Bobst’s new launches will help customers thrive in modern packaging industry
Bobst has announced a slew of new machines in the printing converting, services and performance to help converters and brand owners take a big step towards digitalising the packaging supply chain. The announcement was made during its annual press event hosted at the Bobst Packaging Centre in Lausanne, Switzerland.
28 Jun 2023 | By Noel D'Cunha
Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO, Bobst Group
During the event Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO, Bobst Group announced a strong financial result for 2022. Sales reported CHF 1.841-bn, a 17.8% growth, and a higher 20% order backlog at the end of 2022. Bobst said, “We have set out to shape the future of the packaging world by actively driving the industry transformation: from a mechanical to a digital world and from manufacturing machines to process solutions along the entire workflow.”
The new machines announcement included kits for the flexible, labels, folding cartons, corrugated and services segments. “The packaging industry is in the middle of a digital revolution, which is forcing every company to innovate, challenge their approach, think end-to-end and digital, and leverage networks and platforms to deliver new business models for their clients,” said Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO, Bobst Group. “At Bobst, our industry vision, based on four key pillars – connectivity, digitalisation, automation and sustainability – greatly supports this transformation. The new solutions announced today are the latest in a line of continuous innovation to help our customers thrive in this new reality together.”
Making the announcement, Christian Zeller of Bobst announced a slew of new machines, including the Expertcut 1.7 I 2.1 flat-bed die-cutter, a new solution for corrugator board. “It is ideal for eCommerce packaging, and can produce up to 20-mn sqm/year. Short setup time combined with TooLink ensures maximum uptime and optimise the total cost of ownership.”
Bobst is also hoping to fulfil its vision of making the packaging supply chain fully digital, and at the heart of this vision is the Bobst Connect, a cloud-based digital platform that enhances and improves packaging productivity. Launching the Tool Management, Bobst said, the solution offers unprecedented control over TooLink-equipped dies, integrating tool makers, tracking tool performance, feedback, maintenance, and orders. “With an intuitive interface, it provides users with a multitude of data-driven insights to bring tool management to the next level.”
(l-r) Leonard Badet and Christian Zeller of Bobst
Leonard Badet of Bobst shared Bobst’s portfolio of services supports all steps of the production workflow, from preparation to the finished product. He said, Bobst’s remote assistance, Bobst Connect has created a Bobst record, where 33,000 000 remote sessions are now conducted each year with dedicated technical support specialists.
Bobst also announced that it is deploying an active strategy on sustainability, one of the four key pillars of its vision. The company has joined the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), reflecting its commitment to urgent climate action. Bobst said, “We are evaluating decarbonisation options for its operational activities to reduce its carbon footprint.” Other key environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related activities include the ongoing development of recyclable substrates, the development of water-based inks, and the reduction of its machines’ electricity consumption by 10-20% by the end of 2024.
Bobst concluded, “We pride ourselves on deeply understanding what our customers need, thanks to very close partnerships. These latest enhancements to our portfolio resolve specific pain points our customers have raised. And collectively take us closer to more automated, connected, digitalised and sustainable packaging production.”
Jean-Pascal Bobst, CEO, Bobst Group shared some market trends, terming it “2024 back” for Bobst.
Labels: 2023 macro economy is impacting the level of activities. Despite this there is good level of bookings and new opportunities. In 2024, further consolidation of the industry could be expected. Volumes of the industry will be back on growth rates.
Flexible packaging: 2023 is moving back to the pre-Covid level with some caution as we wait new legislation which may impact 2024 and the sustainability deadlines and commitments. In 2024, sustainability and recyclability will continue to push further innovations and investments.
Folding carton: In 2023, increasing opportunities will replace or reduce the use of plastic packs. Growing luxury and premium packaging segment. 2024 is expected to see the growing demand for fibre-based packaging continues. Anti-counterfeiting packaging will get prominence.
Corrugated: In 2023, the fibre-based demand is growing, eCommerce as well, but at a lower pace compared to post-pandemic records height. In 2024, it is expected that there will be an increasing need for fibre-based substrate and a growing demand for added-value packaging, such as inside-printing.
Highlights of the new launches from each industry sector.
Flexible packaging
The flexible packaging market is facing growing demands for more environmentally responsible materials and better recycling, while maintaining high quality in printing, metallising, coating, and laminating. Latest Bobst developments in this sector include:
Vision K5 HS metalliser: New machine to be launched later in June. High performance and high-speed metallising, designed to handle a variety of film types including heat sensitive, thin gauge and sustainable substrates. Includes the largest coating drum in the industry at 700mm. It is the ideal metallising solution available for converters.
