Acme Rolltech, an India-based manufacturer of anilox rolls and sleeves, launched five new aniloxes for embellishments at Labelexpo. Incidentally, the theme of Labelexpo India 2024 was also embellishments.
Sandeep Sharma, director, Acme Rolltech told Packaging South Asia that the first product is called AcGlit, which loosely translates as Acme Glitter. It is a specialized anilox for glitter application with a raised effect.
The second and third products that were launched were Glow Texture M & G, which are aniloxes for matte and gloss combinations, Sharma said, adding many customers want to do a matte and gloss combination with textured effects and special varnishes.
The company also launched the Acme High Density White 2.0 with the first version being launched at Labelexpo India 2019. Sharma said this is a specialized anilox to give the opacity of white in a single pass. “A lot of customers used to come to us, saying we are getting opacity of white in a solid patch but now need an anilox, which can give the text matter also with a razor-sharp finish,” he said. The AHDW 2.0, he said, will give the solid patch as well as the text matter in a single pass. At the same time, this anilox can be utilized for non-PS (pressure sensitive) applications such as IML, shrink sleeves and wrap-arounds, he said.
The last product launched was the ATAC 2.0, which is the second version of the Acme Tactile, Sharma said, adding it is a specialized anilox used for screen-type raised applications.
“Labelexpo India is a big event and as Indian manufacturers, it makes sense for us to promote our products. Embellishment is one part of the business where a lot of converters moving into, whether they are on the PS side or non-PS side,” he said.
About advanced channel engraving (ACE), he said, “Nowadays, with new advancements in machines with high speeds, LED technology and multiple substrates, a lot of customers are coming back to us for good depth at higher LPI (label printer interface). I would not say the conventional technology is obsolete –still 98% of customers in flexo use it. The ACE technology, however, will give the advantages of both worlds. You get the high density and depth like a channel structure, while at the same time, you get a good halftone and finish with the hexagon.”
The company launched the ACE technology at Labelexpo Brussels 2023, Sharma said, adding this technology is gaining traction among customers wanting to print at higher LPI. It’s a combination where certain customers use regular hexagon as well as the ACE, he said. Many customers approached the Acme Rolltech team for the ACE technology as well as the specialized embellishment applications.
About Labelexpo India, he said, “It is a big event whether it’s happening in India or anywhere in the world. We being a pioneer manufacturer of anilox rolls from India have always had a big stand at the show with a lot of new launches. We know each of our customers in India. We have traction outside India. We are now exporting to more than 25 countries. This is the platform where we connect with our customers as well as industry players.”
“We wanted to showcase that we are a world-class manufacturer that is taking India to the world stage,” he said, adding just after the event we are moving to Kenya for a big conference and after that we are exhibiting at PrintPack 2025, and Labelexpos Mexico and Thailand.
