Driving the Future of Flexible Packaging: BOBST Showcases Innovations at Chinaplas 2026

At Hall 3, Booth B21, under the theme “Driving the Future of Flexible Packaging: Connected for Performance and Sustainability,” BOBST will present its end to end innovative solutions spanning vacuum metallizing, coating, gravure and flexo printing, lamination - from equipment, software to services. These solutions are designed to help customers gain a first mover advantage as the industry accelerates toward premiumization, intelligent production, and sustainability.

Core Technologies: Redefining Productivity
At Chinaplas 2026, BOBST will showcase a range of cutting edge technologies aimed at increasing production efficiency and product quality, reducing operating costs, and supporting sustainable packaging development and production..
The new EXPERT K5— the world’s first metallizer with autonomous drive— will be introduced. Combining advanced AI with integrated process expertise, the EXPERT K5 sets a new benchmark in metallization for high‑quality film production.
In gravure printing, BOBST will present a new register adjustment function that automatically repositions both the mark sensor and the steering roller to fine‑tune register accuracy. This innovation significantly reduces makeready times and material waste.
In CI flexo printing, on the VISION CI will demonstrate high‑quality results on MDOPE along with very short job changeover times.
Addressing the specific needs of the Chinese flexible packaging market, BOBST will also introduce REFLECT, an innovative solution for laminators that integrates high‑precision coating weight monitoring with an intelligent adhesive application inspection system. This fully automated system enables closed‑loop control and real‑time, highly accurate management of adhesive consumption, ensuring stable production performance and predictable operating costs.

Converting Excellence and Sustainable Innovation
A highlight of the booth will be a selection of flagship samples representing BOBST’s highest standards of converting excellence. These include the oneBARRIER family developed by BOBST, as well as a range of sustainable products created by Bobst Changzhou. Produced using advanced coating, metallizing, printing, and lamination processes, the samples clearly demonstrate BOBST’s leadership in sustainable substrates and high barrier technologies.
In addition, visitors will see several co developed innovations created in close partnership with leading customers in China, reflecting BOBST’s strong commitment to customer centric collaboration.

One Complete Solution: Connected for Performance
BOBST believes that future competitiveness depends not only on individual machine performance, but on the seamless efficiency of the entire production workflow. Its One complete solution covers every critical stage of flexible packaging production—from vacuum metallizing and coating to high performance gravure printing with the RS 3.0 series or flexo printing with VISION CI, and through to lamination using platforms such as the DA 800 multi technology laminator or the SX 550 solventless laminator.
All processes are seamlessly connected through BOBST Connect, a digital platform that unifies data and digital services. This enables printers and converters to manage operations in real time, coordinate end to end processes, and achieve fully transparent production.

Services and Performance: Professional Support Across the Entire Lifecycle
In the Services & Performance area, BOBST will demonstrate how digital tools and expert support deliver added customer value. BOBST Connect provides deeper insights into production data, while retrofit and upgrade solutions—such as register system upgrades and smart ink chamber options—show how existing equipment can be enhanced to improve productivity and profitability.
A dedicated service counter will present a wide range of popular spare parts, along with special promotions and offers for visitors. The Bobst Greater China Services team will be on site to provide professional consultations, helping customers ensure their production lines operate at peak performance.

Executive Perspective
Dr. Johnson Xie, Regional Business Director, Greater China at BOBST, commented: “CHINAPLAS is one of the most important platforms for the global plastics and rubber industry. The year 2026 marks a pivotal phase in the transition from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Created in China’. BOBST is committed to deeply integrating world leading innovation with local service capabilities in China. Through the digital, automated, and sustainable solutions presented at this show, we aim not only to address our customers’ immediate production challenges, but also to explore the future of packaging together.
BOBST warmly invites industry professionals to visit Hall 3, Booth B21, and join the conversation on sustainable pathways for the flexible packaging industry.
 

BOBST