ROTOFLEX.CH

What ROTOFLEX.CH does

ROTOFLEX AG, founded in 1975 and headquartered in Grenchen, Switzerland, manufactures solvent-based gravure and flexographic printing inks, colour concentrates, and varnishes for the packaging and security printing industries. The company operates two principal product lines: (1) inks and varnishes for flexible packaging, including the Series 22 (PU, recyclable), Series 23 (high-performance lamination), Series 29 (lamination), Series 41 (heat-resistant), Series 56 (surface printing, heat seal resistant to 160°C), and Green Line Series 231 (compostable, 90% biodegradable within 6 months); and (2) Security Ink Technology, encompassing taggants (VISIO), microspheres (SKY), fluorescence inks (Fluo TOP), holograms/DOVID, sound inks, metallic inks, and screen/offset security inks. The technology is rooted in proprietary specialty chemical formulations supported by an in-house development laboratory, color management using Pantone LIVE data, and on-site customer support.

The company is majority-owned by Daetwyler SwissTec AG (acquired 2017) and operates a B2B sales-led go-to-market model. Distribution combines direct field sales from Grenchen and the Griesheim, Germany entity (MDC Max Daetwyler GmbH) with a network of country-level agents and distributors covering France, Spain, Italy, the Baltics, Turkey (via the 2018 Daetwyler Rotoflex Turkey subsidiary), Croatia, Poland, and Finland. The company exports over 80% of its production, primarily to European packaging converters and security printers. Products are certified to ISO 9001/14001 (2023-2026), EuPIA GMP for food-contact inks, OK Compost Industrial (2022-2027), and cyclos-HTP recyclability standards — supporting premium positioning in food packaging, non-food flexible packaging, and anti-counterfeiting applications.

Revenue is generated through one-time sales of specialty ink batches priced via B2B quotes, with no subscription or licensing model. Supporting services — customer support, development laboratory access, and colour management — are offered as value-adds to drive customer stickiness rather than as standalone revenue streams. The customer base spans three verticals: food packaging (primary), non-food flexible packaging, and security printing.

Name

ROTOFLEX.CH

Legal name

ROTOFLEX AG

Website

https://rotoflex.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ROTOFLEX AG is a Swiss specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1975, Grenchen) producing solvent-based flexographic and gravure printing inks, varnishes, and security inks for European packaging converters and security printers, majority-owned by Daetwyler Group since 2017.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Printing Inks and Coatings

NAICS

Printing Ink Manufacturing (325910), Printing Ink Manufacturing (32591), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Flexible Packaging Printing (Film/Poly/Paper Print) (IMALAKAG)

Keywords

• Gravure printing inks
• Flexographic printing inks
• Security ink technology
• Flexible packaging coatings
• Anti-counterfeiting inks

Headquarters

HQ city

Grenchen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Printing Inks and Coatings Sales: B2B sales of solvent-based printing inks, color concentrates, and varnishes for flexographic and gravure printing. Revenue generated from direct product sales to packaging manufacturers and printers across European markets.
2. Security Ink Technology: Sales of specialized security inks and solutions for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection applications. Includes primers, varnishes, holograms, fluorescences, screen inks, offset inks, and specialty products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ROTOFLEX AG manufactures solvent-based gravure and flexographic printing inks, colour concentrates, and varnishes for the flexible packaging industry, with a focused portfolio spanning food and non-food packaging substrates. The company also produces a dedicated Security Ink Technology line covering primers, varnishes, holograms, DOVID, fluorescence inks, screen and offset inks, sound inks, metallic inks, and proprietary taggant systems (VISIO and SKY) for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection. Production is concentrated at the Grenchen, Switzerland headquarters, with formulation expertise, custom colour matching, and on-site development laboratory support delivered across European markets.

Product overview

ROTOFLEX AG is a manufacturer of high-quality solvent-based printing inks and varnishes for flexographic and gravure printing. The company operates two main product lines: (1) Inks and varnishes for flexible packaging including Surface Printing series (56, 231 Green Line, 41), Lamination series (29, 23 High Performance), Varnishes, and Metallic Inks; and (2) Security Ink Technology covering fluorescence inks, holograms/DOVID, screen inks, offset inks, sound inks, metallic inks, and specialty taggants (VISIO, SKY). Products are produced in Grenchen, Switzerland, with individual solutions developed in close cooperation with customers. The company also provides supporting services including Customer Support, Development Laboratory, and Colour Management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Security Ink Technology: Security solutions including primers, varnishes, holograms, fluorescence inks, screen inks, offset inks, metallic inks, and specialties for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection applications.

