Meki Pulse bets on water-based coatings at Pamex
Following the joint venture with a UK-based water-based coatings company, Pulse is expecting 2026 to be an inflection point as their collaboration is set to open up new opportunities
27 Jan 2026 | 316 Views | By Sai Deepthi P
Reflecting on the past year, Meki Pulse has approached the Indian market with cautious optimism. According to Rishie Khera, managing director and CEO, 2025 was about setting foundations, while 2026 will be about measured growth, driven by quality, compliance and education.
“We make only water-based coatings and UV coatings. We specialise in water-based coatings where all our products are USFDA-compliant, Swiss Ordinance-compliant and Nestle-certified. It’s a very commoditised market, but I focus on niche segments and top-end clientele.”
Khera explained that food-grade compliance, particularly for indirect food contact, is central to the company’s proposition. “Sustainability automatically comes in with water-based coatings, but food grade is critical.”
Among the products gaining traction is Meki Pulse’s grease and barrier coating, which Khera said is performing well in the market. The Indian operation is part of a joint venture with Pulse Group, headquartered in the UK. “This plant is a joint venture between Meki and Gary Seward, the owner of Pulse Group. We will be catering to India and the Gulf region.”
He also added that being part of a global sourcing network brings additional advantages. “What is used globally is also used by us. That gives us a price advantage and consistency.”
The company has installed a capacity of 650 tonnes per month dedicated to water-based coatings, supported by German and British technologies. From India, Meki Pulse will also serve customers in the Middle East and North Africa, exporting products manufactured using globally sourced raw materials.
Despite the scale, Khera said the company is deliberately cautious. “We don’t want to jump into the market. Quality comes first. Commercial acceptance will follow.”
He acknowledged the challenges of operating in a price-sensitive market. “All our ingredients are REACH-compliant and FBA-compliant. Some suppliers sell 20% to 30% cheaper, but educating customers on the difference is the challenge.”
When asked about the trends shaping the industry, Khera says, “There’s a clear shift from gloss to semi-gloss and matte. Matte is about feeling more than appearance. Soft-touch coatings with a velvety finish are seeing strong enquiries, especially for premium and luxury products.”
While lamination still dominates, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 markets, Khera believes change is inevitable. “Another three to four years and water-based coatings will start seeing wider adoption across India.”
Pharma has traditionally been a strong sector, but FMCG is now catching up. “With Indian startups, there’s awareness. Brand owners now ask what materials are being used. Earlier, they never bothered.”
Looking ahead, Khera expects the coming financial year to be strong, although volatility in chemical prices and currency fluctuations remain concerns. “We’re focusing on specialised products and education. It’s a long process, but once approved, the brand owner sticks with you.”
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