Why Shivtek Bet Early On Green Plasticisers—And Why It’s Paying Off

India’s chemicals sector has traditionally relied on petroleum-based inputs; however, this equation is beginning to change. At Shivtek Spechemi Industries, the shift began early, driven less by market trends and more by a clear understanding of where regulation and global demand were headed.

In an email interview with ResponsibleUs, Amitt Nenwani, MD, Shivtek Spechemi, says the company’s entry into green plasticisers came from an early realisation that the industry could not continue depending on phthalates and petroleum derivatives indefinitely. Regulatory pressure was building across global markets, and customers—especially overseas—were beginning to ask tougher questions about safety, toxicity and environmental impact. Incremental tweaks to conventional products would no longer be enough.

That thinking led to the development of Shivachlor Green Pro, a biodegradable, phthalate-free plasticiser made using methyl esters derived from palm oil. According to Nenwani, the material offers a practical alternative rather than a symbolic one. While renewable inputs are not always cheaper at the raw material stage, he says the long-term economic change once compliance costs, worker safety, export acceptance and sustainability expectations are factored in. “Responsible chemistry,” he says, “is no longer optional if you want to grow.”

On the factory floor, the difference is tangible. He explains that green plasticisers are safer to handle, reduce toxicity exposure and align more closely with tightening safety norms. Their biodegradable nature also matters once products reach end-of-life. Materials made using these plasticisers, if scrapped, can be absorbed naturally into the soil, reducing long-term environmental damage.

Performance, he insists, has not been compromised. The products are designed to withstand industrial processing conditions, including high temperatures, while limiting volatile losses and health risks. This stands in contrast to conventional phthalate-based plasticisers, which are widely recognised as harmful and carcinogenic.

Yet adoption has not been instant. Nenwani is candid about the hurdles. Indian manufacturers are deeply accustomed to established formulations, and any new input requires extensive, application-specific trials. Cost sensitivity in some segments also slows uptake, as does limited awareness that green plasticisers can match conventional products on performance. Much of Shivtek’s effort, he says, has gone into validation, trials and direct technical engagement with customers.

Creating a market from scratch brings its own challenges. Nenwani points to the task of education—convincing manufacturers that sustainability does not come at the expense of stability or output. Green plasticisers remain a young category in India, and trust has had to be built gradually. Commercially, higher costs compared to traditional alternatives mean growth is steady rather than explosive.

He does not see this as a drawback. Demand, he believes, will rise in line with long-term sustainability priorities rather than short-term price cycles. The absence of clearly defined domestic benchmarks has also meant that scale builds slowly. At the same time, restrictions on conventional plasticisers in Europe and the United States have opened strong export opportunities, allowing Indian manufacturers to serve markets where demand for sustainable materials is already established.

These themes will be front and centre when Shivtek showcases its work at PlastIndia 2026. Nenwani says the company’s focus will be on demonstrating that responsible chemical solutions can meet industrial needs at scale. Shivachlor Green Pro, which he describes as India’s first biodegradable, renewable-source chlorinated plasticiser derived from palm oil, will be a key highlight.

Alongside this, Shivtek will present its chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), a material used across plastics, rubber and wood-plastic composites. An upcoming facility—India’s first for CPE manufacturing—aims to reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic supply chains. Nenwani notes that CPE plays a critical role in producing wood-plastic composites, which serve as alternatives to natural wood, particularly in construction and interiors. Its applications also extend to pipes, roofing membranes, cable jacketing, automotive components and industrial products. For him, the facility represents a meaningful step towards building manufacturing depth in a segment long dominated by imports.

As the company scales up to a capacity of 150,000 MTPA across multiple states, Nenwani says environmental safeguards are built into operations rather than added later. The company has invested in zero liquid discharge systems and continuous monitoring of effluents and emissions. These measures, he says, are essential if expansion is to remain credible.

Energy transition is another pillar. The company is working towards a 250 MW solar power framework to reduce dependence on grid electricity and cut carbon intensity over time. The intention is to produce less polluting power internally and consequently not to emit a large amount of CO2 every year.

The commitment is supported by the money of Rs 650 crores invested in new plants located in Gujarat and Rajasthan. According to Nenwani, the expansion opens the door to Shivtek being able to grow its specialty chemicals portfolio while incorporating sustainability into the plant's design. The use of renewable energy, state-of-the-art effluent treatment, and production lines that are resource-efficient are the main aspects of the plan. Logistically speaking, the fact that the Gujarat plant is near Hazira port increases export capacity, and on the other hand, the Rajasthan facility makes it easier to reach the northern markets.

He does not downplay the challenges. Regulatory approvals, execution timelines and access to skilled manpower remain practical constraints. Nevertheless, Nenwani thinks that embedding environmental protections from the very beginning will make the long-term development of the company more robust.

It is inevitable that in a time when industries are forced to pay more attention to the management of energy, water, and waste, the sectors that require a lot of resources will be the ones that are inescapable. He states that Shivtek is all about maximising energy efficiency, minimising water use, and responsible waste processing.. Zero liquid discharge systems are being strengthened to maximise reuse and cut freshwater dependence. New facilities are being designed with renewable energy and advanced treatment systems built in from day one.

Global buyers, Nenwani notes, are increasingly scrutinising supply chains. At the beginning of formulation and manufacturing, meeting the international safety and environmental standards is a must. According to him, affordability is a result of large-scale, operational efficiency, and strict cost control rather than corner-cutting on compliance.

Exporting to more than 75 countries makes it necessary to often deal with different regulatory regimes; thus, it is part of the routine business. Nenwani claims that Shivtek has the same high internal standards in all markets, even though different documentation and compliance frameworks exist. The company benefits from having strong in-house R&D that allows it to change formulations when it is necessary, while still adhering to the quality, safety, and sustainability standards.

To him, the lesson is unmistakable. Sustainable chemistry has moved out of the niche and is now being recognised as the baseline for companies that want to stay relevant in global markets without compromising on costs, scale, or performance.