Archroma is making the chemistry of sustainability visible for all

Archroma Packaging Technologies placed chemistry at the centre of the sustainability conversation. The company’s message was straightforward yet transformative: circularity and compliance in labels and packaging begin not at the end of the value chain but at the molecular level, where material and chemistry choices are made.

Sameer Singla, chief executive officer of Archroma Packaging Technologies, says the com pany’s sustainable chemistry message resonated strongly with converters and brand owners. “Achieving true circularity depends on more than incremental change. It starts with the right mate rial and chemistry decisions at the very beginning of the design process,” he explains. Visitors to the stand engaged in detailed discussions on how chemistry-enabled materials could lower envi ronmental impact, enhance recyclability and compostability, and meet evolving regulations such as the PPWR.

For Singla, the response validated Archroma’s belief that sustainability requires partnership across the value chain. “Converters and brands acknowledged that while they have made small steps toward sustainability, progress demands a more holistic, chemistry-driven approach that connects innovation, regulation and measurable impact,” he notes.

Sustainability becomes a value driver

Discussions in Barcelona underlined how sus tainability had evolved from a compliance obliga tion into a strategic value driver. Singla observes that brands now treat sustainability as integral to identity and customer loyalty. “While regulatory changes continue to influence decisions, market and consumer expectations have become equally decisive. Eco-conscious packaging is now part of what defines a brand’s relevance,” he says. He adds that companies embedding sustaina bility within their research and production strate gies are accelerating innovation. “When sustainability is integrated into R&D rather than Singla: “Eco-conscious packaging is now part of what defines a brand’s relevance” appended to production, we see faster progress. Those who collaborate early across the chain, from chemistry suppliers to converters to brands, achieve more credible results,” he explains. Archroma’s experience at Labelexpo reinforced this shift. Engagements at the stand revealed that converters were seeking technical understanding rather than marketing reassurance. “Converters are increasingly informed. They want chemistry partners who can explain mechanisms, not slo gans, behind sustainability,” Singla observes.

Chemistry as the invisible driver

Archroma’s principal message at the show was that chemistry is the invisible but indispensable force behind sustainable packaging. “Sustainable production cannot exist without chemistry,” Singla states. “Even though chemistry constitutes a small percentage of a package, it delivers most of its functionality, from barrier properties to print adhesion and recyclability.” He described specialty chemistry as the bridge to circularity. “Water-based, bio-based and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free chemistries enable recyclability, compostability, and multi-cycle reuse,” he says.

These technolo gies, developed within Archroma’s global R&D framework, aim to eliminate the historical trade off between performance and sustainability. “Sustainability and performance are no longer competing goals,” Singla asserts. “Our water based and solvent-free chemistries now meet or exceed traditional performance benchmarks, while improving worker safety, ensuring regula tory compliance and reducing carbon footprint.” The company’s portfolio of low-migration, water-based systems formed the backbone of this approach, serving converters in both labels and flexible packaging. The formulation philosophy extended to developing chemistries that main tain visual and tactile quality while minimising volatile organic compounds and waste during production.

Collaboration for circular progress

Collaboration emerged as the unifying theme across all of Archroma’s engagements in Barcelona. The company advocated early-stage cooperation between brands, converters and chemical suppliers to design sustainability into the product from inception. “Circularity is only achievable when chemistry is considered during design, not retrofitted after production,” Singla explains. He adds that Archroma’s role extends beyond supplying chemistry. The company acts as a tech nical advisor, helping converters interpret regula tions and implement compliant, high-performance solutions. “Our discussions at Labelexpo reaffirmed that the industry is ready to move beyond incremental improvement. Converters want chemistry partners who will co develop, test and validate solutions with them,” he says. Archroma’s commitment, Singla concludes, lay in helping the industry achieve measurable progress. “Our focus is on delivering chemistry that enables circularity, performance and compli ance to coexist. Sustainable chemistry is not a concept for us. It is a toolkit for transformation.”