Last updated : August 12, 2025 10:18 am
Caldic India aims to capitalize on its expansion by leveraging its global expertise, deep local presence, and strong relationships with both principals and customers
Emerging trends in the specialty chemicals distribution market in India and globally?
The specialty chemicals distribution market is evolving with key trends like sustainability, digitalization, and demand for customized solutions. In India, growth is fuelled by rising demand from the personal care, pharma, and food sectors, while globally, the focus is on bio-based, eco-friendly ingredients, and stricter regulations.
Caldic India has expanded its operations in key markets, including the acquisition of a majority stake in a specialty chemicals distributor in Asia. How is this going to benefit its India operation?
Caldic’s expansion in Asia-Pacific supports India operations by making our portfolio of unique, value-added products, and services more accessible to a broader customer base. With Asia being a high-growth region, the move strengthens our ability to support key markets such as food and nutrition, (bio) pharma, personal care, and industrial formulations.
The expertise and expanded capabilities resulting from our regional presence allows us to deliver customized solutions that align with evolving industry demands. By redefining the benchmarks for added value in specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution, we aim to help both existing and new customers seize emerging opportunities and foster innovation. Ultimately, this expansion positions us to create a larger positive impact across life sciences and material sciences sectors in India through sustainable business growth.
Caldic India has been appointed as official distribution solutions partner for Stratachem’s specialty chemicals in India. What synergies do you anticipate from this partnership and how will it enhance product offerings in the Indian market?
The strategic partnership with Stratachem strengthens our ability to meet the growing demand for specialty additives and surfactants in India. Stratachem’s expertise in antifoams, defoamers, wetting agents, pigment dispersants, and acetylenic diols, combined with their in-house R&D capabilities, allows them to offer high-performance, cost-effective formulations that meet global standards. This collaboration enhances our product portfolio, particularly in sectors like paints, inks, adhesives, and construction chemicals.
With India’s chemicals sector expected to triple its global market share by 2040 due to rising domestic demand and global supply chain diversification, this partnership positions us to capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver innovative, value-generating solutions to our customers. By leveraging Caldic’s extensive global distribution network and Stratachem’s deep expertise, we aim to expand our reach and enhance customer satisfaction both locally and globally.
Collaboration with Laviosa aims to distribute rheology additives and organoclays in India. How do these products meet evolving demands of industries such as coatings, plastics, and construction in the region?
Our partnership with Laviosa, a 100-year-old, family-owned Italian company and one of the world’s largest producers of bentonites and organoclays, brings tremendous value to the Indian market. Laviosa’s rheological additives and organoclays are essential for improving performance and stability of solvent coatings, paints, grease lubricants, and inks. These solutions address the evolving demands of industries such as coatings, plastics, and construction, which are witnessing significant growth in India.
By leveraging Caldic’s extensive distribution network and portfolio of value-added solutions, this partnership aims to increase awareness and accessibility of Laviosa’s high- performance products in India. Together, we are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and drive sustainable business growth in this key market.
Acquisition of Chemhouse Marketing and Brink Chemicals strengthens Caldic India’s position in the personal care sector. How does this acquisition align with Cadic’s strategy to offer customized value- added solutions in the Indian market?
The acquisition of Chemhouse Marketing and Brink Chemicals strengthens Caldic India’s foothold in the high-growth personal care market in India. With Chemhouse’s expertise in premium and plant-based ingredients, tailored formulations, and value-added services like product testing and regulatory guidance, this move aligns perfectly with our focus on delivering innovative and customized solutions. By integrating Chemhouse’s capabilities, we aim to further inspire innovation, enhance our product portfolio, and create new opportunities for our customers and partners in India’s evolving personal care landscape.
Caldic has been appointed as distribution solutions partner for Michelman’s products in Japan and the Indian Subcontinent. What opportunities does this present for expanding the company’s reach in these regions, particularly in the coatings sector?
The expanded partnership with Michelman represents a significant opportunity for Caldic to strengthen its presence in Japan and the Indian Subcontinent. Michelman’s extensive portfolio, which includes surface additives, polymeric binders, barrier and functional coatings, and digital printing-press primers and OPVs, serves diverse applications in industrial packaging, consumer packaging, paper products, and commercial printed materials.
With India being a high-growth market for the global coatings and industrial sectors, this strategic collaboration enables us to leverage Michelman’s high-performance solutions and Caldic’s end-to-end distribution capabilities. Together, we are well-positioned to address the rising demand for advanced coatings while developing sustainable and thriving business opportunities.
This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality products that meet and exceed customer expectations across both regions.
Given the projected growth of India’s chemicals sector, how does Caldic India plan to capitalize on this expansion and what role do these recent partnerships play in your long- term strategy?
With India’s chemical sector poised for significant growth, Caldic India aims to capitalize on this expansion by leveraging its global expertise, deep local presence, and strong relationships with both principals and customers.
Recent strategic partnerships have enhanced the company’s product portfolio and distribution network, enabling broader access to innovative, high-demand solutions in sectors like personal care, food, and specialty chemicals.
By focusing on sustainability, innovation, and customized value-added services, Caldic seeks to strengthen industry relationships, address evolving market needs, and drive long-term growth and diversification in the Indian chemicals sector.
The company has expanded its product portfolio to include bio-based alternatives to traditional petrochemical products. What challenges have been encountered in this transition, and how does the company educate customers about the benefits of these alternatives?
The transition to bio-based alternatives brings challenges like addressing market perceptions, performance concerns, and supply chain complexities. Caldic India tackles these by offering technical support, performance data, and hands- on demonstrations at its application center, helping customers experience the benefits of bio-based solutions. By aligning with global sustainability trends, the company aims to drive adoption and support a greener, more sustainable future.
The company has invested in digitization efforts, including the implementation of an advanced supply chain management system. How has it improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction?
Caldic is advancing toward digital leadership in the ingredients and specialty chemical distribution sector with a strategic roadmap designed to enhance the digital customer journey. Recognizing the growing importance of digitization for sustainable business growth, we seek to deliver impactful and relevant digital solutions to customers, principals, and stakeholders while addressing evolving business needs.
With increased investments in digital platforms in the last few years, Caldic is accelerating its transformation to strengthen operational efficiency, optimize processes, and improve customer satisfaction. This digital strategy is aimed at driving innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and creating incremental value that differentiates the company in the market.
Looking ahead, what are Caldic India’s strategic priorities for the Indian market? How do you envision Caldic India’s role in supporting the growth and diversification of India’s chemical industry?
Caldic India aims to accelerate growth in India by expanding product portfolio, digital capabilities, and driving sustainable innovation across key sectors of personal care, food and nutrition, pharma, and industrial formulations.
Sustainability remains central, with a focus on reducing carbon footprint through bio-based products, green solvents, and circular economy initiatives. Investments in digital tools further enhance customer engagement, operational efficiency, and market differentiation.
With a long and deep presence in the Indian market, we are committed to leveraging our extensive distribution network, comprehensive portfolio of value-added solutions, and global expertise combined with local insights to foster innovation, strengthen partnerships, and unlock long-term growth to support India’s diverse and growing chemical industry.