UPM Adhesive Materials is expanding its presence in India with the announcement of its first manufacturing facility in Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in the company’s regional growth strategy. The investment follows the opening of a new terminal near New Delhi earlier this year and represents UPM’s transition from distribution to local manufacturing, strengthening its ability to serve customers across India and neighbouring markets.
According to Tim Kirchen, Executive Vice President of UPM Adhesive Materials, India is emerging as one of the world’s most attractive growth markets for the packaging and labelling industry, driven by economic growth, urbanisation and rising consumer demand. The country’s expanding packaged food, pharmaceutical, personal care and consumer goods sectors are creating opportunities for advanced adhesive and labelling solutions.
The new facility will enable UPM to improve material availability, reduce lead times and provide faster technical and commercial support to customers. Local manufacturing is also expected to enhance supply chain reliability, reduce dependence on global supply networks and support the development of solutions tailored to Indian market requirements.
Suresh Valecha, Senior Country Manager for South Asia, highlighted the importance of closer collaboration across the value chain, particularly with brand owners, converters and printers. He noted that India’s fragmented printing industry and evolving customer expectations make local partnerships, technical expertise and innovation essential for long-term growth.
Beyond increasing production capacity, the investment reflects UPM’s broader ambitions to strengthen India’s role in its regional and global operations. The country’s skilled workforce, engineering capabilities, raw material availability and manufacturing competitiveness offer opportunities in sourcing, product development and technology. Over time, India could emerge as a strategic manufacturing and innovation hub supporting neighbouring markets and UPM’s global network.
FPN
