UFlex, the largest flexible packaging producer in India and emerging global market player, has invested in a Kodak Flexcel NX 4260 system from Miraclon. Installed at their largest site in Noida, India, the company is utilizing the Flexcel NX technology to drive its own business growth and sustainability efforts, and to respond to a growing demand for Flexcel NX plates from other trade shops and converters.
Parwez Izhar, CEO – cylinders business, UFlex, says, “For our in-house packaging printing, Flexcel NX Plates enable us to convert an increasing number of jobs from gravure to flexo; underscoring our commitment to producing sustainable flexible packaging without impacting on quality. We also expect to see additional benefit from quicker make-ready times and minimizing wastage by coming to color quicker.”
Izhar adds that the “simple but robust technology portfolio from Miraclon is another big advantage. With Flexcel NX Plates, we are able to optimize inventory management and can concentrate on all the different benefits we can achieve with one plate instead of having to use different plates for different jobs.”
UFlex’s plate-making division also supplies its plates to trade shops and other converters in the region. Izhar says, “Many of the companies we supply plates to have been requesting Flexcel NX plates to help them realize better on-press efficiency without impacting the quality of print produced – it’s really been established as the technology of choice for wide web flexible packaging printers. With our own Flexcel NX System up and running we can meet that demand and demonstrate its benefits to other customers too. A win-win for everyone.”
UFlex’s cylinder business – a blend of technology and creativity
Izhar says, “In the printing industry, precision and efficiency cannot be emphasized enough. Before our client’s messaging gets printed on the pack, our backward integration enables us to create cylinders required for the process. From design to print, we traverse the complete life-cycle to offer infallible printing consistency to our converting customers.
“Our Noida and Jammu manufacturing facilities make rotogravure printing cylinders, flexo plates and flexo printing sleeves for intaglio printing. The product image and message is engraved on cylinders/flexo plates and printed with high-precision and error-free perfection. The entire process – from making the steel base to the copper plating, surface finishing, digital engraving, chrome plating to final proof print – we do it all, assuring quality while ensuring time-bound deliveries.”
The Noida plant is also equipped with a fully automatic robotic laser engraving line for the manufacturing of rotogravure cylinders.