Vipul Organics is investing in bio-based additives, low-energy dispersions, and digital tools to stay ahead of competition and support customers in the pulp and paper sector. The company has a complete bouquet of offerings for the industry. Its flagship brand SunPulp® has a strong reputation for shade consistency, purity, and ease of application, and comprises of direct and basic dyes for uncoated and tissue papers and organic pigments and dispersions for coated papers. In addition the SunDirect® and SunIonic® ranges comprise of direct dyes and cationic dyes that cater to a wide spectrum of applications. In an exclusive interview with Paper Mart, Mr. Mihir V. Shah, Executive Director, Vipul Organics Limited shared that the company has introduced highly-stable and binder free pigment dispersions. These advanced pigments are increasingly replacing traditional dyes, providing superior properties such as reduction in total chemical usage, better shade consistency and a drop in COD levels in the effluent. The company is further investing in backward integration to secure critical raw materials and enhance supply chain resilience.
Paper Mart: Could you explain your company’s key offerings and their relevance to the Indian pulp and paper industry’s dynamic needs?
Mihir V Shah: Vipul Organics is one of India’s foremost colour solution providers, with a legacy of over five decades in the field of colour chemistry. Our exclusive focus in this domain has enabled us to deliver highly specialised, consistent and sustainable solutions to a growing number of Indian paper mills.
The colour industry has historically been dominated by multinationals, but Vipul Organics has been actively disrupting this space by offering technically sound, and cost-optimized solutions tailored for Indian mills. Our deep focus on colorants alone, rather than a broad-spectrum chemical portfolio, allows us to deliver unmatched specialization, consistency, and service.
Our flagship brand for the paper industry, SunPulp®, has rapidly gained a strong reputation for shade consistency, purity, and ease of application across different paper grades. It includes direct and basic dyes for uncoated and tissue papers; organic pigments and dispersions for coated, decorative, and specialty papers; and customized aqueous pigment preparations designed for low effluent impact and high brightness.
Besides SunPulp®, our key offerings for the pulp and paper segment include the SunDirect® and SunIonic® ranges. These encompass direct dyes and cationic dyes that cater to a wide spectrum of applications.
As the Indian paper industry evolves to meet heightened expectations in aesthetics, printability and sustainability, we are committed to positioning colour as a value enhancer rather than a mere functional input. Through our strong R&D, deep technical expertise and a solutions-oriented approach, Vipul Organics is playing an active role in redefining how colour contributes to product performance, environmental responsibility and business competitiveness in the sector.
Watch: In Pursuit of Lesser Water Footprint
PM: Have you introduced any new products or innovations tailored specifically to Indian paper mills? What gaps were they designed to fill?
MVS: Recognizing the shift towards high-quality printing and sustainable packaging papers, we’ve introduced high-strength pigment dispersions that reduce dosage and improve uniformity, and low-salt direct dyes developed for mills facing COD/BOD challenges in effluent treatment.
We are replacing traditionally used dyes with pigments which offer much higher properties to paper, and binder-free pigment preparations for mills with in-house binder systems.
These innovations address key industry gaps, from reducing treatment load in ETPs, better handling of the product, cleaner handling of the colors to enhancing shade control in recycled-fiber-based papers. In fact, our R&D team undertook a comprehensive study of over 18 months to identify operational and performance gaps specific to Indian paper mills. This led to the launch of our targeted innovations for the paper segment.
One such development is the SunIonic® range of modified basic dyes, which were formulated for mills with size press operations, especially in the packaging segment. These dyes improve application efficiency, minimise wastage and provide tangible operational benefits. We also introduced SunPulp® Red 981, a high-strength dispersion designed to deliver enhanced depth and brilliance in red tones for writing and printing papers. Another important innovation involves pigment-based alternatives to traditional dyes used in coating formulations. These provide better performance, simplify effluent treatment and improve plant efficiency.
PM: What are the most common technological and operational challenges Indian mills face, and how does Vipul Organics address them?
MVS: Indian mills typically deal with three major challenges: variability in recycled fibre quality, limited water availability and difficulties in achieving consistent colour shades across batches.
