At Pamex 2026 in Mumbai, Kongsberg PCS used its stand to send out a clear message to the packaging and printing fraternity: the future belongs to converters who can handle multiple substrates, multiple segments, and shorter runs – all from a single, versatile platform.
At the event, the company was showcasing its entry-level digital cutting table, the Kongsberg X20, designed specifically for converters operating in the folding carton, corrugation, and display markets.
“The folding carton business itself is consolidating,” said Rafiq Shaikh, sales and service leader at Kongsberg PCS India. “A folding carton company will acquire a kappa board unit, then a label company, then corrugation. At the same time, e-flute corrugation is growing rapidly. For this, you need a machine like X20 that is truly versatile.”
The Kongsberg X20, on display at the show, is capable of cutting a wide range of substrates – from folding cartons, corrugated board and kappa board to PET and specialty plastics. According to Shaikh, the machine has been positioned as a strategic entry point for companies that want to expand into new segments without immediately investing in a large, high-end system.
“This machine allows converters to start short-run production across multiple materials. Once volumes grow, they can then invest in a bigger platform,” he added.
What sets the X20 apart is its single-tool flexibility, allowing operators to switch between substrates without complex changeovers. “When you have so many different materials, you need one machine and one tool that can do everything. That’s exactly the need of today’s market,” Shaikh said.
Kongsberg also displayed a wide array of samples, all produced by existing Indian customers. These included works from Indus One (Mumbai), Jaina Corrugations, Manohar Filaments (Delhi), and Linex (Delhi) – each representing a shift from single-segment operations to multi-substrate production.
“Many of these companies started with tags or folding cartons and have now expanded into kappa boards and corrugation,” Shaikh explained. “Brand owners are reducing their vendor base and prefer one supplier who can deliver multiple materials. That’s pushing converters to diversify.”
According to Shaikh, the X20 has been positioned as a round-the-clock production solution. “You can run this machine 365 days, 24 hours. It is built for that kind of performance. We are planning to introduce new products and solutions that will make our offerings more affordable for Indian customers and help us grow.”
Industry growth amid uncertainty
While individual segments continue to grow, Shaikh believes the overall industry landscape remains unpredictable due to global economic pressures.
“When the dollar or euro goes up by 10%, the project cost also goes up by 10% for anyone importing equipment,” he said. “That becomes a big challenge.”
At the same time, consolidation is becoming unavoidable. “It is very difficult to survive on one vertical. Companies now want folding cartons, corrugation, PET, kappa boards – all under one roof,” he added.
Sharing segment-wise growth trends, Shaikh said folding cartons are growing at around 8%, flexibles at 17%, and corrugation at 10–12%. However, he cautioned that higher capacities are not always translating into higher profitability.