As packaging sees huge growth, Huber offers sustainable solutions

Srivastava started off by stating that packaging is the ultimate frontier, the key moment when a brand has an opportunity to interface with a consumer. He began his presentation by crunching some numbers. He said, “The packaging industry in India is predicted to grow at 12 - 15 % and it constitutes 4 - 5% of the global packaging industry. “

Srivastava said that the ink should be able to boost productivity. Huber offers the support through its viscosity controller for solvent consumption. The company also provides solutions for cylinder and anilox plate configuration, solvent recovery for gravure and ECG for offset and flexo. 

Hubergroup specialises into solvent-based inks, water-based inks, UV-curing inks, offset printing inks, water-based coating systems, fountain solution for offset printing, screen and metal deco printing inks, printing auxiliaries and low migration inks for food packaging. 

Later, he dwelled on the theme of recyclability with a special focus on PP and PE mono materials and how Huber has certified inks for bio-compostable films. He said that it is an alternative to recycling for special applications. 

He spoke about the key factors that need to be considered about the inks in relation to the packaging and machines safety. The first one being; physical, chemical and microbiological contamination. “Toluene is an industrial solvent, which is widely used in the packaging industry in India. It has a high risk of fire hazard plus it pollutes the environment,” he said. He added that one of the causes of concern is its migration into the food products.

Srivastava said, “Packaging machine manufacturers need to offer high performance machines with economical versions for various types of packaging such as vacuum, pressure, skin, chemical and retort.” 

He gave an example about automation in packaging with the help of a spraying method. It is a process in which molten items are broken into small drops of liquid by high-speed fluids (gas as air or inert gas; liquid as water) or fluids with centrifugal force, and then solidified into powder.

The major advantages of the atomization process include: processing capability, freedom to agglomeration, cleanliness, versatility, and productivity.

He concluded his presentation by providing insights about the reuse in packaging which will reduce the carbon footprint. “PET bottles are well established with respect to the recycling process. Polyolefin packaging film – mono-layer PP and PE film after being used can be reused along with ink and adhesive, and other coatings.”

He told the gathering that Hubergroup is “working on an important project to evaluate and establish recycling of printed film or wasted pouches (single layer or laminate).” Today Huber has recycle and reuse options available in pouches, closures, tubes and container sleeves labels