Toyo Ink India Wins IFCA Star Award for Water-Based Inks

22 October 2026: Toyo Ink India, part of Japan’s artience Group, says it received an IFCA Star Award 2026 at a ceremony in Mumbai on 24 September 2026. The award recognises its JW252 gravure and HW870 central impression flexographic water-based inks, developed for packaging applications that require print performance alongside lower solvent use.

In its 14 October 2026 announcement, the company named the category as “Innovations in Ink” and identified both winning products. Earlier Screen Print India coverage of IFCA-winning inks and coatings reported recognition for hubergroup products in 2022, a separate edition of the awards.

Which Toyo Ink India inks received the award?

JW252: gravure ink for retort packaging

Toyo Ink India describes JW252 as a water-soluble gravure ink for retort composite packaging. According to the company, the formulation replaces traditional hazardous solvents and provides high lamination strength for packaging that undergoes high-temperature sterilisation. The company also claims a reduction in volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. 

HW870: water-based ink for CI flexographic printing

HW870 targets central impression (CI) flexographic printing on flexible films. Toyo Ink India says the formulation supports fast drying and high colour concentration, with low residual solvent levels.

The company positions the ink for high-efficiency production and says it meets strict safety and hygiene requirements. 

The company’s water-based flexo range also includes inks and overprint varnishes for narrow-web and corrugated printing, as well as paper bags and cups.

What should packaging converters check?

The award recognises ink development; it does not, by itself, establish suitability for every packaging structure or end use. The announcement provides no named food-contact certification or independent comparative test results for either grade.

Converters considering JW252 or HW870 should request grade-specific technical data and compliance documents, then validate the ink against their intended film, lamination system and processing conditions. 

“This recognition by IFCA celebrates our core spirit of innovation, sustainability, and manufacturing excellence,” said Shekhar Barua, director of Toyo Ink India, in the company announcement.

Research and manufacturing in India

The recognition follows other developments in the company’s Indian operations. Screen Print India reported the February 2026 opening of its Bengaluru research centre at the Indian Institute of Science. The artience Technology and Innovation Centre – India focuses on materials research for industrial applications.

Separately, the company announced liquid ink expansion plans for its Gujarat plant in November 2025, with a new facility scheduled to operate in 2028. That schedule represents an announced plan, not confirmation that the additional facility has entered production.

Toyo Ink India’s wider printing and packaging portfolio includes conventional and UV-curable inks, lamination adhesives and colour materials. The two award-winning grades address specific gravure and CI flexographic applications within that broader range.