Packaging South Asia

Nagpur-based Sushant Packaging, the sister concern of Paragon Packaging, recently installed a Bobst Lila II 106A-2 folder-gluer and a Heiber + Schroder Speedliner to strengthen its production lines in terms of automation, better quality, reliability, versatility and performance. “Our association with Bobst dates back to 2007, when we bought our first new  diecutter—a Bobst SP102,” says SA Nagmote of Sushant Packaging. This is not the first time that the company has purchased  high-end, fully loaded heavy metal from top equipment manufacturers. In fact, the company, which began operations in 2007, has invested in increasing capacity  almost every year not only in the pressroom, finishing and postpress, but also in its prepress capabilities.

Karachi-based Astro Films is a pioneer and a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging solutions in Pakistan. It produces CPP, BOPP and BOPET films and is the only company in Pakistan that offers all the three varieties of films under one roof. Astro Films has three brands in its repertoire—Astro Pack, Plastiflex Films and Astro Plastics. The company was present at the Pack Expo International 2016 promoting its solutions. Astro has exhibited in the previous four editions of Pack Expo both at Chicago and Las Vegas.

Surat-based Alpha Plastomers, manufacturer of flexible packaging solutions like shrink films and specialty films, marked it presence for the first time at Pack Expo International 2016.  Alpha has two manufacturing plants located at Daman and Roorkee. At Pack Expo, it displayed a variety of solutions that it can provide to the US flexible packaging industry.

The scope of Bobst solutions for the different segments of the label industry is very comprehensive, from narrow- to very-wide web, and offering a host of printing and converting options. Depending on their market segment, visitors to the Bobst stand will find information on the latest technology innovations and dedicated solutions appropriate to them.

At K 2016, Rajoo will be the only Asian company to demonstrate live, a 5-layer all-PE blown film line. The blown film line will redefine application segments such as collation shrink films, lamination films, milk and water pouches, and more. Indigenously designed and built, this line includes the latest advancements in technology such as Cylindrical Spiral Die (CSD), Internal Bubble Cooling, Circumferential Profile Control with elevated air ring and triple lip, fully automatic winder and touchscreen-based control panel.

The Idealliance India G7 Expert and Professional Training and Certification Program, conducted by Steve Smiley in Mumbai, was a significant milestone for skills training in our somewhat fragmented industry. The program, initially designed for 25 candidates, saw 27 participants and ended with a huge amount of cheers and smiles. We couldn’t have asked for more but, most importantly, for us as well as for our stakeholders, the larger objective of our endeavour—to create G7 certified color technologists in India—was met. The program included engineers and application specialists for wide web flexo, gravure and offset. We had prepress technicians from gravure, flexo and offset; press engineers and operators; and color management practitioners and consultants from South, West and North India as well as from Singapore and the Middle East.

Trelleborg’s printing solutions operation is continuing its expansion in China with its first participation at the All in Print China exhibition. At this year’s event, which takes place from 18 to 22 October in Shanghai, the company will exhibit the widest range of offset blankets readily available in China, as well as Axcyl flexo sleeve products. The latter is specifically designed to have the best dimensional stability, is fully sealed and protected to extend life span, and has very low weight.

Henkel Adhesives Technologies India (Henkel India), a fully owned subsidiary of Henkel, has expanded the capabilities of its Pune Innovation Centre with two dedicated laboratories, one for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and the other for Acoustic and Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH). These laboratories will facilitate development of products that can meet the unique needs of customers to save costs, reduce downtime and improve performance; test products in simulated conditions in-house before they are used in actual conditions; and train customers on product selection, application, and best practices.

Bobst will present an advanced range of technology and process solutions in printing and converting for the global label industry at Labelexpo Americas in Rosemont, Illinois, USA, from 13 to 15 September 2016. The highlight of the show on Bobst Stand 5721/5722/5726/5728 in Hall F will be the Digital Flexo process whose performance will be demonstrated on the Bobst M6 mid-web in-line UV flexo press.

Finding the sweet spot between the volume and throughput of automated processes and the fl exibility of slower processes is the benchmark of the best suppliers of processed foods. Wastage in India’s food supply chain is a concern especially when nearly half the population is malnourished. There is a need to address the issue beyond the glass doors of those in high places and take it to people who matter – the food processing and packaging industry. Packaging and labelling is a major factor in the overall appeal of processed food products. The most innovative packaging development cycle and workfl ow across the supply chain is what the Indian food processing and packaging industries need right now.