Sanjay Tibrewala:  Fineotex offers durable antimicrobial and antiviral finishes

Fineotex Chemical is a leading Speciality Chemical Company with its headquarters in Mumbai, India. Their plants are located in Navi Mumbai, Ambernath and Selangor in Malaysia. The company is engaged in the manufacturing of chemicals and enzymes for textile and garment, water treatment, leather, construction, paint, agrochemicals, adhesives and others industries. Sanjay Tibrewala, Executive Director and CFO, Fineotex Chemical, speaks with Divya Shetty about the latest trends in the textile printing industry and the sustainability initiatives the company is adopting to stay ahead in the market.

How do you assess the current state of the Indian textile printing industry, particularly in terms of technology adoption and market demand?

The Indian textile printing industry is currently at a dynamic juncture. On one hand, there is a strong revival in domestic and export demand post-pandemic, driven by consumer preference for high-quality, customised, and sustainable printed textiles.

On the other hand, the industry is undergoing a significant technological transformation. Traditional screen printing methods still dominate in terms of volume, but digital printing technologies are steadily gaining traction due to their ability to offer shorter lead times, design flexibility, and reduced resource consumption.

Technology adoption is being propelled by several factors rising labour costs, the need for precision, growing awareness of environmental impact, and global brands’ stringent sustainability mandates. We are witnessing increased investments in automation, colour management software, and energy-efficient printing machinery. The integration of Industry 4.0 principles, such as data-driven process optimisation, is beginning to make an impact in progressive mills.

Overall, the market outlook is positive. India is not only a global manufacturing hub but is also increasingly recognised for its design and innovation capabilities in textile printing. However, to remain globally competitive, the sector must accelerate adoption of sustainable chemistry, waste reduction practices, and cleaner production technologies areas where Fineotex is strongly contributing.

What are some of the most recent innovations Fineotex has introduced in the field of textile printing chemicals?

At Fineotex, innovation is at the heart of our product development strategy. In recent years, we have introduced a range of advanced textile printing auxiliaries and specialty chemicals tailored to meet the evolving needs of processors.

Our high-performance printing binders are designed to deliver enhanced pigment fixation, excellent wash and rub fastness, and a soft hand feel. These binders enable processors to achieve high-quality prints while minimising rework. Complementing this, our low-temperature crosslinking agents facilitate energy savings by allowing curing at lower temperatures without compromising performance.

We have also developed advanced thickeners for pigment printing that offer superior viscosity stability, easy paste preparation, and consistent print definition. In line with our commitment to sustainability, our eco-friendly printing auxiliaries are APEO-free, formaldehyde-free, and compliant with GOTS 7.0 and ZDHC Level 3 standards, ensuring they meet stringent global requirements.

To help our customers create distinctive products, we offer a special effects range that includes puff, glitter, and metallic binders for value-added fashion printing. These solutions empower customers to differentiate their offerings in niche markets.

Collectively, these innovations have delivered measurable benefits to our customers, including reduced energy consumption, higher production throughput, improved reproducibility, and compliance with international sustainability standards.

What sustainable measures or eco-friendly product lines has Fineotex introduced to support greener textile printing?

Sustainability is deeply embedded in our corporate strategy and product portfolio, guiding the way we innovate and deliver solutions. In the textile printing segment, we have undertaken several initiatives to ensure that our products not only meet high-performance standards but also align with global sustainability goals.

We offer GOTS 7.0 and OEKO-TEX Eco-Passport certified products, enabling textile processors to meet stringent international organic and eco-compliance requirements. Additionally, through our Malaysian facility, we provide Bluesign approved solutions, which ensure resource-efficient production and safe chemical management practices.

To reduce environmental impact, we have shifted towards water-based printing systems in place of solvent-based systems. This transition helps lower VOC emissions, improve workplace safety, and create a healthier production environment. Our low-temperature curing binders further contribute to sustainability by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during processing.

Where feasible, we incorporate bio-based and recycled raw materials into our formulations, promoting the use of renewable resources and reducing dependence on virgin inputs. Our auxiliaries are also designed for closed-loop process compatibility, ensuring seamless integration with effluent treatment systems. This supports water recycling and enables zero-liquid discharge initiatives for our customers.

