Falcon was established with a simple objective: to develop reliable pressroom chemicals suited to the practical requirements of Indian printers. My experience in the printing and pressroom chemical industry helped us understand the gap between laboratory specifications and actual press performance. Over the years, Falcon has evolved from serving domestic customers to developing a broad portfolio of offset, flexo and anilox-care products, with a growing presence in international markets.
Print3 : What inspired the establishment of Falcon Pressroom Solutions, and how has the journey evolved over the years?
Kirtikumar Deshmukh : Falcon was established with a simple objective: to develop reliable pressroom chemicals suited to the practical requirements of Indian printers. My experience in the printing and pressroom chemical industry helped us understand the gap between laboratory specifications and actual press performance. Over the years, Falcon has evolved from serving domestic customers to developing a broad portfolio of offset, flexo and anilox-care products, with a growing presence in international markets.
P3 : Which early business challenges played the biggest role in shaping your company’s manufacturing philosophy and how do you encourage continuous product development and technical research within your organization?
KD : One of the biggest challenges was achieving consistent performance despite variations in water quality, press conditions, substrates, inks and operator practices. This shaped our philosophy of developing products around real pressroom conditions rather than specifications alone. Consistency, practicality and technical support remain central to our approach.
Most of our development begins with a problem encountered at the press. We combine customer feedback, press trials, raw-material evaluation and laboratory testing to continuously refine existing products and develop new ones. We believe product development should be an ongoing process rather than an occasional exercise.
P3 : What are Falcon Pressroom Solutions’ core product categories, and which industries contribute the highest demand?
KD : Our core range includes fountain solutions, IPA-reduction and IPA-free products, blanket and roller washes, plate cleaners and gums, speciality pressroom cleaners, and flexographic/anilox cleaning products. Our principal demand comes from commercial and packaging printers, offset converters and other print-production businesses.
P3 : What new materials, coatings, or printing technologies are currently being explored for future applications?
KD : Our current focus includes low-VOC and IPA-free fountain technologies, improved wetting systems, safer press washes and more efficient anilox-cleaning chemistry. The objective is to improve press performance while progressively reducing solvent consumption and environmental impact.
P3 : How are changing customer expectations influencing innovation in commercial printing and packaging?
KD : Customers increasingly expect higher productivity, shorter turnaround times, consistent quality and lower operating costs, while simultaneously demanding safer and more sustainable chemistry. This is pushing suppliers like us to develop products that deliver measurable process benefits rather than simply compete on price.
P3 : How has investment in advanced printing equipment improved quality, consistency, and production efficiency?
KD : Expanding our production capabilities, adopting advanced Digital Printing, offset and finishing technologies, and serving leading national brands have been key milestones. These achievements have strengthened our position as a reliable packaging and commercial printing partner.
P3 : What strategies help Falcon deliver customized print solutions for pharma, retail, and FMCG brands?
KD : Our role is generally behind the printer or converter. We work with customers to understand their press configuration, inks, substrates, water conditions and production problems, and then recommend or modify the chemistry accordingly. Application-specific technical support is an important part of our business.
P3 : How does your innovation team evaluate emerging global printing trends before introducing them to Indian customers?
KD : We continuously study international product developments, new raw-material technologies, technical literature and changing environmental requirements. However, a global trend is adopted only after evaluating its relevance to Indian operating conditions and its commercial practicality.
P3 : What business principles have helped Falcon maintain long-term relationships with corporate clients and publishers and How do you balance cost competitiveness while maintaining premium print quality across diverse projects?
KD : Consistency, transparency and technical accessibility. Customers should know that the product they receive tomorrow will perform like the product they receive today, and that when a technical problem occurs, they can speak directly with people who understand the pressroom.
We focus on total operating cost rather than simply product price. A chemical that reduces consumption, downtime, wash-up time or waste can ultimately be more economical even if its purchase price is slightly higher. Performance and consistency cannot be compromised merely to achieve a lower selling price.
P3 : What role does technical process improvement play in increasing productivity and reducing production waste?
KD : It plays a major role. Correct fountain balance, effective cleaning, controlled chemical dosage and preventive press maintenance can reduce paper waste, ink consumption, downtime and premature replacement of rollers, blankets and plates. Small improvements in pressroom chemistry can create substantial savings over a full production year.
Packaging offers particularly strong opportunities, driven by organised retail, pharmaceuticals, food, personal care and consumer products. Commercial printing will continue to evolve, with greater emphasis on shorter runs, faster turnaround, automation and value-added applications.
-Kirtikumar Deshmukh
P3 : Which emerging sectors will generate the strongest demand for innovative print and packaging solutions and Which emerging sectors will generate the strongest demand for innovative print and packaging solutions?
KD : Pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, personal care, e-commerce and premium consumer packaging should continue generating demand for higher-quality and more technically demanding print applications.
Pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, personal care, e-commerce and premium consumer packaging should continue generating demand for higher-quality and more technically demanding print applications.
P3 : What sustainability initiatives has Falcon adopted to reduce environmental impact in its operations and How do responsible sourcing and recyclable materials contribute to your long-term business vision?
KD : Our development programme increasingly focuses on reducing IPA usage, lowering VOCs, improving chemical efficiency and developing products that require lower working concentrations. We are also conscious of responsible handling, packaging and waste reduction in manufacturing. Responsible sourcing and improved packaging are becoming integral to manufacturing. Our long-term objective is to progressively improve both product performance and environmental responsibility without making solutions commercially impractical for customers.
P3 : What initiatives are in place to develop technical skills and create career opportunities for young printing professionals?
KD : The industry needs stronger practical technical knowledge. We encourage learning through pressroom interaction, troubleshooting and application-based training. Young professionals should be exposed not only to equipment operation but also to the chemistry and process science behind printing