Labelexpo India to open its doors today...

Come October 29th and doors will open to the largest event for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting industry in South Asia - Labelexpo 2014 - the seventh edition of the show that returns to Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The biggest label and package printing show in South Asia, Labelexpo India will see new technology from many local manufacturers as well as some of the major international players. There will be an array of new launches of flexo /digital presses, pre-press innovations, a range of ancillary equipment suppliers amongst other displays.

Organized for the 4th time by the Labelexpo Global Series and third time under the Labelexpo banner, as of now, all pointers are towards a bigger better show that is sure to eclipse all the earlier versions. Supported by key trade associations across India, including the LMAI, ASPA (earlier HoMAI), The SPAI, AIFMP & other leading associations, the show is packed with over 200 exhibitors.

For the first timers and the new entrants to the industry, it’s the place to learn about global market trends, see live demonstrations of the most advanced technologies available, compare the latest materials and find out about the newest developments in flexible packaging and intelligent labels. Spread over four days, the show is aimed at labeling and packaging printers/converters, brand owners and label designers, many new product and technology launches are scheduled to take place. As well as the latest advances in label materials, films, sleeves and wraps technologies being showcased, there will be an a lot of working presses at the show all giving live demonstrations.

Witness the power of flexo technology and innovation

At a time of ever-changing market conditions, converters require equipment that provides total flexibility for the future, with an option of upgrading at a later date, revealed a converter who will be visiting the show. “With automated machinery, the machine sets the production pace, not the operator,” revealed another. With these kinds of expectations, the visitors at the Labelexpo India should be happy as the new organizers report that the show will have several running machines alongside product launches, and you can be sure the latest equipment will be fast, flexible, and rich in features.

The show is set to feature prominent players bringing new flexo technology to the show. From Nilpeter and Omet’s high performance presses to new launches from Multitec and Alliance Printech, there will be a wide gamut of equipment for everyone who visits Labelexpo India.

Italian Label press manufacturers Omet Srl will be displaying their state of art 8 color new label press, the Omet XFlex X4 at the show. This all servo press with advanced controls on a low-budget press, operator-friendly with maximum security shorter web path, minimum waste, gearless anilox roll, Omet’s unique Rock’n’Roll matrix rewinder for increased productivity, delam-relam, web turnbar, cold foiling unit, fully automatic register control system capable of registering in machine direction and cross direction without manual intervention, etc.

Nilpeter is also set to showcase an 8-color servo flexo press - the FB-3300S. The press with a short web path and equipped with corona treater, web cleaner, chill drums on all units, movable cold foil, and a 100 percent print defect inspection system also features a value-adding gravure unit for metallic inks, solids, and coatings.

Leading the bandwagon on the Indian flexo press manufacturing front Multitec will be displaying not one but three presses at the show the Ecoflex, Ecoflex VSi ELS and Ecosmart. With live demontrations of Ecoflex VSi ELS and Ecosmart, these 2 new models are the new launches at the show.

Rotatek will unveil Smart flex and will be on demonstration at the company’s Indian agent, Provin Technos stand. An advance modular UV flexo machine with shaftless technology, this press is being launched for the Indian market. Alliance Printech on the other hand will launch its new modular flexo label press with outstanding features like top loading print and anilox cylinders, quick job change, shorter web length, servo drive controls, etc.

Global Graphics and Weigang Machinery will jointly display the ZX-320 intermittent offset and ZBS-320G flexographic print presses at the show. Also demonstrated will be an off-line converting and finishing equipment and an off-line label punching machine.

UVGraphic Technologies on the other hand is all set to launch an advanced flexo presses later this year. However, at Labelexpo India, a glimpse of two stations of this press is offered.

Labelexpo India goes Digital

With the Indian label industry experiencing a gradual shift towards digital printing, this year’s Labelexpo India is more digital. This year’s show will be boosted with not only a large number of working machinery on-floor, but the latest and the best launched globally will be running live at the show. Digital and inkjet players on the show floor include names like Xeikon, Epson, HP, Technova and Vinsak.

