The CI flexo press launched earlier this year by packaging major Uflex has received extremely encouraging response from the Indian industry, Ajay Tandon, president and chief executive officer of Uflex Engineering Business told Packaging South Asia during the PackEx event that was held in Mumbai from 27-29 September.
“Two of our CI flexo presses are already in commercial operation while the third one is on the shop floor at the customer’s end, waiting to be commissioned. The fourth one is getting ready at our manufacturing unit and will be shipped soon. Since the launch of the press we have received extremely encouraging response,” said Tandon.
Uflex is manufacturing the press in partnership with Italian firm Comiflex. The CI flexo press can handle a web width of 1350 mm with an attainable speed up to 400 meters per minute depending upon the type and quality of materials to be printed, inks, plates, ink coverage with color overlay, among others.
Tandon said that Uflex’s extrusion lamination machine has also been very well accepted by the market and at present there are five machines installed all over India. “At least four more will be installed in the coming months,” Tandon said.
Engineering division doing well
Talking about the performance of Uflex’s engineering division, Tandon said that both packaging and converting segments are doing extremely well, and sales were highly encouraging last year. “This year we hope to do better,” he shared.
Although the overall sentiment in the market is very good, according to Tandon, uncertainty regarding policies related to plastics and plastic waste management is posing a challenge for convertors when it comes to investment in machines and equipment. “Industry is not sure about the policies regarding plastic and plastic waste. So, some convertors are waiting and watching till things settle down and gain clarity,” he says.
Big presence at PackEx
Uflex had a strong presence at PackEx and demonstrated four machines at its stand. The company showed a collar type form fill seal machine, a twin collar type form fill seal machine, a 3D pouch making machine, and a rotary pick fill seal machine.
“The show was very good, and a lot of decision makers visited about stand,” Tandon concluded.
