Label & packaging industry converge at Labelexpo India 2022

Held from November 10-13 November, 2022, Labelexpo India featured more than 250 exhibitors from around the world, and particularly showcased the advances made by the Indian supplier industry in the four years since the last India show. The aisles were buzzing and multiple deals were closed through the four days of the show.

The inauguration…

The show was opened by Pradeep Saroha, Event Director of Labelexpo India; Rajesh Nema, President of Labels Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI); Jaideep Singh, Honorary Secretary, LMAI; Raveendra Joshi, president of All India Federation of Master Printers; Kamal Chopra, President, World Print & Communication Forum; AVPS Chakravarthi, Global Ambassador of World Packaging Organisation; Mohammad Shamsul Islam,Senior Vice Chairman of Printing Industry association of Bangladesh; Peter Deckker, President of Sri Lanka Association of Printers and Andy Thomas-Emans, Strategic Director of Tarsus Labels, Packaging and Brand Print Group.

Major attractions at the show…

Among key global launches at Labelexpo India 2022 was a hybrid press developed jointly by Domino and UV Graphic Technologies, incorporating a retractable digital print bar in line with multi-color digital and flexo print units.

Vijay Kamat, Product Manager – IP, PP & IP Marketing Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India Pvt Ltd, shared, “Konica Minolta has given lot of focus on digital label business. So, our flagship product, AccurioLabel 230, which we are demonstrating in this show, is running live and a lot of people are coming with their files for printing. Customers are happy to see actual functioning of the machine. Soon, we are going to launch Accuriolabel 400 in India, but the samples of this machine are showcased at this show. The machine will have lot of new features but white ink is the main attraction. Other than this feature, the speed of the machine has been increased to 39.9 meter. We have also added intelligent quality station which is an IQ 520 station which is coming as an inline to the machine. Other than that, we also introduced new toner particles in the machine for more media compatibility.”

A spectacular showcase
for Monotech!

Label Expo 2022 was very successful for Monotech/JETSCI /Tracesci and has exceeded our expectations in all respects, be it closing the deals, meeting new prospects or creating awareness in the industry about the true potential of Digital Label printing & Label enhancement solutions,” said TP Jain, Managing Director, Monotech Systems Ltd.
“It was a matter of pride for us to showcase our top of the line 7 Color UV inkjet Label press- Colornovo Hybrid with capabilities and configuration which none other industry players worldwide currently offer. It received huge acclaim from everyone who has seen the machine printing the most difficult jobs live at the show – shrink sleeves, lamitubes besides normal label stock. We also got tremendous response for our other products on display – newly launched Color Aqua Hybrid, Label Embellishment solution – dspark , Marking & Coding solution -HR26, award winning Track and Trace solution-Tracesci for brand protection, authentication and traceability. We were overwhelmed with the response at the show,” he added.

The company closed many deals during the show. Color Aqua Hybrid was sold to Sonepat based Wonderpac, Colornovo Hybrid to Noida based security label manufacturer, two orders for Kolorsmart+ were closed with the Label manufacturers in Western and Central India and one dSpark from Western India (will announce the names soon).

Talking about the show, Jain further shared, “It was a very well organised and well attended show. The hard work and professionalism of the organiser were evidently visible.”
“There is a paradigm shift in labels & packaging industry from conventional to digital printing / finishing with a number of growth drivers like emergence of a lot of small and medium enterprises, smaller run lengths, versioning, variable data printing, quick turnaround time, embellishment. The capabilities of digital solutions have increased multifold with very competitive Capex/Opex which shall result in much faster adoption going forward. “Digital is the perfect fit for all and can do even more….”. Now is the time for Digital Label solutions to take a big leap!!” concluded Jain.

Besides, Konica Minolta also showcased print samples of its upcoming press MGI JETvarnish 3D Web to be launched in early 2023. The JETvarnish 3D Web allows printers of labels, sleeves, flexible packaging, or flexible cartons to apply a 100 percent digital finishing on rolls ranging from 100mm width to 420mm, on media previously printed in offset, flexo and digital. This equipment applies selective UV varnish and hot foil stamping, in 2D/3D, on all types of labels or light cardboard, using MGI inkjet technology. The selective UV varnish and the hot foil stamping adds sensory and tactile dimension to labels.

“We are getting a variety of visitors at the show include convertors and print buyers. Since last six years, we have been coming with new machines for the label industry every year or two. So that shows our focus and commitment on the label industry,” added Vijay.

