PrintPack 2025: Business momentum builds as major deals are signed — The Noel D’Cunha Sunday Column

The Indian print and packaging industry converged at PrintPack India 2025 hosted at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida from 1-5 February 2025. It generated unprecedented business activity across the five-day event. With 600+ exhibitors and 1,41,101 visitor footfall  reported, the event was not just a display of machinery—it was a stage for investments, with printers and packaging converters making significant purchases to future-proof their businesses.

Across the five-day exhibition, a surge in machine orders highlighted the industry’s growing demand for automation, efficiency, and sustainable production processes. Some of the biggest names in the sector finalised large-scale deals, setting the tone for industry-wide transformation.

The momentum was clear from Day One, with companies such as APL Machinery, HP Indigo, Heidelberg, and Komori closing multiple orders within the first 48 hours. Om Vir Print O Pack emerged as the highest-grossing exhibitor, with a staggering 30 deals signed, while Pratham Technologies secured 15 orders worth over Rs 5-crore.

The offset sector remained resilient, with players such as Heidelberg, Komori, and RMGT securing orders for high-speed, automation-driven presses, while digital print solutions saw accelerated adoption with HP Indigo and Canon sealing multiple transactions. Packaging and finishing companies, including book finishing – Bobst, Boxtech, and Bindwel Technologies, capitalised on growing demand for folder-gluers, die-cutters, inline embellishment and bookbinding solutions.

Sustainability was also a defining theme. Despac Global announced new investments in eco-friendly packaging, while Victory Lighting and APL Machinery showcased innovations in LED curing and solvent-free screen printing.

But beyond the deals and the technology launches, industry leaders at PrintPack 2025 highlighted the broader shifts shaping the future. From export-driven growth strategies to AI-powered workflow automation, the insights shared at the event underscored how India’s printing and packaging sector is not just evolving—it is positioning itself as a global force.

The buzz around PrintPack 2025 – Deals signed
3S Graphic Solutions reported two deals on the first day of PrintPack 2025, as its box-making automatic plants, gluing machines, and digital UV solutions gained traction. “We cannot name the companies, but our strength is service,” states Krishant Kant Jha, sales executive, 3S Graphic Solutions. The company, which imports and services machines from China, also launched a small bottle printer and drum grooving machine, both of which received positive customer feedback.

HP Indigo emerged as one of the top deal-makers at PrintPack 2025, securing multiple orders across its digital press portfolio. The company confirmed the sale of an Indigo 15K digital press to Puja Printech, marking a major investment in B2-sized digital printing for packaging and security applications.

“We see this as a significant entry point into high-value packaging and government printing,” states A Appadurai, country business manager, HP Indigo and inkjet business solutions.

Additionally, Pinnacle Traxim signed a deal for an Indigo 6K press, strengthening its short-run label printing capabilities for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. “The Indigo 6K allows us to expand our label production while improving efficiency,” informs Sandeep Juneja, plant head, Pinnacle Traxim.

Bindwel Technologies closed multiple high-value deals, reinforcing its position as a leader in perfect binding and automated book production. The company secured orders for its Freedom5K binder from Multivista and full Bindline systems from Repro India and Print Plus.

“Every book we bind must meet international standards, and Bindwel’s technology is helping us achieve that,” states Karthik Ravi, director, Multivista.

Print Plus, a Mumbai-based book printer and exporter, also acquired a Bindline system, expanding its high-quality binding capacity. “This investment will help us meet growing demand while ensuring top-notch quality,” informs Dinesh Gajria, managing director, Print Plus.

Heidelberg India secured two Speedmaster CX 92 orders, including one from Almats Branding Solutions. The press, designed for both commercial and packaging applications, has gained traction due to its high-speed automation and waste reduction capabilities. Apart from Almats, Heidelberg clinches key deals include: Abhinav Print (CX 92), SSaravana Graphics (CX 75 4+L), Sri Kaliswari Fireworks (CX 104 & Diana Easygluer 115), and Replika Press (SX 102 8P).

Team Heidelberg India

“Automation, waste reduction, and speed are the key decision-making factors for printers today,” says Samir Patkar, president, Heidelberg India.

Komori India finalised eight machine deals, with customers investing in four-colour and six-colour presses. Among the notable orders, Bengaluru-based Kamsri Techo opted for a six-colour GL-640A C IR press, while Officenow India invested in two Komori GL-437 presses.

“We are a Komori house, and our investment reflects the reliability of their technology,” states Puneet Chitkara, director, Officenow India.

