Success in the green printing category helped Kerala-based Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing to success in last week’s PrintWeek India awards.

Guests learned not only of its student empowerment for environmental development (SEED) initiative, but also of those at the company’s Kozhikode plant, where a butterfly park and rainwater pond are joining initiatives including hazardous and paper waste management.

The focus on zero carbon emission was just one of the activities which contributed to Mathrubhumi’s green printing company of the year (large) success, one of eight new categories.

Some 44 print firms were honoured in the awards, which returned to the Mumbai Grand Hyatt after a two-year hiatus, with Manipal Technologies taking the top spot.

Attended by more than 350 industry leaders, the awards were given in 14 quality categories, five special COVID awards and ten performance categories, chosen from 362 entries and more than 1000 samples.

Chief guest Sudhanshu Vats, deputy managing director of Pidilite Industries, spoke on the the importance of sustainability for the industry. “I believe sustainability is a big opportunity as I personally feel that I don’t think we have to worry about how it will affect the format.

“It will need to be a centralised process as it will need to ensure that less goes to landfills and oceans.”

Mathrubhumi was among the biggest winners – clinching two or more categories – with Manipal , Manjushree Technopack, Nutech Print Services, Prayag Advertisers, Any Graphics and ITC Packaging & Printing. It was also among winners in this year’s special COVID-19 award category.

–with thanks to PrintWeek India