GPP 2024 brings together dynamic MEA packaging industry

Prominent trends at Gulf Print & Pack 2024 were the replacement of offset with flexo with inline converting, increased uptake of digital printing across both commercial and package print spaces, and automation - particularly in labels, flexible packaging and commercial print applications. The exhibition also placed a spotlight on sustainability.

Amit Radia, CEO and founder of leading print company Atlas Print adds: ‘Gulf Print & Pack 2024 was an excellent show. Gulf Print & Pack is the benchmark of the printing industry for the region and a must-attend event on the calendar.’

Labels and flex pack

Labels and flexible packaging suppliers were among the most visited at the show. For the first time, there were multiple narrow web flexo presses on the GPP show floor, and a growing number of narrow web digital presses targeted at label and flexible packaging applications.

Afra International kicked off the show by unveiling the Etirama SPS3 flexo press. This 10-color servo-driven press boasts a 350mm web width. It offers options including cold foil, delam/relam, lamination, sheeter and a turn bar for reverse printing. The machine was displayed in line with a Lundberg waste handling system to collect matrix waste during production.

First-time GPP exhibitor Nilpeter took full advantage of the growing interest in flexo and hybrid printing.

Martin Teilberg, global marketing manager at Nilpeter, comments: ‘There is a good buzz, a good vibe at the show. Sustainable solutions, digitalization and automation are the key trends now, with customers looking to save money and optimize efficiency, and these are the features we have been highlighting.’

Leading Chinese narrow web press manufacturer Weigang displayed an 8-color ZJR-350G in-line flexo press and ZX-320 intermittent offset presses.

RK Label Printing Machinery showcased its tower-type flexo press which was sold to a customer in Saudi Arabia.

Vinsak promoted Lombardi flexo presses, Iwasaki intermittent flexo and offset presses and Rotatek new edition offset intermittent and wide-web presses. Vinsak has major plans for the relaunch of the Rotatek brand, which will be covered in a future edition of L&L.

Ranesh Bajaj, director of Vinsak, comments: ‘A lot of people are saying that UAE is getting crowded as a market and I tend to agree. Earlier, UAE was supplying into Middle East and Africa and now these countries are building their own capabilities. While it may be tough for UAE converters, for machine suppliers, new markets are opening up. Every country in Africa needs to have local production after Covid and supply chain disruptions which continue even now. Every country in the region is preferring to go local. We see Saudi Arabia as an emerging market. So, this region is picking up very strongly. We also see Oman trying to grow as well.’

Digital technology

Digital printing technology could not be overlooked with a surge in demand for short runs, variable printing and customized packaging.

Epson demonstrated its SurePress L-4733AW water-based digital label press along with its desktop printers ColorWorks C6500 and C4000 featuring cloud-enabled, on-demand color label printing.

Pulisi promoted its DPIM 330FUV inkjet press that prints at 60m /min in 1200x600 DPI resolution with maximum width of 330mm. The press can be configured with inline flexo print stations for coating and spot color applications.

Konica Minolta showcased its AccurioLabel 400 digital label press which prints at speeds up to 39.9m/min in CMYK with the option to add white.

Konica Minolta also promoted its AccurioLabel 230 digital press and MGI AccurioShine 3600 digital embellishment press. The company sold five units of its narrow web production machines and two units of AccurioShine 3600 embellishment machine.

Nayyar Ansari, printing group leader, Konica Minolta, says: ‘Digital labels are in demand across various segments like packaging, food, fashion, and information in the MENA region. Labels produced with digital technology allows efficient production of short-run jobs, needs less space, has no tooling cost, and is compatible with various substrates.’

Flora displayed its J-330s/450 5-color CYMK+white digital inkjet label press. Arrow Systems promoted its ArrowJet presses powered by Memjet’s water-based DuraFlex technology.

Bobst promoted its conventional and digital products and service portfolio and showcased inkjet printheads, the core of its inkjet digital technology.

Khaled Joundi, zone business director Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan at Bobst, comments: ‘There are several key trends shaping the packaging industry in the MEA market. Sustainability, for example, is a paramount concern with increased demand of sustainable substrates. So, recyclable, degradable materials with high barrier properties are in demand.

