As in other emerging markets around the globe, the particular cost-efficiency of this laminating system, in combination with its high productivity and quality, is also resulting in growing demand in the Turkish printing, packaging and finishing sectors. In the past few months alone, a further three Lotus SF systems were installed in the country on the border between South-East Europe and Western Asia. As a result, a total of more than ten of these high-performance, solvent-free laminating systems are now in operation there.

"The Lotus SF puts decisive competitive advantages at our customers' fingertips. No matter whether they produce packagings, posters, labels, files, folders, wrapping paper or carrier bags – they can laminate their customers' print products at extremely low cost and at the same time rely on getting perfect surfaces, thanks to the system's sophisticated technology," says Ersel Oflu, Sales Manager for Steinemann Technology systems at Ferrostaal, explaining why more and more print products are being laminated with the Lotus SF from Steinemann Technology in Turkey, too. "Our customers tell us the Lotus SF gives them a cost advantage of roughly 20% in the marketplace." Depending on the substrate and the laminating film, the laminating system consumes a mere 1.8 g to a maximum of 3.5 g polyurethane adhesive per m², which is a very low value in comparison with other systems. In addition, the very favourable laminating costs achieved as a result are accompanied by low energy consumption. The Lotus SF cures the polyurethane adhesive with atmospheric humidity and therefore needs no drier, resulting in correspondingly lower energy costs. Moreover, this laminating system is capable of flexibly processing a wide range of different substrates and laminating films, meaning that there are virtually no limitations on the consumables side.

"All these aspects were also of decisive importance in the latest purchasing decisions," notes Oflu. For instance, a Lotus SF was recently installed at Anil Kagitcilik Ambalaj Turizm San. Ve Tic. A.S. in Ankara. As one of the country's leading packaging printers, the company works for food producers, body care and cosmetics manufacturers and the pharmaceutical industry, among others. Izmir-based letterpress printer Caglayan Basim Yayin Dagitim Ambalaj San. Ve Tic. A.S. likewise decided to install a laminating system of this type in recent months. The Lotus SF to be presented at Printtek 2013, on the other hand, was already purchased by Süper Selofan Matbaacilik Ambalaj San. Ve Tic Ltd. Sti from Istanbul ahead of the exhibition. The company is one of the largest providers of finishing services in Turkey and will thus have two Lotus SF laminating systems at its disposal in the near future.

"The Lotus SF's versatility is reflected in the enormous variety of very different applications it's used for in the market. That's also illustrated by the installed base in Turkey, which now also covers virtually every market segment," says Albert Fässler, Sales Manager at Steinemann Technology in St. Gallen/Swit-zerland. "Our presence at this year's Printtek offers us a good opportunity to get talking to further potential customers from the whole Eurasian region."