Varna Packaging has purchased the NOVA D 800 Laminator with a project investment of Rs. 250 Million, to further expand its production capacities and capabilities, meet the growing demands from its national and international customer base, and to further improve its product offering, Continuing the “bigger is better” trend of mega-consolidations in the packaging industry, this investment is aimed to meet the increasing demand for complex laminated structures.

“The decision to proceed with this level of investment last year in September at a time filled with uncertainty and a worsening global and local macro-economic environment was based on the team’s confidence to continue to secure orders, service customer needs and having a long-term focus on both the company’s and country’s future growth prospects. Sustainability through reducing, re-using and recycling form a core pillar in our growth strategy and with this significant enhancement in capacity, we are well-positioned to cater to our clients’ present and future needs.” stated Chamindra Gamage, Chief Growth Officer/ Executive Director of Varna Packaging.

Varna Packaging placed the machine order with BOBST in September 2021 with the aim of expanding its presence in the Global Market. After an extensive evaluation process, Varna Packaging procured the BOBST NOVA D 800 due to it being a compact, automated, multi-technology laminator, suitable for the production of high-quality flexible packaging, while also delivering upon the challenging and diverse range of solvent-free, solvent-based or water-based dry lamination. The machine is complemented by its lamination speed of up to 450 m/min which delivers outstanding performance and uniformity on any run length and on all types of substrate or adhesive, whether conventional or designed for recycling.

The combination of Varna Packaging’s expertise as a leading flexible packaging manufacturer in Sri Lanka and the installation of NOVA D 800 Laminator will allow Varna to bring unparalleled printing and packaging solutions to their customers and adapt seamlessly to their needs in this rapidly evolving space whilst having a competitive edge in the international market. This investment leverages and strengthens Varna’s position in the high-end and high-speed wide format market in the international capacity as a whole, especially in the packaging segment, allowing Varna to gain more international recognition and contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s economy.

While the purpose of the purchase of NOVA D 800 Laminator has been to expand its production capabilities, as an innovative and sustainable packaging partner, this investment forms an integral part for the company to reduce its carbon footprint and make its packaging 100% recyclable by 2025 and further contribute toward a circular economy by stepping away from a linear economy. The NOVA D 800 Laminator uses up to 20% less adhesive and reduces solvent waste by up to 50%. In addition it allows for solventless lamination which has been the technology of choice for many players in the industry thanks to no emissions, low energy consumption and the ability to serve multiple digital presses with a single off-line laminator.

“The NOVA D 800 Laminator is a compact and flexible machine. It is capable of producing various types of coating including solvent-based, water-based and solventless, delivered via a trolley system. Fast job changes are done without special tools and the machine is very easy to operate for our customers in our region. The strengths of the BOBST equipment are consistent with what is important to our users – ease of operation, high performance, little wastage and low impact on the environment that help drive and achieve sustainability goals, not only of our customers but also our own. Sustainability is one of the four core pillars of the BOBST future vision of the packaging industry, and we strive to build our technologies and manufacturing processes in a way where it makes a real change in the packaging world and reduce the overall environmental impact of packaging.” Said Niesh Pinto, Zone Business Director, Flexible Packaging – Indian Subcontinent, BOBST