Labelexpo India 2024 review

Labelexpo India 2024 was the biggest and most vibrant show in the event’s history, drawing 13,752 visitors and marking the country’s emergence as a key player on the world stage. The event culminated with multiple press sales reported by Multitec, UV Graphic, RK Label, NBG and Webtech.

Labelexpo India 2024 attendance was up 14 percent from the 2022 edition, and covering one-third more exhibition space than the previous event. Indian label and package printing machinery suppliers concluded the show on a high note, as over 90 percent of exhibitors were Indian companies. Labelexpo India 2024 also attracted a record number of first-time exhibitors, 70 in total.

Flexo press technology

Notable flexo press technology trends included wider press widths up to 670 mm (26in), more automation, and a significant move towards LED-UV curing, often combined with mercury UV on the same press.

AUM demonstrated its 13in wide model 350M UV flexo press configured with eight colors and two die-cut units, cold foil and turnbar. The press operates at up to 100 m/min. The company also produces a servo-driven press, the 350S, operating at speeds up to 150 m/min.

Hontec India, a local company distributing the Chinese manufacturer’s presses in the region, demonstrated a servo-driven Flexicon 350 press operating at up to 150 m/min on a wide range of materials, including shrink sleeves and Lamitube, for which the press is configured with 21.5in chill drums. The print unit is designed with a quick-change impression roll, adjustable for different material thicknesses and separate from the chill roller to avoid ink contamination.

The company also showed a Digifini converting line equipped with a flatbed die cutter and flexo coating unit, which can be equipped with a flatbed screen.

Moksha Label Printing Machinery demonstrated an 8-color Edifice 2SU flexo press printing at 100 m/min.

Multitec showcased a double servo mid-web S2 670 mm (26in), a 9-color press running on a 12-micron substrate at 200 m/min. The press featured LED and UV curing, an extended path in-line solvent drying unit, pre-register, auto-register, auto job settings, a movable turn bar and foiling.

Multitec also showed an 8-color 450 mm wide S2 press printing shrink sleeves live at the show. The machine was configured with hybrid LED UV systems, die-cut units, pre-register and auto-register, a movable turn bar, realm units, a peel-and-seal kit and foiling stations.

The S2 press can handle 10 to 450 microns at 200 m/min substrates. The company sold five machines at the show.

NBG Printographic launched its 450 mm wide press at the show. It is configured with 10 flexo units and two gravure stations at the front and back ends of the press line. The press is equipped with chill drums, LED-UV, and IR dryers for applications like high-gloss varnishes. The company clinched two sales at the event.

Orthotec promoted its print and finishing equipment range, including the D-Screen high-build inkjet varnish module, which can match the screen for tactile dot height.

Paper and Label Converting Technologies showed the Labelflex R2S full-servo and R1 flexo presses. The 450 mm wide R2S was configured with GEW AeroLED air-cooled LED curing units on the color units, mercury UV for the coating stations and chill drums. The press prints at 150 m/min on a wide range of substrates, from PS labels to light carton board, laminated tubes and unsupported film down to 12 microns. The mechanical R1 flexo press prints at 150 m/min and is designed for entry-level PS label and light carton board applications.

RK Label Printing Machinery demonstrated two in-line flexo presses. An 8-color 450 mm wide FMS press with twin die-cutting units was fitted with GEW AeroLED air-cooled LED-UV curing on the first five printing units and arc UV on the cold foil and coating stations. It was printing 38-micron shrink sleeves. The press is also fitted with IR units at each station in standard configuration.

A second 450 mm wide FMS sleeve-based press was configured with an in-line gravure unit printing with water-based inks. The press was converting paper cups with a sheeter and conveyor. The gravure unit was used for metallics in this application.

The Printers’ House (TPH) launched the Orient X-Press Flex in-line flexo press series with a 450 mm wide, 10-color sleeve-based machine, with each print unit driven by double servo drives. The press incorporated GEW LeoLED water-cooled LED lamps, allowing running speeds up to 200 m/min.

Alongside the Orient flexo press, TPH also launched Orient Jet, an UV inkjet press, developed in conjunction with Meteor Inkjet, a division of Hybrid Software. The proprietary ink delivery system and web handling technology were developed in India.

The press uses Epson 1,200 DPI inkjet heads with up to eight color channels operating at 75 m/min. TPH has also developed a water-based inkjet press operating at 200 m/min, the preferred format for digitally printing folding cartons. The Orient Jet press can be configured as a hybrid by adding flexo coating and converting modules.

UV Graphics launched its AI Ultraflex UFO-5 press in a 450 mm wide, 8-color dual servo configuration. The press runs materials from 8-micron film to 400 GSM folding cartons.

Abhay Dutta, director of UV Graphics, shares: ‘The press showcased India’s first indigenously developed servo-controlled vary gap system for die-cutting labels and IML.’

