Durst drives sustainable label printing in Southeast Asia
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Q: Based on your extensive experience in the region, what are the most significant trends currently impacting the label industry in Southeast Asia?
Bernard Sun (BS): The first trend is sustainability. Stricter regulations and increased eco-consciousness among consumers are driving the demand for greener solutions. Today’s consumers are conscientious about what they purchase, highlighting this trend.
The second trend is digitalization. We are witnessing a significant shift from analog to digital processes, primarily for agility and customization.
The third trend is the growth of e-commerce. This has created a demand for short production runs, quick turnarounds, and personalized packaging.
Lastly, the fourth trend relates to regulatory compliance. There are many requirements for safe materials, and products must be traceable.
These are the four main trends we observe in Southeast Asia and, more broadly, across Asia.
Q: You mentioned the rise of e-commerce and demand for shorter run lengths. How is Durst supporting label converters in Southeast Asia in transitioning to Durst?
BS: Many may know since the era of the Durst Lambda with more than 1,000 installations Worldwide, our origins in high-end imaging have established us as natives in the digital printing world. This commitment is reflected in our TAU RSC printers, which combine excellent print quality and productivity with competitive total cost of ownership. This allows customers to minimize waste and improve energy efficiency. Particularly, our RSC & RSCi printer, showcased at previous Labelexpo, are game changers that enable converters to shift from flexo jobs to digital printing while meeting their goals.
Q: Durst will participate in Labelexpo Southeast Asia in Bangkok. What specific message or value proposition do you hope to convey to the show's attendees?
BS: One of the key points we want to convey during the show is that, nowadays, many customers attending Labelexpo are not just seeking capacity; they are primarily interested in new technologies that enhance efficiency. We aim to demonstrate to converters how they can become more efficient and agile, focusing on quick job turnarounds, minimal setup times, reducing downtime, variable data usage and workflow integration.
Q: Based on your perspective and experience in Southeast Asian markets, what specific features of the Tao 340 RSC E will be the most important for label converters in the region?
BS: We are excited to showcase our best-selling Tau RSC-E 340 model that is an economically attractive entry point into the Tau RSC technology platform, which delivers production speeds of up to 52 m/min. With a 6-color configuration that will be shown, it can be upgraded to 80 m/min speeds allowing for increased production capacity and future-proofing your investment. The printer boasts high print resolutions of a true 1,200 by 1,200 DPI, meeting industrial production requirements without compromising quality.
Some may wonder why we focus on the 52 m/min. The key point is that it's not just about capacity; it's about efficiency. That’s why we emphasize eco-friendly production. Durst has been a leading the high-performance inkjet digital label printing since 2009, with hundreds of installations worldwide, including over 90 in Asia alone.
Our goal is to empower converters to thrive in this dynamic market through cutting-edge, sustainable digital solutions.
The key benefits of the Tau RSC-E 340 is the small footprint which minimize waste and minimal downtime, plus its ease of operation featuring intuitive software interface and automated processed to streamline workflow and minimize errors, which reduce training needs. For instance, with the help of automated tasks from our workflow, nozzle compensation technology ensures consistent print quality. We strive not only for simplicity but also our automated processes help customers operate more efficiently.
Additionally, we understand the importance of versatility for our customers. That’s why we offer a wide range of products, including UV inks and LED inks, that can handle diverse substrates such as paper, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, and metalized materials. This variety addresses market needs for cost-effective solutions, shorter production runs, customizations, and compliance.
Q: You just mentioned inks and software. Durst's presence at Labelexpo will extend beyond the Tau 340 RSC-E. What else can visitors expect from Durst at the event?
BS: Durst is more than just an imaging company that sells printers; Durst is a complete solutions provider offering from ‘Pixel-to-Output’ solutions. We are excited to showcase our integrated software ecosystem, which includes Durst Workflow, Durst Analytics, and the newly introduced Durst Hawk AI.
This intelligent AI is an advanced camera-based system that automates print quality management by detecting and correcting issues, such as missing nozzles, in real-time with no operator input required. This technology helps customers minimize waste and boosts overall print quality.
Our comprehensive digital ecosystem ensures converters remain competitive while enhancing their automation processes.
Q: Sustainability is a major trend that continues to gain importance. How important is sustainability for Durst Group?
BS: As you may have heard me mention multiple times regarding sustainability, I believe it's one of the key messages we are promoting at this year's show. Driving sustainability is one of Durst's strategic pillars. Our manufacturing sites operate on 100 percent green energy generated by our state-of-the-art solar panel plant, producing over 2.2 MWp (million watts of peak) energy. This is nearly equivalent to powering around 2,000 homes.
From the outset of our manufacturing processes, we are mindful of sustainability. Our commitment extends to reducing carbon footprints and positively impacting the environment. Now during the printing process, many people ask how we assist our customers in this area. I often emphasize that it is subject to variables that are beyond our influence. However, the most significant impact on the printed product PCF what we call the Product Carbon Footprint is the substrate which are choice of customer. We support the customers limiting their printing process emissions by implementing energy-saving technologies, such as LED curing and waste prevention and ink saving options. All these factors contribute to our sustainability efforts.
Additionally, it’s important to note that sustainability also involves considering the longevity/ lifetime of our equipment. For instance, I have a customer who purchased our first printer back in 2013. After nearly 11 years, that printer is still operational, and they recently acquired a third unit. This highlights the importance of product longevity, serviceability, and second-life options, all integral to our sustainability mission.
Q: This is a powerful message and an important one for the region as well. We look forward to meeting you face-to-face in Bangkok and exploring how Durst Group can contribute to the success of Southeast Asian converters.
SB: I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I am excited about engaging in meaningful discussions and sharing insights on applications and new market opportunities. Additionally, this is an excellent chance for us to learn from our customers. As their needs evolve, we are eager to understand how Durst can contribute to their success.
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