Heidelberg: China and Brazil to lead market recovery

Heidelberg chief executive officer Bernhard Schreier said market recovery would continue with particular growth coming from China and Brazil, and also the US, as he announced details of the machinery manufacturer’s presence at Drupa 2012, including new package printing developments under the 'HEI End' banner, at a press conference this week.
 
Heidelberg is launching a new series of sheet-fed offset presses, including the Speedmaster SX, which is based on a combination of the SM and XL platforms. Heidelberg said this gives the company a sheet-fed series to suit all applications and requirements from the small format intro level Speedmaster SM 52 to the large format, high-tech automated sophistication of the Speedmaster XL 162.
 
The company is claiming productivity improvements of 30 percent for the new SX series, but beta site users are talking of a 40-50 percent improvement, with make-ready times cut by half, and an extra 3,000 sheets/hour on the floor.
 
Schreier also said the company would be expanding its offering in the digital print market.  The acquisition of CSAT in 2011 will allow the expansion of its Linoprint UV inkjet range to include the L model for digital package printing of blister packs, smart labels, traceability, and product security, as well as films. Seen as a means of extending the package printer’s capability beyond offset and flexo technology, Heidelberg claims it combines the core competence of group members including Gallus and CERM.
 
In the converting sector, Heidelberg will launch the Diana X 80 folder gluer. Targeted at the pharma carton market, it can be fitted with a braille unit that allows it to produce cartons that comply with the latest international regulations for package recognition for the blind and partially sighted. The new model also has an inspection control module for high accuracy at high speed, with continuous pile feeding and turning.
 
Developments in the die cutting sector include the new Varimatrix 82 CS model (700 x 500mm), with a top speed of 8,000 sheets/hour, and optionally equipped with an anti-static device for handling difficult materials. On the Dymatrix 106 Pro, there is a new automatic chase changer, and touch screen control for fine adjustment of, for example, the alignment of the lower cutting plate with upper cutting tool.
 
HEI Eco is the company’s “green” mantra at Drupa. The company announced that all of its Speedmaster Anicolor presses are now carbon neutral as standard, and that this facility is available as a low-cost option on all Heidelberg sheet-fed presses. It cited the DryStar combination dryers, and low energy UV systems, along with alcohol-free running as key elements in its drive to improve environmental protection.
 
Heidelberg products and services will be in Halls 1 and 2 at Drupa 2012.

See PPW issue #2 2012 for a detailed exhibitor preview of Drupa 2012, and read our exclusive interview from issue #1 2012 with show director Manuel Mataré here

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