Sandon Global appoints research and technical manager to drive technical excellence and anilox innovation

Packaging Solutions

Sandon Global has appointed Dr Siddharth Lokachari as research and technical manager of its Plasma Coatings Division reinforcing its commitment to technical excellence and leadership in anilox innovation.

He will lead plasma process optimisation, integrate advanced plasma technologies, and spearhead the development of novel coatings, further raising the bar in anilox performance and durability. He will also be responsible for developing and mentoring Sandon Global’s Plasma Team to support a culture of continuous improvement and enhanced productivity, as well as forging and strengthening partnerships with external suppliers to create collaborative opportunities to enhance plasma technology offerings.

Richard Millington, managing director, said: ‘We are delighted to have Sid on board with us. He is an exceptionally talented individual who has already brought a raft of expertise into our business. His deep materials science and coatings knowledge will directly shape the future of our plasma coating capabilities and help drive industry innovation. This is another step forward for us in ensuring that Sandon Global continues to offer the highest standards of precision, quality and consistency to the global flexographic industry.’

Siddharth Lokachari commented, ‘I envisage technology as an embodiment of talent, tool, temerity and trust that shape and make 'things' happen.

‘Plasma coating technology sits at the heart of our manufacturing process, and its quality directly impacts every subsequent production stage. My focus is on optimising core plasma processes and strategically directing research and development initiatives to diversify our industrial reach and explore novel combinations of unconventional materials. By employing state of the art characterisation techniques, we aim to develop patentable industrial applications that will drive innovation at Sandon Global.’

He holds a PhD in Materials Science from The University of Munich, Germany and a Master of Engineering from Nagaoka University of Technology, Japan. Previously a Rolls-Royce Research Fellow, he led pioneering work on environmental barrier coatings and wear resistant solutions for jet engines under the £10.5 million Reinstate project.

He is an active contributor to standards bodies including the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), and British Standards Institution (BSI), and has been recognised by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with a Global Talent endorsement in Materials Science and Engineering.