Bobst confirmed the sale of its Novafold 110 A2 folder-gluer to Faridabad-based Sai Packaging, strengthening its position in high-speed finishing solutions. “Customers were amazed by the tangible benefits our automation solutions bring,” states Venugopal Menon, zone business director for printing and converting, Bobst.

DGM Automation sealed 10 machine orders, including installations for Galaxy Offset, Om Shivam Packaging, and Super Cartons. “The demand for finishing solutions is increasing as converters seek automation to enhance productivity,” informs Puneet Agarwal, director, DGM Automation.

Boxtech confirmed eight orders, including five for its Velocity+ folder-gluer and three for its Ecomatic range. “The trust the industry has placed in us highlights the increasing need for efficiency in packaging,” says Ajay Nayak, CEO, Boxtech.

Sustainability investments gained momentum at PrintPack 2025, with Despac Global acquiring its third fully automatic paper carry bag machine from NBG-Zono. The investment will increase production from 140 million to 250 million bags per month. “Our expansion aligns with the growing global demand for plastic-free packaging solutions,” states Puneet Khatri, co-founder, Despac Global.

Victory Lighting secured 20 deals for its LED curing solutions, replacing mercury-based UV lamps in printing applications. “LED curing is the future, offering energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact,” says Matthias Weiss, technology development manager, Victory Lighting.

Replika Press made a significant investment with the acquisition of a Manroland 700 Evolution eight-colour Perfecter 4/4 Elite press at PrintPack 2025. The deal was signed in the presence of Bhuvnesh Seth, MD of Replika Press, Kern Mirko, CEO of Manroland Sheetfed, and Deepak Walia, MD of Manroland Sheetfed India. “At Replika, we have always strived to stay ahead of the curve with best-in-class technology. With the new Manroland 700 Evolution, we are taking our print capabilities to the next level, ensuring superior quality, faster turnaround, and maximum efficiency for our customers,” states Seth.

APL Machinery confirmed the sale of 25 machines within the first three days of the exhibition. The orders included 10 LED curing machines, five semi-automatic foiler machines, three fully automatic cast-and-cure machines, three UV dryers, two screen printing machines, one fully automatic foiler, and one roll-to-roll machine. The company, which has significantly expanded its manufacturing footprint with three facilities covering 100,000 square feet, is increasingly positioning itself as a global player in print finishing and industrial screen printing.

Khyati Traders closed four machine orders, with strong demand for its folder-gluer, die-cutting machine, and screen printing with digital foil solutions. “We have had customers placing repeat orders for our automatic stop cylinder screen press for over a decade. The response has been fantastic,” states Ravinder Sharma, proprietor, Khyati Traders. He emphasised that automation will be key to the future of the Indian print industry, with finishing solutions evolving to meet increasing quality and efficiency demands.

Mimaki India secured four orders within the first three days of the exhibition, with strong interest in its UCJV 330 UV roll-to-roll printing machine. The system supports watermark printing and 2.5D embossed printing, making it a versatile solution for high-end applications. “The industry needed a machine like this, and the response confirms that we are addressing a key market demand,” states Dinesh Narayan, sales, North, Mimaki.

Provin Technos announced that it had inked two orders for the RMGT 9 Series 920 ST four-colour presses on the first day of the exhibition. Both machines are set to be deployed for books and commercial printing applications. “The RMGT 9 Series has become the go-to A1-size press for Indian printers, thanks to its unmatched productivity, economic efficiency, and intelligent automation. These latest orders reaffirm the industry’s trust in RMGT technology and Provin’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions,” states Akshay Kaushal, executive director, Provin Technos.

Sodhisons Mechanical Works had a successful show, showcasing a vast array of machines, including semi and fully automatic paper bag machines, die-cutters, flute laminators, UV screen printers, spot UVs, and manual and automatic hot foil stampers. “The market demand at the moment is gold foil, with spot UV. Therefore, our star product is the gold foiling machine. It really catches people's eyes, which is what people need in the market,” said Sanchit Sodhi, managing director, Sodhisons Mechanical Works. The company secured deals for its automatic lamination machine, hand-fed die cutters, and screen printing equipment and is in talks with a paper bag machine buyer.

Meanwhile, Shenso Graphic (a joint venture of Sodhisons and Daya) announced three major deals. Jammu-based Impressions Printing and Packaging invested in a KDX automatic lamination machine, Chennai-based Maintee booked a Fangbang automatic square-bottom twisted handle paper bag machine, and Alankar Lamination booked its second automatic screen printing machine with Foiler.

Trutech confirmed two machine orders at PrintPack 2025, further strengthening its presence in notebook production. The rolling machine is designed for paper rolling applications, while the binding machine is targeted at notebook manufacturing. “PrintPack has always been a massively successful event for us. We have received a strong response, both in 2022 and this year. We are hopeful that we will secure even more deals in the coming days,” states Prashant Patel, director, Trutech.

