Labelexpo India 2016 closed its most successful show to date on November 20, 2016, as it was held for the first time at the India Expo Center in Greater Noida (Delhi NCR). The four-day trade show was its biggest-ever edition in terms of both the number of exhibitors and the record-setting 8,029 visitors.

Billed as the largest dedicated label and package printing event for the South Asia region, Labelexpo India amassed the latest technology and solutions available to printers with over 200 exhibitors occupying the show floor. The show was used as a catalyst for many new product launches with announcements from Atul Papers, Avery Dennison, Bobst, DuPont, Flint Group, GEW, HB Fuller, Konica Minolta, manroland, Monotech Systems, Nilpeter, Omet, PGI Technologies, SPGPrints, UPM Raflatac, Webtech and Zonten.

Endorsed and supported by the Label Manufacturers Association of India, All India Federation of Master Printers, Delhi Printers Association and Authentication Solution Providers’ Association, Labelexpo India also hosted the revered LMAI Avery Dennison Label Awards. The prestigious gongs were given out for excellence in six categories: Flexo, Letterpress, Offset, Combination Printing, Digital and by gold sponsor Avery Dennison. The event was also supported by silver sponsors: Iwasaki Tekko, Label Planet, Nilpeter, Omet, Orthotec, UPM Raflatac, Vinsak and Xeikon.

Jade Grace, Labelexpo India event director comments: “2016’s edition of Labelexpo India has been an enormous success with a 50% rebook for 2018. The venue move has been well received and got the seal of approval from both exhibitors and visitors. The watchwords from this year’s show were definitely new technology launches and press sales. Business being done on the show floor was really amplified by the numerous innovations unveiled during Labelexpo that could be transformative for the Indian market. We also had excellent feedback on the calibre and variety of buyers visiting the show, with many significant sales contracts being inked by exhibitors including: Alliance Printech, Grafotronic, HP, Marks Enterprises, Multitec Aids, Nilpeter, Omet, Vinsak and Xeikon.”

Omet’s iFlex gets Asian market launch, sells two
Labelexpo India was the setting for the official launch of Omet’s iFlex into the Asian market. And the Italian press manufacturer reported great success with the sale of two iFlex machines.

The first iFlex is to be installed at Huhtamäki PPL Webtech Labels in Mumbai, in the beginning of 2017. The Finnish group is specialized in flexible packaging and has been active in the market for more than 80 years, counting 14 manufacturing sites in India.

The other iFlex sale went to Insight Graphics, who selected the press to “re-start,” it’s business after a terrible fire destroyed its label division based in Kolkata. “I’m very impressed by iFlex’s performance,” said Ashish Shah, managing director for Insight Graphics. “Even if it is an entry-level press, it features a deep level of automation and it is extremely easy to use,” he added.

“We are very glad that two of the greatest and most promising players in the Asian market chose Ome,” commented Paolo Grasso, Omet’s area manager for India. “They understood the value of the technology applied to our machines and how fast they can generate their ROI.”

“The two sales took place within the first two days of the exhibition, demonstrating the great appeal of our presses in the local market,” commented Harveer Sahni of  Weldon Celloplast, Omet’s official distributor in India. “Even a huge multinational company like Huhtamäki PPL – after witnessing the ergonomics and the performance in terms of the low level of waste generated – they had no doubt in selecting Omet as the perfect partner for their business.”

In addition to a strong showing at the expo, Omet was the official sponsor of the Flexo category at the LMAI Awards gala. Omet continues to invest in the Indian market. The company recently opened its Omet India office in New Delhi with the aim of guaranteeing constant service to local customers.

Zircon Technologies buys two Xeikon presses
Indian label printer Zircon Technologies India Ltd. Signed purchase orders for two Xeikon 3500 folding carton presses at Labelexpo India. Zircon offers a wide range of label production services, which the folding carton presses will complement.

Sanjeev Sondhi of Zircon Technologies India Ltd., said, “Digital is a difficult line but with the print quality and more than 20 years experience of Xeikon, we will be able to create a good market in India. As always, we have undertaken a big challenge. However, with Xeikon being part of the Flint Group, a long-term relationship secures quality support and service for my digital venture.”

