates. “We co-participated with our holographic division and they showcased holographic films, holographic stickers and holographic labels,” said Sachin Dahake, Sales head, UFlex cylinder division.
The gravure cylinders are manufactured with a circumference between 400 – 1200 millimeters and a face length of 500 – 2500 millimeters. They are used to add abstracts, natural textures and grains in large continuous forms to manufacturers of leather and leatherette, wall coverings, gift wraps, laminates, furniture, cabinets, coated metal sheets, floors, decking and several other specialized applications.
“We have the complete range of polymer plates made from DuPont, MacDermid as well as Kodak. There are two technologies available in the market at present, and we have both. We also have our elastomer flexo plates – nobody else is offering this product in India.
“This is our niche product. It has excellent ink transfer compared to conventional polymer plates. Dot gain is, again, very less as compared to the conventional polymer plates. They have very high resistance to solvents such as ethyl, ketone, MIBK, MEK. You can use them just like you use gravure printing cylinders, which are made of metal. You can use any harsh chemicals with them. Apart from that, we can give you jointless sleeves. Generally in flexo. after every repeat, a minimum joint comes; we can eliminate that with the help of sleeves,” he said. The polymer plates can be processed with a thickness of 1.14, 1.7, 2.54, 2.84, 3.9, 4.7, and 0.95 millimeters.
UFlex has clients such as Osho Flexibles and Lorven Flex in Hyderabad; and brands such as Patanjali and Reliance for CI Flexo. For labels, Priya Printers and C Flexo are its major clients. On the Indian label industry, Damake said, “Labels is a growing field, with growth in double digits even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Holography and metallic labels are some of the upcoming trends.”
The firm received a good response at the event. “The response at LabelExpo was very good because the exhibition was held after four years. The footfall was very good and visitors were genuine buyers,” Damake concluded.
