Sahil Shah on hybrid, sustainability and new technologies
At Labelexpo Europe 2025, Sahil Shah, director at Letra Graphix, shared his impressions of the show and reflected on the company’s journey with hybrid technology. Speaking about new launches, sustainability and the balance between flexo, digital and hybrid, he outlined both the opportunities and the challenges for Indian converters
19 Sep 2025 | 366 Views | By Noel D'Cunha
Sahil Shah, director at Letra Graphix, observed that while digital print is making progress, it is not yet fully embedded in the market. “If we talk only about print, I think we are commercially ready. But image quality for digital still needs some time before it becomes comfortable for everyone to use,” he said. He noted that digital continues to push boundaries but some technologies remain undercooked from a commercial perspective.
Among the innovations that caught his attention were Actega EcoLeaf and Signite, both of which promise new directions in sustainability and smart packaging. “EcoLeaf makes sense from a sustainability point of view, but in India, the return on investment is still difficult to justify. It is a handsome investment in a very price-sensitive market,” Shah explained.
On Signite, he noted: “It is a good technology and we would love to try it, but brand owners would need to invest heavily in applicators. We need to see how it performs in real-world conditions.” He also pointed to lower grammage films such as Linerless, which Letra has tested, but he felt the Indian market was not yet ready for widespread adoption.
Letra Graphix invested directly in a hybrid press, skipping standalone digital. Shah admitted it was a steep learning curve. “When we installed hybrid, it was a great learning opportunity for us. It does have its own challenges and limitations, but our thought process in combination has improved,” he said. He argued that hybrid offers the best balance between efficiency and flexibility. “I don’t see only flexo going forward, and I don’t see only digital going forward. For efficiency, hybrid is the way forward.”
Shah reflected on broader industry trends, including the rise of finishing systems and the strong presence of Chinese manufacturers at the show. “Because many people are investing only in digital, finishing equipment becomes essential. I don’t see a problem with that,” he said. On competition, he added, “Some halls feel more like China right now. The Chinese are always two steps ahead in terms of technology, and they challenge you. I would love to see more competition between European and Chinese manufacturers, but without spoiling the market.”