hubergroup is a leading international specialist in printing inks and chemicals. The company develops and produces innovative, sustainable products and services for the printing and chemical industries. Premal A. Desai, Chief Executive Officer, hubergroup talks about the company's performance and plans...

hubergroup has been acquired by Murugappa’s MAVCO Investments and Avenue Capital. How is this acquisition expected to influence the company’s strategic direction and operations in India and globally? 

hubergroup, a global leader in specialty chemicals and print solutions, was recently acquired by a consortium comprising MAVCO Investments, a private entity belonging to select members of the Murugappa family, and funds managed by Avenue Capital Group. The sale and purchase agreement, initially announced in November 2024 was concluded in April 2025. 

The transaction marks the beginning of an ambitious new growth phase under the new owners and hubergroup is set to accelerate ahead. With a focus on global customer reach and long-term value creation the company will continue its ambitious trajectory, leveraging its prime position for growth in the specialty chemicals market and its established leadership in the print solutions industry. 

The company has announced a business realignment to focus on supplying raw materials to the chemicals industry. Could you elaborate on the strategic reasons behind this shift and how it positions the company for future growth? 

As part of our strategic diversification, we launched hubergroup Chemicals as the second pillar of our global business - expanding our proven expertise beyond inks into the broader chemicals market. This move reflects our commitment to delivering high-performance chemical solutions that cater to a wide range of industries including coatings, adhesives, and specialty applications. 

With products designed in Germany and Made in India, we bring together the best of innovation, precision, and cost efficiency- delivering value-driven solutions tailored to evolving customer needs. Our robust manufacturing infrastructure, global reach, and customer-centric approach allow us to collaborate more effectively, drive technology-led growth, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable chemical future. 

How has hubergroup India’s business strategy evolved in 2024, particularly with the shift towards supplying raw materials to the chemicals industry? 

2024 has been a dynamic and successful year for our chemicals business, despite global challenges such as supply disruptions and geopolitical uncertainties. While these factors have posed difficulties in certain regions, they have also created new opportunities for growth in others. As a group, we have remained committed to innovation, developing cutting-edge products that have not only expanded our market reach, but also strengthened our reputation as a long-term, sustainable partner with a diverse product portfolio. 

We have seen significant growth in the Energy Curing UV segment, successfully establishing business relationships with key market players. Additionally, we are diversifying our portfolio with synergistic solutions for rubber and adhesive applications, reinforcing our position in these industries. Our recent progress in lamination adhesives further underscores our strategic expansion and market impact. 

Could you provide updates on the major Capex projects initiated in FY 2024-25 and their expected contributions to future growth?  

With a production capacity of over 350 KTPA across our two modern manufacturing plants, we are expanding to better serve key industries such as inks, coatings, construction, flexible packaging, and adhesives. As the industry moves towards thermal-cured and water-based coatings, we are investing in new technologies and increasing our capacity to meet these demands while supporting environmentally friendly innovations. We're also growing our Energy Curing Systems capacity, reinforcing our commitment to cutting-edge chemical solutions. 

To support this growth, we are building a world-class, integrated R&D facility to bring all our innovation efforts together. This will help us collaborate more effectively and speed up product development. These strategic steps are designed to boost our long-term growth and drive meaningful progress toward sustainability. 

hubergroup India has invested significantly in UV oligomer production. Key R&D initiatives undertaken by the company in FY 2024-25 and how have they contributed to product innovation and market competitiveness? 

At hubergroup, we have made strong progress in expanding our UV oligomer and monomer portfolio, guided by our innovation strategy and close collaboration between our R&D teams in India and Germany. Working under the theme "Designed in Germany, Made in India," this partnership blends deep technical knowledge with fast execution. 

In FY 2024–25, we increased capacity for both our own products and custom manufacturing to meet the rising demand for energy-curing applications. While we started with commonly used grades, our recent R&D focus has shifted to developing advanced, high-performance technologies. 

The company inaugurated a state-of-the-art chemical plant for UV oligomers at its Vapi site, expanding production capabilities by 800 MT per year. How does this expansion align with hubergroup's overall product strategy, and what markets are you targeting with this increased capacity? 

Expanding into the UV oligomers space marks a significant milestone in hubergroup’s innovation-led growth strategy. With rising demand for high-performance polyester acrylates in advanced coatings and niche applications, we established a cutting-edge UV oligomer plant in Vapi to address this evolving need. 

Over the past year, we have completed two debottlenecking phases to boost capacity and meet growing market demand - reflecting our agility and commitment to delivering specialized, high-value solutions. The strong demand of our products highlights the trust we have built through consistent innovation and our focus on performance-driven, sustainable technologies. 

With paper fast emerging as a key alternative in the global transition from plastic, how is hubergroup leading this change through innovation? 

In response to the global shift towards paper-based packaging, hubergroup has developed HYDRO-i -a next-generation, water-based ink system crafted for sustainability without compromising on performance.  

