Henkel launches flexible packaging academy in Navi Mumbai

There were more than 50 Henkel team members and representatives of Comexi and Reifenhauser India, who are Henkel’s technical partners for the academy. The ceremony was followed by a walk-through the two storey campus of the academy.

The centre piece of the academy is the Comexi Nexus Dual laminating machine. During a detailed demonstration, it is clear that the machine is a right choice for imparting all-round practical training of lamination techniques for flexible packaging. The Nexus’ versatile offerings include laminating with or without solvent. In addition, it can run cold seal, heat seal, lacquer, varnish applications and single-colour gravure and flexo printing.

Speaking about the initiative, Grauel said, “With the dynamic packaging trends in different segments like FMCG, F&B and pharma, there is a growing demand for advanced packaging solutions. The conventional materials have been replaced with flexible packaging materials. Addressing these demands, we have introduced Henkel Flexible Packaging Academy to enable manufacturers to fulfil the demands of the growing industry.”



The flexible packaging academy, which is based on Henkel Liofol academies in Germany and China, is perhaps the first of its kind in India, Middle East and Africa. It will offer a two-stage certification programme, which is targeted at operators, supervisors and industry professionals.

In stage one, the participants will undergo an intensive five-day theoretical and hands-on practical training on all aspects of flexible packaging that have an impact on lamination process, this includes printing, lamination, web handling, finished product testing, substrates, their properties and material handling.

They will be awarded Participation Certificate after completion of the five days, and Completion Certificate will be awarded after three months of reviewing the participant’s performance on shopfloor post training. The certificates will be jointly issued by Henkel and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), the knowledge partner.

The academy is also equipped with testing instruments and modern classrooms.

The participants will be provided with accommodation, logistics and study material. “As a part of exclusive Flexible Packaging Academy Alumni, participants will get an opportunity to remain abreast of the latest developments in flexible packaging through our online learning programmes,” said Jeremy Hunter, president, Henkel India, while speaking to PrintWeek India.

The first batch of 10 participants will commence training from March 2015.

Rudiger Schmitz, business director – flexible packaging, Henkel-IMEA, said, “The Indian market is developing; people are looking at quality upgradations and strict threshold of food safety. This academy is a stand-alone solution that will strive to bring knowledge to the market and drive it towards sustainability and innovation.”