The move is intended to help Indian pharmaceutical exporters meet international packaging requirements. Credit: SamJonah/Shutterstock.com

German inks and coatings supplier Siegwerk has introduced a range of mineral oil‑free inks aimed at the Indian pharmaceutical packaging market.

The new inks are formulated without mineral oils as intentionally added substances, and their rollout is backed by a raw‑material introduction process overseen by Siegwerk’s global product safety team.

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The move strengthens consumer protection and helps Indian pharmaceutical exporters meet international packaging requirements.

Siegwerk’s move follows a reported Rs3.5bn ($39.4m) investment in India to expand research, manufacturing and sustainability‑led operations.

The business has operated in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan since 2006. Its revenue has almost tripled since 2015 to more than Rs10bn.

The launch comes amid growing international scrutiny of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) in printing inks.

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Conventional offset inks can contain MOHs that may migrate into packaged products. Mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs) are singled out in global discussions because of potential carcinogenic links. Several jurisdictions are therefore considering restrictions and some multinational brands have already limited MOAH use.

India currently does not have specific guidelines for printing inks in pharmaceutical packaging.

Siegwerk plans to engage with regulators and industry groups in India to raise awareness and encourage stronger safety benchmarks.

In parallel with the mineral oil‑free ink range, Siegwerk is investing in circular‑economy coatings designed for recyclable multilayer packaging.

Siegwerk Asia president Ashish Pradhan stated: “As a company focused on safety and sustainability, Siegwerk believes that the pharmaceutical industry must take a broader view, recognising that packaging materials play a role in maintaining product integrity.

“With our mineral oil-free ink systems, we are providing pharma brands in India with a compliant alternative that aligns with global practises.”

In August 2025, Siegwerk agreed to acquire speciality chemicals company Allinova.

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