Jointly created by our teams in India and Germany, HYDRO-i offers a wide colour gamut and versatile application range, making it suitable for labels, paper cups, tea tags, ice-cream cones, wrappers, carry bags, e-commerce envelopes, sacks, and corrugated boxes. Engineered for excellent print aesthetics, high press efficiency, and eco-conscious formulation, HYDRO-i stands as a testament to hubergroup’s ongoing commitment to sustainable innovation. 

 How is hubergroup driving sustainable innovation in flexible packaging inks and adhesives to meet the evolving demands of the global packaging industry?” 

Our sustainability roadmap is anchored in practical, high-performance solutions. For VOC reduction, we have introduced HYDRO-i FILM WB LAM, a water-based gravure ink system that delivers exceptional print quality while supporting eco-conscious packaging. 

We offer a full range of solvent-free adhesives, enabling safer, greener lamination workflows. In the space of recyclable packaging, our Gecko Plus NTNK PU inks and the advanced Gecko Plus LVNT series—specially formulated for new-age substrates like MDO and HROB—deliver improved anti-blocking properties, particularly when used with 2K matt OPV systems. 

To support lightweight packaging, we provide both water- and solvent-based barrier coatings that maintain integrity while minimizing material usage. For brands exploring biodegradable and compostable options, our Gecko-branded inks are certified and ready for use. Notably, all Gecko inks also offer low migration performance, ensuring compliance with global food safety standards. 

The company has been focusing on sustainable packaging solutions. How does hubergroup ensure compliance with evolving global sustainability regulations in the specialty chemicals and printing industry? Can you elaborate on your sustainability goals for FY 2024-25 and beyond? 

At hubergroup, sustainability is at the core of our innovation strategy. We are committed to developing bio-based and environmentally friendly solutions that align with evolving global regulations.  

A key highlight of our efforts is the launch of sustainable, bio-based UV oligomers at the European Coatings Show 2025. These advanced resins, designed for wood and plastic coatings, offer excellent reactivity and stain resistance while containing an impressive 50 per cent bio-based carbon content. As regulatory frameworks tighten around monomer acrylates, the demand for sustainable raw materials in the paints and coatings industry is rising. In response, we are leveraging renewable building blocks such as sorbitol and xylitol, ensuring compliance with global sustainability standards while delivering high-performance products. 

Our Sustainability Report is updated annually and made available on our website. Additionally, we are actively working on Scope 3 carbon footprint assessments and have initiated our EcoVadis group application. 

 What digital initiatives has hubergroup India implemented in FY 2024-25 to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement?  

Digitalization has always been a key focus area and an integral part of a long-term strategy to enhance operational efficiency and organizational agility at hubergroup. In FY 2024–25, this vision took a major leap forward with strategic investments aimed at streamlining functions and improving customer experience. A significant step in this direction was the implementation of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) across our R&D and application labs. 

These digital tools have transformed the way we manage data - improving traceability, boosting lab productivity, and accelerating product development timelines. By digitizing core workflows, we’ve been able to minimize errors, enhance cross-team collaboration, and respond to customer requirements with greater speed and precision. 

The company expanded its rural healthcare support in Gujarat by introducing medical vans equipped for dental and eye care, serving 16 remote villages weekly. What outcomes have you observed from this initiative, and are there plans to extend similar programs to other regions? 

Fartu Dawakhanu is a hubergroup wellness initiative delivering essential healthcare support to underserved communities across Vapi and the Valsad district. It is a mobile clinic initiative, launched in partnership with Rotary Vapi Riverside. Since November 2022, two medical vans - followed by dedicated Dental and Eye units in March 2023 - have been delivering free consultations and medicines across 16 remote villages each week. Staffed with doctors, nurses, and essential equipment, the initiative has already screened over 60,000 individuals. The Dental Van has reached over 21,000 people, promoting oral hygiene and treating dental issues, while the Eye Van has examined more than 23,000 individuals, diagnosed over 700 cataract cases, and distributed 6,000+ spectacles.  

How is hubergroup Chemicals leveraging major trade shows to showcase innovation and build engagement with customers? 

We maintain a strong and consistent presence at leading industry events—both in India and on the global stage. We actively participate in major international exhibitions such as the European Coatings Show (ECS), American Coatings Show, PaintIstanbul & Turkcoat, and more. In India, our presence is equally prominent at trade shows like Printpack India and Paint India. 

Could you elaborate on the strategic vision behind the “ONE huber” initiative and how it strengthens your global alignment and customer focus? 

The “ONE huber” initiative is designed to unlock synergies across our global organization by aligning business units, functions, and geographies under a unified strategic vision. By fostering seamless collaboration between teams worldwide, it enables more efficient resource management, faster problem-solving, and the ability to deliver customer-centric solutions with greater speed and precision. This integrated approach encourages cross-border ideation, co-development, and streamlined strategy implementation - ensuring that innovation flows freely across regions while respecting local market nuances.  

Ultimately, “ONE huber” is about creating an agile, collaborative ecosystem that delivers value through unity, while celebrating the strength of diversity.