Print Master, a well-known Thai manufacturer of flexible packaging products approached HMX for a HVAC system that would provide fresh air cooling for their factory, while ensuring a dust-free environment and good indoor air quality. HMX gave them a solution that did all of that, while reducing manufacturing costs as well! Find out how in this case study.

1. 1
HMX helps Thai packaging company reduce solvent
losses, improve worker health
A.T.E. Enterprises Private Limited (Business Unit: HMX)
V2.2 Jul 2019

2. 2
Challenges
 Print Master Co., Ltd., Thailand is well known in the flexible
packaging industry and produces a range of packaging
products suitable for virtually every consumer industry
 To maintain the highest quality and improve its production
capacity, the company established a new factory at
Bangpoo Industrial Estate, Samutprakan Province.

3. 3
Challenges
 During the gravure printing process, the constant movement of the rollers causes the temperature of the
ink/solvent solution to rise
 This causes the evaporation of ink and solvents and thus inconsistent ink shades and viscosity, ultimately
leading to printing defects
 Another side effect of evaporating solvents is the rise in levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in
the shop floor. The high temperatures and hazardous chemical fumes led to uncomfortable and
unhealthy working conditions

4. 4
Challenges
 Print Master had tried using air washers (Direct Evaporative Cooling or DEC) in one of its plants earlier but was
unsatisfied as not only was the cooling inadequate, but the air washers also increased the humidity
 Using an air conditioning (AC) system was also not a good idea, due to negative pressure build up – which
leads to dust ingress. The recirculation of air with VOCs which is normal with AC installations usually leads to a
decrease in air quality. Plus ACs use a lot of energy, which leads to an increase in opex as well
 Thus, both DEC and conventional AC systems were ruled out as options
 The management at Print Master wanted an HVAC system that could provide an appropriate amount of fresh
and cool air in the shop floor, while ensuring a healthy and dust-free environment by continuously exhausting
stale, VOC-laden air
 At the same time, the system would have to be economical to install and operate

5. 5
Solution
 After a thorough study, HMX recommended its IDEC
(indirect direct evaporative cooling) units to Print
Master
 IDEC units totalling 120,000 CFM were installed to
cool the 18,800 square feet gravure printing area

6. 6
Result – a happy customer!
 The HMX-IDEC system was found to be a perfect solution to
the problems faced by Print Master: It not only provides fresh,
cool air, but also maintains positive pressure, thereby
exhausting VOCs from the shop floor and eliminating
dust ingress
 The reduced indoor temperature reduced solvent losses,
leading to a healthy working environment
 The HMX-IDEC system also adds significantly less moisture to
the environment compared to air washers, enhancing comfort
 Today, the employees on the shop floor enjoy adequate
cooling, fresh air and a dust-free environment while working
 Manufacturing costs have decreased with less solvent losses
as well as better quality
 Consequently, Print Master is quite happy with the
performance of the HMX-IDEC

7. 7
For more information:
A.T.E. Enterprises Private Limited (Business Unit: HMX)
T-126, T Block, MIDC, Bhosari,
Pune – 411026
India
Email: ambiator@hmx.co.in
Phone: 1800 123 2830
Or visit: www.ategroup.com/hmx
Get in touch

8. 8
THANK YOU