The future of print lies in sustainability and innovation: Pratik Gandhi

How has 2024 been for your business, and what’s your outlook for 2025? 

The year 2024 has been dynamic for Enkey Enterprise and Taarget Papers LLP, with steady growth in speciality printing and packaging papers. The demand for sustainable and innovative materials has remained strong, especially in the premium-quality packaging sector. Despite global challenges, our customers have seen a noticeable rise in demand.

Looking ahead to 2025, we see a young and dynamic generation stepping up with AI-driven innovations to drive the business forward. With over 30 years of industry expertise, we are well-positioned to support the shift towards eco-friendly and digitally compatible substrates.

Which product saw the highest demand in the past year? 

Our best-selling product in the last 12 months has been gKraft, known for its 100% virgin fibres and excellent coating compatibility. It has gained popularity due to its sustainability, versatility, and ability to meet both aesthetic and functional requirements in flexible packaging, boxes, and bags.

Does India’s print growth align with global trends? Is there room for improvement? 

India follows global trends, but with higher growth potential, given the rapid expansion of e-commerce, FMCG, and packaging sectors. While offset printing continues to grow steadily, digital printing is expanding at a faster pace. With technological advancements and increasing demand for customisation, the Indian print industry is well-positioned to outpace global growth rates.

With shorter print runs and greater personalisation, how is Enkey Enterprise balancing digital and offset demands? 

Our long-standing expertise in fine coated and uncoated papers allows us to serve both digital and offset printing markets. By continuously adapting our product portfolio, we ensure that offset technology remains strong while also catering to the growing demand for digital printing solutions.

Sustainability is now a priority across industries. How is your company ensuring environmentally responsible printing? 

Sustainability is at the core of our operations. Both Enkey Enterprise and Taarget Papers LLP are FSC-certified, ensuring that our sourcing practices meet high environmental standards. We focus on promoting virgin, recyclable, and biodegradable papers while optimising logistics to reduce our carbon footprint. An essential aspect of our sustainability efforts is educating consumers about the environmental impact of their purchases, which has been a key part of our business ethics for generations.

Have you engaged in any strategic collaborations or product innovations?

We have built strong partnerships with some of the world’s finest paper mills, including Koehler, Navigator, Sappi, and Moorim, allowing us to offer a diverse range of over 60 premium products to printers, distributors, traders, and packaging businesses. One of our most recent collaborations has been with The Navigator Company in Portugal, leading to the introduction of gKraft in India. This cellulose-based sustainable packaging paper has been well received, given its adaptability to various applications and the increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Customers expect faster turnaround times and higher quality. Have you seen a shift in expectations? 

Yes, we have observed a major shift, especially among third and fourth-generation CEOs. Certification and operational efficiency are now non-negotiable. At Enkey Enterprise, we maintain FSC certifications and prioritise customer feedback to ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of materials that meet industry expectations.

How has the decline in traditional print media impacted your business? 

While digitalisation has reduced demand for newspapers and magazines, our focus has remained on offset and digital printing papers. This has allowed us to continue serving the commercial printing and specialised packaging industries, where demand remains strong.

Leading packaging players are expanding into new areas. What’s your take on diversification? 

Diversification is a natural response to market shifts, fostering healthy competition and driving innovation. As large companies enter new segments, the industry benefits from greater adaptability, product enhancements, and fresh opportunities for collaboration. By staying agile, we can continue meeting evolving market needs while ensuring long-term growth.

Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities for print over the next five years? 

Our guiding philosophy is Kaizen—continuous improvement and growth. The greatest challenge for the print industry is keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. However, this also presents opportunities, particularly in customisation, sustainability, and digital integration.

The increasing demand for personalised, sustainable, and high-efficiency printing solutions is shaping the industry’s future. We are investing in research, innovation, and strategic partnerships to ensure that we not only overcome challenges but also seize new opportunities that arise in the evolving print landscape.