Drupa is becoming more digital but the analogue technologies also play their role in the industry, says Combis
The results for Comexi Group at Drupa can be considered outstanding, either for the number of visitors (more than 50% increase from Drupa 2008) or the amount of orders achieved (more than 17M€).
05 Jun 2012 | By PrintWeek India
Agusti Combis, marketing director, Comexi Group
Comexi had on display a Comexi Flexo F2; the Comexi Offset CI8, the first central impression offset press for the flexible packaging; a new slitting-rewinding machine, Comexi Proslit s-Turret, focused on the rigid and semi rigid market; the new drying system to be adapted in our Comexi Nexus Optima product line; Comexi Enviroxi LaserCleaner machine to keep clean, by means of a laser, aniloxes of flexo presses.
From the flexo point of view, the technology our customers could be interested in having is the register adjustment by PDF, which eliminated the need the operator manual adjustment. The system compares what is printed against a PDF file.
Additionally, our showcase of flexo printing with the new formulation of WB inks which demonstrates the market the possibility to print environmentally friendly, with high productivity and at outstanding print quality with WB inks (up to 400mpm with more than 60 lpcm). From the offset point of view, it is the unique offset central impression press. This technology provides the possibility of having offset quality using EB curing inks for flexible packaging market, eliminating the usage of solvents.
Additionally, our showcase of flexo printing with the new formulation of WB inks which demonstrates the market the possibility to print environmentally friendly, with high productivity and at outstanding print quality with WB inks (up to 400mpm with more than 60 lpcm). From the offset point of view, it is the unique offset central impression press. This technology provides the possibility of having offset quality using EB curing inks for flexible packaging market, eliminating the usage of solvents.
The greatest challenge was to keep the ongoing demonstrations’ focus on innovation. During Drupa 2012, we’ve been perceived as the most innovative company in the flexible packaging field.
All our launches, except the offset CI press, are available worldwide since Drupa. The offset CI press will be commercially available in 15 months.
As a general term, the quality of visitors was good with many being decision makers. About 5% of the visitors came from India. Personnel from Uflex, The Paper Products, Dynaflex (who purchased a second Comexi flexo press) are a few of the Indian visitors. They all were impressed about our focus on innovation, basically orientated to improve printing quality and to reduce the environmental impact.
Overall, Drupa can have a direct impact of about 10% of our immediate sales. Apart from that, you can take advantage of the brand impact and brand perception for the future sales generated by means of it.
As a general term, the quality of visitors was good with many being decision makers. About 5% of the visitors came from India. Personnel from Uflex, The Paper Products, Dynaflex (who purchased a second Comexi flexo press) are a few of the Indian visitors. They all were impressed about our focus on innovation, basically orientated to improve printing quality and to reduce the environmental impact.
Overall, Drupa can have a direct impact of about 10% of our immediate sales. Apart from that, you can take advantage of the brand impact and brand perception for the future sales generated by means of it.
As for installation targets for 2012, I am not in a position to disclose the quantity, but what Drupa will help is to get our sales targets atleast 30% higher then 2011.
Drupa is becoming more digital but the analogue technologies also play their role in the industry. I would say that the Drupa managers should also pay more attention to traditional printing methods.
At this Drupa, Landa’s nanotechnology and our own Comexi offset CI press have been the most exciting innovations.
From the flexible packaging point of view, India and China are perceived as the growing market , demanding to be competitive for the short-runs (time-to-market), increase print quality, to deal with lighter gauge material (because of the oil prices) and finally to move forward to the solvent-free converting.
The food industry, which represents 80% of the flexible packaging production, is a clear example of those needs. However each country can affect those parameters. For example, in Europe, the solvent-free printing concern is at the highest priority in the agenda of our customers, due to legal obligations.
The food industry, which represents 80% of the flexible packaging production, is a clear example of those needs. However each country can affect those parameters. For example, in Europe, the solvent-free printing concern is at the highest priority in the agenda of our customers, due to legal obligations.
My takeaway: I feel that Drupa has shown on one side, a clear trend for the sustainable printing, and on the other side a clear picture that the flexible packaging (no matter the printing method used) is the most appealing market.
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