Products and services

• Inks and varnishes for flexible packaging Solvent-based printing inks and varnishes for gravure and flexographic printing in the packaging sector. The line includes the Series 56 highly pigmented surface-printing inks (heat-seal resistant up to 160°C on OPP, PE, acrylic films, cellophane, and paper), Series 231 Green Line compostable inks (90% compostable within 6 months on paper and pre-treated films such as OPP and PE), Series 41 odourless heat-resistant inks for primered aluminium or paper, Series 29 multipurpose lamination inks with strong printability and low solvent residues, and Series 23 high-performance lamination inks resistant to pasteurisation and sterilisation.
• Security Ink Technology Customized security solutions for anti-counterfeiting and brand protection applied in rotogravure, screen, and offset printing. The portfolio includes primers and varnishes, holograms and DOVID, UV fluorescence inks, screen inks for banknote and document protection, offset security inks for medium-to-high security applications, sound inks for level-2 yes/no authentication, metallic inks, and proprietary taggant and microsphere technologies (VISIO invisible taggants readable only with a dedicated reader, and SKY microspheres readable with special optics but invisible under UV or IR), plus custom specialties developed in cooperation with security printers.
• PU Ink Series 22 (PU-Druckfarbenserie 22) PU printing inks for flexible packaging applications, officially recognized by the cyclos-HTP Institute as fully compatible with recycling streams for PP-based flexible packaging. The series addresses sustainability and circular-economy requirements for converters and brand owners.
• Rotoflex Heat-Seal Lacquer Heat-seal lacquer product delivering maximum seal strength at minimum temperatures, enabling sealing at temperatures as low as 160°C for temperature-sensitive products. Provides versatile adhesion to aluminum, plastic films, and paper, and is optimized for both gravure and flexo printing processes.
• Customer Support (Kundenservice) On-site after-sales support service for ROTOFLEX customers, including on-press colour adjustments, printing-related technical support, and assistance with colour mixing systems. Delivered across European countries through ROTOFLEX's agent and distributor network.
• Development Laboratory (Entwicklungslabor) Modern in-house development laboratory providing raw material testing and new product development services. Capabilities include analysis of ingredients, optical property measurements, printing property testing, and application-technical property evaluation for flexible packaging and security ink customers.
• Colour Management Specialist colour management service providing colour settings according to the latest Pantone LIVE data and to individual customer wishes, supported by internal formulation development and on-press colour adjustment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Series 22 PU inks certified as fully recyclable for PP-based flexible packaging by cyclos-HTP Institute
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Daetwyler SwissTec AG / Daetwyler GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ROTOFLEX AG was acquired by Daetwyler SwissTec AG in 2017, becoming part of the Daetwyler Group. Daetwyler is the majority shareholder and partner working to develop the network into a globally active niche player for high-quality printing inks and coatings. The acquisition provides synergies and technological advancements.
• MDC Max Daetwyler GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMDC Max Daetwyler GmbH in Griesheim, Germany serves as the sales office for Germany, providing field sales coverage including North Germany. Part of the Daetwyler Group network.
• Daetwyler Rotoflex Turkey (Daetwyler Emtia Ticaret A.Ş.)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary established in 2018 in Izmir, Turkey to serve the Turkish market with printing inks and coatings.
• Daetwyler Hell Iberica, S.l.u.regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner for Spain covering sales and support in the Iberian market.
• Emmanuel Paire (Sales Agent France)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales agent covering France, providing local sales and customer support.
• Renato Pignarca (Sales Agent Italy)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales agent covering Italy, providing local sales and customer support.
• Libra Vitalis UAB (Baltics)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Baltic states (Lithuania) covering sales and support.
• SMIBA obrt (Croatia)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales partner covering Croatia, providing local sales and customer support.
• Erka (Poland - Inks and Varnishes)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Poland covering inks and varnishes for flexible packaging.
• Offlex Oy (Finland)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Finland covering sales and support.
• cyclos-HTP InstitutcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertification partner for testing and certifying the recyclability and compostability of printing inks for flexible packaging applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SICPA: Swiss-based global leader in security inks and authentication solutions for banknotes, tax stamps and brand protection. Direct peer for ROTOFLEX's Security Ink Technology line including taggants, UV fluorescences and security inks.
• Epple Druckfarben: German manufacturer of offset, gravure and flexo printing inks including heat-set and specialty inks. Comparable niche European specialty ink producer with similar B2B packaging focus.
• Wikoff Color Corporation: US-based specialty printing ink manufacturer serving packaging, security and industrial markets. Comparable in specialization, security inks and custom formulation focus.
• Siegwerk: One of Europe's largest packaging ink manufacturers, specializing in solvent- and water-based inks for flexible packaging and labels. Directly comparable to ROTOFLEX in solvent-based gravure/flexo inks, sustainability programs and European customer base.
• Zeller+Gmelin: German printing ink specialist producing offset, flexo and gravure inks for packaging. Comparable mid-sized European manufacturer with specialty focus and sustainability initiatives.
• Hubergroup: German-headquartered printing inks and coatings specialist with strong presence in packaging inks (flexo, gravure, offset) plus security inks. Comparable in product mix, European footprint and security offering.
• Marabu GmbH: German specialty ink manufacturer focused on screen, digital and pad printing inks. Comparable European specialty inks player with security and industrial applications.

Broad incumbents

• Sun Chemical (DIC): World's largest printing ink manufacturer (DIC group) offering packaging, publication, security and specialty inks. Broader portfolio and global scale, but directly competitive in solvent-based packaging and security inks.
• Flint Group: Global supplier of inks and coatings for packaging (flexo, gravure) and security applications. Broad incumbent with overlapping solvent-based packaging ink portfolio and security offerings.
• ALTANA (ACTEGA): ALTANA division specializing in specialty coatings, sealants and inks for packaging and graphic arts. Comparable in varnishes, coatings and security/brand protection offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rotoflex-ch

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ROTOFLEX.CH