Arofine Polymers outlines sustainability-led adhesive roadmap at Pamex

Arofine Polymers outlined a sustainability-led product roadmap at Pamex, with a focus on replacing single-use plastics, improving recyclability and supporting higher-speed converting lines .

Speaking to PrintWeek/WhatPackaging? at the show, Arjun Nadkarni, managing director at Arofine Polymers, said the company’s recent R&D efforts were centred on barrier coatings and transfer metallisation technologies designed for paper-based packaging. “We have developed barrier coatings that replace polyethylene in applications such as paper cups, tubs and plates,” he said. “This is driven entirely by sustainability and customer demand to reduce plastic use.”

Nadkarni said the company was also working on a new adhesive system for transfer metallisation, aimed at replacing MetPET structures. In this process, metallisation is transferred from a vacuum-metallised film onto the board, after which the film is released, improving recyclability. “The film otherwise becomes an integral part of the board and cannot be recycled,” he said. “With transfer metallisation, recyclability becomes easier and the structure can also be bio-compostable.”

The transfer metallisation adhesive is currently under development and is expected to be commercialised in the next quarter. Nadkarni said the initial target customers would be packaging converters currently using MetPET, particularly in FMCG applications where sustainability mandates are becoming more explicit.

Minakshi Jain, national sales and marketing head at Arofine Polymers, said exhibitions such as Pamex played a key role in aligning adhesive development with machine innovation. “Adhesives always have to keep pace with new machine speeds and technologies,” she said. “By interacting with machinery suppliers and converters, we understand what is coming next and customise our products accordingly.”

Jain added that Arofine supplied both small and mid-sized converters through its dealer network as well as large corporate customers, including TCPL and Parksons, where consistency and machine compatibility were critical. She said higher converting speeds, particularly in corrugation and dry lamination, were placing new demands on adhesive chemistry.

Beyond sustainability, Nadkarni pointed to compliance as a growing requirement. He said Arofine tested products for REACH, RoHS and US FDA compliance to ensure they did not pose risks during recycling or disposal. The company was also working with select customers to develop side-pasting adhesives that could bond effectively on barrier-coated boards, which are typically more difficult to glue.

On capacity, Nadkarni said Arofine was in the middle of a major expansion, with plans to triple output from its current level of around 12,000 tonnes per annum within the next six to nine months. The expansion is being executed at its existing Chakan facility in Pune, alongside additional solar installations to support the new capacity.

Looking ahead to 2026, Nadkarni said the company was exploring new export opportunities, including Russia, as shifting global trade dynamics has opened up alternative markets.