The project: The behaviour of virgin and press returned solvent-based gravure inks, was supervised by professor and research coordinator Akshay Joshi of PVG.

The six students are Vinay Mutha, Sachin Sonkusale, Swanand Kullarwar, Anand Kulkarni, Ketan Das and Vikas Tripathi.

The project was based on the issue of utilising the leftover ink in the press in a methodological way.

Joshi said: "The project focused on the proper utilisation of the leftover or press returned inks. If this ink is not utilised in a systematic manner then it adds to the wastage thereby reducing profitability of the printer."

Joshi added: "The research was not limited just to gravure printing but also included areas like working on shades and consistency required from leftover or press returned inks, either virgin or fresh inks directly from the manufacturers."

The research was completed in eight months, with the researchers spending 12 hours a day doing the project.

Mutha, one of the students, said: "This is surely an achievement by the entire team. It would have been impossible to complete the project without the support of our professor."

The research was funded by the America-based Omnova Solutions.