An interview from Mr.Sanjay Desousa, G.M – Sales & Marketing, Srushti Enterprise
The company is involved in marketing quality printing products as authorizedagent of leading Indian and International manufacturers. Srushti has always been a concept and technology driven company.
Corrugman : Could we know more about Srushti Enterprise?
Sanjay Desousa : Srushti Enterprise, established in 1994, is a leading name in India’s flexible packaging and flexographic printing industry. The company specializes in providing high-quality printing products and packaging solutions through partnerships with renowned Indian and international manufacturers. With a focus on innovation and customization, Srushti Enterprise offers a wide range of products tailored to meet diverse client needs.
CM : What are Srushti Enterprise’s core product offerings in the corrugated industry?
SD : The company’s product portfolio includes solvent-based, water-based, and UV inks for flexographic and gravure printing in partnership with Siegwerk , precision doctor blades for flexo and gravure applications in partnership with Daetwyler, flexographic tapes for mounting and sealing in partnership with Tesa, solvent-based and solvent-less adhesives in partnership with Henkel, and advanced flexo plates for high-speed package printing in partnership with Dupont.
Additionally, Srushti Enterprise supplies cleaning products for anilox rolls, parts, and plates to ensure superior printing quality. These offerings are complemented by cutting-edge vacuum packaging machines and offset printing inks in partnership with Recyl, France. For the Corrugation Industry, we provide with Specialized Unicor Series Inks, Product that of Siegwerk.
“Srushti has always been a concept and technology driven company. It offers you the advantage of customization and innovation”
CM : What role do coatings play in print quality at Srushti Enterprise?
SD : Coatings play a crucial role in print quality by enhancing durability, aesthetics, and functionality, providing protection against damage, and improving the overall appearance of printed materials. Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Enhanced Durability and Protection: Coatings act as a protective layer, shielding printed materials from scratches, scuffs, moisture, and UV radiation, thereby extending the lifespan and maintaining the integrity of the print.
- Improved Aesthetics: Coatings can enhance the visual appeal of printed materials by creating a glossy, matte, or textured finish, and they can also help to achieve vibrant and accurate color reproduction.
- Functionality: Some coatings offer specific functionalities, such as water resistance, scratch resistance, or even antimicrobial properties, making them suitable for various applications, including packaging, labels, and promotional materials.
- Print Quality Enhancement: Coatings can improve the print quality by ensuring even ink absorption, preventing smudging, and enhancing the overall sharpness and clarity of the printed image.
- Types of Coatings:
- Aqueous Coatings: Water- based coatings are a popular choice for their versatility and eco- friendliness, offering a range of finishes and functionalities.
- UV Coatings: These coatings are cured using ultraviolet light, providing a fast-drying and durable finish, suitable for high-quality printing applications.
- Specialty Coatings: These coatings offer unique functionalities, such as antimicrobial protection, scratch resistance, or enhanced gloss, catering to specific needs and applications.
CM : How does Srushti Enterprise maintain ink consistency?
SD : We need to maintain consistent ink flow and quality, prioritize proper storage (cool, dry, and away from sunlight), regularly mix ink, ensure a clean printhead, and use genuine ink cartridges or compatible inks from reliable suppliers.
Storage and Handling:
- Temperature: Store ink at room temperature, ideally between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
- Location: Keep ink in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Mixing: Regularly mix ink to prevent pigments from settling and maintain a consistent viscosity.
CM : What are the ink challenges in high-speed printing at Srushti Enterprise?
SD : Few Ink challenges in Flexo printing that can be debated :
Anilox volume VS ink formulation
Over time, as the anilox volume decreases due to the ink residues in the cells, the amount of ink that the anilox is able to deliver will reduce. When the cell volume decreases by over 15 percent. In order to maintain the same print consistency, it is recommended to revise the ink formulation.
Press speed VS ink drying speed
In general, as the press speed increases, the ink will dry faster on the anilox and plate. The reason is at higher speed, the air turbulence will increase, the shear force will increase, and more heat will be generated at the anilox and plate. To decrease the ink drying speed, the energy placed into ink drying will need to be reduced to compensate for the higher airflow and higher heat generation.
Knowing that press speed will affect the ink drying. It is important to take note that the ink is formulated to match a given press speed range. Consult your ink supplier for the recommended press speed before usage.
Ink solubility VS ink stability
Ink is composed of resin that is made soluble in the solvent, then the pigment is dispersed into the resin solution to achieve the desired color. During ink formulation, solubility refers to how well the resin is dissolved into the solvent. The solubility will affect the drying speed of the ink. Therefore, it is important to obtain the right combination of resins and solvents so that you have a solubility that fits your print operation scenarios.
As the solvent evaporates and temperature builds up during printing. It is important to make adjustments by adding more solvents into the ink solution so that the ink doesn’t plug the anilox or dry up too fast on the plate. This way, with the ink stability you can achieve a consistent printing result.
