We are introducing products to help customers in their sustainability goals: Sumant Singhal

RK: What emerging trends do you foresee driving the printing and packaging equipment market in 2025? 

Sumant Singhal: In 2025, we anticipate widespread adoption of EPR regulations, advancing sustainability through circular economy principles, recyclable materials, and eco-friendly practices. Digital transformation, including AI-driven automation and predictive maintenance, will enhance efficiency, while smart packaging will integrate technologies like augmented reality for consumer engagement and blockchain for transparency.

We are ready to leverage these trends by expanding sustainable product offerings — PCR, rPET, investing in advanced automation, and driving innovation in smart packaging. We’ve registered for EPR compliance and are ensuring our partners follow suit, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and industry leadership.

RK: Are there any innovative products, features, or applications your company plans to launch in 2025? 

SS: In 2025, we will commercially launch products introduced last year, including PP top-coated facestock, metallised side print receptive coating, PET liner, and PCR PET. Additionally, we are planning to introduce PCR BOPP during the latter part of the year, further expanding our sustainable product portfolio to address the industry's evolving needs for eco-friendly and efficient solutions.

RK: With sustainability becoming a priority, how will your innovations in 2025 help reduce environmental?

SS: In 2025, our focus will be on introducing a sustainable product range designed to help customers achieve their sustainability and circular economy goals. These innovations will cater to both the wide-web and narrow-web industries, enabling reduced environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency. With an in-house integrated rPET and bottle-to-bottle PET chips, we are probably one of the very few companies in the industry who can provide wide array of sustainable product options. 

RK: How will your investments in technology, R&D, or customer support in 2025 benefit the printing and packaging community? 

SS: Our investments in PCR products will directly support the printing and packaging community in achieving sustainability goals. These innovations will enable businesses to align with environmental standards while maintaining a competitive edge in the market. 

Rahul Kumar (RK): What were the key trends in 2024? 

SS: In 2024, buzzwords like circular economy, sustainability, automation, along with cost consciousness were the key trends that were visible in the packaging equipment / material manufacturing. We embraced these trends by launching sustainable product lines like rPET, PCR PET, oxo-biodegradable films, biodegradable films and many more product offerings that are in the pipeline to be launched and commercialised soon. In terms of automization and enhancing customer support service, we have integrated CRM with our ERP to ensure stakeholder delight.

RK: How did your company perform in 2024? 

SS: We have a completely new plant coming up in Jammu, which makes our foray into the aluminium foil business. It also has a rPET chips facility. Though the machine installations have been completed during 2024, the plant would be operational from March 2025. 

RK: What new products or applications did you introduce in 2024? 

SS: In 2024, we introduced several products that have significantly impacted the printing and packaging industry. These products were introduced during Labelexpo India. 

The universal coated PP facestock is designed for versatility, and it is compatible with various printing technologies, including UV flexo, digital, offset, and letterpress, catering to diverse industry needs, thereby helping industries optimize their as well.  

The metallised side print receptive coating for PP facestock is an innovation enhances the functionality and visual appeal of PP facestock, meeting the demand for premium-quality packaging solutions. 

The PET liner is a robust and efficient solution that ensures superior performance across a range of applications. 

The PCR PET (up to 90%) is a groundbreaking sustainable option that incorporates up to 90% post-consumer recycled content, aligning with industry goals for eco-friendly materials. 

These products reflect our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and addressing evolving market demands. By offering enhanced functionality, efficiency, and sustainability, they have elevated industry standards and reinforced our leadership in the sector. 

RK: What challenges did you encounter in 2024? 

SS: Though we did not experience any kind of supply chain disruption or a surge in production cost we did experience cutthroat price competitiveness being offered by our competition in the market. Which, definitely, did affect the industry as a whole.

RK: How did your organisation contribute to enhancing the productivity and profitability of the printing and packaging community in 2024? 

SS: Our forte has been consistent quality and on-time supplies, thereby ensuring that the converters don’t have any supply chain outrage, in terms of poor quality or delays in supplies. This has for sure contributed to enhancing productivity and profitability of print and packaging community.