DuPont Packaging Graphics has announced the start-up of the first dedicated DuPont Cyrel round manufacturing facility at its plant in Towanda, PA, USA. Cyrel round sleeve production will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, and will be fully commercial early in 2011.

“This represents a major investment in the future of flexographic print sleeves in North America, and demonstrates our commitment to the continued advancement of flexography globally,” says Matthias Heinzel, global business director for DuPont Packaging Graphics. “Continuous flexo sleeves are lightweight, easy-to-handle print forms that enable quick change-over on press; and their seamless design enables high press speeds and the capability to print difficult-to-register, high-quality designs.”

“The plant will have the capacity to support the growing demand for sleeves in North America,” notes Wendy Andrushko, North America sales and marketing director. The Towanda facility will manufacture Cyrel round sleeves for both solvent and thermal processes, and is timed to coincide with the introduction of the Cyrel FAST round processing system in North America.

The North America launch of Cyrel FAST round is the second phase of a global product introduction. The European roll-out resulted in several new adoptions with a sizable and growing customer base.