Borchers Bets on India with Local R&D and Sustainable Coatings

MUMBAI, India – February 19, 2026 – As the Indian coatings market surges towards a projected value of over $12 billion by 2032, global materials science leader Milliken & Company is making a significant strategic move through its Borchers brand. At the Paint India 2026 exhibition this week, Borchers is showcasing a new portfolio of advanced coating additives specifically engineered for the demanding Indian and broader Asian markets, signaling a deeper commitment to the region that goes beyond simple product sales.

The initiative combines cutting-edge, sustainable chemical innovations with a major expansion of local research and development capabilities, a dual approach designed to help regional manufacturers navigate tightening environmental regulations while improving performance and production efficiency.

The 'Made for India' Advantage

At the heart of Borchers' strategy is the significant expansion of its technical team and capabilities at the established Milliken laboratory in Pune. This move transforms the facility into a dedicated hub for coatings innovation, empowering local formulators with direct access to global expertise tailored to their specific needs.

This localized R&D model is a direct response to the unique challenges and opportunities within the region. By enabling faster formulation development using locally sourced raw materials, Borchers aims to dramatically reduce development timelines and improve speed-to-market for its customers. This is a critical advantage in a market where agility and cost-efficiency are paramount.

The investment leverages the existing foundation of Milliken Chemical And Textile (India) Company Private Limited, Milliken's registered entity in Pune, which has already established a strong operational footprint in the country with revenues reaching approximately ₹323 crore (USD 38.8 million) in the last financial year. By embedding its coatings expertise within this existing infrastructure, Borchers can offer a level of integrated support that few competitors can match.

"India's coatings industry is evolving rapidly, driven by higher performance expectations, sustainability goals, and the need for greater manufacturing efficiency," said Jeff Losch, SVP and Managing Director of Milliken's polymer solutions business. "Through Borchers' technologies and Milliken's local technical capabilities, we're helping customers accelerate formulation development while delivering the durability and performance they need."

Driving a Sustainable Shift in Coatings

Beyond localization, the product innovations unveiled at Paint India directly address the industry's most pressing trend: the shift towards sustainability without compromising performance. As regulatory bodies across Asia tighten restrictions on hazardous materials and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Borchers is positioning itself as a key enabler of this green transition.

A standout innovation is Borchi® OXY–Coat 1101, a high-performance, cobalt-free catalyst for waterborne alkyd coatings. Traditional cobalt driers, long an industry standard, are facing increasing regulatory scrutiny due to health and environmental concerns. This new catalyst allows formulators to move away from cobalt and solvent-based systems, enhancing both dry times and long-term durability in more eco-friendly waterborne paints.

Further addressing market needs are a series of next-generation dispersants designed to streamline manufacturing. Products like Borchi® Gen 5113 for organic pigments and Borchi® Gen 5115 for inorganic pigments enable the efficient co-grinding of multiple pigments. This innovation helps manufacturers reduce processing steps, save energy, and lower production costs while achieving superior color strength and stability. The portfolio also includes Borchi® Gen AOD, an adhesion promoter that improves the bond of coatings to challenging non-ferrous metal substrates, a crucial requirement in industrial and automotive applications.

Tapping into a High-Growth Market

Borchers' strategic push is timed to capitalize on the explosive growth of the coatings sector across Asia. The Indian market alone, valued at over USD 8.6 billion in 2024, is expanding at a robust CAGR of over 6%, fueled by a construction boom, rapid industrialization under the 'Make in India' initiative, and a thriving automotive sector.

Architectural coatings remain the largest segment, driven by massive government-backed housing and infrastructure projects. Simultaneously, the industrial coatings market in India is on a trajectory to exceed USD 7.6 billion by 2030, creating immense demand for the high-performance protective solutions Borchers specializes in.

This trend is mirrored across the continent. The Asia-Pacific region already accounts for the majority of the global paints and coatings market, with a projected value of over USD 107 billion by 2031. With China and India leading the charge, the demand for advanced additives that can meet the dual requirements of performance in harsh climates and compliance with environmental standards has never been higher.

Navigating a Complex Regulatory Landscape

The move towards greener chemistry is not just a market preference but a regulatory imperative. Borchers' focus on waterborne and cobalt-free solutions directly aligns with a tightening regulatory landscape in Asia. India is currently advancing new nationwide regulations, with a draft proposing mandatory use of low-VOC materials in new construction projects as early as 2026. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is also reducing the permissible lead content in paints, further pushing manufacturers toward safer formulations.

This regulatory pressure is even more pronounced in China, the region's largest market, which has implemented stringent VOC limits and a consumption tax on non-compliant products. For coatings manufacturers, navigating this complex web of rules is a significant challenge. By providing pre-vetted, high-performance, and compliant additive solutions, backed by local technical support, Borchers is offering a clear path forward.

In a competitive field populated by major players like BASF, Evonik, and BYK, this combination of localized R&D and future-focused product development provides a powerful differentiator. It positions Milliken's Borchers brand not merely as a supplier, but as a strategic partner for Asian coatings manufacturers striving to innovate and thrive in a rapidly evolving global market.