LMAI Conference 2023 | 57LMAI conference 2023 explores key industry trendsReturning for the frst time since Covid, the LMAI conference brought the Indian label industry under one roof once again, Akanksha Meena reportsMAI hosted a two-day conference at the Leela Palace hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The conference was Lpacked with informative presentations, thought-provoking panel discussions and networking opportunities. The conference with the theme ‘Creativity, innovation, sustainability’ had more than 600 attendees.While opportunities for growth in the Indian industry are many, it is not without its challenges. Converters face challenges such as a lack of trained staff, increasing supply chain costs, material shortages, plastics tax and the rising cost of raw materials.LMAI panel discussion highlighted the many ways the industry is innovating for a sustainable futureThe conference brought forward the key trends in the industry including “As a newcomer to the industry, attending diversifcation into new market segments, automation and run lengths getting the LMAI conference was a truly phenomenal shorter. It also highlighted issues such as supply chain and logistics. Sustainability experience. This conference offered a unique has become synonymous with packaging as the industry focuses on reducing the opportunity to connect with industry peers, environmental impact of packaging and labels. learn from experts, and stay updated with the Flint Group shared that the company has latest developments in our feld”introduced fully compliant food-safe UV fexo inks in recent years. Its next major launch will be FCM (food compliant) dual paper recycling program and a new recently launched its UV Choice printing cure inks, which can be cured on both wash-off label adhesive that enables technology with a new plate surface arc UV and LED-UV systems. This will the removal of labels at lower water patterning technology specifcally tailored be followed by an FCM dual cure inert temperatures. to label and other UV fexo printed narrow technology platform in 2025. The continued growth of digital printing web applications.The company also discussed how its new in India and globally was widely discussed. Vinsak highlighted that sustainability deinking primer technology enhances the Konica Minolta stated that in 2022, should be observed not just during the recycling of PET containers because the 45 percent of worldwide narrow web printing process but throughout the supply ink no longer contaminates the recovered label press installations were digital. HP chain, including manufacturing equipment PET. The system is now being trialed by India shared changes in consumer buying from sustainable resources, implementing converters and brands in Europe. Flint has habits and more startups emerging has reusable packaging designs, better also developed a caustic-resistant varnish paved the way for a dramatic growth of inventory management and automation that ensures inks stay with the label in digital printing. for better utilization of resources. cases where the label material is different Kurz India highlighted that its digital from the bottle material and is separated Waste reduction metal 3D Uniliner will be available in India by fotation. Reducing waste by making the best use soon. The company also spoke about its Jindal SMI is developing thinner and of resources was also a popular topic of Recosys carrier recycling program that is lighter labelstocks. The company has discussion during the conference. Bobst already implemented in Europe. Kurz has introduced a conformable PP that reduces spoke about its OneECG extended color also reduced carrier thickness from 12 to material usage by up to 40 percent gamut Inline fexo process, which uses up 10 microns.compared to standard 85 micron PE flm. to seven colors to achieve 88 percent of Mark Andy pointed out that current Another new product is PCR white opaque the Pantone Digital Library while ensuring market challenges such as lack of staff, cavitated BOPP flm with similar properties consistency and repeatability. supply chain cost and issues, material to conventional PP. It contains 30 percent In the pressroom, Miraclon explained shortage, plastic tax, rising cost, shorter post-consumer recycled content. how choosing the right plates can simplify run length and multiple SKUs can be Jindal SMI also announced a release the fexo process. The company has tackled using data collection and analysis Oct - Dec 2023