Flourish Paper & Chemicals Ltd. is teaming up with Axchem India in a strategic joint venture to supercharge its Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) production. By expanding their Dera Bassi facility in Punjab, they’re boosting capacity from 3,000 to 15,000 metric tonnes per annum, ensuring a steady supply of essential chemicals for India’s booming paper and packaging industry.

With an investment of roughly Rs. 5 crore, the project will upgrade production machinery, process controls, and laboratory facilities to boost operational efficiency and product consistency.

AKD is widely used as a sizing agent in paper manufacturing, providing improved water resistance and printability in writing & printing papers as well as packaging grades.

Commenting on the development, Atul Mehra, CEO, Flourish Paper & Chemicals Ltd., said: “The expansion of AKD capacity will enable us to better address the growing demand from paper and packaging manufacturers while maintaining high standards of product quality and technical support. At the same time, strengthening our distribution infrastructure will help us improve service levels across major paper manufacturing regions in the country.”

Rajesh Chhabra, MD, Axchem India, added: “By combining Axchem’s technical expertise and global experience in paper chemicals with Flourish’s strong manufacturing base, this joint venture will allow us to deliver high-quality AKD solutions to a wider customer base in India. The paper and packaging sector is witnessing steady growth, and this expansion positions us well to support the industry’s evolving requirements.”