UFlex’s Chemicals Business is rethinking what sustainability really means for printing — moving the conversation away from compliance and towards performance-driven circular solutions. In a detailed interaction, Desh Deep Misra, joint president, Chemicals Business, UFlex, and Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Chemicals Business, UFlex, explained how the company is aligning inks, coatings, and adhesives with the realities of India’s evolving packaging ecosystem.
Misra explained that UFlex’s presence at Plastindia 2026 was rooted in a much larger objective than display. “At UFlex Chemicals, we believe the future of printing is not just in the brilliance of the colours on the substrate; it is about the footprint that we leave behind. Sustainability is core to everything we do,” he said.
UFlex is focused on delivering value-added, sustainable solutions that help customers meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) goals. “We are not just displaying products — we are providing solutions. Through our water-based, PU-based, and other sustainable technologies, we are helping our customers and end consumers achieve their sustainability objectives,” Misra added.
Barrier and sealing coatings
Rajesh Srivastava explained how coatings are becoming a critical enabler of sustainable packaging. “When we talk about sustainability and recyclability, the role of coatings becomes very significant,” he said.
He pointed to two key categories — barrier coatings that enhance OTR and WVTR performance, and heat-sealable coatings that allow structures to move from multi-layer to mono-layer formats. “We have created a large portfolio — paper coatings, special-effect coatings, and barrier coatings. These transparent coatings enhance laminate performance while also being recyclable and easy to use,” he said.
UFlex coatings can be applied through rotogravure, anilox, and flexo coaters, and while some require specialized equipment, Srivastava believes the market is ready to adopt these alternatives to plastic-based solutions.
End-to-end guidance for converters and brands
Supporting the industry’s transition to sustainable formats requires more than materials — it demands collaboration. Srivastava said UFlex works closely with brand owners and converters to design packaging that ensures shelf life, regulatory compliance, and print performance.
He also addressed the operational challenges of high-speed printing. “Printers need strong bonding, good dot transfer, and high speeds. We mitigate these challenges through our formulations, technology design, and on-press support,” he added.
Misra highlighted UFlex’s unique integrated structure. “We have engineering, packaging, film, and chemical divisions. Any requirement from the industry is backed by strong R&D and internal trials. By the time we reach the customer, the solution is already validated,” he said.
Helping converters transition to sustainable technologies
Srivastava acknowledged that shifting to water-based inks and solvent-free adhesives requires infrastructure upgrades. “Better drying, higher speeds, and improved heat management — these are key challenges. Machine manufacturers and engineering divisions, including UFlex, are developing solutions to support these technologies,” he said.
Misra stressed that beyond investment, mindset is the real barrier. “Many look only at the per-kilo cost of raw material and ignore wastage and efficiency. We educate them and explain that while there may be short-term CapEx, the long-term benefits are far greater,” he said.
Misra sees strong momentum building in India. “Most mid- to large-scale converters today are talking only about sustainable solutions. There is a clear mindset change, and we see huge potential for growth — provided regulations are enforced more proactively,” he said.
Roadmap to circular economy inks and coatings
Srivastava outlined UFlex’s sustainability roadmap based on the three Rs — reduce, reuse, recycle. “Inks cannot be recycled once printed, so our focus is on reduction. We are launching low-viscosity, low-VOC, solvent-free inks,” he said.
He also highlighted innovations in cylinder technology that enable 30% lower GSM ink usage, water-based technologies to cut VOC emissions, and LED-based chemistries that reduce electricity consumption by up to 80%.
“Today, almost 30% of our portfolio consists of green products, and we take pride in that,” Srivastava said. While legislation may still be evolving, he affirmed UFlex’s commitment to lead responsibly. “We are ready. Larger brand owners are already moving in this direction, and the rest of the market will follow.”
