Four prominent players in the packaging printing domain – Windmoller & Holscher (W&H), Miraclon, Apex International, and Tesa – joined forces to organize a conference on packaging, with a special emphasis on flexographic printing. The event at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ahmedabad on May 3 drew stakeholders from across the flexible packaging value chain and addressed key themes, including cost integration, efficiency, and sustainability in packaging.
Anuj Sahni, sales & marketing director at W&H, commenced the proceedings with a welcome address, emphasizing the industry’s focus on sustainability and the complementary nature of flexographic and gravure printing technologies. Sahni stressed the importance of flexible packaging converters adapting to customer demands, advocating for a versatile approach that incorporates both flexo and gravure technologies.
“People very often ask us whether rotogravure is a better process or flexo. We do not see them as two competing processes. We see flexo as a complementary process to gravure. Today flexible packaging convertors are service providers and they should be ready to deliver whatever customers demand. Converters with gravure technology should definitely look at flexo,” he said.
Sunil Kumar, technical sales consultant at W&H, delved into the integration of efficiencies with sustainability, highlighting technical aspects such as barrier films and varnishes. Kumar showcased W&H’s solutions, including EASY-COL, a fully integrated on-press color management system, and Vision, an integrated web monitoring and inspection system.
Mahesh Mense, sales manager – Indian Peninsula, Apex International, discussed trends and innovations in flexographic printing, emphasizing advancements in press technology, plates, aniloxes, tapes, and inks. Mense talked about the evolution of Apex International’s GTT anilox technology, which was launched 12 years ago. He touched upon the advantage that GTT has over conventional anilox. GTT offers advantages such as consistency and cost efficiencies. A major advantage of GTT technology is in the form of ink wastage and longevity of doctor blades, he said.
Hersh Lulla, marketing manager – Asia Pacific Region at Miraclon, provided insights into developments in flexo printing, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Lulla also highlighted Miraclon’s Flexcel NX digital platemaking system.
Stephanie Lee of Tesa discussed Tesa Softprint plate mounting tapes for flexographic printing, outlining their benefits such as fast job preparation, easy demounting, and adaptability to different climate conditions. Lee shared about Tesa’s participation in drupa 2024, a leading trade fair for printing technologies.
The summit provided a platform for industry leaders to exchange insights and strategies aimed at advancing efficiency and sustainability in packaging, reaffirming the commitment of W&H, Miraclon, Apex International, and Tesa to driving innovation in the flexographic printing ecosystem.