Bent Serritslev, managing director, Asia Pacific of Xeikon had nothing but praise for Zircon. He said, “Zircon is a leading name in the Indian label industry. I could not have asked for a better home for two of my presses. I’m confident that Zircon will make a big difference to how digital print will be presented in the Indian market and become a sustainable success.”

Serritslev feels the the Indian market is just waking up to the potential of digital press technology. “It is not mainstream yet, but we saw good choices in technology at the show this year and many vendors are trying different ways of getting into digital,” he said.

The Xeikon 3500 prints at up to 19.2 m/min in 5-colors. On the fifth station, the press can also apply a special security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, and one-pass opaque white to create no-label look labels, or a spot color. The Xeikon 3500 runs on Xeikon’s QA-I toner, approved for indirect and direct contact with dry food.

Nilpeter showcases loaded FB-3300 flexo press
Danish press manufacturer Nilpeter demonstrated the FB-3300S, a 6-color UV-flexo press with a short web path that featured such novelties as a gravure unit for value-adding metallic inks, solids and coatings; and a new rail-based cross-over unit that can be placed above any printing unit for total flexibility.

The press was also equipped with a Corona treater, web cleaner, chill drums on all units, movable cold foil, APPS (Automatic Plate Positioning System), two die slots, and a 100% inspection system. During the show, the FB-3300S produced pressure sensitive labels with cold foil as well as metallic gold ink printed in gravure. Nilpeter also demonstrated 2-ply coupon label printing, as well as printing shrink sleeves converted with shrinkable cold foil with the last white printed in gravure.

"When maximum efficiency and low production costs are key, the FB-3300 is the answer," said Alan Barretto of Nilpeter India. "This highly reliable narrow-web press is based on modular flexo technology for easy configuration. The FB-3300 includes screen and hot foil drop-In features to increase your printing options at a very affordable price."

The maximum web speed of 750 feet per minute makes the FB-3300 the fastest in the narrow-web industry," stated Barretto. "It is exceptionally straightforward to make-ready and operate, enabling competitive setups. Featuring helical transmission, the FB-3300 is the ideal choice for high-quality, cost-effective printing. With features such as the convenient splicing table with pneumatic hold down bars, ergonomic slide-out print stations, easy-to-use operator interface and advanced die-cutting and drying systems, the FB-3300 will certainly have a positive impact on your bottom line."

Discussing the gravure unit, Barretto said that with consistent ink transfer across a wide range of densities, and at high speeds, gravure is suitable for applications that require high image quality. "Durable printing cylinders make the gravure unit an ideal solution for high quality print on long and repetitive runs," he said. The unit features adjustable doctor blades, an ink-circulation system, viscosity control, and a drying and vacuum system. Operator safety is ensured by the integrated ventilation system. The versatile gravure unit is prepared for both front- and reverse-side printing, and offers quick job-change and setup.

"Labelexpo India is of strategic importance for us - as India is our home market. Our products are manufactured in Chennai - and as part of Nilpeter's global development team, we present numerous innovative technical features across the Nilpeter product lines," Concluded Barretto, "We are proud to say that our products also now is exported to regional markets. At the show we introduced the new FB-350s where the new platform ensures shortest possible setup waste in the market, including our multi-layer cross-over enabling five-page labels as well as the gravure units for both opaque and metallic coating.”

Kap Cones orders second Martin Automatic auto splicer and rewinder
Martin Automatic reported a very successful showing at Labelexpo India, reporting getting more than 70 fresh leads for equipment sales.

Hope Hu, Sales Manager for Martin Automatic Asia Pacific, said, “The visitors are mostly target customers seriously interested in smart solutions to improve press efficiency and reduce material cost/wastage. In addition to the 70 leads at the show, there were several requested formal offers for converting lines.”

The most significant news came from Deekap Duggal of Kap Cones, who ordered his second Martin Automatic auto splicer and rewinder at the show. “His first set of Martin MBS auto butt splicer and auto transfer LRD rewinder just arrived in their factory,” Hu said. “Mr. Duggal also committed to having his new Omet press equipped with the Martin Auto splicer and rewinder. This will be the third set of Martin units in their production facility.”