Ink solvents VS photopolymer plate swelling
During printing, the ink is transferred from the anilox over to the photopolymer plate. The contact impression of the anilox and the photopolymer plate should be maintained at a minimum to prevent over-inking. Over-inking can cause excessive dot gain. Similarly, the solvent in the ink can affect the photopolymer plate’s properties to cause the plate dots to swell and grow in size or thickness.
As result, leading to excessive dot gain. Some solvents have influence over the photopolymer plates more than others. For instance, alcohol has minimal influence on the plates. Glycols can create moderate issues for the photopolymer plate. Acetates will cause the plate to swell when used at high levels (> 15 percent). Therefore, it is important to understand the effect that the solvents have on your photopolymer plates before printing.
CM : How does Srushti Enterprise optimize ink adhesion on substrates?
SD : To optimize ink adhesion, we focus on both substrate preparation and ink properties. Surface treatment, such as corona, plasma, or flame treatment, such can increase surface energy and wettability, while using primers or lightly sanding can improve adhesion, especially on challenging substrates. A detailed understanding:
Substrate Preparation:
- Cleaning: Ensure the substrate surface is clean and free of contaminants like dust, oil, or moisture.
- Surface Treatment:
- Corona Treatment: Uses an electrical discharge to increase surface energy and wettability, improving ink adhesion.
- Plasma Treatment: Similar to corona treatment, plasma treatment can further enhance surface modification for better adhesion.
- Flame Treatment: Can also be used to increase surface energy and wettability.
- Primers: Apply primers specifically designed for the substrate and ink type to create a more receptive surface.
- Light Sanding/Scuffing: Creating a slightly roughened texture can improve mechanical adhesion, especially on metallic surfaces.
- Surface Tension:
- Solvent-based inks: Aim for a low-density surface treatment in the range of 36-38 dynes/cm.
- Water-based inks: Treat the substrate surface tension to 45- 48 dynes/cm, and introduce more alcohol (COH) groups to the substrate surface by surface treatment.
- UV inks: Have a high surface tension, usually around 50 dynes/cm, and produce a surface roughness of > 220 RMS (Å), and impart amine functional groups to the surface.
CM : How does Srushti Enterprise extend equipment life with cleaning?
SD : Srushti Enterprise Suggest Regular cleaning and maintenance, including lubrication and inspection, are crucial for extending equipment lifespan, preventing breakdowns, and maintaining optimal performance. Here’s how cleaning and maintenance contribute to longer equipment life:
- Regular Cleaning: Removing dust, dirt, and debris prevents buildup that can lead to wear and tear, corrosion, and reduced efficiency.
- Lubrication: Applying lubricants to moving parts reduces friction and wear, extending the life of those components.
- Inspection: Regular inspections help identify potential problems early on, allowing for timely repairs and preventing major breakdowns.
- Calibration: Ensuring equipment is calibrated accurately maintains precision and prevents malfunctions that can lead to premature failure.
CM : What emerging technologies are transforming the Indian corrugation industry, and what impact are they having on its future growth?
SD : The Indian corrugation industry is poised for significant growth, driven by factors like the expansion of e- commerce, increasing consumer awareness of sustainable packaging, and government initiatives, with projections indicating a substantial rise in market value and production by 2032.
Key Drivers of Growth:
- E-commerce Boom: The rapid growth of e-commerce in India has created a surge in demand for secure and efficient packaging solutions, particularly for protecting products during transit.
- Consumer Preference for Sustainable Packaging: Increasing awareness of the environmental impact of non- biodegradable packaging materials is leading to a preference for corrugated boxes, which are lightweight, durable, recyclable, and biodegradable.
- Government Initiatives: The Indian government’s focus on recycling and waste reduction, along with initiatives to boost manufacturing capabilities and sustainability, further fuels the growth of the corrugated packaging industry.
- Technological Advancements: The industry is embracing technological advancements like automation, robotics, and digital printing to improve efficiency, product safety, and customization.
- Capacity Expansion and Diversification: There’s a trend towards larger automatic plants and advanced machinery, which enhances productivity and meets the evolving needs of consumers and businesses.
Increasing Demand from Various Sectors: The food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors are also driving the demand for corrugated packaging solutions.
CM : How has the Indian corrugation industry evolved in recent years, and what key trends suggest its future growth trajectory?
SD : The Indian corrugation industry has seen significant growth and evolution, driven by factors like the rise of e-commerce, increasing demand for packaging solutions, and government initiatives, leading to automation, increased production, and a focus on sustainability.
“Through partnerships with esteemed Indian and international manufacturers, we offer a carefully curated range of printing products that prioritize eco-conscious practices without compromising on quality or affordability“
