Heidelberg returns to VLF with Manroland alliance

Heidelberg has announced a partnership with Manroland Sheetfed to bring a new very large-format (VLF) offset press to market, marking its return to a segment it once exited and indicating a shift in its packaging growth trajectory. The new press, named the Cartonmaster CX 145, is based on Manroland’s Roland Evolution 900 platform and will be integrated into Heidelberg’s Prinect software ecosystem.

The decision to re-enter the VLF category reflects the growing need for long-run folding carton solutions, particularly in the food, beverage, and consumer goods sectors. “As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding our range of solutions for the packaging sector and, at the same time, plugging a gap in our portfolio,” said Dr David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg.

The Cartonmaster CX 145 operates at speeds of up to 16,500 sheets per hour, accommodating stock thicknesses ranging from 0.04mm to 1.2mm, with sheet sizes of up to 1,060 mm by 1,450mm. Key features include Manroland’s TripleFlow inking technology and the AC Drive energy-saving system, which together aim to combine high performance with improved energy efficiency. Heidelberg plans to make the press available for order immediately, with the first installation expected in 2026.

Integration with Heidelberg’s Customer Portal will allow converters to access real-time performance data, part of the company’s broader strategy to digitalise print operations and connect machinery, software, service and consumables. According to Schmedding, “Our new Cartonmaster CX 145 makes Heidelberg a full-range provider for folding carton printing.”

The VLF partnership mirrors Heidelberg’s previous moves in post-press, where it teamed up with Masterwork (MK) to offer finishing solutions. Further, it reinforces its positioning as a systems integrator rather than a standalone equipment manufacturer in every category.

For Heidelberg’s chief executive officer, Jurgen Otto, the new press represents more than a product extension. “Adding the Cartonmaster CX 145 to our portfolio is further proof of our credentials as a system integrator for the end-to-end production of folding cartons,” he said. “Thanks to our excellent position in the folding carton segment, this new press, too, is expected to be highly popular with customers and generate increasing sales.”

The rollout is expected to focus on the US, European, and Chinese markets — geographies where demand for large-format packaging remains strong. Heidelberg's willingness to re-enter the VLF space through an external manufacturing collaboration, after previously exiting it, suggests a pragmatic shift in how the company views future growth: not through complete ownership of every segment, but by building ecosystems that provide customers with flexible, digitally connected choices.

As digital transformation and substrate diversification continue to reshape packaging production, Heidelberg’s alignment with Manroland marks a strategic compromise — one that trades exclusivity for speed to market, and potentially, a quicker return to scale.