Tags: Kodak Flexcel / Kodak Thermoflex

Barak Polymers, a major repro house in Israel, has invested in the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System. The 30-people strong company was established 10 years ago, specializing in the production of flexographic, dry and standard offset plates. 60 per cent of Barak Polymers’ work comes from packaging for the food market. The company also operates in the label, carton and textile markets.

Barak Polymers initially purchased a KODAK THERMOFLEX Mid II 1000/1200 mm Platesetter in 2008 to improve plate quality and throughput. This purchase quickly demonstrated a clear return on investment -  increasing its market share  through better productivity. As a result, in 2009, the company signed a try-and-buy agreement for the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System. Since using the new system, Barak Polymers has seen a dramatic improvement in both productivity and the quality achieved from flexographic plates for its customers.

Barak Polymers, a major repro house in Israel, has invested in the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System

Shuki Chukrun, CEO of Barak Polymers, explains: “The maximum line screen we could get before was 100 lpi; with the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System we can now achieve 150 lpi without any problem. This is an amazing improvement in quality which has already helped us switch several gravure jobs to flexographic.”

Achieving gravure quality with flexographic

The flexographic process has always been a more cost effective and versatile process in comparison to gravure or offset, however it has traditionally struggled with high quality image reproduction. The KODAK FLEXCEL NX Flexographic System changes this preconception and companies can now achieve gravure-like quality with the flexographic process. With the KODAK FLEXCEL NX System, Barak has been able to achieve 150 lpi line screen which is a tremendous result for the flexographic process. Mr. Chukrun comments: “All of our customers, including pharmaceutical giant Teva, Rono Polidan, a major supplier of bags for the food market in Israel and Bagel Bagel, part of Unilever, have all been impressed with the quality the new flexographic system can produce.”

The award-winning KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is a leading innovative technology which delivers the capability to image and hold a consistent 10 micron dot on a flexographic plate. The resultant dots on plate are not only an exact match to the dots on the original file, they also have flat tops and sturdy shoulders. This makes them extremely resistant to printing variations; enabling significantly reduced set-up time on press and making the plates last longer. Jobs are quick to colour and stay consistent throughout the print run. Mr. Chukrun confirms: “Make-ready times have been reduced considerably and the presses get up to colour really quickly, making the entire process even more efficient.”

Opening new markets and possibilities

Mr Chukrun is committed to promoting the NX Technology: “We already have a few commitments from printers that are willing to move to the NX Technology. And we are also concentrating on showing the benefits of the flexographic process to other large customers, such as Shufersal, a large local retailer. I would like to commend Kodak on the extremely high quality of the NX results. It is indeed a revolution in the flexographic industry.”

The company is forecasting a 20-30 per cent increase in revenue and hopes to increase its share of the label market. Mr. Chukrun has nothing but praise for the service and support his company has received from Kodak over the last two years: “The relationship with Kodak has been outstanding throughout the whole process, from sales through to product testing and after sales support. Our local engineer has helped us with numerous print tests including analysis, training and coaching. We truly value this strategic cooperation.”

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(Kodak, Thermoflex and Flexcel are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company).