Toluene usage will continue to decline in India

Ban on toluene usage expected soon

September 3, 2019

466

Sebastian Anton, head of Global Business Development, Oxea

Usage of toluene in flexible packaging inks will continue to decline in India as the industry moves to alternative solutions ahead of the impending complete ban by the government, Sebastian Anton, head of Global Business Development, Oxea said during the 8^th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2019. Oxea is a Germany-based manufacturer of various types of chemicals, including solvents.

“There are strong indications that the Indian government will completely ban the use of toluene in the printing of packaging materials in the very near future. This will force packaging printers to move to other alternatives. So, it is a good time for Oxea to be in India as we offer excellent alternatives to toluene,” Anton told Packaging South Asia in an interview after his presentation during the 8^th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit.

Toluene has earned disrepute the world over for its bad toxicological profile and the substance has been phased out in developed markets and even in emerging markets like Sri Lanka. Residual toluene in packaging also impacts the organoleptic properties of the product, thus leading to food quality and safety issues. However, in India toluene is still used at a large scale in the packaging industry.

Oxea offers n-propanol and n-propyl acetate products, under the Propyls brand name, for print shops and ink manufacturers the world over. These can replace conventional solvents in gravure printing and flexography, and this change requires no further spending on the existing printing environment.

“With our solution printers can save on inks as well as solvents which can reduce costs. Propyls can be used for an extended period of time with less refills during the printing process,” Anton shared. Oxea has a distribution tie-up with Mumbai-based Hazel Mercantile.

Anton said that major players in the Indian packaging printing industry have already started making a shift from toluene.

“Small and mid-sized companies will also follow the bigger players. Big ink makers are already suggesting printers about alternative solutions. I see strong demand for alternatives to toluene in India,” Anton concluded.

The impact, resilience, and growth of responsible packaging in a wide region are daily chronicled by Packaging South Asia.

A multi-channel B2B publication and digital platform such as Packaging South Asia is always aware of the prospect of new beginnings and renewal. Its 16-year-old print monthly, based in New Delhi, India has demonstrated its commitment to progress and growth. The Indian and Asian packaging industries have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges over the past three years.

As we present our publishing plan for 2023, India’s real GDP growth for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 will reach 6.3%. Packaging industry growth has exceeded GDP growth even when allowing for inflation in the past three years.

The capacity for flexible film manufacturing in India increased by 33% over the past three years. With orders in place, we expect another 33% capacity addition from 2023 to 2025. Capacities in monocartons, corrugation, aseptic liquid packaging, and labels have grown similarly. The numbers are positive for most of the economies in the region – our platform increasingly reaches and influences these.

Even given the disruptions of supply chains, raw material prices, and the challenge of responsible and sustainable packaging, packaging in all its creative forms and purposes has significant headroom to grow in India and Asia. Our context and coverage engulf the entire packaging supply chain – from concept to shelf and further – to waste collection and recycling. We target brand owners, product managers, raw material suppliers, packaging designers and converters, and recyclers.

In an admittedly fragmented and textured terrain, this is the right time to plan your participation and marketing support communication – in our impactful and highly targeted business platform. Tell us what you need. Speak and write to our editorial and advertising teams! For advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in , for editorial info@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

– Naresh Khanna

Subscribe Now

As 2023 begins and FY 23-24 unfolds, will you support us?

What lies in store for the packaging industry in India and South Asia this coming year? Inflation, disruption of supply chains or environmental regulation? Or the resumption of high rural demand, continued investment and industry consolidation? Whatever happens, Packaging South Asia will be there, providing clarity and independent technical and business information in India and South Asia and around the world. We are a compact Indian organization bringing a window of fair and rigorous technical and business information that the industry can access this year and beyond. Please support us with your advertising and subscriptions, to keep us going and growing.

Thank you.