The press features hot and cold foil stamping, rotary screen, and in-line die-cutting. The AI functionality automatically calculates tension and print pressure parameters based on material type. The press includes a 100 percent defect detection system developed in cooperation with Deco Systems of Italy.

The UFO-5 was demonstrated running to 200 m/min with perfect register on 12-micron BOPP and curing through GEW LeoLED water-cooled LED-UV units.

The company also launched the entry-level Ultraflex EFO 370 8K, a basic 8-color machine retailing at around 116,000 USD.

Weigang demonstrated a 10-color ZJR-450 sleeve-equipped servo-driven UV flexo press. The press runs at 180 m/min and has chilled impression cylinders.

Digital presses

APL Machinery demonstrated its Quantum Jet 47 UV inkjet press, which uses Epson printheads printing at 70 m/min in up to seven colors (CMYKW+OGV).

APL also showcased a roll-to-roll screen printing press and the compact Afinia X350 digital press. The company introduced its LED UV systems for retrofitting label presses.

Arrow Digital introduced its ArrowJet UV single-pass UV LED inkjet printer, which operates at speeds up to 122 m/min (400 ft/min) at a resolution of 600 DPI using Kyocera heads. The maximum print width is 430 mm (17in).

The press uses a Fiery Impress print server and can be configured with up to seven colors, including White.

Arrow also showed its ArrowJet Bolt water-based pigment inkjet press, incorporating Memjet’s latest DuraBolt press-wide module. The Bolt prints four colors in a compact dual print unit at a width of 324 mm. It prints at speeds of up to 150 m/min.

Domino launched a new digital integration module specific to the Indian market, the N610i-H, in partnership with flexo press manufacturer UV Graphic Technologies.

The 340 mm wide N610i-H is based on Domino’s established N610i print engine with an Esko DFE and fixed 5-color engine (CMYK+W). The N610i-H was integrated into a UV Graphic Technologies Dominator 370 hybrid press, incorporating two UV flexo stations, one laying down an in-line primer.

Selvaraj Venktesh, managing director of Durst’s distributor Newgen Printronics, says the Durst Tau press is gaining traction in India. The company was demonstrating the entry-level Tau 330 RSC E, which uses the same imaging technology as the company’s top-of-the-range machines.

Venktesh says the company sold a Durst Tau 340 RSC LM to Pondicherry-based Dolphin Graphics.

HP Indigo collaborated with local partner Technova Imaging Systems to exhibit an HP Indigo 6K Digital Press and its PrintOS automation ecosystem, which now includes a spot master module that allows users to reach spot colors within minutes.

Danish inkjet systems integrator Markprint demonstrated a mono piezo on-demand inkjet printer. The company integrates various inkjet heads depending on the application, including retrofits onto flexo presses to print 2D codes.

Monotech Systems demonstrated its Jetsci KolorSmart+ UV inkjet label press for the first time at Labelexpo India. The press can print on a wide range of materials, including paper, film and synthetic substrates. It has already been installed by 15 printers worldwide.

Pulisi, represented by Intergraphic Sales and Services, demonstrated the 330 mm (13in) wide Aobead Dsmart UV inkjet press configured with a flexo priming station, white and CMYK+OGV. The company sold two machines from the show floor.

Finishing and platemaking

Increasing demand for personalized short-run labels drives demand for digital finishing, while automated finishing machines improve efficiency and minimize waste. The show featured sustainable plate-making technologies focused on reducing environmental impact and enhancing production.

Esko promoted its complete range of products from pre-press to final platemaking systems.

Flexo Image Graphics (FIG) demonstrated machines from Rhyguan, DCM ATN, Mark Andy and Luster. The company reported a successful show and sold five DCM ATN systems to Zircon, one Rhyguan Top 520 dual die-cutting machine to Meraki Propack, and two Rhyguan Smart 450 slitter rewinders with Luster 100 percent inspection cameras to Innovative Label and MD Graphics.

Gourav Roy, managing director of FIG, says: ‘It was one of the most successful editions of Labelexpo India to date for FIG. On all three days of the show, we received an overwhelming response from visitors showing keen interest in our machines.

We feel great that some landmark machine deals were announced during the show.’

Miraclon showcased the opportunities and benefits of modern flexo and how it enables converters to achieve their efficiency, sustainability and quality goals while maximizing returns. The booth showcased real-life case studies of commercial successes with Flexcel NX technology.

Monotech Systems unveiled the dSpark Hybrid+ digital embellishment system, which combines digital embellishments with converting and finishing, enabling converters to create premium labels with tactile textures, spot varnishing, holographic foils and embossing.

Nippon Color introduced the VD330 digital label die-cutter, featuring unwinding, laminating, half-cutting (up to four heads), matrix removal, slitting and rewinding/sheeting. With AI-driven automatic job changeover via CCD camera, it offers easy job transitions without any operator intervention.

