KYMC and parters host first water-based flexo open house in Taiwan

Kuen Yuh Machinery Engineering (KYMC), with partners Asahi Photoproducts, Dainichiseika and SINWA, has concluded the First Water-Based Flexographic Printing Technology Sharing Event in Taiwan which took place on September 25, 2025. Attended by leading industry partners and more than 89 participants from 46 printing companies, the event highlighted how packaging and printing companies can embrace green, intelligent and ESG-aligned flexographic printing as a sustainable alternative to gravure.  

The event attracted a target audience of flexo and gravure printers who saw a comprehensive lineup of technologies from the four companies. KYMC showcased its Smart CI Flexo Printing press and insights into the future of smart production. Asahi Kasei/Asahi Photoproducts introduced water-wash flexographic plates requiring only water, advancing the company’s Solvent Zero strategy. Dainichiseika presented eco-friendly water-based inks for flexible packaging films. SINWA shared expertise in high-quality prepress solutions for flexographic plate making.  

The event featured live demonstrations that highlighted the capability and quality of the technology in real production conditions. The first job was pouch printing at 200m/min, 150 lpi. The second job was high-speed printing at 250m/min, 150 lpi. Both jobs delivered good results and received positive feedback from KYMC and attendees.  

In addition to expert presentations, Ryunosuke Inoue, Asahi Photoproducts sales and marketing representive outlined Asahi’s vision for sustainable innovation. His talk covered three key areas: Solvent Zero roadmap highlighting water-wash flexographic plates that require only water for cleaning, no detergents, reducing environmental impact and improving workplace safety. He also focused on Asahi’s CrystalCleanConnect (CCC) automated plate processor together with Esko’s CDI Quartz imager and XPS exposure technology. This integrated workflow enables the production of Asahi’s AWP water-wash flexographic plates, designed for precision, durability and efficiency. The combination ensures consistent plate quality, optimized for high-speed CI flexo presses and fully compatible with water-based inks.  

He also shared comparative analysis on flexo versus gravure from environmental, quality, and cost perspectives. The presentation also included cost simulation data from a Taiwan customer, which demonstrated the potential advantages of flexo over gravure. It was reported that 30-40 percent cost reduction could be achieved by switching from gravure to UV ECG and 40-50 percent cost reduction could be achieved by switching to water-based ECG. 

‘This event represents a landmark on the global flexographic industry’s journey to sustainability,’ said Eric Pan, general manager at KYMC. ‘By partnering with Asahi, Dainichiseika, and SINWA, we are demonstrating not only that water-based flexographic printing is a viable alternative to gravure, but also that it delivers measurable benefits in quality, cost, and environmental impact. Together, we are taking real steps toward Solvent Zero and helping our customers build a future more in balance with the environment.’ 

The successful debut of this event demonstrates the strong momentum in Asia toward water-based flexographic printing. By combining expertise in presses, plates, inks, and prepress, the partners provided a complete solution that helps printers transition smoothly from gravure to flexo while meeting ESG requirements.