Xeikon will be displaying a Xeikon 3030 digital press, a narrow web entry level press of the Xeikon 3000 series, in roll-to-roll configuration. To run live demonstration for a range of  applic-ations, the press runs at a top speed of 9.6 m/min and can handle production volumes of up to 190 m²/hour.

HP on the other hand will give live demonstrations of its new HP Indigo WS6800 digital press. The third generation of HP Indigo WS6000 digital press series, this press offers breakthrough productivity, versatility and advanced color management.Delivering the industry’s highest crossover point in narrow-web production versus analog for the vast majority of pressure-sensitive label jobs the press will help support the rapid increase in digitally produced labels.

When it comes to printing personalized security labels with fully variable information, or frequently changing print, the Vinsak LVPI is the unique solution as it offers both flexibility and high performance. Vinsak will be displaying this high performance LVPI 250/330 variable data printing and inspection system at the show. With installed Vinsak VIS 1200, UV drying unit and camera on the Vinsak rewinder, it is possible to print personalized data digitally onto various offset papers, coated papers, gloss papers, PET, BOPP etc. It also offers 100% code verification for security labels to avoid counterfeiting for track and trace.

Epson will be demonstrating the SurePress L-4033AW - the new breakthrough innovation in short-run digital label presses. The L-4033AW uses a seventh white ink to print the transparent ‘no-label’ look, as well as metallic labels catering mainly to the cosmetic, health and beauty markets. On the other hand, the opaque white printing on materials such as clear film and metallic substrates, gives you the flexibility of printing white first or last.

Technova will be launching its SmartJet LP 112 digital inkjet label press at the show. Claimed to be a high-speed high-resolution device designed for short-to-medium run process-color narrow web printing of labels, tags and documents, it can print on a variety of media including self-adhesive and pre-die cut labels.

Materials segment

Newly appointed South Asia Country Manager for UPM Raflatac, Mr Pravin Varshney along with UPM Raflatac’s label experts will welcome visitors under the theme ‘Engineered with Raflatouch’ at their stand. Product highlights at the show include the thin Raflex MDO label film and the ‘RafCare’ wet wipes range for personal care labelling, and the RP 31 Purus adhesive for pharmaceutical end-uses. Themed on ‘Inspiring Innovations. Sustainable Growth’, Avery Dennison will showcase numerous innovations as well as demonstrate Avery’s latest developments in pressure-sensitive technology with a particular emphasis on sustainability solutions.

Apart from sharing information and knowledge about the working of label stocks, SMI Coated Products will be showcasing new samples sets along with revolutionary specification sheets - an important tool for all label printers and end users alike. As label stock materials have been shrouded in secrecy for too long, SMI believes that all parties should have adequate knowledge about label stock materials. To aid the industry, SMI will be launching the curve diameter indicator with suggested label stock solutions from SMI.

Kaygee Loparex will display its new range of Glassine, CCK and SCK release liners. The range includes prime grade as well as cost-effective grades ­­and includes 50 gsm Glassine C1S release liner, 55 gsm CCK C1S release liner and 67 gsm SCK C1S release liner. Univacco Stamping Foils in asssoicaion with its exclusive Indian distributor ‘Dhana Impex’ will launch hot stamping foils for rough-surface substrates, overprinting and embossing applications.

Ancillaries

Armor, France that started its Indian operations recently and Re Controlli Industriali, an Italian company will be amongst the first time exhibitors at the show. While Armor will showcase APX FH+, a new wax/resin ribbon dedicated to flat head printers, Re Controlli Industriali will showcase SmartMotion web guide system & the WLigo remote controller. Planned for small and medium size web guide systems, SmartMotion is the new control unit fusing the stepper motor and the drive technologies into a single device, while WLigo remote controller manages multiple hardware devices that allows the control of more web guide systems connected in series.

Monotech Systems will launch its new Jetsci VSRI range of solutions. To run live demonstrations at the show, the Jetsci offers solution for track and trace consisting of roll to roll slitter and rewinder with variable data inkjet printing. Monotech will also launch a range of low cost label slitters and rewinders for the label printing industry. Also on display would be samples from Scodix, Highcon and EFI range of products targeting the niche segment in label printing industry.

