Siegwerk India launches Aquagen

Siegwerk has introduced Aquagen, a water-based printing ink technology developed for gravure reverse lamination applications on flexible packaging films.

The launch marks an important step towards reducing the packaging industry's dependence on solvents while maintaining the print quality, and performance required for demanding flexible packaging applications. 

India's packaging industry operates in a challenging environment where high temperatures, solvent handling, workplace exposure, food safety concerns and increasingly stringent environmental regulations continue to place pressure on converters and brand owners. As sustainability, worker safety, and packaging compliance become increasingly important across global supply chains, water-based technologies are emerging as a practical pathway towards safer and more sustainable packaging production. 

Aquagen replaces the alcohol- and ester-based solvents used in conventional inks with a predominantly water-based formulation, reducing solvent content significantly. By minimizing the use of flammable solvents, the technology significantly lowers the risk of fire in press rooms, contributing to a safer working environment for converters. The substantial reduction in solvent usage also helps reduce VOC emissions during production, minimize operator exposure to solvents, and decrease residual solvent retention in finished packaging, an important consideration for food-contact applications. 

The technology has been validated while delivering strong bond strength and print performance. Aquagen is compatible with both solventless and solvent-based lamination adhesives, making it suitable for high-volume applications including staples, snacks, confectionery, detergents, and other consumer packaging categories. The introduction of Aquagen offers significant operational advantages for converters. By substantially reducing solvent consumption, converters can improve workplace safety, lower fire hazards, simplify environmental compliance requirements, and operate with greater peace of mind. The technology also supports brand owners seeking to strengthen sustainability and safety standards across their packaging supply chains by lowering food safety risks associated with solvent retention, and promoting safer manufacturing environments. 

Developed over several years of research, development, and commercial validation, Aquagen represents Siegwerk's commitment to making water-based gravure printing a practical reality for the flexible packaging industry. Achieving the required performance for full-colour reverse lamination applications while remaining commercially competitive required extensive collaboration between Siegwerk's technical teams, converters, and industry partners. 

Importantly, the technology has already been successfully validated on commercial converter presses, and packaging samples produced using Aquagen are currently available in the market. These commercial validations demonstrate that water-based gravure printing can achieve the quality, productivity and performance standards expected by both converters and brand owners. 

Beyond the ink technology itself, Siegwerk is supporting converters throughout the transition from solvent-based to water-based printing through technical assistance covering pre-press optimisation, colour management, ink management, process standardisation and press room operations. 

Ashish Pradhan, president – Asia, Siegwerk, said: ‘At Siegwerk, we see water-based technology as a practical answer to where the packaging industry is heading - lower emissions, safer working conditions, and cleaner compliance, without compromising on print quality or production speed. Aquagen reflects years of work with converters and brand partners to make that transition practical and effective on the shop floor.’ 

With Aquagen now available in India, Siegwerk is working closely with converters and brand owners to accelerate the adoption of water-based printing technologies, beginning with applications and structures that have already demonstrated successful commercial performance.