The Tushar Dhote Column: The grand finale – Pamex 2023, the most awaited print event is here

The wait is about to get over finally. The largest printing event of the year is set to open its doors to the print and packaging fraternity tomorrow, 27 March 2023.

Pamex 2023 promises to be the most spectacular event in the printing industry, with over 425 exhibitors from across the globe showcasing the latest in printing technology, machinery, supplies and services. Leading industry players, innovators, and thought-leaders will attend to discuss the latest trends, challenges and opportunities in the printing industry. Besides hundreds of running machines, the show will feature various activities such as keynote speeches, technology demonstrations, product launches, workshops, networking opportunities and more.

Visitors will be able to explore the future in areas such as 3D printing, flexible electronics, digital printing and the internet of things. It will also be a place to witness the convergence of print in action.

The four-day event promises to be a big success, with the organisers expecting a huge turnout and a memorable experience for all attendees. So, if you're in a printing-related business, don't miss out on this opportunity to get the best out of Pamex 2023.

A few launches at Pamex 2023
In my previous columns, I had written about my visits to the factories of some of the exhibitors and their plans for showcasing their latest products.

Here, I detail the launches planned by some others that I became privy too, in my interactions.

Suba Solution is set to launch, Blankwiser, the latest automatic stripping and blanking machine.  V Vaidyalingam (also known as Vaidy), director for marketing, tells me the machine has all the features to replace manual blanking of cartons in carton production. Suba will also launch a special V cut, precision window patcher. “It has special features for brand protection, value creation and brand marketing,” says Vaidyalingam.

Both the machines will be running live at the show, demonstrating all the features of the two machines.

National Centre for Flexible Electronics – A platform for printed electronics, IIT Kanpur -  Dr Ashutosh Thripati, Hhead, research and development

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India and Indian. Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur established the National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE) as a Centre of Excellence at the IIT Kanpur in 2014 with a mission to catalyse technology development and domestic industry in the emerging area of printed and flexible electronics.

Since its inception, NCFlexE has been working as a nodal point by providing a technology platform where ideas and innovations in this area can be taken from proof-of-concept to market-ready products. The Centre is equipped with various facilities, including sheet-to-sheet (S2S) and roll-to-roll (R2R) state-of-the-art printers. The Centre has been working closely in developing technologies and products in collaboration with a number of industries, laboratories and institutions.

Fujifilm India will be showcasing its extensive line of printing offerings at the exhibition, both in digital and analogue segments. The flagship Revoria Press PC 1120, a six-colour print engine which brings unrivalled expressive power to digital printing will be on display. Priyatosh Kumar, head, digital printing, graphic arts at Fujifilm India, informs me that the machine has garnered phenomenal traction within the printing industry. “It has successfully been able to transform the production printing market through its functional efficiency, precision and the ability to add to the printed aesthetics of a product with additional colours.”

Fujilfilm India is also launching the ZX Superia processless plates and showcasing the Flenex water washable solutions at the show, with an eye on the changing market trends in analogue printing domain.

Fujilfilm India’s graphic arts product portfolio includes more than 30 products ranging from high-quality thermal plates, toner and inkjet digital presses, wide-format UV inkjet systems, water washable Flenex technology, PWB films-to-press room chemicals. From printing material to system and workflow, Fujifilm’s comprehensive development efforts lead the way in products and services, contributing to various customers' productivity and quality assurance.

Manabu Yamazaki, president and CEO of Canon India will be at the Canon stand to launch the proven ImagePress colour production V series press. While, Gurjit Singh Dhingra of Canon wants the models of the presses to be under wraps till it is launched, he said the two presses are new generation V series presses.

It will be Kratos, the zero-process, zero-effluents and zero-chemistry plate technology at the TechNova Imaging Systems stand, along with the HP Indigo 6K label press. Plus, the popular ThermoStar T9 HS platesetter. Deepak Chawla of TechNova says, “We will also have green chemical, in addition of the bouquet of green offerings. We hope to help printers reduce CO2 emissions; create healthier working environment and help compliance with legislative norms.”

On the Konica Minolta stand, see the AccurioPress C4080, the high-speed digital colour printing, which can print at a speed of up to 81ppm in colour and black and white; screen-enhancing active digital processing; and media versatility of up to 360 gsm.

The farewell column
When I began to pen the last column of this series two days, the online registrations have crossed 16,000. With still time in hand, it seems that it may reach a landmark of 18,000. The Print-Packaging.com team moved in yesterday and started the process of handing over the possessions of the stalls.

A long queue for the trucks to unload the machinery in the venue could be seen. As I write, there is huge excitement in all three halls. Teams of workers are engaged in the construction of customised stalls. I am told that the increase in the number of custom-made booths in an exhibition also indicates the show's growing stature as the return on investment (ROI) sensitive exhibitors are ready to invest more in their participation. Despite the usual contingent from China missing out on this edition, the international flavour of the show will still be evident throughout.

As I bid my farewell, I take immense pleasure in being part of this journey and thank the president and chairman of AIFMP and the management and staff of Print-Packaging.com for the wonderful experience and the opportunity to work with them in setting up this show.

I also thank all the exhibitors, visitors and guests for their support and enthusiasm in making the show a grand success.

While wishing all the participants the best for a profitable four days, I look forward to joining you on another journey for the upcoming Pamex 2024 from 6-9 February 2024.