Echaar Equipment demonstrated its India-made CI flexo printing press Flexomaster HR500 CI at an open house at its plant in Ambernath, Mumbai on 13-20 April 2022. Kirti Panchal, managing director, Echaar, is optimistic about selling at least three CI flexo presses by the end of FY2023. Deal signings include one Flexodelight and one Flexosmart press.
Panchal said that the Flexomaster received a very positive response during the open house while serious discussions are on with several potential customers. Visitors witnessed the Flexomaster HR500 perform effortlessly on 20 micron PET surface and 10 micron PET reverse print at its rated speed of 500 meters a minute using Kodak Flexcel NX plates with both water and solvent-based inks.
According to Panchal and as witnessed in the demonstrations, the press has a very quick changeover time because it integrates Easylock – a patented technology of Echaar’s Italian partner, CT Service SRLS. It also includes a carbon fiber doctor chamber, a full auto wash system, heavy-duty turrets on both unwinder and rewinder, and an automatic reel lifter. Echaar has collaborated with CT Service SRLS. owned by Claudio Maggio an ex-founder and director of Uteco. A veteran of the flexo printing industry, Maggio has worked with some of Italy’s leading CI flexo press manufacturers.
In December 2020, Echaar conducted an open house to demonstrate its Flexodelight HL 400 CI press that was sold and installed at Kalyani Packaging in Kolkata. With a speed of 400 meters a minute, the Flexodelight HL400 has a CI drum diameter of 1850mm with Hestalloy coatings and eight print stations. With a web of 1350mm and a print width of 1300mm, the Flexodelight prints on LDPE & HDPE, PET, BOPP, and paper using both solvent and water-based inks. To offer CI flexo presses to all segments of the flexible packaging market, Echaar has designed and built the Flexosmart CI press for running at 300 meters a minute. The Flexosmart press is nearly ready and will be demonstrated at another open house later this year.
Along with CI flexo presses for both mid and high-speed segments, Echaar is now focusing on the entry-level segment. Reportedly, the company is developing the Flexosmart CI flexo press featuring a speed of 300 meters per minute. Panchal believes that many converters could shift to CI flexo printing with this press in the market because of its affordable price.