Nilpeter plans India expansion with new technology center

In a significant move underscoring its commitment to the rapidly growing Indian label and packaging market, Nilpeter India has substantially enhanced its operational footprint with a state‑of‑the-art manufacturing facility and a dedicated Technology Center in Mahindra World City (MWC), Chennai. The expanded 7,000sqm facility (approximately 75,347sqft) more than doubles the company’s production capacity. It establishes Chennai as the global manufacturing hub for Nilpeter’s FB line of flexographic presses, positioning the company to better serve domestic and international customers with increased efficiency and innovation.

“Over the years, we have built a highly competent organization in India, a vital asset supporting our global manufacturing and development activities”

Doubling down in Chennai 
The enhanced setup at MWC houses advanced manufacturing and assembly lines inspired by the open-layout design of Nilpeter’s global headquarters in Denmark. It also includes comprehensive R&D capabilities, a dedicated customer care center, and the new Technology Center. 

Alan Barretto, managing director of Nilpeter India, highlights the strategic importance of the expansion. ‘The expansion and the decision to build a larger, newer technology center was pivotal for Nilpeter India’s growth,’ he states. ‘This expansion has allowed us to double our press manufacturing capacity, almost to 48 to 50 machines a year. Initially serving India and neighboring countries, our Chennai plant has become a global supplier. With the corporate decision to consolidate all FB line production here, we are now exporting presses manufactured in Chennai to markets across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.’ 

This consolidation makes Chennai the exclusive global production site for the FB line, including the now dormant FB-350 and FB-430 models and the recently launched, technologically advanced FB-14 and FB-17 presses. The decision streamlines Nilpeter’s global production, with the FA line manufactured in Denmark and the US. 

A hub for innovation 
The dedicated Technology Center facilitates live demonstrations, showcasing the capabilities of the locally manufactured FB line variants FB-14 and FB-17. While specific demo models may rotate, the focus remains on illustrating practical applications and performance. Customers can see standard jobs run or arrange to test their particular job requirements. 

‘Our Technology Center is a place where ideas, technological advances, and the benefits they bring are presented in an organized, end-user-friendly environment,’ Barretto states. It allows visitors to ‘get behind the ropes and get hands-on experience.’ 

The center can also be used for training and education. Barretto adds, ‘We organize comprehensive training programs for press operators and production managers at our Tech Center to enhance their skills and operational efficiency.’ It also has a well-equipped prepress area to demonstrate workflow integration. 

The FB line advantage 

“We saw the demand from the market for a product positioned between our popular FB classic workhorse and our highly advanced FA line”

The launch of the FB-14 and FB-17 models in August 2024 represents a significant leap forward. These presses bridge the gap between the classic FB line’s (FB-350 and FB-430) robustness and the high-end automation of the FA line. 

Barretto notes, ‘We saw the demand from the market for a product positioned between our popular FB classic workhorse and our highly advanced FA line. People were looking for something more aspirational. And that’s how the FB-14 and 17 were born. With these new FB line presses, printers receive a very high level of automation and operator friendliness, but at an investment level accessible to a broader segment.’ 

The new FB-17 press, constructed on the advanced Nilpeter B&R control system, represents a significant leap in Nilpeter’s journey towards ‘The Future of Flexo’. Barretto adds that the FB-17 was developed in response to customer requests for a press adept at labels and flexible packaging, incorporating features like dual servo technology for thin film handling. 

These machines integrate with the Nilpeter PowerLink control system, enabling features like Job Data Save, automatic register control and a pre-register system for faster setup and reduced waste. 

Its new dual servo print head allows for full 360-degree automatic register adjustment. Its gearless design is capable of handling a wide range of substrates ranging from 15 to 300 microns, making it suitable for pressure-sensitive labels, unsupported films, shrink sleeves and light carton boards. 

Barretto shares, ‘An interesting feature of these machines is the adaptation kit that allows using tools from the older FB-350 and FB-430 presses in the newer FB machines, protecting existing investments.’ 

Future outlook 
With its expanded manufacturing capacity, state-of-the-art Technology Center, and strategic position as the global hub for the versatile FB line, Nilpeter India is firmly poised for continued growth. The Chennai facility not only strengthens Nilpeter’s ability to serve the burgeoning Indian market but also enhances its global competitiveness by leveraging local expertise and infrastructure for worldwide exports.