SUSTAINABILITY

At the Rotatek Open House held from 12 to 16 January 2026, the conversation around in-mould labelling does not begin with a press spec sheet. It begins with a question: why does in-mould labels deserve attention when it still sits outside the mainstream volumes of packaging print. Noel D’Cunha reports.

As scheme operator for Goa’s deposit refund system, Recykal’s Vikram Prabakar explains how QR-based serialisation, data infrastructure, and real-time tracking manage the full lifecycle of packaging

Jay Raj Fine Paper has put up one of the most colourful stalls at Pamex 2026, where the company has found an innovative way to display the range of its papers in different colours, covering the entire spectrum, from black to white, with everything in between, from pink to yellow.

This Green Report reveals how Indian converters are shifting from compliance driven initiatives to strategic sustainability programmes that cut waste, save energy and reshape plant culture

Noel D’Cunha is a managing editor at PrintWeek and WhatPackaging?

Mehzabin Nair, managing director of Skanem India, brings expertise in innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. In an interview with Anhata Rooprai, she shared her insights on the company’s strategies, the evolving label industry, and Skanem India’s future aspirations

The ninth edition of the annual Print & Beyond seminar, hosted by the Kerala Master Printers Association (KMPA), took place on 22 February at Radisson Blu, Kochi. The theme was, build an organisation that outlasts you, emphasised long-term business sustainability.

From the materials we use to manufacturing and distribution, we’re constantly looking to lengthen product life cycles through repair, refurbishment, recycling and reuse, Satyajeet Satpathy, director, sales and marketing, Epson India, says in an interview with Rahul Kumar.

The costs associated with plates and analogue pre-press waste can be significant, sometimes accounting for over 10% of a brand's annual spending, depending on the number of SKUs produced. "By reducing or even eliminating the need for plates, we minimise not just water consumption and ink waste, but also chemical waste during the cleaning process," says Michael Matthews, product manager at Domino, as he explains how digital innovation is transforming the industry and supporting sustainability goals

CocoPallet, a Netherlands-based company, is launching a fully sustainable, wood-free export pallet made from coconut husks, with its first global factory in Tiptur, India, in partnership with Superpacks. The initiative aims to scale production to 10 lakh pallets by 2028, reducing deforestation and offering an eco-friendly alternative to single-use wooden pallets, while also expanding to other regions like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Sushil Birla of Kwality Chemical Industries says the company is working closely with all its customers to implement strategies without affecting print quality, production and price

TechNova showcases its Akron range of eco-friendly, Fogra-approved fountain solutions at PrintPack India 2025, offering IPA reduction, improved pressroom safety, and sustainable, high-performance printing.

Kurz has been seen as a foil supplier. However, over the past few years, Kurz has been trying to alter that image. Now, it wants to be known as a complete solution supplier. During Labelexpo India 2024, Rahul Kumar met the Kurz team. Extracts from the interview

As the labels and flexible packaging industry evolves, DIC India leads the charge towards sustainability with cutting-edge solutions and a strong ESG strategy. Dr Kamakshi Christopher, general manager of flexible technology at DIC India shares with PrintWeek her insights on transformative practices and the economic imperatives driving the shift, highlighting the growing role of sustainable products in India’s manufacturing landscape.

In this guest article, Vandana Tandan, head of markets – India & Bangladesh, SIG Group, sheds light on the importance of aseptic carton packages boosting the circular economy

Technology stands at the crossroads of packaging compliance, offering solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and adaptable, says Kristy Sheng of HP.

In this conversation, Dr Ludwin Monz says, at Drupa 2024, Heidelberg will present solutions that will mitigate the three main challenges the printing industry faces – ever-increasing cost pressure, a shortage of skilled workers and rising sustainability requirements.

Micro technologies that work in tandem to create efficient and environmentally safe output results in a positive total product life cycle of digitised printing, explains Katsuhisa Asari, managing director and S Parameswaran Iyer, head of corporate marketing and communications, Konica Minolta India.

Upal Roy, managing director for India/South Africa/ME at Flint shares a bird’s eye view of the company’s 20,000 MTPA production capacity and philosophy. On the sidelines of the LMAI Conference in Jaipur, Roy tells Noel D’cunha that “Flint’s central premise is that products should be conceived from the start with intelligent design and the intention that they will eventually be recycled.”

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a proposed policy by the European Union (EU) to tackle climate change by levying carbon taxes on imported goods based on their carbon intensity.

Harveer Sahni, chairman at Weldon Celloplast will moderate a power-packed panel of labels and packaging converters, and material and equipment manufacturers during the two-day LMAI Conference 2023.

Being sustainable is not only good business practice but is increasingly a crucial requirement for many customers. Karthik Narayan Ravi, director of Multivista Global Print Solutions, shares the book print firm’s journey thusfar