DIC India, part of DIC Group, a leader in printing and packaging inks, has inaugurated its state-of-the-art toluene-free plant Optima for liquid Ink manufacturing at Saykha in Bharuch district, Gujarat.
Spread across a vast area of 92,500 sqm, the plant has the capacity to manufacture over 10,000+ Tonnes of TF, KF/NTNK (Toluene Free/ Ketone Free) liquid inks in two shifts in Phase -I. The plant will be further augmented to produce value-added and specialty products for domestic and export markets.
Set up with a total investment of INR 1100 Mn for phase -I the new plant will provide direct employment to more than 100 associates with the aim to cater to the growing demand for toluene-free and ketone-free inks in the country. With the new plant, DIC India will now have an expanded footprint in India. Its other four plants are in Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat (Ahmedabad), and Karnataka.
Established at the center of the chemical hub of India, the strategic location gives the company close access to the Northern and Western markets that drive the majority of the demand in the segment. The plant has a bulk line manufacturing facility for supplying standard and specialty TF, KF/NTNK inks.
The new plant is laden with the latest technological features to cater to the growing demand in the country at present. The plant has also been designed to accommodate the future expansion needs of the company. The Optima plant will also work towards strengthening the company’s business in export markets.
Speaking on the occasion, Paul Koek, regional managing director, DIC Asia Pacific said,
”The Indian market is a priority market for DIC Group and this new manufacturing facility has been established with the vision of catering to the new demand as well as ushering in new growth prospects for us in the country. As a market leader in printing ink manufacturing, we are bringing more advancement in our manufacturing processes to augment our quality and customer service, meet the rising demand and maintain the global standard at all our touch points. This plant, with strong inbuilt design features which will expand the sustainability footprint of DIC India, will benefit customers, generate employment as well as solidify our over 75 years presence and leadership in India.”
Manish Bhatia, managing director and CEO at DIC India, said, “India is a strategic market for us and our long-standing journey in the country is a testimony to the success we have achieved over the years. The market is witnessing increased demand for technologically superior and specialty printing inks for packaging. The inauguration of the new facility is another stepping stone for the company’s future expansion plans here. The new plant setup has been constructed using leading technological features to modernize as well as to increase production efficiencies. This plant is a completely Toluene-free plant for DIC India. We are optimistic that the manufacturing facility will help in catering to both domestic as well as international demand and expand our footprint in India.”
Out of the plant’s 92,500 sqm, 45,000 sqm has already been constructed under Phase 1. The area will be used for the consolidation of different plants and different types of products of DIC Indian Operations.
DIC is in the process of getting green certification for the site. This will be probably the first plant in India to achieve this accreditation. The company also aims to achieve ISO and OSHAS certification post the stabilizing of production of the Optima plant by the year 2023-34.
