58 | LMAI Conference 2023“The younger generation is playing a pivotal role in shaping market trends. With 65 percent of India’s population being 35 years and younger, this demographic exerts pressure on brands to adopt sustainable practices”The conference attendance of more than 600and automating production processes. Implementing controlled foster innovation in sustainability. Pragati Pack’s Paruchuri says changes after monitoring and analyzing the activities of a press in that while aesthetics in labels are crucial, sustainability cannot real-time will lead to better production performance. be ignored. One result is the Indian industry is seeing a reduction in plastics use by brands. The converter is also working on anti-Hybrid technology counterfeiting products. Hybrid printing is another fast-growing trend, with manufacturers Datta emphasizes that the focus should shift from only including Gallus and Domino promoting these technologies at the considering the end product to examining the materials used in its conference. The Gallus One press offers digital print capabilities production. While wash-off labels have been around for a while, with fnishing options such as a die-cut unit, fexo unit, cold foiling they are gaining traction now and are likely to become standard. and UV ink printing. Domino’s digital retroft unit can be integrated Kagade adds that HP is committed to bringing sustainability with a fexo press. throughout the production process, from machine manufacturing At the same time, semi-rotary technology offers its own unique to the fnal print. He underlines the sustainability advantages benefts. Iwasaki highlighted the IF330 semi-rotary fexo press of digital printing, with HP inks certifed for recyclability and and compared it to letterpress, full rotary fexo and digital press de-inking processes.technology. Compared to letterpress, it is easier to operate, no Holostik’s Gupta emphasizes that the drive toward inking adjustment is required and consequently, waste can be sustainability needs to start with brand owners. However, it’s eliminated. The press can be used for proof printing for a rotary important to acknowledge that sustainability often comes with fexo press and can print multiple sizes of labels with one cylinder. added costs, and pricing is a signifcant concern. The converters The press also comes with inline fnishing and embellishment and manufacturers within the ecosystem are collaborating to capabilities. address these pricing challenges.The conference was attended by young newcomers to the In turn, the younger generation is playing a pivotal role in industry. Aryaman Julka joined his father Jatinder Kumar Julka shaping market trends. With 65 percent of India’s population being in his Alliance Printech business and attended the conference. 35 years and younger, this demographic exerts pressure on brands He says: ‘As a newcomer to the industry, attending the LMAI to adopt sustainable practices. Kagade actively educates brand conference was a truly phenomenal experience. While I’ve been owners about sustainability. Additionally, the Indian government is to trade shows and exhibitions before, this conference offered a also working to promote sustainable practices and has introduced unique opportunity to connect with industry peers, learn from CO2 emissions policies that incentivize brands to prioritize experts, and stay updated with the latest developments in our eco-consciousness.feld. The insightful sessions and engaging discussions were a Discussing technological innovation, Chatwal from Kwality valuable learning experience for me. Offset Printers suggests that converters should invest in ‘Furthermore, the conference provided an excellent platform cutting-edge technologies that include multiple processes including to build meaningful connections with like-minded professionals, fexo and digital. Kwality has reduced its foil usage by using more fostering a sense of camaraderie within the industry. Overall, the metalized paper.LMAI conference was a remarkable journey of learning, networking Sharma explains that release liner poses a challenge and is and personal growth. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look considered a ‘necessary evil’. The industry needs to collectively forward to more such enriching experiences.’ fnd ways to reuse and recycle liners. Avery Dennison has initiated programs such as the AD Circular Program to promote the reuse, LMAI panel discussion recycling, and upcycling of liners. It has also developed paper liners LMAI conference also hosted a panel discussion with label that can later be converted into usable tissues.converters, material and machine suppliers titled ‘Challenges Roy of Flint Group mentions that packaging is evolving to in creating sustainable innovations in labels’. The panel was become more recyclable, with a focus on monolayer, paper and moderated by Harveer Sahni, chairman, Weldon Celloplast and board, using compostable inks. Bio-based raw materials for ink included Ankit Gupta, joint managing director, Holostik; Hemant production are gaining popularity, all the while Flint ensures Paruchuri, director Pragati Pack (India); Devendra Solanki, competitive pricing.director sales, Sicon Packs; Rajeev Chatwal, managing director, Kapoor and Kagade highlight that machine manufacturers Kwality Offset Printers; Upal Roy, managing director, India / such as Nilpeter and HP are actively developing energy-effcient Middle East / Africa, Flint Group; Manish Kapoor, sales manager machines. Replacing UV curing with UV LED technology is a step - Indian Sub Continent, Nilpeter; Umesh Kagade, segment toward energy savings. manager, labels and packaging, HP; Sanjeev Sharma, director product management, Avery Dennison South Asia; and Akshay Datta, director of Dutta press. For more information, visit the LMAI website at www.lmai.in The discussion started with measures the industry is taking to labelsandlabeling.com