The Indian printing and packaging industry is rebounding strongly after the COVID-19 downturn, with strong growth in the packaging sector and growth in commercial printing. In India, Ahmedabad-based Letra Graphix has installed the Gallus Labelfire, a hybrid label press, the first of its kind in 2023. With its digital printing capabilities and wide range of application options, Letra opens up a new dimension in the expansion of its printing technology.
Letra has won national and international acclaim for its labels printed using flexo technology, and in 2023 the company won an award for its digital printing capabilities. For a company that has always been about flexo, this digital award marks a shift in how people think about digital printing technology. "This award highlights the growing importance of digital printing as a viable option for businesses looking for high-quality, efficient and cost-effective printing solutions," said Nirav Shah, Managing Director of Letra.
Around 2020, after the first wave of COVID-19, Narendra Paruchuri, chairman of Pragati Group, a Hyderabad-based printing and packaging company, was asked if he saw commercial printing as a growth market. He replied: “I don’t think so. However, Pragati still has potential in the commercial printing space. This is because we have added technology in the packaging printing business that can add significant value to high-end coffee table books. If buyers want to add value in books , brochures or catalogues, we can provide these solutions. This is the advantage of Pragati.”
According to Paruchuri, the right technology can help commercial printing be profitable. India is one of the largest commercial printing markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The market size is US$33.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$41.6 billion by 2028, with a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2023 to 2028.
Similarly, the Indian packaging market size is currently estimated at US$71.9 billion, and according to the Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai, the packaging industry is expected to grow to US$130 billion by 2028, registering a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%.
Folding carton
Today, the Indian folding carton packaging sector is worth US$2.4 billion and is expected to reach US$4.1 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 9.7%. This market is highly fragmented with a large number of players across India. There are approximately 3,300 units in the industry, with SMEs accounting for a considerable market share.
Although the offset printing process is used to produce single-layer cartons, industry discussions show that narrow-web flexo printing is also used for carton printing. Users include well-known companies such as Pragati Pack, ITek, Zircon Technologies and Any Graphics. The narrow-web flexo process that produces single-layer cartons is often used for small cartons made from a single layer of corrugated or cardboard materials because the process provides high-speed printing and cost-effective short-run printing.
One trend driving the growth of single-wall carton applications in the industry is the growing demand for premium packaging solutions. Another experiment is using value-added barriers and heat-sealing papers as alternatives to plastic. Suppliers of such paper-based materials work with flexible packaging converters and brand owners who are keen to provide sustainable solutions such as printed bags.
The sheetfed offset press market in India has approximately 1,500 new printing presses. Between April 2023 and March 2024, 69 printing presses were imported, with Komori Printing leading the market with 49 printing presses, followed by Heidelberg and RMGT with 7 printing presses each, and Koenig & Bauer with 49 printing presses. 5 units, Manroland has 1 unit. India imports nearly 2,000 second-hand printing machines every year.
Flexible packaging
According to the Times of India, the Indian flexible packaging market was worth US$8.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach US$12.3 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 8%. Gravure still dominates. However, in the past five years, the number of satellite flexo printing machines in India has grown linearly. This means approximately 15 satellite flexo presses are installed each year. Experts believe that compared with other processes, the sustainability of satellite flexo printing is the key to investment.
“Flexo excels in key areas such as tool development, logistics, waste reduction, power consumption and the use of toluene-free inks. Advantages in quick order changes and ink weights further contribute to its sustainability. As the industry continues to evolve, Flexo printing is paving the way for greener and more environmentally friendly printing solutions,” said an industry expert. Another reason for this shift is government regulations, recyclability and sustainability.
