"Absence of specific safety standards for printing inks used in pharma packaging is a critical issue

Siegwerk, a German leader in printing inks and coatings for packaging applications and labels, with annual Indian revenue of over Rs 1000 crore, has recently announced an investment of Rs 350 crore over the next three years to expand its operations in India. Further, the firm is making a foray into the pharmaceutical market in India with mineral oil-free inks, designed specifically to reduce health risks associated with ink migration in medicine packaging. In an exclusive conversation with BioSpectrum, Jatin Takkar, Head, Product Safety & Regulatory, Siegwerk India, talks about how these inks are making pharma packaging safer, and about the company's growth plans in this space. Edited excerpts:

- Sanjiv Das

What are your key investment strategies for the Indian market?

We have announced a strategic investment of Rs 350 crore over the next three years to expand its operations in India, placing the country at the centre of its global innovation and manufacturing strategy. The investment will primarily be directed towards scaling up the Global Innovation and Capability Center (GICC) in India. The GICC will function as a unified platform driving end-to-end innovation, regulatory compliance, digital operations, and customer support. With enhanced R&D infrastructure, the facility aims to develop next-generation ink solutions with a strong focus on performance, safety, and sustainability.

Funds are also being channelled into manufacturing and supply chain enhancements, including the establishment of a National Distribution Centre in Tauru and the strengthening of 14 Colour Matching Centres (CMCs) across the country.

These upgrades will boost production capacity, reduce turnaround times, and improve inventory management, enabling faster, more efficient service delivery for customers. The investment supports our expanding portfolio of solvent and water-based inks for all major packaging applications, known for their high colour strength, print efficiency, and recyclability.

We have also upgraded our blending facility in Pune with advanced automation, reinforcing supply chain agility and responsiveness to rising demand.

This multi-city expansion reflects our long-term commitment to India's industrial growth, aligning with national priorities in sustainable manufacturing, innovation, and talent development. The India GICC is set to become a global engine for responsible innovation, supporting the evolving needs of the packaging industry worldwide.

What will be your plans for the India market five years down the line? Any new capacity expansion plans or initiatives on the latest technologies?