PAMEX 2020 marks most successful edition ever till date

Spread across Hall 1 & 2 of BEC, PAMEX 2020 opened its doors with a never-before-seen inaugural function consisting of 25 chief guests. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the printing industry, including Falit Pandya (Ahmedabad Printing Press Association), Surendra Dhote (All Bengal Printers Association), Prakash Joshi (Aurangabad Mudrak Sangh), Ashok Gupta (Bhopal Master Printers Association), Nitin Shah (Bombay Master Printers Association), Dalip Tuli (Greater Delhi Master Printers Association), Avadesh Awasthi (Kanpur Press Owners Association), Balasaheb Ambekar (Maharashtra Mudran Parishad), Tushar Dhote (Mumbai Mudrak Sangh), Raveendra Joshi (Poona Press Owners Association), Sandeep Kumar Sanyal (West Bengal Master Printers Association), Dr Ravindra Gandhi (AIPIMA), Dilip Bhise (Screen Printer Association of India), Dibyajoyti Kalita (All India Federation of Master Printers) Neetu Arora (Print-Packaging.Com Pvt Ltd), Puskal Gautam (Federation of Nepal Printers Association), Delan F Silva (Sri Lanka Association of Printers), Sabine Geidermann (drupa), Jennifer Chen (China Academy of Printing Technology), Prof Kamal Chopra (All India Federation of Master Printers), Dayakar Reddy (IPAMA) and K Rajendran (All India Federation of Master Printers).

More than 375 exhibitors at PAMEX 2020 presented latest innovations and developments from the industry with 100 plus product launches, live demos of more than 250 machines and several other attractions. On the first day of the show, several deals had been sealed on the spot. As the footfalls of visitors recorded high in all four days of PAMEX 2020, it was evident that an unprecedented amount of business had been recorded on the last day of expo.

Machines sold and deals sealed

On the first day of the expo, Zhongke India sold its Yongshun YS KC 108 automatic speed window lamination machine to Chennai-based RS Graphics. “This will mark the machine’s first installation in India,” said Rohit Rajpal, Director, Zhongke India on the selling of the new window lamination machine. Udaipur-based Miraj Multicolour also finalised an order for the same machine while the Bengaluru-based Asha Sweets Center bought an automatic rigid box-making machine. Further, Vadodara-based Concord Printing invested in a Wenhong 1050 SF automatic die-cutting and hot-foil stamping machine and an LC-740 automatic corner cutting and line pressing window patching machine from Zhongke India.

Again, on the first day, Ample Graphics sold its fully integrated Lishunyuan line of rigid box making machine to Bengaluru-based Tholasi Prints India. The machine features robotic arm positioning system, in-line case making system, etc. Canon India also sold its imagePRESS C8000 to Mumbai-based Commercial Art Engravers. The press is equipped with Fiery B4100 software for VDP personalisation and it is designed for VDP, photo, barcode and QR code.

Delhi-based Citi Digital Press signed a deal with Monotech for advanced Scodix Ultra

Pro with foil replacing their existing four-year-old Scodix S75. Another Delhi-based company Advantage Offset booked a KOMORI Lithrone G437 on the first day of the expo. The machine can run at the maximum speed up to 15000 sph with online coater. Later, Polykam Offset booked a five-colour Komori GL 537 plus online coater printing press.

NBG Printographic Machinery sold its rigid box making machine to Hyderabad-based Kala Jyoti, which is an old customer of NBG and satisfied user of rigid box making machines from NBG over the last three years. The new machine is designed for producing boxes for mobile phones, gifts, cosmetics, etc. Baroda-based VS Packaging Ind invested in iECHO high speed digital cutting system from Emerging Graphics. Mujahid Sulemani, General Manager of Emerging Graphics said the machine is for proofing and other short-run jobs. They chose the machine after an extensive R&D over a long period of time.

On other side, Mumbai-based print finishing equipment specialist Hitech sold over 50 Machines worth over Rs 2.3 cr during the expo. “We greeted more than 1,500 visitors during the four-day expo,” informed Parag Shah of Hitech. Nippon Color reported six orders for Insun CTP Machines during the expo. Akshat Pardiwala, CEO, Nippon Color confirmed the selling by the end of the second day. Likewise, Robus sold five machines—two die-cutters and three folder-gluer machines.

