In this interview with The Packman, Shekhar Barua, director, Toyo Ink India, outlines how the company is responding to the changing demands of the packaging industry through sustainable ink technologies, recyclable packaging solutions and locally relevant innovation. From food-safe and low-migration inks to digital printing and efficiency-driven ink systems, he discusses the technologies shaping Toyo Ink’s growth strategy in India.

Mahan Hazarika: Toyo Ink has been a trusted name in the global printing ink industry. How would you describe the company’s growth journey in India over the past few years?

Shekhar Barua: Toyo Ink’s growth in India has been driven by our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer partnership. Today, we have two manufacturing facilities in Delhi and Gujarat, enabling us to serve customers efficiently across the country. As part of our long-term commitment to the Indian market, we are also expanding our liquid inks manufacturing facility at Gujarat to strengthen our production capacity and support the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions within India and neighboring countries.

Mahan Hazarika: Sustainability has become a key priority for brand owners and converters. How is Toyo Ink helping customers achieve their sustainability goals through innovative ink solutions?

Shekhar Barua: Sustainability is a key focus area for Toyo Ink, and we are committed to helping our customers achieve their environmental goals through innovative ink technologies. We offer a versatile range of water-based inks for both gravure and flexographic printing, helping reduce VOC emissions and support more sustainable printing processes. In addition, our NC- and PVC-free ink solutions enable brand owners and converters to develop safer, more environmentally responsible packaging without compromising on print quality, performance, or productivity.

Mahan Hazarika: Food safety is a critical aspect of packaging. How is Toyo Ink addressing the growing demand for low-migration and food-safe inks?

Shekhar Barua: Food safety is one of the key priorities at Toyo Ink. We offer advanced low-migration and food-safe ink solutions that are developed to meet stringent global packaging standards and regulatory requirements. Our products are designed to minimize the risk of ink component transfer while maintaining excellent print quality, performance, and consistency. Through continuous innovation and close collaboration with our customers, we help brand owners and converters deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality food packaging solutions that meet evolving market expectations.

Mahan Hazarika: What innovations is Toyo Ink bringing to support mono-material and recyclable flexible packaging structures?

Shekhar Barua: Toyo Ink is actively supporting the shift towards mono-material and recyclable flexible packaging through innovative product solutions. Our NC- and PVC-free LP-VF ink series is designed to meet the evolving requirements of sustainable packaging while maintaining excellent print performance. In addition, our advanced barrier coating solutions help provide oxygen, moisture, and other functional barrier properties, enabling the development of recyclable packaging structures without compromising product protection or shelf life.

Mahan Hazarika: How do you see the balance between solvent-based, water-based, and UV-curable inks evolving in the Indian market?

Shekhar Barua: The Indian market is witnessing a gradual shift towards more sustainable printing technologies while continuing to rely on proven solutions. Solvent-based inks will remain important for high-performance flexible packaging applications, whereas water-based inks are expected to see significant growth due to increasing environmental awareness and regulatory focus. UV-curable inks will also continue to expand, particularly in label and specialty printing. Going forward, the market will adopt a balanced mix of technologies based on application, performance, and sustainability requirements.

Mahan Hazarika: Digital printing is growing across packaging segments. How do you see digital inks complementing conventional printing technologies in the coming years?

Shekhar Barua: Digital printing is growing rapidly, particularly for short runs, personalization, and faster turnaround times. However, conventional printing technologies such as gravure and flexographic printing will continue to dominate high-volume packaging due to their cost efficiency and productivity. We see digital printing as a complementary technology rather than a replacement, with each serving different customer needs. As the market evolves, both technologies will coexist and provide greater flexibility to brand owners and converters. By the way we are one of the pioneers in the wide format Inkjet Inks in India and we continue to serve and evolve with our esteemed clients in Digital printing requirements.

Mahan Hazarika: Raw material price volatility has been a concern for the industry. How has Toyo Ink managed supply chain challenges while maintaining quality and customer confidence?

Shekhar Barua: Raw material price volatility continues to be a major challenge for the printing ink industry. At Toyo Ink, we address this through a strong global sourcing network being a Japanese MNC, effective inventory planning, and a consistent focus on product quality and supply reliability. We also believe in maintaining complete transparency with our customers by communicating raw material price movements and any necessary price revisions in a timely manner. This open approach helps build trust and enables us to navigate market fluctuations together while ensuring an uninterrupted supply of high-quality products and reliable service.

Mahan Hazarika: Many converters are looking to improve print quality while reducing ink consumption. What technological developments are helping achieve this balance?

Shekhar Barua: At Toyo Ink, we focus on developing versatile ink systems that help converters improve efficiency without compromising on print quality. Our Liovalue E-2 PU ink series is designed to support multiple packaging applications through a common ink platform. This simplifies inventory management, reduces operational complexity, and helps optimize ink consumption while maintaining consistent print quality. By offering one versatile ink system for a wide range of applications, we enable converters to improve productivity, reduce overall costs, and enhance manufacturing efficiency.

Mahan Hazarika: What role do R&D and local innovation play in Toyo Ink India’s business strategy? Are solutions increasingly being developed specifically for the Indian market?

Shekhar Barua: R&D and local innovation are key pillars of Toyo Ink India’s growth strategy. Our dedicated R&D team works closely with customers to understand the specific requirements of the Indian packaging industry and develop solutions tailored to local market needs. By combining global technology with local expertise, we are able to introduce innovative products that deliver high performance, sustainability, and cost-effective solutions, while responding quickly to changing customer and regulatory requirements. For molecular level research we started aTIC – India(artience Technology and Innovation center – India) in February earlier this year, first time by artience outside Japan in IISc Bangalore.

Mahan Hazarika: Brand owners are increasingly demanding packaging that is both sustainable and visually impactful. How do you balance these two expectations?

Shekhar Barua: At Toyo Ink, we believe sustainability and visual appeal should go hand in hand. Our innovative ink and coating solutions are designed to deliver vibrant colours, excellent print quality, and high performance while supporting sustainable packaging goals. Through products such as water-based inks, NC- and PVC-free ink systems, and barrier coatings, we help brand owners create packaging that not only stands out on the shelf but also meets evolving environmental and regulatory expectations.

In the end, I’d simply say: our inks don’t just shine – they sustain.