Labelexpo 2024: Bobst showcases narrow-mid web flexo solutions

The stand features Bobst flexo solutions, machines with the highest levels of automation, and advanced UV LED curing technology.

Andrea Pasquinelli, product marketing manager at Bobst Firenze, said, “We don't have machines here, we have a live connection to our centre in Florence, through which we are showing our flexo machines. We are showcasing the Master M5, which is a full-servo press for different kinds of applications. We are also showcasing the Master M6, which is probably the most automated press available in the industry today. This press is mainly dedicated to shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, and other applications."

Pasquinelli observed how this time around, Labelexpo India is seeing a lot of local manufacturers sprouting up. He said, "As a Western brand, we are in a high-end segment of the market. Walking around, I saw many new local machine manufacturers. Many new companies moving from the newspaper industry to the label industry, from offset and stack presses to inline flexo presses, which is quite interesting as a trend."

The sectors driving growth in labels are food and beverages (55%), cosmetics and personal care (17%), home care (15%), eCommerce (10%), and chemicals (3%). To this, Pasquinelli observed, "In Europe, labels are a declining industry. Cosmetics and beverages are on the rise. There is also a significant shift from rigid packaging to flexible packaging.”

Another trend that Pasquinelli observed was the shift from a wide-web press to a mid-web press, to address the short run of pouches and shrink sleeves, pressure-sensitive labels with a lot of embellishments. Bobst currently has 70 to 100 flexo installations in India. 

Peter Harbison Woods, zone business director for labels at Bobst, said, "The sustainable aspect is being adopted in India as well. If you walk around the show you see the curing systems going from traditional mercury and heading toward the LED drying application. Another thing that is not here yet but might come in time is the practice of the extended colour gamut. I think the global trends are starting to be seen on the floor here in India.”

Woods also observed how Indian converters are starting to think about overall efficiency management, as opposed to constantly running the machines. The Bobst stand highlighted the Master M5, the Master M6, and the Nova M1 among its other solutions.