At the PackMach Asia exhibition in Mumbai, Ashok Narayan, chief – sales & marketing for industrial adhesives at Pidilite Industries, outlined the company’s growing focus on the end-of-line packaging segment, particularly within food & beverages (F&B), which remains one of the largest consumers of industrial adhesives.
This segment includes aseptic packaging, edible oils, biscuits & cereals, ice cream cones and a wide range of secondary and tertiary packaging applications where food-safe, high-performance adhesives are essential. According to Narayan, the company’s long presence in the packaging sector—and the fact that Pidilite is by itself a major packaging user—gives it deeper insights into the performance requirements that discerning customers expect.
A major milestone for the company was when Pidilite partnered with German adhesive specialist Jowat and acquired its India business. This collaboration enabled Pidilite to establish what it describes as India’s most advanced hot-melt adhesive plant in Vapi, commissioned in FY-22. The plant manufactures both Pidilite’s home-grown formulations under the Fevicol brand and Jowat formulations sold as Fevicol Jowat.
Innovation is a central theme for the company. Pidilite is leveraging its partnership with Jowat and launching India’s first hot-melt adhesive capable of running at sub-100°C, compared with the conventional range of 120°C to 170°C. This provides customers with a safer product that saves on power while increasing the machine’s life substantially.
It is also launching Bio-based hotmelts, substituting synthetic raw materials with plant-based alternatives to support the sustainability goals of large corporates. Another new development is the launch of a mineral-oil-free (MOAH) adhesive grade aimed at enhancing food safety in sensitive packaging applications.
Narayan says the segment is poised for rapid growth as end users automate their processes and move towards higher-speed lines to scale up throughput. He emphasized that F&B packaging is one of Pidilite’s chosen focus areas, complementing its broader presence in the packaging ecosystem. The company is also a major supplier of adhesives for rigid packaging that are ultimately procured by FMCG companies, creating a full-circle engagement with the industry.
Pidilite has participated in PackMach Asia multiple times, including editions in Delhi & Mumbai. As a member of IPMMI, the company considers its presence at the show an important platform for industry interaction and showcasing new technologies.