Multitec premiered its S1 full servo press in an 8-color 450mm-wide configuration with combined LED-UV and UV dryers and multi-layer coupon label kit. Webtech unveiled the 410mm-wide servo-equipped X1 flexo press with a smart E+L inline inspection system.

Rajesh Gandhi, VP (Label & Packaging + Inkjet Busines), Fujifilm Sericol India Pvt Ltd, shared, “We are happy to be here after four years and connect with the industry. We are introducing aqueous label inks here. Besides, we are displaying other conventional products as well. There are more overseas visitors at the show this time and we are happy to meet them.”

JN Arora displayed OKI’s Pro 1050 Label Printer that represents an exciting step range in label printing. This development in print technology incorporates diverse media capability, creative and flexible design and cutting-edge LED colour technology. The Pro1050 is a highly versatile device that will create a wide impact across various industries, whether used in-house or by print businesses to increase print for profit.

At their stand, Mohnish Grewal of Hypak India was also present, which offers a flash-spun metamaterial made from virgin polyethylene polymers. “HyPak is resistant to tear, water, and all types of chemicals, making it an ideal substrate for durable tags, labels, and industrial packaging. Its non-woven structure provides uniqueness to the look and feel, providing exceptional printability with traditional and digital printing,” told Mohnish. “We have tied up with JN Arora for marketing of our products,” he added.

While, Epson India relaunched the SurePress range of digital label presses– the Epson SurePress L-6534VW, which comes with CMYK+ white with inline digital varnish. “We are getting good response for the same,” shared company’s spokesperson.

Arnab Maiti, General Manager- South Asia, Esko, shared, “We are demonstrating our latest innovations, from our CDI Crystal XPS flexo platemaking solution through to our AVT print inspection technologies, so that visitors can see for themselves how Esko solutions empower label professionals to improve ways of working, eradicate waste and optimize operational processes. Our software and hardware solutions combine to deliver the most effective, state-of-the-art workflow automation and quality inspection for label converters,” he said.

Esko also emphasized the benefit of automated processes by demonstrating its AVT Helios line at Labelexpo India. A market-proven, automatic 100% inspection solution designed for labels and other narrow web printing applications, the Helios system automatically inspects the printed web for defects and imperfections, delivering exceptional quality results and eliminating customer rejections.

Prakash Chopra, Arrow Digital shared that they are showcasing water-based pigment ink digital printer for the first time and they got very good response at the show. “We are now offering narrow web label solutions in a big way,” he added.

H.B. Fuller launched its first filled hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) to address tape and label die-cutting challenges.

HP launched innovative printing
solutions at Labelexpo India

To showcase innovative and engaging printing solutions for the growing and differentiating labels and packaging businesses, HP Indigo in collaboration with Technova Imaging Solutions, featured live demonstrations from the entire HP label and packaging solutions portfolio including workflow, printing, and converting.

HP also showcased a range of applications from worldwide converters transforming and growing business with HP Indigo’s Liquid Electrophotography (LEP)-based digital printing, demonstrating why brands worldwide and in all industries prefer HP Indigo label and packaging solutions.

The commercially available HP Indigo Pack Ready for Labels solution enabling the production of high-resistance labels for food, household, industrial and chemical applications was also displayed at the event. A range of breakthrough HP Indigo ElectroInks for labels and packaging was an additional highlight on the HP booth, with HP Indigo ElectroInk Silver. The ink supports a wide range of spot, and metallic colors enabling new, high-value digital applications with cost-effective production.

A Appadurai, Country Manager, Indigo & Inkjet Business Solutions, HP India said, “We believe in limitless possibilities with HP Indigo digital printing and continue to reinvent the labels & packaging industry with innovation that enables customers & brands to transform their businesses. Labelexpo India 2018 marked the largest show to date in the region, and after 3 years the event is back in full swing. We are thrilled to present new printing opportunities at Labelexpo India this year and showcase the most advanced & trusted technology solution for the label and packaging segment from India and around the world.”
In the security zone, visitors got an immersive experience in the first of its kind of Security and Brand Protection zone. They saw the most advanced and leading-edge security and brand protection solutions including new and exclusive covert serialization with HP Indigo ElectroInks Invisible, unique layered brand protection with micro-text, anti-copy/anti-counterfeiting marks, track and trace, and much more.

