Polish flexible packaging printer targeting gravure/offset quality with Soma flexo press

PPHU Pabex specializes in offering individual tailored food packaging, as well as supplying products for larger commercial channels such as Lidl and Biedronka. Its emphasis is always on the production of high-quality graphics and the integrity of its products to maintain shelf life.

PPHU Pabex is one of the leading converters of flexible packaging materials in Poland and claims to be the first company in Poland to introduce flexible packaging closures to its customers. Its products can be seen on shelves at retail outlets throughout Europe, Russia, the US, Canada and Chile.

Seven years ago it installed an 8-color Soma Flex Midi, which has now been followed by a 1,050mm-wide, 10-color Imperia flexo press that will be used to produce high-quality printed laminates and pouches for the food industry.

Adam Filipczyk, one of the four co-owners of PPHU Pabex, said: ‘The high performance Imperia provides us with a platform to fine tune the flexo printing process to gravure and offset level.

‘We aim to refine the printing processes on this press by the end of this year to the extent that customers will not recognize flexo quality from gravure or offset.

‘The new press is twice as fast as the first and its operating speed is almost 400m/min on eight to 10-color jobs. Our printers are happy with the operating parameters of the machine.

‘Taking into account a few months learning curve, we anticipate the competitive advantages of the new press will be fully visible after two years.’

Filipczyk added: ‘We decided on the purchase of the Imperia based on the consistent reliability and problem free operation of the first Soma press that, even after seven years, is still producing high-quality work to customer expectations.

‘High quality engineering at a competitive price and Soma’s ability to react quickly and flexibly to our needs in terms of service and support also influenced our decision.’