Dipshikha Banerjee, head of technology for flexible packaging, India Region, Siegwerk
Siegwerk, a leading global provider of printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, is set to commercialize its water-based ink systems for flexographic printing in the Indian market. The company showcased its water-based ink systems — which can be used for both surface and reverse printing — at the 10th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2023 held in Mumbai on 31 August and 1 September.
Dipshikha Banerjee, head of technology for flexible packaging, India Region, Siegwerk, said, “We are very confident about the two types of ink systems, for surface as well as reverse printing. Cost-wise, these ink systems are almost on a par with solvent-based ink systems.”
Water-based ink systems offer many advantages over solvent-based inks, including lower effluents, lower carbon footprint, lower fire hazards, improved occupational safety, excellent printability, suitability for food applications, printability at high speeds, and easier viscosity control.
Working to commercialize these ink systems in India
Siegwerk is currently looking for partners to commercialize its water-based ink systems in the Indian market. Banerjee said, “Technically these two systems are ready and Siegwerk is now looking for partners to commercialize these solutions in the Indian market. We see huge potential for these inks as both brand owners and end consumers are now extremely receptive to such eco-friendly solutions when it comes to flexible packaging. Some policy support from the government will also help in making such environmentally-friendly ink systems more popular,” Banerjee said.
The greater adoption of water-based ink systems in India will be a win-win for all stakeholders. It will help to reduce the environmental impact of the packaging industry, and improve the safety of workers and consumers.
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