SA Litho installs Africa’s first Nilpeter FA-26 Press

SOUTH AFRICA – South African converter SA Litho has made history by becoming the first company on the African continent to install Nilpeter’s FA-26 lithography press.

The investment marks a major step forward for the Cape Town-based label and packaging specialist as it seeks to expand capacity and deliver more innovative solutions for brand owners.

SA Litho, a long-standing Nilpeter partner, already operates several presses from the Danish manufacturer, including the FA Asterix.

The decision to adopt the FA-26 highlights its commitment to staying ahead of market trends and meeting demand for broader and more versatile printing capabilities.

“We see the FA-26 as an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, offering innovative solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Dawrian Salies, general manager at SA Litho.

“The growing demand for broader printing, particularly in the wine and spirits, food, and pharma markets, played a key role in this decision. The FA-26 allows us to do things that even our customers haven’t thought of yet – and that’s where we want to be.”

The 26-inch wide FA-26 press is designed to handle a wide variety of substrates, making it suitable for both flexible packaging and pressure-sensitive labels.

For SA Litho, this opens new doors in South Africa’s fast-growing premium beverage segment, where packaging plays a key role in product differentiation.

With wine, craft spirits, and artisanal foods seeing rising consumer demand, converters are under pressure to deliver more complex finishes, bolder graphics, and sustainable materials.

Nilpeter, which has been strengthening its footprint in Africa through its agent CSM, sees the installation as a strategic milestone.

“The FA-26 will bring immense value to SA Litho’s operations and, most importantly, to their customers,” said Del Wiggill of CSM. “It’s a fantastic solution for a forward-thinking company.”

Martin Fjordlund Teilberg, Nilpeter’s global marketing manager, added that the move aligns with a global trend toward broader presses.

“We’re seeing more printers expand their capabilities, and it makes perfect sense for us to showcase the FA-26 at Labelexpo Europe 2025 in Barcelona,” he said.

Regional significance

The installation comes at a time when Africa’s packaging sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with rising investments in automation, sustainability, and premiumization. Competitors across the region are also modernizing their fleets, reflecting growing demand for high-quality, locally produced packaging solutions.

With installation and training already underway, SA Litho is poised to leverage its new FA-26 to strengthen its leadership in South Africa’s evolving label and packaging market.

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