Uteco Group has delivered an 8-colour central impression (CI) Onyx 812 flexographic printing press to Omar Packaging Industries, one of 19 companies within Tanzania’s leading Dar es Salaam-based Bakhresa Group.
The new Uteco Onyx 812 flexo press will print mainly on BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene), BoPET (biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate) and metalised BOPP/BoPET, all of which Omar Packaging manufactures and laminates.
But the press will also be used for paper of up to 100gsm.
Uteco describes its gearless press as the state of the art in flexography, with a patented DD EVO® (Direct Drive) on the CI drum as well as quick-sleeve job changing for both the anilox as well as the plate axis.
The press runs at up to 400 m/min.
To cut changeover times and material waste at job start-up, the press features Kiss&Go® automatic printing press regulation along with viscosity controls and the SpritWash® automatic washing system.
For visualising the print, the setup comes with a GFK 2200 video camera from Grafikontrol, a major Uteco partner, which is totally integrated with the press supervisor, said Uteco.
The press also includes a fully automatic splicing unwinder and rewinder for reels up to 1000mm in diameter. Omar Packaging is one of three specialty packing companies within Tanzania‘s Bakhresa Group and focuses on producing a wide range of flexible packing materials.
The company began in 1998 as a small bag-making concern but has grown steadily and now employs 150 staff.
About 70% of Omar Packaging’s products are for sister companies such as Azam Bakeries Company Ltd and Bakhresa Food Products Ltd for packing products such as breads, biscuits, cakes, ice cream, fruits juices and bottled water.
The remaining 30% of production supplies long-term customers.
Omar Packaging sees its goal as supplying “smart, flexible packaging for all of our customers in terms of overall quality, in terms of printing, and in terms of value and product support”.
Uteco said it expects its partnership with Omar Packaging to continue with the purchase of more machines.