Siegwerk debuts at Paperex with a focus on functional coatings

With the global shift toward paperisation and sustainable packaging, Siegwerk aims to support converters and mills with high-performance functional coatings that enable recyclability, repulpability, and barrier performance without plastic laminates.

Gilles Le Moigne, BU head CE coatings, Siegwerk, said, “Paperex serves as the ideal launchpad to build crucial awareness in this relatively new segment for Siegwerk. As the market rapidly moves toward paperisation, we are here to partner with converters and mills, delivering the necessary functional coatings that make scalable, plastic-free barrier performance a reality.”

The company’s recent acquisition of Allinova has strengthened its global capabilities in heat-sealing coatings, which are already well-established in India. Siegwerk used Paperex to meet the existing customers to reassure them about the company’s long-term strategy and introduce the broader coatings portfolio under the Siegwerk umbrella.

“All customer interactions were very positive. They appreciated that Siegwerk will not only continue supporting the segment but will also localise production to accelerate growth,” Le Moigne added.

Siegwerk’s coatings portfolio targets plastics replacement, especially in food service packaging, where demand is growing rapidly due to QSR expansion, ready-to-eat trends, and evolving consumer expectations.

The company’s solutions address key functional needs, such as oil and grease resistance (OGR); moisture and water-vapour barriers; sealing coatings and so on.

The goal is clear: replace laminated paper with coatings that offer performance, safety, and recyclability.

“This category is where coatings will play a big role. Paperisation is accelerating globally, and India is no exception. The single-use plastic ban, even in partial adoption, has created opportunities for recyclable and repulpable coated papers,” Le Moigne said.

India’s food service packaging segment is expanding fast. Consumers and global brands are increasingly seeking safer, sustainable alternatives, and paper-based packaging is emerging as the preferred choice.

Under such circumstances, Siegwerk sees strong traction in segments, such as QSR / quick service restaurants; airlines and food delivery; ready-to-eat meals and high-volume roadside consumption (paper cups).

Le Moigne highlighted that high-performance coatings are initially adopted by premium segments such as global coffee chains, airlines, and exporters. Over time, scale and adoption will reduce overall cost curves, enabling wider usage.

Siegwerk currently manufactures most coatings at its Bhiwadi plant in India, reducing supply chain complexity, improving shelf life, and ensuring competitive cost structures.

“Some specialty coatings still come from Europe, but we are investing in India to localise more production. Local manufacturing is essential for scalability, speed, and cost-efficiency,” he said.

The company also works closely with customers on coating equipment selection, production training, and process optimisation — critical for converters transitioning from plastic lamination to water-based coatings.

Siegwerk acknowledges competition from both global and local coating suppliers.

Companies like Archroma, Mitsui and Michelman are strong in coatings, while local vendors compete aggressively on pricing.

“We respect the competition. The important part is that all of us are contributing to improving circularity in packaging. Siegwerk’s strength lies in our deep understanding of converters, printers, and packaging workflows,” Le Moigne emphasised.

The Indian coatings market — depending on the definition — ranges widely — specialised, high-performance coatings: ~10,000 tonnes/year; broader OPV and service coatings for food packaging: ~40,000 tonnes/year.

Paper cups represent a massive opportunity, but adoption depends on cost shifts, capital investment in coating lines, and training for converters. As the paper industry in India transitions from graphic paper to packaging, Le Moigne sees significant long-term growth for coatings that enhance recyclability and replace PE.

Siegwerk brings cross-regional collaboration, leveraging COEs (centres of excellence) and teams across the globe. This ensures technology alignment, rapid problem-solving, and compliance with global regulations—especially for exporters to Europe.

“For Siegwerk, product safety is always priority number one. We apply the same standards to coatings as we do to inks, ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, and high quality,” Le Moigne noted.