Rathna Packaging India, a significant flexible packaging and film manufacturing company based in Bengaluru has placed orders for two Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) Optimex II blown film lines and a pair of Alphaflex CI flexo presses to be commissioned in mid-2025. This is one of the most notable flexible packaging orders placed this year among several others for W&H. Both the Optimex lines are 2.5 meter-wide 3-layer lines.
The pair of Alphaflex CI flexo presses are both 8-color machines with rated speeds of 400 meters a minute and contain W&H Easy-Col automation for color makeready and standardization with exceptional accuracy. While making ready 80% the first cut of print checks will bring the color accuracy within 1.5 DeltaE. The second color check will bring the remaining 20% into the variance of 1.5 DeltaE. The Alphaflex CI is the same new press shown running at the W&H stand at drupa24 and containing the company’s automation technologies delivered in a standardized configuration.
Rathna Packaging is known for its high-quality sustainable solutions. With over 25 years of experience, the company has manufacturing facilities at three locations located in Hosur, and one in Krishnagiri, Tamilnadu with subsidiaries in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The company makes shrink sleeves, twist wraps, oil and milk films, chub films, laminates, void-fill cushion packs, protective packaging, consumer products, and industrial packaging. Its customers include the food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods sectors.
Rathna Packaging has more than a dozen blown film lines from various manufacturers and it has several gravure presses. Thus this expansion project is a substantial move toward advanced and automated high-efficiency technologies. “We are proud of the fact that we have invested in the most advanced technologies from W&H. With these new technologies, we are prepared to deliver superior packaging solutions and continue our journey of growth. With the right planning and practices, we wish to plan another big expansion soon,” says Sudhakar Reddy, managing director of Rathna Packaging.
The Optimex II blown film lines support a range of applications using high-performance films tailored to various industries. The machine also comes equipped with advanced features like the EASY2 change system, an assistance system for blown film lines that supports the operator during every step of a product changeover and leads to repeatable performance.
Compared to an experienced operator, the number of necessary clicks for a product change is reduced by more than 70%, and the time needed is cut by more than half, thanks to an intuitive HMI. The operator maintains full transparency and control throughout a changeover, as the technology detects the bubble shape and frontline, ensuring reproducible high film quality.
The Alphaflex CI flexo presses bring unmatched precision and quality production to the forefront. The new presses from W&H offer better print stability and bounce-free printing even for difficult print work at speeds of 400 mpm. Designed for printers of all scales, the Alphaflex is engineered to meet industry challenges — cost pressures, productivity demands, and sustainability goals. Both the 8-color presses for Rathna Packaging include W&H’s fully integrated Easy-Col color-matching solution for precise color-match in considerably reduced time for new work and re-runs.
The Alphaflex is the newest addition to W&H’s CI flexo portfolio, launched at drupa 2024. These two presses will be among the very first installations in India, marking a significant milestone for both W&H and Rathna Packaging. The flexo presses are also integrated with W&H’s IoT Ruby platform to monitor data, and automate and improve packaging production. This investment is a key enabler of Rathna’s ambitious plans of scaling its operations while maintaining its reputation for quality and sustainability.
On industry growth, Reddy adds, “Today enterprises need to compete at scale and speed faster than ever before. So that we keep pace with the time and consistently work in the direction of upgrading development, quality, manufacturing, and marketing processes.”
“This is one of the large investments that W&H has witnessed in the recent past in India. I must acknowledge Rathna Packaging’s passion to deliver the best, which also reflects in their investment which was extremely well planned, and we look forward to implementing the project,” says Anuj Sahni, sales director, W&H.
