Apex International, a global provider of anilox, metering, and embossing solutions, showcased its data-backed credentials of its innovative GTT (hydraulic transfer) engraving technology under the EcoProven banner at drupa 2024. The company used the print and packaging exhibition to demonstrate how the system is a critical part of sustainable practices across the offset, flexo wide web, and corrugated print sectors.
Ken Ralton, the chairman of Apex International, discussed the company’s strategic plans for the global market and India while Mangesh Bhise, director of sales for India, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, discussed the adoption and impact of the company’s technology in the Indian market during their video interactions with Packaging South Asia editor Naresh Khanna.
The Apex team showcased how GTT engraving contributes to environmental sustainability and cost efficiency. GTT engraving is a mainstay in the label, corrugated, flexo wide web, and offset printing industries. With over a decade in the market, Apex has continuously improved and refined GTT anilox technology to meet the evolving needs of modern printers. They discussed how India has always been a gravure-dominated market but times are changing with more focus towards flexo.
Through the videos, the company conveyed that enhanced ink efficiency provides richer colors with less waste – for instance, in white opacity applications, users can achieve superior laydown with one-hit white, using technology that benefits both the environment and their budgets. Similarly, in offset applications, GTT allows for more shine with less lacquer, enhancing cost-efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
GTT doesn’t transfer any air into the printing chamber, which is what separates it from any other anilox technology, Ralton said during the show. “We have been focussed on this technology to be able to accommodate India’s rapidly growing manufacturing infrastructure. We will introduce the latest developments in embossing technology in India by the beginning of 2026. India is growing in flexo know-how and application and we would like to facilitate the developments with our technology,” he said.
According to Bhise, in the recent six to seven years, the developments in flexo have been rapid in both narrow and wide web. “Converting gravure jobs to flexo needs considerable expertise as it is not a conventional process. Leveraging our value chain partners and the Nashik demo center namely Apex FlexoKITE, which is the fifth facility in the Apex Global roadmap, we are helping converters do test-runs and mock trials enabling them to better understand the current flexo scenario and sustainable benefits associated with it. From initial investments to training operators to print quality products we are helping every step of the way.”
