Sustainability now a business necessity: Kamakshi Christopher

During the conference on sustainable printing inks, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) on 29 April 2025, at the PHD house, New Delhi, Dr Kamakshi Christopher, head of technology, DIC India, spoke about India’s role in the global packaging future

As the largest ink company in the world, DIC Corporation, with its deep roots spanning over a century, is committed to shaping the future of sustainable packaging. Kamakshi Christopher, head of technology, DIC India, said, “With a global footprint in over 63 countries and annual revenues exceeding USD 8.5-billion, our focus spans packaging, graphic colorants, and functional products. But today, our mission transcends products — it’s about leading sustainability in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets: India.”

She added, “India, home to 1.4 billion people, is at the frontlines of the climate crisis. The scorching summers, recurring floods, and unpredictable droughts are stark reminders that sustainability isn’t optional — it's essential. Yet, India is also a beacon of progress, ranking among the top renewable energy producers globally. Our government has stepped up with regulations targeting single-use plastics, responsible packaging, and eco-friendly inks.”

According to Christopher, sustainability is no longer just an environmental imperative — it’s a business necessity. As a significant exporter of packaging materials and a manufacturing hub for global brands, Indian packaging must align with evolving global standards.

Christopher said the Indian packaging and ink standards have rapidly caught up with global benchmarks. Regulatory bodies such as the BIS, FSSAI, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs are actively tightening controls, especially around food-contact materials. “Our compliance is increasingly aligned with European Union plastic regulations, the Swiss Ordinance, and Chinese standards. This alignment simplifies global supply chains and makes sustainable solutions more cost-effective and scalable,” she said.

Regarding sustainability initiatives across the world, Christopher said, “Internationally, we see rapid changes. The EU is phasing out mineral oils and is tightening food packaging norms by 2026. China has already banned several hazardous substances. The US has outlawed polyfluorinated additives in packaging. India is following suit. industry leaders must adapt, not react,” she said.

She added, “At DIC, we’ve expanded the well-known 3 Rs — Reduce, Recycle, Reuse — into a robust Five R approach — Reuse, Reduce, Renew, Recycle, and Redesign. This framework guides our sustainable ink and coating innovations across every stage of the packaging lifecycle.”

Christopher said DIC is committed to achieving 50% carbon neutrality in India by 2028 and net zero globally by 2050. “Our inks, coatings, and adhesives are engineered to deliver not just compliance, but leadership in sustainability,” she said, “We believe sustainability is not a cost — it’s an investment in future-proofing the industry. By reducing harmful emissions, enabling recyclability, and redesigning packaging formats, we can drive economic and environmental value together.”

She concluded, “The Indian packaging industry stands at an inflection point. As global brands demand sustainable solutions and local regulations tighten, converters, printers, and ink suppliers must collaborate like never before. At DIC India, we are ready with proven technologies, global expertise, and a deep commitment to making sustainability both practical and profitable for our partners.”

Real-World solutions for sustainable packaging

Reducing VOCs and energy consumption

DIC’s newly developed water-based inks for gravure and flexographic printing deliver over 70% reduction in solvent use while maintaining performance. These inks are already commercially validated in Indian markets for food packaging applications. The company has also launched high-speed inks (HSAF) that run at faster machine speeds, slashing energy consumption and VOC emissions. Faster production equals to lower energy per pack.

Removing harmful chemicals

DIC has proactively removed polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from newspaper inks, even before regulation demanded it. Many Indian newspapers today are already printed with our PAH-free inks — reducing health risks in everyday life.

Recycling innovations

DIC has engineered de-inkable inks that enable polyethylene (PE) films to be cleaned and recycled back into near-virgin quality. These solutions also help eliminate PVC from packaging structures, replacing them with chlorine-free, recyclable alternatives. Additionally, its specialised coatings make chocolate and premium food boxes fully compostable and recyclable — closing the loop in luxury packaging.

Recycling innovations

True mono-material packaging — the holy grail of recyclability — is still an industry challenge. DIC has introduced specialty barrier adhesives and coatings that enable brands to move from multi-layer laminates to recyclable mono-material structures (like PE/PP combinations). It is also developing bio-based coatings and heat-resistant materials that make mono-material solutions practical for real-world applications.