DIC India – part of DIC group, global leaders in printing and packaging inks – on 22 March inaugurated its advanced and latest toluene-free plant, Optima, for liquid Ink manufacturing at Saykha in Bharuch district of Gujarat.
Spread across an area of 92,500 square meters, the plant has the capacity to manufacture more than 10,000 tonnes of TF, KF, NTNK (toluene-free and ketone-free) liquid inks in two shifts in phase-1. The plant will be augmented to produce value-added and specialty products for domestic and export markets.
Set up with a total investment of Rs 1,100 million (Rs 100 crore) for phase-1, the new plant will provide direct employment to more than 100 associates with an aim to cater to the growing demand for toluene-free and ketone-free based inks in the country.
With this new plant, DIC India will now have an expanded footprint in India. Its other four plants are at Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Karnataka.
Established at the center of the chemical hub of India, the strategic location gives the company close access to the northern and western markets that drive the majority of the demand in the segment. The plant boasts a bulk line manufacturing facility for supplying standard and specialty TF, KF/NTNK inks.
The plant called Optima has the latest technological features to cater to the growing demand in the country. The plant has been designed to accommodate the future expansion needs of the company. The Optima plant will work to strengthen the company’s business in export markets.
Paul Koek, Regional Managing director, DIC Asia Pacific said, “India is a priority market for DIC group and this new manufacturing facility has been established with the vision of catering to the new demand as well as to usher in new growth prospects for us in the country. As a market leader in printing ink, we are bringing more advancement in our manufacturing processes to augment our quality and customer service, meet the rising demand, and maintain global standards at all our touch points. This facility, with strong inbuilt design features which will expand the sustainability footprint of DIC India, will benefit customers, generate employment as well as solidify our over 75 years presence and leadership in India.”
Manish Bhatia, MD & CEO at DIC India, said, “India is a strategic market for us and our long-standing journey in the country is a testimony to the success we have achieved over the years. The market is witnessing increased demand for technologically superior and specialty printing inks for packaging. The inauguration of the new facility is another stepping stone for the company’s future expansion plans here. The new plant has been constructed with leading technological features to modernize as well as to increase production efficiencies. This plant is completely toluene-free. We are optimistic the manufacturing facility will help in catering to both domestic as well as international demand and expand our footprint in India.”
Out of the plant’s 92,500 square meters, 45,000 square meters have already been constructed under phase-1. The area will be used for the consolidation of different plants and different types of products of DIC Indian Operations.
DIC is in the process of getting green certification for the site. This will be probably the first plant in India to achieve this accreditation. Optima site, as the plant is called, produces TF and KF products in compliance with international regulations. The company aims to achieve ISO and OSHAS certification after stabilizing the production of the Optima plant. The plant will support our customers in their sustainability compliance.
As a part of DIC Corporation of Japan, DIC India offers solutions that address issues of packaging and printing. The company is India’s leading supplier of printing inks, laminating adhesives, innovative packaging solutions, and other allied products serving top-of-the-line newspapers, magazines, conversion agents, and both national and international printing and packaging establishments.
Known as Coates of India Limited at the time of its inception, DIC India came into existence on 2 April 1947. Nearly 71.75% of the company’s shareholding belongs to DIC Japan through DIC Asia Pacific. Singapore. What started out with a single service center in Kolkata has evolved into a number of factories and logistics centers strategically placed all across the country.
DIC India Limited has a broad network of printing ink suppliers. The company has a well-spread distribution network that covers the length and breadth of the country.
