Siegwerk enters pharma packaging with mineral oil-free inks
Siegwerk aims to bridge this gap by promoting awareness and supporting the development of higher safety standards within the industry, as regulatory bodies in the EU tighten norms around the presence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) in food and pharmaceutical packaging, while India continues to lack specific guidelines for printing inks used in pharmaceutical applications
03 Nov 2025 | 1264 Views | By WhatPackaging? Team
Siegwerk has entered the pharmaceutical packaging segment in India with a new range of mineral oil-free inks designed to address concerns around ink migration and consumer safety.
The move follows the company’s INR 350-crore investment in India to expand its R&D, manufacturing, and sustainability capabilities.
Conventional offset printing inks often contain mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs), substances under regulatory scrutiny for their potential to migrate into packaged products. Among them, mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs) are of particular concern due to possible links to carcinogenic effects. While some countries are preparing bans, several global brands have already phased out their use in packaging.
Siegwerk’s new inks are formulated without mineral oils as an intentionally added substance. The development process follows a controlled raw material introduction system supported by Siegwerk’s global product safety team. The company said this framework is intended to ensure product safety and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian pharmaceutical exports.
“As a company deeply committed to safety and sustainability, Siegwerk believes that the pharmaceutical industry must take a holistic view, recognising that packaging materials play a critical role in ensuring product integrity,” said Ashish Pradhan, president of Siegwerk Asia. “With our mineral oil-free ink systems, we are providing pharma brands in India with a safer, compliant alternative that protects consumers and aligns with evolving global standards.”
While the European Union (EU) has tightened regulations on MOHs in food and pharmaceutical packaging, India currently lacks specific guidelines governing printing inks for this sector. Siegwerk said it aims to raise awareness and support the adoption of higher standards.
The company expects steady growth in India’s pharmaceutical packaging segment, driven by increasing demand for export-compliant and safety-focused materials. The new initiative aligns with Siegwerk’s wider goal of advancing safe and sustainable packaging solutions across sectors, including pharmaceuticals and healthcare.