S Kumar Multi Products, distributor of Zonten Europe in India, sold three Zonten ZMQ-370 and 450 intermittent/complete rotary finishing machines, seven Zonten HMQ-350 and 450 high-speed flatbed die-cutting and foiling machines, and eight Zonten HFQ-350 and 450 high-speed slitter rewinders.

Comments Manish Hansoti, managing director of S Kumar Multi Products: ‘We have had a tremendous time at Labelexpo India. We are extremely proud to have done so well. We booked so many machines. This shows the booming Indian economy and incredible growth in the label industry. The show has exceeded our expectations, and we hope to come back bigger and stronger next edition.’

UV Graphics demonstrated reportedly India’s first in-line roll-to-roll flatbed silk screen printing machine with digital foil embellishment for high-speed screen printing and embossed digital cold foil. It also showed Ultraflex UDF-370, which is claimed to be India’s first semi- and full-rotary finishing press with two flexo print units, die-cutting, digital printing and digital foiling capabilities.

Another new launch, the Ultraflex USR+ slitter rewinder, comes with fully Indigenous 100 percent defect detection in partnership with Lucid Imaging.

The high-speed Pony flatbed machine was also displayed for hot foil stamping, embossing and die-cutting with integrated waste rewind and 100 percent inspection. The company also presented the Core Max 2000, a high-speed automated core cutting machine with multi-program functionality.

Vinsak showcased its Label-Decore embellishment and finishing machine, which features embossing, digital foiling, cast-and-cure effects and variable data printing with customizable options.

Xsys showcased its Nyloflex flexographic printing plates for labels, highlighting ongoing improvements to meet market demands, including compatibility with eco-substrates, higher printing speeds and expanded applications. A key example is the Nyloflex FTV flat-top dot plate, designed for printing tags, labels and flexible packaging.

Materials

Packaging material manufacturers focused on promoting eco-friendly material alternatives. The show featured post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics, paper-based labels and compostable films. Water-based inks and labels that support recycling processes were also prominent at the show, as well as the development of RFID applications in label materials.

Addon FilmTech presented its range of WF-grade PET shrink films. It included its CSP-grade version, compatible with the PET recycling process, and another variant, the RSF-grade, composed of 30 percent PCR.

‘With our range of WF-grade PET shrink films, you get the widest application range window, from printing compatibility with all types of printing inks to choosing the primary container, which can be made from any materials like PE, PP, glass, PET, and metals, among others. The shrink sleeve tunnel can be a steam, hot-air, or electric tunnel,’ informs Smit Patel, director of Addon FilmTech.

Avery Dennison’s booth showcased various products, including the Sustainable ADvantage portfolio featuring labels designed to minimize material use and promote recycling and reuse.

Saurabh Agarwal, vice president and general manager of Avery Dennison’s materials group for South Asia, emphasizes: ‘Sustainability driven by regulation and consumer demand is the most significant trend.’

Cosmo Films showcased Cosmo Synthetic Paper, a durable, waterproof, and tear-resistant material that resembles traditional paper.

Kulbhushan Malik, global business head of Cosmo Films, says: ‘Labelexpo India provides us the perfect platform to showcase these innovative label products and technology and connect with customers looking for high-performance, sustainable labeling materials.’

Chiripal Polyfilms presented its biodegradable BOPP, PCR PET, and in-mold and top-coated pressure-sensitive labels. The company’s booth also highlighted face-stock labels and release liners.

Nitish Verma, general manager of sales and marketing at Chiripal, notes: ‘One huge area of development is sustainable products. We offer post-consumer recycled PET film with 80 percent recycled content.’

DIC, Sakata and Flint Group showcased its latest innovations in UV flexo inks and sustainability-driven products. Flint Group displayed its EkoCure dual-cure inks, which can cure under traditional UV Hg and UV LED lamps and Flexocure Ancora. This UV flexo ink meets industry standards for indirect food contact.

Henkel debuted Technomelt PS 8011, a high-performance hot melt PSA crafted for labelestock applications.

Another key product at its booth was its Aquence PSA range, a sustainable, water-based option designed for versatile applications. The booth also featured the Loctite Duro-Tak, Eco, and Re range of PSAs, emphasizing the company’s dedication to reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste and supporting high-quality recycling in label production.

Highlighting Kurz India’s deep interest in sustainability, it has developed thinner transfer products that minimize material consumption to reduce its CO2 footprint. Its new KPW slim product, which was highlighted at the show, has a six-micron carrier (down from the previous 10-micron) and results in 50 percent material-saving efforts. The company also showcased its Silver Line portfolio.

Saiden Chemical and HB Fuller showcased their water—and solvent-based PSAs. HB Fuller also exhibited its hotmelt adhesive, Swiftmelt 1892.

Siegwerk showcased its non-low-migration Sicura Flex Dual Cure series, which complies with the EuPIA Exclusion Policy for Printing Inks.

The company also presented a portfolio of low-migration inks, including water-based, solvent-based, UV and EB products suitable for offset, gravure and flexo printing.