Sustainable innovation for flexo printing
Custom Flexo S.r.l. S.B is an innovative startup that, with its industrial innovation project, makes the production of clichés for flexographic printing on corrugated cardboard more sustainable, thanks to a digital approach based on 3D design and Additive Manufacturing.
Unlike the traditional process, which requires multiple phases, more machinery and the use of solvents and consumables, Custom Flexo produces customized plates through a leaner and more efficient additive process, capable of reducing waste, consumption and production complexity.
The environmental value of the solution was measured through a comparative LCA study developed by IMQ, which compared the Custom Flexo method with the conventional plate production process. The results show an 84% reduction in environmental impact, thanks to lower material and energy consumption and the elimination of some high-impact phases typical of the traditional method.
To further strengthen the competitive advantage of the project, the development of proprietary software capable of automatically transforming 2D graphics into 3D models ready for the production of the cliché contributes. This allows you to reduce design times, increase process repeatability and make the industrialization of the solution scalable. The defensibility path is also supported by a patent protection strategy linked to both workflow automation and functional geometric solutions applied to the cliché, which represent one of the distinctive assets of Custom Flexo.
Custom Flexo thus demonstrates that even in flexography it is possible to combine print quality, industrial efficiency and environmental sustainability, transforming the cliché into a technological asset capable of generating value for companies and the environment.
WEBSITE: https://www.customflexo.com
PROJECT LEADERS: Carlo Furgiuele, Augusto Redolfi, Fabio Oliari, Massimo Buriola
MAIN BENEFICIARIES: corrugated cardboard box factories and converters, industrial printers / paper converters, packaging companies that use flexography on corrugated cardboard
AREAS: Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Environment, Packaging, Industry 4.0.
COUNTRY: Italy
STATUS: Active
