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Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) –   Keeping Sandon Global at the Forefront of Anilox Innovation 

April 2025

At Sandon Global, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to setting the standard in anilox innovation means continual R&D investment and constantly refining our coatings, using the latest engraving techniques, and improving our manufacturing processes. One of the primary ways we do this to stay ahead in the flexographic printing industry is through our close links with leading universities and our participation in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs). 

What is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)? 

A Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a UK Government-backed initiative, part-funded by Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency. It connects forward-thinking companies like Sandon Global with leading academic institutions and is a unique and powerful three-way collaboration with the UK’s leading research institutions, designed to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world applications. 

The goal? To drive innovation by embedding specialist knowledge and research expertise into businesses. Each KTP project is led by a KTP Associate, a highly skilled graduate or post-graduate who works within the company to apply the very latest academic insights to practical industry challenges. 

How KTPs Drive Innovation at Sandon Global 

KTPs are proven to be highly effective in driving innovation and growth and are a valuable tool for us at Sandon Global. Through our KTPs with leading institutions, we gain direct access to cutting-edge advancements in materials science, engineering, and manufacturing techniques. 

These valuable partnerships enable us to stay ahead of the curve in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape. We are actively developing solutions to enhance our manufacturing capabilities, improve flexo print quality, extend anilox durability, and optimise pressroom efficiency. Instrumental to our growth strategy, our KTPs have seen us welcome several doctoral associates to our team to explore the benefits of academic collaboration. 

Through our partnerships with leading universities such as the University of Manchester, we have enhanced our research and development (R&D) capabilities and are developing and introducing innovations, systems and processes that will take our anilox technology to the next level. Here’s how KTPs have helped shape our approach: 

1. Advanced Materials Science

By working closely with experts in metallurgy and coatings, we continuously refine our anilox surfaces to drive advancements in coating technology. Our very first KTP in 2018 with The University of Manchester focused on improving coating technology to develop next-generation coatings with improved wear resistance and enhanced ink transfer properties. This project enabled us to explore advanced materials that ensure our coatings provide superior durability and performance, helping our flexo customers achieve higher print quality and extended anilox lifespan. 

We continue to work closely with scientists and researchers at the Department of Materials at the University of Manchester, the largest materials science and engineering department in Europe. It’s no coincidence that this is also the home of graphene, the world’s thinnest and strongest known material, discovered in 2004 by Prof Andre Geim and Prof Kostya Novoselov! 

2. Precision Engineering & Manufacturing

Our KTP projects enable us to integrate new, improved business and production processes that enhance the accuracy and consistency of our engravings. Whether it’s through the latest laser technology, finishing techniques or digitalisation on the shopfloor, our ability to innovate is strengthened through these collaborations and help to boost our manufacturing capability as the business grows. 

Another example of research collaboration is our work with Liverpool John Moores University to refine our laser engraving processes, improving the precision and repeatability of our engravings. The research helped us develop more intricate anilox patterns tailored for different printing applications, giving our customers greater flexibility and control over their print quality. 

3. Digitalisation & Industry 4.0/5.0

As part of our innovation journey, we are investing in digitalisation to optimise manufacturing efficiency and data-driven decision-making. A key focus of our KTP projects is integrating Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 principles into our operations, ensuring that we embrace the emerging industry trends and remain at the forefront of modern manufacturing. 

Our work in this area includes: 

• Implementing smart manufacturing systems that enhance precision and automation. 

• Leveraging real-time data analytics to improve process control and production efficiency. 

• Exploring AI and machine learning applications to drive predictive maintenance and quality assurance. 

• Enhancing human-machine collaboration in line with Industry 5.0, which emphasises a balance between automation and skilled craftsmanship. 

By embracing digitalisation, we are future-proofing our production processes and delivering consistent, high-quality anilox that meet the evolving needs of the print industry. 

4. Developing Industry-Leading Talent

One of the most valuable aspects of a KTP is the talent it brings into our business. KTP Associates work directly within Sandon Global, bringing fresh perspectives and specialist academic expertise.  

Today, we have four highly experienced doctoral associates working in our business: Dr. Siddharth Lokachari, Research & Technical Manager; Dr. Vishal Kharka, Process Technical Manager; Dr. Muhammad Yasir Adnan, Business Systems Manager and Dr. Menghui Zhu, Process Engineer – Lasers. Their combined knowledge in surface engineering of advanced materials, data driven engineering, digital manufacturing engineering and laser engineering is solidly embedded within our team for long-term impact and, and these individuals play a crucial role in delivering new projects and solving complex challenges. 

5. Sustainability & Efficiency Improvements

Sandon Global is committed to sustainable manufacturing and operational efficiency. Through KTP-driven research, we explore ways to reduce waste, improve material efficiency, and develop products that are more durable, reduce inventory and ink consumption to support a more sustainable printing industry. Our KTPs are also helping us to embrace the emerging Industry 5.0, expanding upon Industry 4.0 to integrate digital technologies while adding a human-centric and sustainability-focused perspective. 

Staying Ahead in Anilox Science 

By investing in our academic collaborations and the transfer of knowledge directly into our business, we ensure that Sandon Global remains at the forefront of anilox engineering, science and technology. These partnerships are more than just research projects, they’re a way to future-proof our business and deliver continuous improvements that benefit our customers and the wider print industry.  

Innovation never stands still, and neither do we. With exciting developments on the horizon, stay tuned to see how our KTPs continue to help Sandon Global set the standard in anilox innovation. 

Want to learn more about our approach? Get in touch with our team today! 

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