CHENNAI: The need for the use of eco-friendly ingredients for manufacturing printing inks was highlighted at the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Printing Ink Manufacturers Association, Chennai (PIMA) held at the College of Engineering.
PIMA was celebrating its 25th year of existence jointly with the department of Printing Technology at the College of Engineering.
BS Kampani, director of Toyo Ink India, who was present on the occasion, stressed on the need for using materials that are free of causing any hazard to the environment and human beings and that the government should ban use of harmful ingredients.
Recalling the situation of ink manufacturers two decades ago, director of Kasturi and Sons, K Balaji said that over the years many small scale manufacturers disappeared, while many corporate houses have ventured into the business.
He also emphasised on the requirement of setting standards equal to ISO for semi-commercial printing, a type of printing process normally used in newspapers.
“The use of printing inks let out 0.6 per cent of carbon in the air while it’s 76 per cent with the use of paper,” pointed out Balaji.
M Sekar, dean of College of Engineering informed the gathering that the department of Printing Technology has found a place in the World Bank’s website in its higher education section. He further urged the need for research- based studies by signing MoUs with the Printing Ink Association.
The department of printing technology at the College of Engineering was started in 1983 with a BE course. A degree in ME will also commence, this year.
As part of the celebration, PIMA organised a seminar on the ‘Recent Developments in Water based, UV and Digital inks’.
R Sridhar, President, PIMA briefly traced the growth of PIMA since its inception in 1964. Delegates from across the country were present at the event.