“We have displayed 250 new applications at the show, of which 95% have been produced for brands in India by Indian convertors. These unique projects have been implemented by our esteemed HP Indigo users in India. We look forward to engaging with the visitors and building strong relationships with our prospects, and business partners looking at discovering new growth opportunities with HP,” adds Appadurai. “We are also showcasing HP Indigo 6K Digital press, on which these applications have been produced. We already have 2000 installation of this press worldwide. In India, we have around 20 presses, producing 1.5 million impressions per day, which is very huge in terms of volume, around 20% more than the average global volume. There are two reasons for it – one, India is becoming the start-up capital of the world and people are using HP Indigo to produce innovative solutions and secondly next generation is joining the printing business, who wish to innovate.”

“We are also focusing on sustainability here. It is a fact that 25% of packaging material is never used, this can be controlled by going digital. Another thing we are highlighting here is the future of servicing of our technologies,” he added.

Global suppliers like Avery Dennison, BST, GEW, Omet, Bobst, DuPont, Esko and Miraclon were also present.
Armor Iimak displayed thermal transfer ribbons at the show. “This is our first Asian show and we got very good response,” said Thaddea Wong, Marketing Manager – ASPAC, Armor Iimak.

Labelexpo India 2022 featured the Indian Label Association (LMAI) awards, showcased in a gala event at the showground.

While Grant Blewett, chief commercial officer, Miraclon, said, “Labelexpo India is the premier labeling show within the Indian market. Labelexpo is something that is very important for Miraclon and has been for many years, so it was good to be back. We were impressed with how busy it has been and have seen many really good customers and prospects.”

Pradeep Saroha, event director Labelexpo India 2022, commented,“Labelexpo India 2022 was the biggest show so far in its history in terms of both participation and visitors.

The four-day show was packed with new visitors from commercial print industry eyeing labels market and neighbouring countries including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Nippon Color partners with Fujifilm for water-washable flexo solution

Akshat Padriwala, Chief Operating Officer, Nippon Color, shares more about this partnership and their tie-up with Screen in a brief conversation with Print & Publishing.

P&P: Brief us about your partnership with Fujifilm for water-washable flexo solution?

Akshat: Nippon Color has partnered with Fujifilm for their green solutions, namely Superia Processless Thermal CTP Plates and Flenex FW Water-Wash Flexo Plates. While the processless offset plates eliminates the time and cost of processing, the water-wash flexo plates allows you to easily switch from solvents to an environmentally friendly technology with higher productivity and more durability.

Fujifilm believe that “sustainable development” of the Earth, mankind, and companies in the 21st century is an issue that must be addressed with the highest priority, and we at Nippon Color completely support their Green Policy. Nippon Color aims to be a socially responsible corporation that promotes solutions with our environmental values in mind.

Nippon Color has been authorised to promote, sell and service Fujifilm’s equipment and consumables PAN India.

P&P: What was the response for this at Labelexpo?

Akshat: Our focus at Label Expo was on Fujifilm’s water-wash flexo plate processor C-Touch and Flenex FW plates and we got a tremendous response. Many label printers, who are using multiple flexo presses, have shown interest in our solutions mainly because the processing of plates is environmentally safer and only 40 minutes long. Since we were already offering Flexo CTP machines from Cron and Screen, adding Fujifilm’s water-wash solution made it easier for us to offer a complete turnkey solution. We have started offering special prices on the equipment with a contract on plate volumes. Investing in a prepress set up for flexo printers have never been easier and this affordable.

P&P: Also brief us about your tie-up with Screen?

Akshat: Our partnership with Screen dates back to 1972 when we introduced this brand in the Indian markets. We have installed many scanners, imagesetters, and CTP devices during that period and are excited to be associated with them again. We have been authorised to sell and service the complete portfolio including Offset CTP, Flexo CTP and Truepress Jet UV Inkjet Label Printing machines.

P&P: What all products are you focusing on?

Akshat: Currently, our main focus is on 1) Screen’s UV Inkjet Label Press, and 2) Fujifilm’s water-wash flexo solution.

Screen Truepress Jet L350UV delivers the inkjet technology developed by Screen over many years optimized for label printing.

FW photopolymer plates contain a special rubber-based compound that offers a number of inherent advantages over other elastomeric materials from which most other flexo plates are made.

Flenex FW water-washable plates reduce platemaking processing times to less than 40 minutes, 300% faster than leading solvent systems and 1.5 times faster than current thermal and water-wash technologies.

P&P: What are your expectations from these two tie-ups?

Akshat: If you look at it, our solutions talked above are targeted at the same set of customers; label printers with multiple flexo presses. We are offering sustainability in both our solutions, in digital label printing and in-house platemaking using water-wash flexo plates. Both technologies will help label printers to reduce waste, carbon footprint, and become environmentally friendly.