Vijaya Grafiks had a strong showing at the event, securing four major orders within the first two days. The company, known for its folder-gluers and quick-service restaurant (QSR) packaging solutions, reported strong demand for its high-speed automation systems. “The response has been fantastic. Printers and converters across India have shown confidence in our solutions. As the demand for packaging rises, so does the need for high-quality machinery, and we are proud to support the QSR segment with our cutting-edge technology,” states Prashanth Kumar, director, Vijaya Grafiks.

Kurz India finalised a major foiling deal, showcasing its silver line foiling and 60-degree box concept for enhanced branding. “I believe India is at par with the global market. However, we must change our thought process. Instead of being price-oriented, we must be value-oriented,” states Jitendeer Pal Singh, CEO, Kurz India. The company also introduced sustainable foiling solutions, reducing micron thickness in foils from 12 to six. “We are the only company in the world to have reduced our polycarrier thickness by 50%,” Singh added.

Click here to read all the investments inked at PrintPack 2025.

Products that stole the show
Beyond the record-breaking transactions, PrintPack 2025 was a showcase of breakthrough technologies. APL Machinery’s cast-and-cure system pushed the boundaries of embellishment, making high-end finishing achievable beyond offset.

Bobst introduced its AccuRegister contactless registration system, improving accuracy in die-cutting while cutting setup times by 70%. "Customers were amazed by its tangible benefits, added quality check, and enhanced precision," said Menon.

Venugopal Menon of Bobst

HP Indigo showcased multiple solutions, with its 15K press making inroads into security printing and high-value commercial applications. Meanwhile, Canon India saw strong traction with its ImagePress V1350, which was booked by Dharam Digital Press.

Emerging Graphics showcased the iEcho BK4-1312 digital cutting system, allowing near-zero waste sampling, while Mimaki debuted the UCJV 330 UV roll-to-roll machine, capable of 2.5D embossed printing. "The industry needed a machine like this," said Dinesh Narayan, Mimaki India.

Sustainability takes centre stage
PrintPack 2025 demonstrated a decisive shift towards sustainability-driven investments. Despac Global scaled up its eco-friendly packaging operations, purchasing a third fully automatic paper carry bag machine from NBG-Zono. "Our partnership with NBG-Zono has been instrumental in our rapid growth," said Puneet Khatri of Despac Global.

APL Machinery led discussions on solvent-free screen printing, replacing traditional solvent-based inks with LED-curable alternatives. "The shift to LED inks has eliminated fumes and improved workplace safety," said Paul.

Meanwhile, Victory Lighting introduced high-power LED units, replacing mercury-based lamps in UV curing applications. Excel Machinery announced that its manufacturing unit now operates on solar power, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Industry leaders share insights
Executives at PrintPack 2025 highlighted India’s growing role in global print manufacturing. CP Paul of APL Machinery spoke about the opportunity for Indian manufacturers to capture export markets as the US increases tariffs on Chinese imports. "But this will only happen if we consistently produce world-class products," he said.

Heidelberg’s Samir Patkar focused on automation’s role in print sustainability, while Bobst’s Venugopal Menon emphasised the company's transition towards connectivity-driven manufacturing.

In bookbinding, Kai Buentemeyer of Bindwel described how Indian-made binders are now competing with European alternatives. "We are no longer just competing with Europe—we are setting the benchmarks ourselves," he said.

The future of print: Trends to watch
Automation remains the defining trend at PrintPack 2025. The demand for faster, cost-effective print production is driving companies towards inline embellishment, finishing, and AI-driven efficiencies.

Hybrid print technologies, such as HP Indigo’s growing footprint in packaging and offset manufacturers integrating automation suites, indicate that print businesses are evolving into solution-driven enterprises rather than just production houses.

A Appadurai of HP Indigo

India’s export potential is rapidly expanding, with companies such as APL Machinery and Despac Global strengthening their international presence. APL’s LED curing solutions are now private-labeled in Europe, while Despac Global is opening new sales offices in Dubai, the UK, and the USA.

A glimpse into tomorrow’s print industry
PrintPack 2025 showcased an industry in transition—driven by automation, workflow efficiencies, and sustainability. With over 100+ machine orders finalised, which PrintWeek/WhatPackaging? reported at the show, the direction is clear: Indian printers are not just keeping pace with global trends; they are setting them.

The scale of deals signed and innovations launched at the event underscored one key takeaway—print is evolving beyond just production. It is becoming an ecosystem of automation, value-added services, and global collaboration.