‘Boost Your Brand Performance’ with UPM Raflatac
UPM Raflatac’s self-adhesive label experts welcomde visitors to Labelexpo India under the theme “Boost Your Brand Performance” The labelstock supplier highlighted its products’ quality, performance and sustainability – backed by industry-leading customer service. Product focuses for UPM Raflatac at Labelexpo India included the ultra-thin and clear Vanish film, which enables intricate food and beverage label designs while providing an excellent view of the product. Vanish also uses less raw material than other clear-film solutions, making it a more sustainable choice. Also on display was a new white label film, PP White FTC 60, which supports quality print results with resistance to water, oil and chemicals. This multipurpose film also features a food-safe topcoat.

The sustainably sourced Raflacoat Fit PEFC face paper has a new topcoat, which was also featured at the show. The topcoat is also less absorbent than its predecessor, so label converters are likely to see less ink consumption with UV-flexo while achieving more vivid colors. Raflacoat Fit PEFC provides a solid foundation for creating the complex designs required by today’s end-users and brand owners.

Praveen Gupta, Country Manager, South Asia, UPM Raflatac, commented,  “We had a very busy and successful four days at the UPM Raflatac stand, meeting our clients, allied trade partners, and making new, interesting contacts. A big thank you to everyone who came to visit us, we hope you enjoyed seeing our latest product developments for food, pharmaceuticals and other labeling applications as well as our new solutions like the Label Life concept and lifecycle assessment tool.

“This year, we also had some exciting experiences for visitors, such as a fashion show that turned our label materials into gorgeous fashion pieces. The show was the talk of the exhibition and our stand was chosen as the ‘stall of the day’ on the third day. It was a pleasure to see so many of our customers participate in our gala night, an evening filled with entertainment and networking. Thanks a lot for making the evening a memorable one. We are optimistic about the growth of the Indian label market and look forward to further success at the next Labelexpo.”

Toyo Ink features latest ink, adhesive solutions
Toyo Ink Arets India Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Toyo Ink Group, in collaboration with its sister subsidiaries Toyochem Co., Ltd and Toyo Ink India Pvt. Ltd., exhibited the Group’s latest label and package printing innovations at Labelexpo India 2016 under the show theme of “Performing Arts on Labels.”
At its stand, the Toyo Ink Group introduced a comprehensive portfolio of UV and water-based Inks, UV varnishes, specialty coatings and adhesive products that meet the challenges faced by today’s label printers and converters, and package printers.

“Labelexpo India fits perfectly into our strategy to grow our presence in the region’s rapidly-growing label market,” said Prashant Atre, Managing Director of Toyo Ink Arets India. “As a frontrunner in the development of advanced UV technology, the Toyo Ink Group is aggressively moving into the region with the aim of leading all segments of radiation curing, including LED-UV and Electron Beam Curing. Through the Group’s worldwide R&D, support and supply chain network, Toyo Ink Arets will continue to work to develop labeling and packaging solutions that deliver greater efficiency, performance and productivity to our customers.”

Visitors to the Toyo Ink Group stand saw a full line of UV-curable inks, varnishes and coatings including food-safe printing inks from Toyo Ink Arets, such as UV flexo, UV LED flexo, aqueous coatings and UV offset. Taking center stage was the Steraflex series of next-generation UV Inks for flexo printing. Steraflex material design allows flexo printers to better leverage the capabilities of high-resolution anilox rolls that require inks of superior fluidity, stability and color intensity. High-speed curing and good adhesion characteristics make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including self-adhesive labels and tags, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons. The low-migration and low-odor variant, Steraflex Food, with its benzophenone-free characteristic, stands tough to the most demanding anilox printing or food packaging requirements.

Toyochem spotlighted its comprehensive range of pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) for pressure-sensitive labels and tags, and composite film adhesives for food packaging that are compatible with almost any container material, shape or product type. In addition, Toyochem had on display its high-performance lineup of industrial-grade PSAs, for the construction, automotive and electronics markets, among many others.