Bobst India has taken a significant step in its operations by formally unveiling the NOVAFFG 1024 line—its first flexo folder gluer built in India. The machine was showcased at a dedicated customer open house in its Pune factory on 16 May — a global milestone for the Swiss packaging equipment supplier, as this was the first time an FFG open house has been held outside of Lyon, France.
The NOVAFFG 1024 is positioned to fill a long-standing gap in Bobst’s product portfolio—addressing the mid-range and cost-effective segment of the corrugated converting market.
Venugopal Menon, business director – Bobst India BUPC, said, “Until recently, our FFG offering included only high-end lines under the Expert and Master ranges. The NOVAFFG platform now allows us to offer a more affordable solution, without compromising on the build or print quality expected from a Bobst machine.”
Developed following Bobst’s acquisition of a Korean equipment manufacturer, the NOVAFFG and upcoming VISION platforms aim to address market segments that were previously out of reach. While the NOVAFFG 1024 combines mechanical and servo-driven systems on an open-close platform, the VISIONFFG will be a fixed-frame, fully servo-driven line.
Three NOVA lines have already been sold in India — two of them in the south and one in the north. Two additional units are currently in assembly at Bobst India’s new facility, with a total of four machines scheduled for production this year. Going forward in 2026, it will be in regular production as per market orders.
“We see increasing demand for automated inline machines in India, particularly from converters who are scaling up from 700-800 tons to over 1,000 tons per month,” Menon added. “The NOVAFFG is ideal for the brown box segment—typically one or two colors with simple die cuts. It offers excellent slotting and folding quality, which is vital for brand owners using automatic case erecting systems that demand perfectly square boxes.
“This is not a stripped-down version—it’s cost-effective and tailored for customers who want reliable, high-volume production with optimal capital investment.”
Bobst India is also pushing for increased localization of the NOVAFFG with most of the components locally sourced. Some critical components, however, are imported, such as anilox and electrics that cannot be sourced in India. Additionally, the company is actively working with Indian vendors for more manufacturing in-country, provided they meet Bobst’s strict global standards.
“The NOVA and VISIONFFG machines would be sold under the Bobst brand worldwide. Whether it’s made in Korea or India, it must meet the same standards,” Menon said.
Machines built in 2025 will initially prioritize the Indian market. However, from 2026, the NOVAFFG will be available to customers globally based on orders. “This is just the beginning. With our proven track record of 20 years of manufacturing Bobst equipment in India, we are confident in our ability to serve both domestic and international markets efficiently,” he added.
India, currently, has 40 Bobst FFG lines installed, including two NOVAFFG units. Notably, it is also the second-largest installed base for the FFG 8.20 Discovery and Expert globally, after the United States.
Reflecting on the open house, Menon highlighted its broader significance, “This is the first time an FFG customer day is being hosted outside Europe. That it is happening in India underscores our strategic importance in the global Bobst ecosystem.”
The NOVAFFG 1024, now rolling out of Bobst’s second Indian facility, symbolizes more than just local production—it marks a shift in how the company approaches market access, innovation, and regional empowerment across its global footprint.
Live demonstration of two corrugated jobs on NOVAFFGFFG 1024
The highlight of the open house was the live demonstration of two different box production jobs on the NOVAFFGFFG 1024, underlining the machine’s versatility, print quality, and high-speed performance:
Job 1: Two-color, double-walled electronic logistics box
The first job ran a two-color corrugated box on BC-flute board, designed for high-volume shipping and industrial packaging. The substrate measured 628 × 1,698 mm in format and 274 × 353 × 483 mm as the final folded box.
The job was printed using water-based inks, in line with industry demand for more sustainable materials. The NOVAFFG 1024 produced the double wall boxes at a consistent speed of 14,000 boxes per hour, with each bundle comprising 15 boxes.
Job 2: High-speed eCommerce box production
The second demonstration focused on eCommerce packaging, a fast-growing segment with specific performance requirements. The job ran on C-flute board, known for its durability and lighter weight—ideal for online retail shipping.
The format size was 533 × 1302 mm, with the final folded box measuring 241 × 292 × 343 mm and printed using a single-color water-based ink process.
The NOVAFFG 1024 handled this run at an impressive 18,000 boxes per hour with each bundle containing 25 boxes and with inline strapping by a Mosca line.
Bobst India’s new plant
Bobst India’s new plant, where the NOVAFFG machines are manufactured, was inaugurated approximately a year ago. The facility, located close to Bobst’s first site, focuses on producing equipment for the flexible and corrugated board industry, along withthe metalizing industry.
After successfully manufacturing the NOVAFFG 1024 range, Bobst India plans to roll out future equipment in the upcoming years.
