(Watch David Zwang’s video interview with Heidelberg's Matthias Boog here and Michael Pfaff here. Read the original announcement here.)

Flexo carton production is projected to continue to increase at a rate of 3.4% CAGR, to an approximate value of $10.78 billion, (at constant 2020 prices and exchange rates) through 2027. During the same period the entire category, including all production methods (offset, digital, gravure, screen) is projected to grow to a value of $15.39 billion. The regions with highest market value will continue to be North America and Western Europe, which make up more than half the global production, according to the Smithers Future of Flexographic Printing to 2027 report. This makes it an exciting growth market for many.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (commonly known simply as “Heidelberg”) is a brand that is synonymous with printing and has been since its founding in 1850. Today, in addition to other print production products, they have solidified their position as the sheet-fed offset market leader with over 40% of the installed market. Heidelberg offset presses, in addition to commercial print, have been used for folding carton production for decades. To support growth in the folding carton market, they recently unveiled the XL 106, running at a previously unattained speed of 21,000 sheets/hr. In light of the projected growth of folding cartons, and the shifting market requirements for higher quality and shorter runs, Heidelberg has introduced a game changing, highly automated flexo folding carton press, that just keeps printing non-stop.