As we came to the end of the 90s we looked at what might be in store for the flexographic industry on the other side of the millennium celebrations.
FlexoTech: February 1999
A bright future for flexo
According to a recent study, between the names of Akira in Japan and Zurmuhl in Germany, there are nearly 80 narrow web press manufacturers in the world, ranging from basic to stat of the art presses.
Alongside this , based upon a recent survey by Madico Graphic films in Maidenhead, Berkshire – pressure sensitive growth increases each year at multiples of gnp growth in most countries with the European market alone by some 300 million square metres during the same period.
At this rate it is calculated that some 130 new high speed rotary presses will be required just to keep up with growth. With this ever increasing narrow web converting scenario, enormous technological strides have been witnessed in flexo – the fastest growing narrow web printing process and suitable for converting a wide range of paper, foil, filmic-both unsupported and pressure sensitive and cartonboard substrates outpacing all other processes – simultaneously producing outstanding quality.