‘Connectivity and digitalization are also key trends with integration of smart technology to improve the supply chain vision and product traceability. We are also seeing increased demand for short runs, driven by consumer behavior and preferences. There is also a challenge of shortage of skilled labor. All these key trends are creating a landscape for innovation and growth in the market.’

Xeikon promoted its Lion LX3000 press. With a web width of 330mm, the Xeikon Lion LX3000 is a five-color dry toner press that runs at 42m/min.

Multisystem displayed its desktop CMYK+pure color spot thermal transfer printing and cutting machine for sign and labels and also showed direct-to-pouch printing system Pro3000 series that enables single-pass white under CMYK.

Also demonstrated was the OKI Pro9542 direct-to-packaging system. It prints in CMYK plus high density white-under single pass printing. The printer is used by leading FMCG brands such as Toblerone for variable print on pre-printed packaging.

MTex displayed entry-level digital flexible packaging printer, the NS FlexPack 6/10 in 800mm. The printer uses water-based inks and incorporates inline lamination. The company also demonstrated NSAtom2 and NS Cutmaster digital label print-and-cut machines. The systems can print variable data onto pre-cut labels.

Showcasing new technologies for the commercial printing market Ricoh demonstrated Ricoh Pro C9500, Ricoh Pro C7500 and Ricoh Auto Color Adjuster. GCG Kyocera featured the Taskalfa Pro 15000c color sheet-fed inkjet production printer. Heidelberg focused on its Versafire product range for printing banners up to 1,260mm and printing on paper media from 40 to 470g/m2 duplex.

Materials and UV products

The region is seeing demand for sustainable materials and a transition to UV LED-curing inks and non-solvent based adhesives.

Jindal SMI Coated Products promoted its range of sustainable self-adhesive labelstock at the show.

Akash Goyal, business lead – Americas at Jindal SMI, says: ‘It has been a good show for us. We saw a lot of footfall coming in since day one. We are seeing landscape that has changed in the last six months being reflected and observed as far as the show is concerned. Earlier the labelstock manufacturers exhibiting at the show were just two or three, now there are more than 12.’

Goyal adds that investment in machines is also increasing in the region. ‘Other than that, we also see Europeans coming into this market and this exhibition, signaling the fact that there can be cross pollination in how business can be operated.’

Harshal Mahajan, sales head – export at Jindal SMI comments that new entrants are being drawn to the local market, observing the achievements of established players who have shaped Dubai’s print and converting landscape over the past decade. Now, business growth is extending beyond Dubai to neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with Dubai emerging as a hub for African nations, too.

‘Another trend we are seeing is focus on brands on sustainable packaging where Jindal SMI plays a major role. We have sustainable films, and films with PCR content. We make our own PET liners and adhesive grades developed for recyclability and wash-off labels.’

Frimpeks promoted UV and water-based inks and coating for flexo, offset and screen printing. Mondulapresented LED low migration UV adhesive luxbond LM 1200. Cooluv Technology showcased two of its UV LED curing systems: SuperCure series for narrow-web applications and UltraCure series for sheet-fed applications.

Bright Ink & Coating promoted its portfolio ranging across UV, water-based, and UV LED and brand protection inks.

Digital finishing and inspection

Printech Middle East represented its partners including Omet, Eukalin and Prati. The company’s stand featured a 450mm-wide Prati Saturn inspection rewinder equipped with a 100 percent inspection system. Options on the line include laser die-cutting, varnishing, flexo printing and cold-foiling.

Chiara Prati, CEO and CSO at Prati, says: ‘The show went very well for us. We saw many visitors not just from the region but also from other countries like Africa, Algeria, Egypt. These days printers focus on low-cost machines, but companies that want to distinguish themselves from others and deliver quality - especially to brand owners - of course, are a big potential market for us. We have more than 100 installations in the Middle East market.’

Vinsak showcased the latest high build varnish system featuring higher speeds and ability to print variable data on holographic foils. Vinsak sold two label presses, six high build label systems, one slitter with semi-automatic turret rewinder and one high speed flatbed die-cutter. Most of the machines were sold in UAE, some went to Africa and one in Saudi Arabia.

Anoop Plastic displayed its Lucid Imaging OptiCheck Label vision inspection system.

For more information visit gulfprintpack.com