Surat-based screen-printing equipment manufacturer Creofoil is positioning its cast and cure capability as a key differentiator for converters seeking value-added packaging applications. The company, which manufactures semi-automatic and fully automatic screen-printing machines, UV dryers and foiling systems, is seeing growing traction in segments such as perfume cartons, sweet boxes and premium packaging.
Keyur Vashi, joint director at Creofoil, said the company’s latest development integrates multiple applications into a single platform. “We have introduced a three-in-one configuration where a converter can perform spot UV, foiling and cast and cure on the same line,” he said. “The idea is to give packaging customers flexibility to create differentiated effects without investing in multiple standalone systems.”
Cast and cure, he explains, is a process-driven enhancement where a UV coating is applied, cured and then passed through a specialised system to impart decorative effects. “It is not the film that transfers but the image or texture,” Vashi said. “This ensures the substrate remains recyclable and avoids the challenges associated with lamination films.”
Creofoil continues to back mercury-based UV curing over LED for such applications. “While LED has its place, Vashi said. “With this technology, converters can reuse the casting film up to 10 to 12 times. The company’s manufacturing base in Surat produces a range of screen-printing systems tailored for packaging and industrial use.
At the show, Creofoil demonstrated a semi-automatic screen-printing machine integrated with a UV dryer and compact foiling unit, while its cast and cure system is currently installed at its facility. Vashi notes that Creofoil has already established an early foothold in southern markets. “We have installed five to six machines in the South and have received encouraging enquiries at this event,” he said. “We expect to convert several of these into orders over the next six months.”
Beyond packaging, the company is targeting industrial printing applications, which Vashi described as a significant opportunity. “Screen printing remains critical for applications such as membrane switches, PCB printing, ceramic transfers, automotive decals and mobile components,” he explained. “These are high-volume, high-value segments where durability and precision are essential.”
The scale of this opportunity is substantial, he adds, pointing to large-format industrial applications across automotive and electronics sectors. “From helmet decals to petrol tank graphics and membrane circuits, the market is extensive and continues to grow,” Vashi says. Piyush Bhutwala, managing director of Creofoil, said the company’s growth trajectory reflects this dual focus. “In three years, we have installed around 250 machines, with nearly 45 to 50 installations in the last year alone,” he says. “Our roadmap is aligned with packaging and industrial printing, where we see sustained demand for specialised equipment.”
On sustainability, the company maintains that UV-based processes, when used with compliant inks, meet regulatory and performance requirements. “The key is to use certified inks suitable for food and packaging applications,” Vashi says. “At the same time, the cast and cure process does not involve film transfer, which supports recyclability.”
With packaging demand rising and converters seeking higher-value finishes, Creofoil is preparing to expand its portfolio. “We are developing additional systems tailored for packaging applications,” Bhutwala concluding, saying, “The focus is on enabling converters to deliver premium effects with operational efficiency.”