Beyond product innovation, we conduct regular life-cycle assessments to minimise the carbon footprint of our manufacturing processes. We also work closely with customers to implement greener production methods that deliver environmental benefits without compromising performance or cost competitiveness.

With the rise of automation and digital textile printing, how is Fineotex aligning its product development to support modern, tech-driven printing methods?

Digital printing is transforming the textile manufacturing landscape by enabling short runs, customised designs, and faster time-to-market. Fineotex has strategically aligned its R&D to cater to the unique demands of this segment, offering solutions that enhance quality, efficiency, and reliability.

Our specialised digital printing pretreatments are designed to improve ink receptivity, sharpness, and color yield across both natural and synthetic substrates. We also develop low-migration binders and fixers that are essential for maintaining color vibrancy and preventing bleeding in high-resolution prints. In addition, our ink-compatible auxiliaries are formulated in close collaboration with ink manufacturers to ensure chemical compatibility, preventing issues such as nozzle clogging or sedimentation.

To support seamless adoption, we provide process optimisation services through our technical teams, enabling mills to integrate our solutions effectively into automated and digitally controlled production lines. All our products are engineered for consistency, a critical factor in automated environments, helping minimise downtime and waste while ensuring high repeatability in print quality.

What emerging trends in textile printing chemicals are shaping the future of the industry, and how is Fineotex positioning itself to lead in these areas?

The textile printing industry is undergoing significant transformation, with several key trends shaping its future. Sustainable chemistry is rapidly becoming the standard; as eco-compliance is no longer optional but the baseline expectation. Fineotex has proactively embraced this shift, with over 80 per cent of its portfolio now aligned to global eco-certifications.

Another major trend is the growing demand for special effects and value addition in prints, including textured, 3D, and multi-sensory designs. In response, Fineotex is expanding its product range in this segment to meet the evolving needs of designers and manufacturers. Alongside this, the industry is witnessing a rise in digital printing-specific chemicals, driven by the shift towards personalised fashion and just-in-time manufacturing models.

Functional printing is also gaining traction, with chemicals designed to impart performance properties such as antimicrobial, UV protection, and moisture management. Through its joint venture with HealthGuard Australia, Fineotex offers durable antimicrobial and antiviral finishes that can be seamlessly integrated into printing processes.

In addition, there is a clear move towards process integration for greater efficiency. This involves developing multi-functional chemicals that reduce the number of processing steps, as well as lowering water and energy consumption. Fineotex’s strategy to stay ahead in this dynamic environment includes sustained investments in R&D, forging collaborations with global partners, closely tracking fashion and technology trends, and rapidly converting innovations into market-ready products.

What are the company’s future plans in terms of R&D investments, capacity expansion, or global market penetration in the textile printing segment?

Fineotex is committed to driving sustained growth in the textile printing chemicals segment through a multifaceted strategy. A key pillar of this growth is our enhanced R&D capabilities. We are expanding our laboratories in India and Malaysia with advanced testing and simulation equipment to accelerate product development and bring innovative solutions to market faster.

We are also significantly increasing our production capacity with the addition of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ambernath, India. Spread across 7 acres, this facility substantially boosts our manufacturing capabilities, ensuring we can meet the growing global demand for high-quality textile printing chemicals.

On the global front, Fineotex currently exports to 69 countries, and we are strategically working to strengthen our presence in high-growth regions such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Our expansion strategy is further supported by strategic collaborations with leading international partners, including Biotex (Europe) and HealthGuard (Australia). These alliances enable us to deliver globally competitive, sustainable, and functional solutions to our customers.

In line with evolving market needs, we are also digitalising our customer service. This includes the implementation of virtual technical assistance, online training modules, and faster turnaround times for sample development, allowing us to respond more efficiently and effectively to customer requirements.

Our vision is to be recognised as a global leader in sustainable and performance-driven textile printing chemistry, combining innovation, environmental stewardship, and customer-centricity to create lasting value for our stakeholders.