Kuen Yuh Machine Company (KYMC), the Taiwan headquartered manufacturer of printing and converting equipment promoted its array of CI flexo machines at Plastindia 2015. The company talked about its gearless flexo machines as well as gear machines. Kunal Mehta of KYMC said that the Indian market is seeing a greater acceptance of flexo and the market would continue to grow.
“Currently in India the installation base of flexo machines would be near about 50. The important point to note however is that out of these 50 machines, about 40 machines have been installed in the last three to four years. India is primarily a gravure market but there is definitely a greater acceptance and awareness of flexo in recent years,” Mehta said.
KYMC has an installation base of 12 machines in India and three more are expected to be installed in the coming few months. There are many reasons for the rise in popularity of flexo in India in recent years, according to Mehta. He states that there has been technological advancement in terms of prepress, inks and anilox which has facilitated the acceptance of flexo in the Indian market. Moreover, what has fueled the flexo market in India, according to Mehta, is the fact that the scope of application of flexo has widened.
“As more and more applications come in the ambit of flexo, usage will grow,” he said. According to Mehta, there are other advantages associated with flexo as well such as flexibility in terms of substrates, environment friendliness, less wastage and quick changeover time. Mehta, however, points out that all this does not mean a dramatic rise in the share of flexo in the Indian market.
“I am not saying that the share of gravure in the Indian market, which is around 95% will drop sharply. My assessment is that flexo which has roughly a share of 5% will rise to 15% in the coming years and gravure’s share will drop to 85%,” Mehta argued. Commenting on the response at Plastindia, Mehta said that the company participated in the event with an aim to meet old customers, interact with potential customers and talk about the products adding that the experience has been satisfactory.
