Kodak Flexcel NX leads the flexo march
The reason we have a KODAK FLEXCEL NX Technology Special is in honour of its success rate. Consider the stats: in the last eight years, Kodak has notched up 27 installations of the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Systems in India. Two of the 27 are installed at Ahmedabad-based Pinmark. Minesh Zaveri, director at Pinmark says, “KODAK FLEXCEL NX technology of imaging on a laminate meant one more step in the flexo platemaking process. It was a new technology, so we were a bit cautious. We keenly observed, saw, read and experienced the technology, and were thoroughly convinced that, here is a technology that will be helpful to us, and to the Indian industry”.
19 Feb 2019 | 6150 Views | By Ramu Ramanathan
So what is KODAK FLEXCEL NX technology?
Kodak offers the imaging system in a range of size configurations – mid/narrow and wide, depending on the application the customers want to use it for. KODAK FLEXCEL NX-H digital plates, plus thermal imaging layer (TIL) is capable of highest quality flexo print output, while the DITR film is capable of sharp imaging. Kodak also offers analogue plates for different flexible print applications.
The reason it is important are the flexo trends. Today, Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region with India and China leading the label production charge. India boasts of 8% growth in the labels segment. In addition, there is installation of new CI flexo presses, driven by growing consumer demand, strong focus on brand and safety of packaging, and as packaging/labels become a high-growth diversification opportunity. The biggest pressure-sensitive label application is for VIP/logistics and industrial sectors such as auto and durables, and in prime labels, food and drink, followed by household chemicals, cosmetics and pharma.
In the last one year, after Labelexpo Europe 2017, India has seen 42 flexo press installations, with another 10 expected to be installed by the end of the year. In the CI flexo, at least 60 presses have been installed, in the last four years, and with 10-15 coming in every year, the CI flexo at 15% of the overall flexible market, it is eyeing the gravure pie.
Why is this important? Two reasons: Short runs and the positive impact of flexo pre-press technology. Today the results for flexo prints are stunning. Some vie with gravure. KODAK FLEXCEL NX customers are talking the talk at 133 to 150 scale ruling. And even if the cost of flexo plate may be higher as compared to offset, in printing it’s how much you can save per print cost. Plus the flexo plates are built to last for longer runs and consume less inks, which are costly.
This is the theme of the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Technology Special.
For a flexo customer, whether it’s a pre-press bureau or a converter, the focus is on a complete solution. And in this endeavour, KODAK FLEXCEL NX has played a crucial hand.