Alpana finalised deals of eight machines including Rhino Dexa twin deck coaters totalling an amount of Rs 5 cr during the expo with customers from Algeria and Nepal. Another exhibitor which bagged five orders during the expo was Mumbai-based Acme Machinery Company which highlighted corrugation machines, mini effluent treatment plant (ETP) and others.

To strengthen their new venture in packaging domain, Bengaluru-based Kandalaa Prints invested in a Bobst Ambition A1 and Novacut 106 3.0 die-cutter. The company sealed the deals with BOBST during PAMEX 2020.

The new machines will be installed at the company’s facility in Harohalli Industrial Area. DGM India received eight orders for its foil stamping machines, die-cutters and folder-gluers during the expo. The line of machine demonstrated by the company at its stand consisted of SmartFold 1100 folder-gluer and others.

On other side, Vijaya Grafiks bagged two orders for its Vijaya Veenine 65 carton folder gluer from JP Print N Pack (Sahibabad, UP) and Shri Balaji Industries (Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh). Prakash Offset Machinery demonstrated its fully automated PBM 2BM PC1117 box making machine for making V-box, which was booked by a Pune-based packaging firm during the expo. SPB Machinery announced its PTF-130 cake tray folding machine being sold to Lucknow-based Shree Shyam Packaging during PAMEX 2020. Five Star Machinery also reported of selling five of its machines during the expo.

World leaders redefine printing at WPCF 2020 Conference

On the sidelines of PAMEX 2020, World Print & Communication Forum (WPCF) 2020 Conference was held with a host of world leaders redefining what future holds for the printing industry, referring to research findings and instances in their countries. At the inaugural session of WPCF 2020 Conference, Prof Kamal Chopra, Chairman, PAMEX, announced that the conference would give birth to every one of us all over again in the industry. That’s why he wished everybody “Happy Birthday” as the sessions in the conference were designed to reshape the future of the printing industry and convert business of everyone into new janam (life).

Other speakers in the session, Dibyajyoti Kalita, President, AIFMP (All India Federation of Master Printers) and Raveendra Joshi, Chairman, Organising Committee–WPCF, said the future is shining with highly advanced technologies, so is the printing industry. Moderated by Prof Rajendrakumar Anayath, VC, Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science & Technology, the technical session of the conference was unfolded with keynote address by Narendra Paruchuri, Chief Managing Director, Pragati Offset Pvt Ltd, talking on the topic ‘Printing- Kal, Aaj aur Kal’. He informed everyone to update with digital collaboration and new technologies. “Change is the only constant in life. Otherwise every one of us will be thrown out,” he conveyed.

Kaz Arai, General Manager, Public Relations, The Japan Federation of Printing Industries, in his speech explained about the current trends in the Japanese printing industries and how innovations in printing will bring new direction in future. In the following session, Abdool Majid Mahomed, Chief Executive Officer, PRINTING SA, talked about the challenges facing the industry in South Africa and their new value proposition for members of PIPSA. He said that they currently have 345 members, which they are making 900 soon.

In her presentation on current trends in Europe and legislative challenges facing the printing industry, Beatrice Klose, Secretary General, Intergraf, The European Federation for Print and Digital Communication, talked about the Circular Economy, which is designed to reduce single use plastic. Speakers in the successive sessions were Michael Makin, President & CEO, Printing Industries of America; Chang Xioxia, General Manager, CCDC Culture Co Ltd and Beijing Keyin Media & Culture Co Ltd;

Dr Ashutosh Tripathi, R&D Group, National Centre for Flexible Electronics, IIT Kanpur; and Dr Markus Heering, Managing Director, German Association of Printing and Paper Technology.

New launches

PAMEX 2020 had array of new launches of machines and technologies. Monotech unwrapped JETSCI COLORAQUA Hybrid, full colour digital label press, which is powered by Memjet water-based pigment ink technology for printing in 1600 dpi at 45m/min. Autoprint introduced Checkmate 25 for pharmaceutical packaging, which is fitted with three cameras to accept a maximum carton size of 25x300mm length and minimum 80x80mm.“We present a huge portfolio of our products, but our spotlight is on the newly launched Checkmate 25,” told CN Ashok, MD, Autoprint Machinery Manufacturers Pvt Ltd.

Canon introduced new imagePROGRAF PRO-541S at the expo—a large-format print workhorse, an ideal next-generation workhorse to drive any business for production of commercial advertisement posters, signage, POS, soft proofing and others. Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-541S delivers graphics in maximum print resolution of 2400×1200 dpi. Baumer Group launched economical XACT cold glue application, an economical system compatible with any folder gluer. “Six folder gluers running at six different stands of PAMEX 2020 are equipped with our XACT cold glue application,” said Manoj Kumar, Senior Sales Manager, Baumer India Pvt Ltd.

