At IndiaCorr Expo 2025, UFlex Chemical Business showcased its strong focus on sustainable and innovative solutions for paper-based packaging, signaling a shift in the industry toward more environmentally friendly alternatives. Rajesh Srivastava, senior vice president of UFlex Chemical Business, shared key insights on the company’s strategy, market trends, and how it is navigating industry challenges.
Rajesh Srivastava said, “At this show, our focus is on water-based technologies – corrugation inks, paper adhesives, coatings, and other solutions for paper-based packaging. This is fully aligned with our core technology platform and business strategy.”
He highlighted the accelerating shift in India toward paper-based packaging, especially in the wake of the single-use plastics ban. “Everywhere you go – whether restaurants, QSRs, or big brands – you see a clear move away from plastics. From pizza boxes to cake cartons, paper and paperboard are rapidly replacing plastic packaging. Multinational brands are actively seeking technology-driven and innovative solutions, and that’s where UFlex is positioning itself by reorganizing its offerings to meet this growing demand,” Srivastava said.
When differentiating between flexible and paper packaging markets, Rajesh pointed out that the industry remains dominated by solvent-based chemistries. However, UFlex has focused on water-based solutions, offering comprehensive support for flexo, roto, and screen printing applications. “We don’t just provide products; we offer complete technological solutions developed through our in-house chemistries and resins,” he added.
On regulations, Srivastava stressed UFlex’s global approach to compliance. While India’s regulatory framework may not be as stringent, the company follows global standards such as FSSAI, US FDA, and European UPA regulations. “For applications like pizza boxes or food-contact packaging, we ensure full compliance with the highest safety and quality standards,” he said.
Addressing the industry’s evolving trends, Srivastava said, “High-speed printing machines and multi-color sharp graphics require advanced ink solutions. Conventional inks don’t perform well under these conditions. That’s why our R&D team focuses on developing inks that deliver sharp print quality, full compliance, and enhanced brand promotion, while meeting the operational needs of modern corrugation lines.”
When asked about major industry challenges, Srivastava highlighted two critical concerns. “First is the heavy dependency on imported raw materials. The second is the presence of non-compliant dye-based inks, which, though popular for sharper colors, fall short on sustainability. As a responsible organization, UFlex avoids non-compliant raw materials and focuses solely on sustainable and compliant solutions. Our inks are already trusted by global brands like KFC and Subway for their packaging needs,” he said.
Srivastava also spoke about the company’s latest innovations in adhesives. “We are now offering fast-curing adhesives for paper bags that serve multiple functions – side pasting, bottom pasting, and handle pasting – all in a single solution designed for high-speed automatic machines. Alongside this, our in-house resin development continues to ensure cost-effective, high-performance products delivered on time,” he shared.
