The Heliostar SL at Packages prints
up to 10 million metres in a month
We are happy and satisfied with the investment in the Heliostar SL. Thanks to our own efforts, but also to the level of support provided by W&H we have managed to achieve our financial goals by improving print quality and increasing output and reliability, says Syed Hyder Ali, director of Packages in Lahore, Pakistan.
The company, created in 1956 as a joint venture between the Ali Group of Pakistan and the Swedish company Akerland & Rausing, has from the beginning done pioneering work in the field of flexible packaging. And so it was only logical that Packages not only invested in, what is currently, the most successful gravure printing machine Heliostar SL, but at the same time installed the first gravure printing machine from W&H in Pakistan. Packages is the only packaging company in the country that can offer the complete range of packaging solutions, including flexible packaging. Their clients include major brands like Unilever and Pakistan Tobacco Company. Packages employs over 1,500 people and generated more than US$ 140 million in sales in 2013.
Shortly after the start of production of the Heliostar SL, the highly motivated machine team succeeded in achieving the maximum production speed of 450 metre per minute, so that only after three months the first shift record of 230,000 metre of printed web in 8.5 hours was set. Today, the machine produces up to 10 million metres a month, even with demanding print jobs with high ink limits and low residual solvent content,says Asim Shamim, area manager at Packages. But Packages do not owe this success only to the high printing speed.
A decisive contribution was made by the three well-trained operators, who are able to make the best use of the machine’s advantages in terms of short job changeover times and minimal waste of substrate and ink, says Gerhard Schoone, regional manager, Packages. Since its launch in 2008 more than 100 Heliostar S have been sold to customers around the world. The installation by Packages in Pakistan is a good example of high-quality gravure printing results produced in an emerging economy.
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
