PrintPack 2025: Bobst announces sale of Novafold folder-gluer to Sai Packaging

Bobst has announced the first sale of its Novafold 110 A2 folder-gluer to Faridabad-based Sai Packaging on the second day of PrintPack 2025.
 
Bobst is showcasing for the first time its contactless registration system on Novacut 106, the AccuRegister, at Bobst stand (Hall 14/Stand I24).
 
Speaking to PrintWeek/WhatPackaging?, Venugopal Menon, zone business director for printing and converting at Bobst informed that in Drupa 2024, Bobst chose to focus on its core vision of connectivity, digitalisation, sustainability, and automation rather than showcasing hardware in its stand. “Our goal was to demonstrate how our technologies address customer pain points by offering end-to-end solutions,” said Menon. The company participated in Drupa without displaying machines, except for a concept hybrid machine with flexo and digital combi line for cartons and labels with various inbuilt innovative technologies.  

One of the 2024 highlights was the open house event in Pune, held in October. The event was the launch of Bobst Vision, based on its four pillars of connectivity, automation, sustainability and automation and introduced three new technologies to the Indian market. These included the AccuRegister, a contactless registration system for die-cutters; the AccuBraille S now on the Visionfold series enabling inline Braille embossing, and the CartonPack, an automated system for packing boxes directly into corrugated cartons. “These technologies are designed to address zero fault packaging, automation and offering inline end-to-end solutions,” Menon explained. 

The AccuRegister, launched globally in late 2023, has already seen strong adoption in India, with 11 machines sold. “Customers were amazed by its tangible benefits, added quality check, reduced set up time and further enhanced accuracy it brings to die-cutting,” Menon noted. The technology reduces machine stoppages by almost 70%, reduces the skill level of the operator to set the machine, registering to print from the earlier registering edge of the board thus enhancing the precision and much easier to run lighter and cheaper recycled boards, thus addressing a significant pain point for manufacturers. 

When asked about the most sought-after product verticals, Menon highlighted the NovaCut die-cutter and NovaFold folder-gluer as the company’s best-selling products in the Indian subcontinent. “These machines are versatile and cater to a wide range of substrates, fold and glue simpler to complex designs,” he said. For customers requiring high volumes, future-ready, and adaptability to special configurations like Speedwave, Gyrobox, Accubraille GT, Accucheck, Bobst offers the ExpertFold range in its folder-gluer range. 

For the Indian market box designs are predominantly straight-line and crash-lock boxes, with limited need for complex structures except for emerging four-six-corner applications. “Premium packaging in India is more about special printing effects, more colours and embellishments like hot/cold foiling, embossing, debossing, than special or complex box structures as you see more in the mature market,” Menon explained. Packaging for cosmetics, chocolates, confectionery, liquor, skin and hair care often drives the demand for premium packaging.  

Looking ahead to 2025, Menon expressed optimism about the Indian market. “The recent tax concessions announced in the budget we can expect little more disposable income for people to spend and consume, particularly in the urban segment,” he said. This could lead to a slight uptick in urban spending, which has seen a decline in the last few quarters. 

The company’s manufacturing strategy aligns with the needs of emerging markets like India. With its manufacturing outside Europe like in Shanghai, India, and Brazil, Bobst is well-positioned to address the needs of the emerging market without compromising on quality. “Our goal is to provide machines that meet the specific needs of these markets while maintaining global standards,” Menon concluded.