At Plastindia 2026, UFlex’s Printing Cylinders Business spotlighted a dimension often overlooked in sustainability conversations – the role of the print infrastructure itself. Rather than showcasing finished packs or materials, the company emphasized the technology behind the print, demonstrating how advances in cylinder engraving, automation, and ink compatibility can directly reduce waste, enhance safety, and lower the carbon footprint across the flexible packaging value chain. Parwez Izhar, executive vice president, Printing Cylinders Business, UFlex, explained how the division is reengineering conventional processes to meet the industry’s growing sustainability expectations.

“We are proud to showcase our advanced laser engraving capabilities. Our high-precision cylinders are setting new benchmarks in quality, consistency, and design excellence,” Izhar said, adding that UFlex today caters to a wide range of industries, including FMCG, personal care, pharmaceuticals, fashion, home décor, and many more.

According to him, UFlex’s embossing and printing cylinders now compete with global leaders not just on performance but also on sustainability. “The basic objective of being here is to showcase our capability, our innovations, and the sustainable products that help printers reduce carbon footprint and wastage. Our entire focus is on how we can bring recyclability and environmental advantages into printing.”

Cylinders evolve for water-based inks

One of the most significant shifts in cylinder technology over the past five to six years has been its adaptation to water-based inks – a critical step in reducing VOC emissions and fire risks in pressrooms.

“The greatest innovation is how we have made cylinders compatible with sustainable inks,” Izhar explained. “We have re-engineered the cell structure so that machines originally designed for solvent-based inks can still be used for water-based inks. The core challenge lies in evaporation — water requires substantially more heat to evaporate compared to solvents. By developing customized cell geometries through both electro-mechanical and laser engraving technologies, we have successfully optimized ink transfer and drying efficiency without compromising press performance. This not only enables sustainability but also enhances safety and energy efficiency by reducing fire risks while advancing the industry’s sustainability agenda.”

FMCG leads, security features add value

Izhar shared that nearly 70% of UFlex’s cylinder business comes from the FMCG segment, with growing traction from pharmaceuticals, personal care, fashion, and others.

“In pharma especially, security features are critical,” he said. “Through the cylinder itself, we can incorporate anti-counterfeiting features so that during printing, the product carries a mark of authenticity. This is vital because ensuring medicine authenticity helps protect lives.” He added that even large food brands are now adopting such security-enabled printing to protect brand integrity and consumer trust.

Robotic laser engraving – automation meets precision

UFlex’s investment in a robotic laser engraving line has transformed both quality and productivity. “This line has unique security features, supports water-based ink application, delivers high-definition prints, vibrant images, smooth vignettes, and uniform ink laydown,” Izhar said.

What sets it apart is the high level of automation. “Human intervention is minimal. Operators program the cylinders through the SCADA system. After that, everything is done by robots and machines, resulting in extremely high quality and consistency.” Because the process is contactless and laser-driven, Izhar noted, “there is no crookedness in the text matter or design. The print quality stands out in the market, differentiating it from others.”

Demand for this technology is currently strongest in the food packaging segment, where visual impact and sustainability are becoming key purchase drivers.