Offset Printing

Edale expands Chinese market presence with in-line carton press installation at Rainbow Paper Products

Wednesday 14. August 2024 - The Edale FL5 press is celebrated for its versatility, capable of running reel-fed substrates, from thin films to cartonboard. It supports multiple processes including printing, cutting, creasing, braille embossing, cold foil stamping, varnishing, lamination, and waste stripping in a single pass.

Edale, the British manufacturer of tailor-made flexographic presses for the carton and label sectors, continues to make significant inroads in the Chinese market. The company has announced a new partnership with Wuhan-based Rainbow Paper Products Co., Ltd (‘Rainbow Paper Products’), marking the second installation of Edale’s flexographic carton production line in China.
This strategic investment involves the installation of the FL5 flexo-based press and the servo-driven FDC-600 web-fed flatbed die-cutter, creating another fully integrated single-pass carton production system. The development was announced after Edale’s successful exhibiting at drupa, and closely follows the company’s initial carton press success in the Chinese market.
Established in 1993, Rainbow Paper Products has evolved into a leading post-press production facility in China’s Hubei province, with numerous production lines. The addition of Edale’s FL5 and FDC-600 systems signifies a major transformation, enabling Rainbow Paper Products to handle the entire carton production process in-house, in a single pass.
Mr. Li Wei, CEO of Rainbow Paper Products, commented: “Our collaboration with Edale is one of great significance. The procurement of the remarkable FL5 equipment bridges a critical gap in our printing capabilities, transforming us from a post-press enterprise into a large-scale factory, capable of comprehensive in-house packaging production. We are particularly impressed with Edale’s forward-thinking environmental concepts and the significant improvements in production efficiency its technology offers. We are eager to work with Edale to build an ‘industry ecosystem’ that supports both upstream and downstream operations, and fundamentally sets a higher sustainability bar for China’s printing industry.”
This integration creates a fully in-line carton production system and simplifies the converting process. The enhanced efficiency aligns perfectly with Rainbow Paper Products’ mission to offer diverse, innovative and cost-effective packaging solutions to the Chinese market.
Ian Eccleston, Sales Manager, Agent Network at Edale, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Rainbow Paper Products for this significant collaboration. While only our second installation in the Chinese market, the challenges of boosting capabilities and enhancing efficiencies are familiar to carton converters worldwide. Our FL5 press and FDC-600 die-cutter are designed to streamline workflows and boost productivity, reducing the need for multiple passes and cutting down on supply chain delays. This investment not only reinforces Rainbow Paper Products’ market position but also showcases Edale’s commitment to engineering excellence, technical expertise and sustainability. It’s why we’re known as ‘the carton and label press people’.”
Edale’s Chinese agent, You-Print Digital Technology Co., Ltd, has been instrumental in facilitating this partnership. Alex Zhang, General Manager of You-Print Digital Technology, added: “Rainbow Paper Products’ Edale project holds special importance for both the customer and us. It represents a significant transformation for the business, elevating them from a mid-sized post-press company to a comprehensive printing service provider for brand owners. Together, we conducted extensive market research, technical exchanges, product proofing, factory inspections and user visits. The company’s thoughtful and rational decision to embrace this innovative path promises great success, and we are excited to support them on this journey.”
This latest installation underlines Edale’s expanding footprint in the Chinese market and its commitment to advancing the industry through high-performance press solutions.