PrintPack 2025 highlights in PrintWeek February issue

Focused on how PrintPack 2025 has spurred growth in turbulent times, the cover story highlights how the show delivered a wave of business activity and breaks down the key moments, focusing on the deals signed, and technology upgrades.

The February issue of PrintWeek also brings you the highlights from Print Summit 2025, held on 16 January at the Tata Theatre, NCPA in Mumbai. 

At the Bombay Master Printers’ Association’s Print Summit 2025, Anand Kripalu, managing director and global CEO of EPL shared five lessons he learnt from his decades-long career. He reflected on his time at Unilever, Cadbury, Diageo, and EPL; and how his experiences at those companies shaped how he solved problems.

A discussion hosted by Milap Shah, founder and chief product officer at PrintStop along with Shiva Viswanathan, CMO and co-founder at Catenate, and Manu Choudhury, director at CDC Printers, explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the print and design landscape. The session offered insights into AI-driven solutions, strategies for adoption, and the challenges ahead.

Sascha Fischer highlighted Koenig & Bauer’s innovations, including MyQiana, the new 76 Rapida press, the Radjet 106 hybrid press, and the CutPro X rotary die-cutter, emphasising flexibility, efficiency, and strong global partnerships.

In this speech during BMPA’s Print Summit, KBS Anand, an industry veteran with years of experience at Asian Paints, said talent in the organisation, transparency with customers and understanding of the local needs are the key aspects of business. 

Two extraordinary figures in the Indian printing industry: Khushru Patel of Jak Printers, Mumbai, and K Selvakumar of Lovely Offset, Sivakasi were spotlighted by Iqbal Kherodawala. Patel and Selvakumar have redefined what it means to lead a successful business while contributing beyond the bottom line.

Prabhakar Lingareddy of ITC highlighted the group’s afforestation programme. To date, it has covered 1.1 million acres and supports 212 million-person days of employment for rural households.

During his Print Summit presentation, Neelendra Singh of Adidas India, shared the game plan for India and how the largest sportswear brand in the country believes sports have the power to change the lives of ordinary citizens.

In other features, print continues to prosper against all odds. At the start of the year, industry leaders speak about what drives the print and packaging industry in India. A report by Noel D’Cunha and Rahul Kumar that forecasts capex for the next 12 months despite concerns about margins in the Spotlight section.

Established as a manufacturer of office stationery in 2001, Udaipur-based Miraj Multicolour forayed into packaging-printing in 2013. Now, the company has inaugurated a brand-new corrugation plant with a vision to offer sustainable packaging solutions. KG Sharma of Miraj Multicolour shares the details with Rahul Kumar.

February issue of WhatPackaging?
In the February issue of WhatPackaging?, the bimonthly PrintWeek supplement, the cover story focuses on how AGI fuels India's cosmetic growth with tech. Rrajesh Khosla, CEO of AGI, discusses the booming cosmetics market in packaging, AGI’s commitment to sustainability, technology upgrades, and investments in both domestic support India, the growing role of male grooming, the importance of glass in and export markets.

Echaar launched the second generation Flexodelight, CI flexo press with enhanced features to stay ahead in the flexo game. Kirti Panchal, the managing director at Echaar shares the tech capabilities at the Ambernath factory which ensures premium print without undercutting the price.

A Netherlands-based company, CocoPallet is creating fully circular, bio-based, 100% wood-free, ISPM15-compliant export pallets made from coconut husk. The company has partnered with India-based Superpacks and is setting up a plant in Tiptur, Karnataka. This is a solution that saves millions of trees while also recycling a waste product. As Prabhat Prakash finds out, it doesn’t get any better.

Mumbai-based Jak Printers, known for their high-quality book printing, has embarked on a journey of transformation — shifting its focus towards the fast-growing packaging industry. Heralding this change and transition is Zeenia K Patel, director of operations, Jak Printers.

EcoCushion’s Varsha Agarwal, says the EcoCushion Paper Wrap is protective packaging with cushioning technology to safeguard products. It is a recyclable and cost-effective alternative to plastic bubble wraps or plastic foam.

Praveen Shinde has been at the forefront of creating eco-friendly, high-performance solutions that deliver real value to businesses while staying kind to the planet. Charmiane Alexander speaks to Praveen Shinde about Pack8’s vision to eliminate plastic from transit packaging while ensuring automation-driven efficiency.

A survey by WhatPackaging? of over 130 respondents across cities reveals gaps in awareness about plastic types and recyclability. Read more to know how these findings highlight the need for better education and infrastructure to address India’s growing waste challenge.