Nova MW laminator: New machine to be launched at the end of July. It is a super compact laminating machine with an ergonomic and user-friendly design, perfect for solventless lamination of all narrow web applications within the flexible packaging market. Moreover, it is the ideal lamination solution for the growing digital print market.
Vision CI for paper applications: New machine to be launched in Q4 2023. A flexo printing press serving the ever-growing market for paper, with further capability for diameter and higher web tension. The machine can run 120g of paper at 400m/minute, including features such as Bobst’s Extended Colour Gamut (ECG) technology and SmartGPS to automate the start-up process.
Labels
The labels sector is a truly multi-technology environment with both conventional and digital solutions. As converters face manpower shortages and demands for more sustainable solutions, Bobst is committed to delivering novelties for both – flexo and digital presses, enhancing user experience, ease-of-use, new automation features and faster quality inspection setup. Latest Bobst developments in this sector include:
Expanded die-cutting portfolio: Bobst has expanded its portfolio of die-cutting solutions to fit every converter need. In addition to semi-rotary die-cutting, Quick Change rotary die-cutting has been introduced, which provides a 50% time saving to change magnetic cylinders.
Quick change rotary die-cutting
In addition to the 370mm version, Bobst has introduced a 530mm High-Performance semi-rotary die-cutter with automatic plate-change. Both modules include the Digi-Gap feature for even faster job changeovers.
Digital Master series update: An enhancement package is coming soon, which includes new features, such as novelties for Bobst Connect, third-party integration and new Accucheck functionalities.
Digital Master series Accucheck
Pantone validation: Bobst digital printing technology has been officially Pantone validated! This means Bobst’s colour management engine (DFE) and print results are validated by Pantone – giving customers complete peace of mind.
New Bobst Sphere user interface (UI) for flexo and digital: A re-designed user interface, coming first to the Digital Master series and in-line flexo M6, and then gradual implementation to other platforms. It combines all flexo and digital processes in one single point of control to ensure Bobst’s most user-friendly HMI yet.
Folding carton
There is increasing demand for more sophisticated folding carton packaging to stand out on the shelves and engage with consumers in new ways. Latest Bobst developments in this sector include:
Novafoil updates: Two new features have been added to the Novafoil, Bobst's first inline foil stamping machine to offer an advanced cross-foiling option. Novafoil 106 with hologram modules answers the demand for security packaging and brand protection on the packaging of almost any product. OACS (Optimal Advance Computing System) calculates optimal foil advance – this feature is available both on the machine and now remotely too.
Digital makeready tool: An exciting new tool that projects the original digital layout, helping to connect prepress with production. Combined with the Novafoil 106 and Digital Inspection Table FC 106, it assures impeccable stamping register quality, reduces waste and minimizes downtime.
Digital makeready tool
New Expertfold, Visionfold and Novafold: Earlier this year, Bobst renewed its folder-gluer portfolio for folding carton. The new generations come equipped with a host of new features to enhance the three folder-gluers, increase their productivity and move closer towards the Bobst Industry Vision of a fully digitalized and connected converting process with maximum automation and sustainability.
Corrugated board
With eCommerce still the major driver for the corrugated packaging market, converters need to respond to the growing demand for more sophisticated types of packaging to be produced in large quantities. Latest Bobst developments in this sector include:
Expertflex: Ideally suited to producing e-commerce solutions and boxes for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Combining the post-printing power with the die-cutting precision of the EXPERTCUT 1.7 I 2.1 flat-bed die cutter forms a single, highly automated EXPERTLINE packaging production line – a new, complete solution for high-quality printed and die-cut corrugated board.
Bobst Expertflex
Speedpack updates: New strapping solutions will be introduced in July on this high-performing automatic packer, which delivers batches of boxes that are perfectly counted, stacked, banded and ready for palletization. The new solutions increase its versatility, enabling the bundling of boxes with 5-15mm plastic straps commonly used in the corrugated board industry.
Services
Bobst’s portfolio of services supports all steps of the production workflow, from preparation to the finished product. Latest Bobst developments in this sector include:
EMEA logistics hub up and running: Bobst’s new logistic hub for Europe, Middle East and Africa, situated in Belgium in the heart of Europe, with access to increased transportation solutions, is now up and running. One amazing feature of this new hub is the new Autostore, which can fully automate up to 70,000 parts.
Bobst Remote Assistance record numbers: Bobst continues to provide best-in-class 24/7 remote support to its customers, including video and new augmented reality support, remote connection to machine and data analysis. Around 33,000 remote sessions are conducted annually with dedicated technical support specialists.
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