GEW that announced the start of serial production of Rhino power electronics for use with its range of arc lamp and solid-state UV light sources will be displaying it at the show floor. U V Graphic Technologies will launch its all new LED UV curing systems for flexo, offset, gravure and letterpress. UV now has an option to upgrade existing conventional mercury UV lamp systems that are powered with the EPS to an LED UV system. On display will also be a new web video inspection system that supports colour distinguishing features with high speed reading capabilities of RGB / CMYK values at the substrate with real time values displayed. The visitors will also see the new Combi Plate Mounter which works with a wide variety of cylinders to go on conventional machines as well as the latest machines.

RotoMetrics will introduce anodized print cylinder, which is positioned as an economic alternative between Standard and Hardcase grades, offers the same precise tolerances as the Standard but has added surface protection for improved scratch resistance and protection from corrosion. RotoMetrics will also showcase the new through-hardened, machine-finished RD300 for cutting disposable medical substrates, dust-sensitive labels and tags, in-mold labels, etc. Another product on display will be Pin Eject solution that offers a method of preventing build-up of small die-cut slugs. It was designed for challenging cavity sizes as small as 0.0625 inch (1.6 mm).

Precise Graphic will launch high speed slitter rewinder SR330 D. On display will also be an inline hot foil stamping system that can be retrofitted on most of the narrow web flexo printing machines as well as a semi rotary die cutting machine designed for digital and narrow-web label industry. Apex Group of Companies will showcase its patented GTT anilox technology which uses an alternative engraving system to standard cell designs.

Pre-press arena

Esko shall be showcasing the CDI 2530 that is said to achieve results that before were only achievable in offset or gravure. Kodak will display its commercially released new extensions to Kodak Flexcel NX system for post-print and pre-print corrugated markets. Formulated for post-print applications delivering improved ink coverage, reduced fluting, better highlight reproduction and cost-effective on-press performance, the new Kodak Flexcel NX Wide 5080 system includes a newly designed imaging platform and laminator that enables plate making in formats up to 50 x 80 inches.

Brand Innovation Summit

In midst of all the latest technology announcements, running machinery, new launches and networking, Labelexpo India will be hosting in partnership with HP Indigo the inaugural Brand Innovation Summit. A half day conference for brand owners, it will will focus on the role and importance of label printing in a brand’s design and ultimate sales performance. To be held on October 30 at the HP stand from 13.45 hours onwards, the session is meant for a meaningful discussion on new and cost effective labeling methods for brands. An invitation-only session will start with a brief overview of the FMCG market in India. Christian Menegon of HP will then present an overview of the labels and packaging industry while supporting it with case studies from the world over. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the challenges faced by brands and the solution for getting the branding right each time. Discussions will include topics such as hitting the right color and achieving consistent end results, cost reduction and security printing.

Confirmed panelists include prominent names such as Hitesh Shenoy, head of technical packaging ISC, China and AP, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; Biswajit Basu, head of packaging development, Reckitt Benckiser Health and Personal Care; Deepak Manchanda, associate director of business development, Firstouch Solutions and Christian Menegon, business development manager, HP.

Technology Bar

With so much happening at Labelexpo India, its also time to discover a new high at the Bar. Weldon Celloplast will be re-creating the Technology Bar that will feature technology from renowned names as Omet, ETI Converting Equipment, Delta Industrial, Martin Automatic, Link Label Machinery, Berhalter, FAES, Nikka, Lartec, Lundberg Tech and Vetaphone. Weldon Celloplast is the Indian arm for all these companies.

And that is not all...

In addition Labelexpo India will again play host to the LMAI Avery Dennison Label Awards where more than 600 printers/converters, suppliers, brand owners and members of the media attend this prestigious gala evening. To be held at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi; the best Indian printers and converters will be recognized and awarded for their excellence and contribution to the advancement of the Indian label industry. All Indian winners will be  entered into the World Label Awards.

As India’s label industry continues to grow, printers see their businesses mature, competitions intensify and a rise in demand for high quality and specialist printing. Naturally it will be more imperative than ever for printers to see the latest innovations available to them. And we at Labels India will also be there. See you at our stand no. F/21 in Hall 12. See you there....