TechNova launched VioGreen VZH offset plates for the newspaper industry at PAMEX 2020. It is the company’s latest addition to its portfolio of photopolymer offset plates. It requires zero heat for plate production, eliminating the need for a preheat unit, resulting in significant savings on investment and energy cost. Additional benefits include increased floor space and relaxed air conditioning requirements in the prepress department. On other side, Riso India introduced digital screen maker which helps to make screens digitally without the need for chemical, water or emulsions. In addition, the company displayed production print solutions ComColor – both black and full colour machines – for high speed, large volume prints.

Key showcases

Konica Minolta presented a complete eco-system of digital printing solutions at its stall during the expo. “We present the whole gamut of our products, from bizhubPRESS C110, AccurioPRESS roll-to-roll printers to MGI Jet Varnish press, with a gallery full of print samples produced on these systems,” informed Ashok Sethi, Executive General Manager – Sales, Product & Industrial Print Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions India. He added that the digital printing has revolutionised the industry over traditional methods that consume time and effort.

Indo Poly Machines Corporation, a leading exporter, supplier and manufacturer of knife sharpening machines & Automatic surface-cum edge grinding machines, demonstrated its flagship Poly Master automatic knife sharpening and surface-cum-edge grinding machines at PAMEX 2020. The export quality machines are perfectly designed and engineered for Re-grinding for

all Indian & Imported Paper Cutting Machines like Polar, Muller Martini, Seypa, Wholenberg, Maxima, Rekord, Hycut, Proteck, Sudarshan, Line-O-Matic online cutters and many others. Indo Poly offers special type attachment for re-grinding for TCT Carbide Blades for all imported paper cutting machines.

Poly Master automatic knife grinding machines of Indo Poly Machines Corporation are widely used among all leading printers & packaging units in India and overseas countries including Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, Oman, Kenya, Indonesia and many others.

On other side, EPSON pulled crowd with its SureColor S60607L,which combines EPSON’s dual PrecisionCore thin film printing (TFP)

printhead with its UltraChrome GS3 ink technology, which can incorporate bulk ink system of 3L. Main applications of SC-S60670L include backlit graphics, indoor posters and wallpapers.

Advanced Graphic Systems showcased colour matching solutions during the expo.

The product line consisted of various solutions for proofing, printing, matching and cutting from its various principals, such as Aoke, tec4check, X-rite, SHCC, ColorGate, gbos, TVT and CST. BOBST highlighted competency of folder gluer at its stall. “We have developed our folder gluer in our Pune plant. The machine is ideal for those looking for automated system,” said Venugopal Menon, Zone Business Director, Business Unit–Sheet Fed, BOBST India Pvt Ltd.

Chemo Graphic International showcased a compete portfolio of consumables that consisted of blankets, roller wash, fountain solution, etc. “Our ‘image’ cutting systems are simple and easy to operate, designed with user friendly interface,” informed Kireet Bhuta, Chairman, Chemo Graphic International. Ahmedabad-based Lisco Systems, a leading manufacturer of UV flatbed printers, showcased a flagship digital UV flatbed printer— LS3040 UV flatbed printer of 30×40 cm, which is designed for diverse range of applications such as mobile phones, key chains, laptops and others.

Modular Infotech offered upgraded versions of its Shree-Lipi fonts, which are available in 13 Indian languages for different segments viz. newspaper houses, government offices, educational institutes, publishers, and others. Westland rollers pulled crowd at the stall of Nova Printing Solutions which distributes Westland rollers for sheet-fed and web offset presses in India. “Westland rollers are premium products designed for big newspaper houses. In India, we supply to all plants of The Times of India and ABP. In Europe, we occupy 60 percent market share. Now, we are exploring the sheet-fed segment in India,” said Peter van Dijk, Director Offset Division, Westland, Malle, Germany.

Reprographic System & Supplies offered complete consumables presenting a whole gamut of consumables. The company is a one stop shop for offset consumables. The stand of the company was swarmed with visitors looking for premium quality consumables from the world’s leading European and Asia brands. The portfolio consists of Diaso G-Tape Creasing Matrix, Ejection Sponge, Conti-Air Blanket, among others. RSG Solutions displayed packaging proofing and mock-up production solutions comprising proofing, colour management and print standardisation solutions from the world’s renowned companies. The company demonstrated ORIS Flex Pack/web software which offered integrated soft proofing, proof certification and halftone support.