We address these challenges through highly stable pigment dispersions engineered to deliver uniform performance despite fluctuations in raw material quality. Our low-COD and low-salt formulations help mills manage environmental impact while improving effluent treatment outcomes.
Beyond products, our technical support team engages directly with mill operators to optimize dosing, ensure shade accuracy and enhance on-machine results. This is particularly valuable for small and medium-sized mills that may not have dedicated in-house colour expertise.
Our high-concentration formulations reduce per-unit usage, which directly lowers input costs. Products are supplied in ready-to-use formats, reducing process complexity and human error.
PM: How do your products help reduce water and energy consumption, emissions, or overall chemical usage? Could you share a recent case study?
MVS: Sustainability is embedded in our innovation strategy. Our colourants are developed to be high-strength, ready-to-use and easily dispersible. This reduces the need for excess dilution water and lowers energy consumption during drying.
A recent case illustrates this well. We partnered with a large mill in South India to replace their conventional dye system with our binder-free pigment dispersions. This shift led to an 18 percent reduction in total chemical usage, better shade consistency and a 12 percent drop in COD levels in the effluent. The mill not only improved its environmental performance but also achieved significant cost savings.
PM: To what extent have Indian mills adopted automation, sensors or AI in colour application? What are the key enablers or roadblocks?
MVS: Adoption of automation and digital tools is gradually increasing, especially among integrated mills producing higher-grade papers. These mills are beginning to implement these systems for real-time colour monitoring, digital dosing and centralised process control.
However, a large number of medium-sized mills still rely on manual processes. The primary barriers include high capital investment, a shortage of skilled personnel and concerns about return on investment.
To support a smoother transition, Vipul Organics provides digital-ready dosing systems and remote technical support, enabling mills to adopt automation incrementally without the burden of large upfront costs.
PM: How do you ensure your solutions remain cost-effective and technically viable, especially for smaller mills?
MVS: We take a holistic and adaptable approach. Our high-concentration formulations reduce per-unit usage, which directly lowers input costs. Products are supplied in ready-to-use formats, reducing process complexity and human error.
We also offer flexible packaging and a just-in-time supply model to help mills manage working capital and inventory more effectively. Our technical services are offered at no additional cost, helping mills extract maximum value from every kilogram of colourant, while also reducing rework and material losses.
Our deep focus on colorants alone, rather than a broad-spectrum chemical portfolio, allows us to deliver unmatched specialization, consistency, and service.
PM: Inconsistency in raw material remains a challenge for Indian mills. How does Vipul Organics support mills in managing this variability?
MVS: Raw material inconsistency, particularly in recycled pulp, is a persistent challenge across the industry. Our colour solutions are designed for robust, consistent performance across a range of pulp and water qualities. We support our customers through a combination of lab-to-mill shade matching, application aids and advanced dispersion technology. By stabilising the colour performance aspect of the process, we help mills reduce quality variations, minimise rejections and improve overall operational efficiency.
PM: Are you aligned with the ‘Make-in-India’ vision and local manufacturing initiatives?
MVS: All our products are manufactured in India at ISO-certified facilities. We are also investing in backward integration to improve control over critical raw materials and enhance supply chain resilience.
Our regional service centres ensure proximity to customers, enabling us to respond quickly and tailor solutions to Indian operating conditions — including water chemistry, fibre types and environmental regulations. This localisation not only strengthens our value proposition but also supports the broader goal of self-reliance for the Indian paper industry.
Also Read: Paper Mart Emagazine Jun-July, 2025
PM: What shifts or innovations do you foresee shaping the Indian paper industry in the next three to five years?
MVS: We anticipate significant shifts in the Indian paper industry over the next few years. The rise of e-commerce and sustainable packaging will drive demand for lightweight, high-strength paper grades. Simultaneously, environmental pressures will push the adoption of closed-loop water systems, biodegradable coatings and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) solutions.
We also expect to see growing adoption of AI for shade prediction, process automation and quality control. Collaboration between mills and chemical partners will become more strategic, with co-creation of specialised grades tailored to end-use requirements.
At Vipul Organics, we are already investing in bio-based additives, low-energy dispersions and digital tools to stay ahead of these shifts and support our customers in meeting future market and compliance demands.
We are expecting to see growing adoption of AI for shade prediction, process automation and quality control.
