The Mumbai based pharmaceutical packaging solution provider company Ess Dee Aluminium Ltd (EDAL) is investing Rs 20 crore for introducing UV digital printing technology at its manufacturing facility at Daman. The new technology will operational from April 2008.

The UV digital printing technology is an off-line digital printing for pharmaceutical packaging substrates. This technology is specially used for the blister foils, paper and PVC/laminate purpose. It is similar to screen printing and particularly suitable for the smaller batches where frequent changeovers are required. It is offering a new compact designs, which can be easily mounted on a wide variety of host packaging machines. Because the process is digital foil for even the smallest batches can be printed just as cost-effectively as for larger volumes produce the quantity of printed material. It is a reliable master-foil system which is proven and in operation worldwide level.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Debdeep Bhattacharya, said, "With the introduction of UV digital printing technology at our manufacturing plant at Daman, we will be able to cater in a better way. With the new technology, we will be able to give service from art work to final supply in the same day. We are targeting good business prospects from this technology. After the installation at Daman, very soon we will be introducing same technology to our other manufacturing plants also".

The company has plans to enter the Dubai market. At present it has five manufacturing units in India. Its all plants have received the DMF type III approval from the US FDA. "The approval will open the doors for the Ess Dee to tap the large US and EU market. Dubai is the hub for African pharma companies, and our Dubai unit will act as the gateway to the developed countries. The company's main motto in establishing unit at Dubai is to cater to the demand from the Africa, Europe and Middle East pharma markets", Bhattacharya added.