With the best-selling gravure printing machine, BOBST is changing the rules of the game in China's flexible packaging market

Innovation is driving the implementation of BOBST`s advanced gravure technology in China, and some emerging markets throughout India and South-east Asia. By responding to the specific requirements of these markets, BOBST has successfully established itself as a technology leader in the flexible packaging sector here.

Well-known for its superior quality and consistency across very long runs, gravure printing remains the technology of choice for flexible packaging in Asia. Increasingly, packaging printers in China and India, as well as the rapidly growing newer economies of south-east Asia, are choosing to invest in more sophisticated gravure printing presses to meet market trends and customer demands.

Sustainable manufacturing, better service and predictable results are trends driving innovation in this field. Brand owners and regulatory bodies alike demand [greener" packaging, so converters are turning to manufacturers that offer state-of-the-art technology that can satisfy those requests.

BOBST began to accelerate its involvement in China in 2018 with the establishment of a second production site, Bobst(Changzhou) Ltd, complemented by a new Competence Center. Lubin Lu, Business Director of Business Unit Printing & Converting, Bobst (Changzhou) said, [When we first started to promote BOBST in 2012, very few customers in the flexible packaging industry in China knew the company, but today BOBST is well-known and has become synonymous with innovative technology and excellent quality."

He added, [The decision to invest in Bobst Changzhou was a real turning point. Local manufacturing offers a better performance/price ratio, and local service and spare parts mean convenience and faster reaction times. The Competence Center is a unique selling point and it sets BOBST apart from local competitors."

The RS 3.0 rotogravure press, which is manufactured by Bobst Changzhou specifically for the Chinese market, quickly became a very sought-after machine due to its advanced automation features, low emissions, and ability to print on a multitude of substrates, including new eco-friendly materials.