Standard Printers Providers promoted Taiyo STF 340 label press suitable for printing on a wide range of substrates at the speed of 150 mpm. On other side, Emerging Graphics showcased small size iECHO finishing system which is designed for short-run jobs. The automatic intelligent cutting system adopts fully automated lifting and feeding platform. Ample Graphics ran live four newly introduced post-press machines from Shanghai Tiancen Machinery, Lishunyuan, AOER and ChenLin Tech. The four machines were running live during the expo showcasing versatility and robustness of their inbuilt quality.

The latest addition to TechNova’s Green product portfolio, Adonis TZP – the Zero Process Thermal Plate was showcased at the company’s stand. Adonis TZP completely eliminates the need for aprocessor, resulting in significant savings in capex. It also helps reduce energy consumption, eliminates waste and effluent disposal, considerably reducing operational & maintenance costs. Xerox showcased its range of future-ready digital printing presses, which included Iridesse,Versant V3100, Versant 180 PrimeLink C9065/C9070 and provided the visitors the first look of its new 100 ppm monochrome press, Prime Link B9100 during PAMEX 2020.

Acme Machinery Company showcased its high speed fingerless single facer corrugation machine, and mini ETP filter press unit for waste flexo ink recycling. As the word ‘Acme’ defines the ‘highest point’, the company has taken to the greatest height of perfection and technology, and has grown over the years specialising in manufacturing paper cutting, platen punching, automatic carton folder gluer going on to corrugated carton production line from line speed 30 mpm to now up to 150 mpm. Suba Solutions demonstrated two machines – an offline stripping and blanking machine, and a fully automatic V-cut window patching machine. According to V Vaidyalingam of Suba Solutions, the window patching machine displayed at the event is a first of its kind machine in India.

Prof Kamal Chopra, Chairman of PAMEX, said that PAMEX 2020 witnessed unprecedented response with a record 10,000 unique visitors on day 3. “We are sure that the next edition of the expo in March 2022 will be even bigger. We have already booked an additional hall to promote the label industry,” he informed. PAMEX 2022 will be held at Bombay Exhibition Centre from March 23-26, 2022.

Testimonies of visitors

“I regularly visit PAMEX, almost every edition. My main reason for visiting this expo in India, coming all the way from Nepal to Mumbai, is that this is the only event which gives us the information on latest technologies and market trends. In addition, PAMEX is where I connect with our customers.”
–Amar Shakya
Sewa Printing Press, Nepal

“PAMEX is one of the prolific platforms where a whole gamut of printing and packaging production machines and technologies are accumulated. I feel good and inspired to be here in every edition of this expo. When we want to know what is trending and new in the industry, this expo is the right place for that in the Indian subcontinent.”
–Bhava Rajbhandari
Premier Printing Press, Nepal

“I am a regular visitor to PAMEX. Since I am a printing and packaging consultant,I have been receiving a lot of enquiries from my clients about eco-friendly packaging after the government had put a ban on single use plastics. I am here to develop my knowledge and collect updated information about eco-friendly packaging. Visiting PAMEX this year was a good experience because I have been able to find various packaging samples which are sustainable and recyclable.”
–Partha Pratim Sanyal
Printing &Packaging Consultant, Kolkata

“I am an offset printer looking to diversify to packaging, and that is the reason why I am here. I have been visiting Pamex since many times now. This year I can see good packaging and digital machines and I may soon decide my next plan of action. What I liked most is that most of these machines are running live on the showfloor.”
–Nagesh Shendge
Vision Graphics, Solapur, Maharashtra

“Although my interest is in signage and flex printing machines, I have come to visit the show because I want to see what new is happening in the print and packaging industry. Seeing new machines and technologies at the show is a very nice experience for me. It will be nice if the exhibitors also include signage and flex printing companies in its exhibitor list in future.”
–Narsimha Mudhiraj
Mega Ads, Sangareddy, Telangana

“This is my first Pamex and I have come to see the latest UV machines available in the market. I have visited a few UV machine companies at the event and will soon decide which machine to go for. I am planning to invest in a creasing machine too. I may order the machines tomorrow – though not quite sure about it. Will visit the event tomorrow again and take the final decision.”
–Jahangeer
Zoya UV Prints, Hyderabad