Archroma strengthens sustainable packaging R&D with VCML pilot coater investment

GLOBAL – Archroma Packaging Technologies has expanded its global research and development capabilities with the acquisition of three VCML pilot coaters from RK Print Coat Instruments, reinforcing its focus on developing sustainable and high-performance packaging materials.

The VCML pilot coaters have been delivered to Archroma Packaging Technologies’ newly established global Centers of Innovation (COI) in Mumbai, India; Prat, Spain; and Charlotte, North Carolina, US.

These centres are strategically located in regions experiencing strong growth in fibre- and board-based packaging, biobased materials, tapes and labels, specialty and graphic papers, flexible packaging and wood applications.

According to Archroma, the investment supports its strategy to deliver scalable, application-ready chemistries that can be validated under consistent processing conditions across multiple regions.

Dinakar Gnanamgari, vice president of Innovation and Portfolio Expansion, said the partnership with RK Print Coat Instruments reflects the company’s commitment to robust and repeatable R&D.

“It underscores our commitment to provide reliable and scalable research and development—helping brands, converters and mills trust our chemistries to deliver consistent results at scale,” he said.

Each COI has a defined technical focus aligned with regional market needs. The Mumbai centre will concentrate on sustainable and value-added solutions for essential markets such as flexible packaging and wood in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Prat facility in Spain will support innovation in tapes and labels, as well as specialty and graphic papers, with a strong emphasis on improving packaging performance, circularity and sustainability.

Meanwhile, the Charlotte COI will focus on fibre- and board-based packaging and biobased materials, supporting continued development of circular packaging solutions for North American and global markets.

The VCML pilot coaters are designed for short-run, high-flexibility trials and are capable of direct gravure, reverse gravure, meter bar and air knife coating, as well as laminating using pressure-sensitive adhesives.

The machines installed at Archroma’s sites are identical in configuration, enabling results generated at one COI to be replicated at another, an important factor for global customers seeking consistent outcomes.

Technical features include closed-loop web control and tension regulation via load cells, edge guiding systems, two hot-air impingement dryers and a 2.5 kW infrared dryer.

This configuration allows precise control of coating application and drying conditions, which is critical when developing functional and barrier coatings.

Archroma highlighted that packaging technologists must carefully balance barrier properties such as moisture resistance, oxygen permeability, heat resistance and airtightness, depending on end-use requirements.

Reverse gravure coating, supplied with the VCML systems, is noted for its wide wet-coat range, uniformity and freedom from pinholes, an essential attribute for effective barrier performance.

However, the availability of multiple coating methods allows Archroma to evaluate alternatives based on cost, substrate compatibility and functional performance.

The investment reflects a broader industry trend, as materials suppliers increase pilot-scale capabilities to accelerate innovation in recyclable, compostable and low-impact packaging solutions while reducing time to market for converters and brand owners.

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