At Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation (KISCO), a South Korea-based conglomerate, sustainability is the cornerstone of all operations. As a manufacturer of textile dyes and sublimation inks, KISCO is dedicated to sustainable manufacturing processes that ensure the well-being of its employees and the environment. Each facility undergoes rigorous waste audits and consistently surpasses all regulatory standards for air emissions and wastewater discharges. The environmental standards set by the Korean government are on par with those of other developed nations, emphasizing robust environmental protection.
Global Certifications and Standards
“KISCO proudly holds certifications for ISO-9001, ISO-14001, and ISO-45001, validating our adherence to international standards in quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety management systems,” stated Mr. Rohit Khanna, Managing Director of KISCO India Private Limited (KIPL), the Indian subsidiary of KISCO, in an exclusive interview with The Textile Magazine.
“Our commitment extends to providing products that are both environmentally and user-friendly, minimizing their impact on the environment. We also hold other sustainability and compliance certifications like Bluesign, ZDHC Level 3, GOTS and Inditex,” he added.
A Global Player in Textile Manufacturing
Founded in 1971, KISCO has grown into a global player with 10 production plants, producing 40,000 tons of dyestuffs for the textile industry and operating in over 60 countries. The company manufactures reactive dyes, disperse dyes, acid dyes, CDP dyes and optical brightening agents, along with various auxiliaries. KIPL was established in 2012, headquartered in Chandigarh, and currently records revenues of Rs 100 crore per annum.
Innovative R&D Focus
“The foundation of KISCO is built on our R&D Institute, which pursues challenges and technical innovations to create new colors and develop functional fine chemical solutions. Through steady investment in R&D and attracting top talent, KISCO has achieved world-class results in textile dyes, with 13% of the total workforce dedicated to R&D,” Mr. Khanna noted.
KISCO also manufactures sublimation inks for textiles and UV inks for multimedia. Owing to excellent operational performance and adherence to global standards, KISCO inks are recognized for providing trouble-free solutions in the industry.
Expanding Market Presence in India
The Indian subsidiary KIPL supplies its products through 30 pan-India distributors, with a central warehouse in Ahmedabad. “We cater to almost all large corporates and have expanded our customer base into various textile markets like Ludhiana, Panipat, Tirupur, Surat, and Bhilwara, with products used in apparel, terry towels, and sheeting,” he shared.
“Our customers distinguish us from other Indian and global dyestuff manufacturers, thanks to our exceptional dyestuffs operational performance. Our products are engineered to perform effectively in a trichromie, enabling customers to dye even the most challenging shades effortlessly, achieving perfectly level-dyed fabric on the first attempt,” Mr. Khanna stated proudly with regards to KISCO’s competence.
Future Growth and Eco-Friendly Innovations
According to Mr. Khanna, KIPL is poised for significant growth in the Indian market through value-based propositions. “Our sales are driven by value-added products that consistently benefit our customers. In response to current environmental imperatives, we plan to launch an increasing number of eco-friendly products aimed at reducing our environmental footprint. Furthermore, we are not only deepening our market presence but also strategically expanding our customer base, with plans to triple our customer base within the next two years,” he mentioned.
KISCO is also launching an innovative product line called NaturePlus reactive dyes, which can save resources and reduce carbon footprints by up to 50% compared to conventional reactive dyes. These dyes will be free from banned aryl amines, contributing significantly to global sustainability efforts.
Promising Industry Outlook
Mr. Khanna opined, “The prospects for the Indian textile dyes industry in the coming years appear promising. Several factors contribute to this positive outlook, including growing demand from the textile and apparel industry, both domestically and globally. This increase in demand for textile dyes is expected to rise significantly.”
He also anticipates that Indian government initiatives, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, will boost the textile sector. “There is an increasing emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly dyes. Companies that innovate in this space are likely to see substantial growth as consumers and regulators push for greener alternatives. Continued investment in research and development will be crucial for developing new dye molecules or formulations that meet evolving market needs. India has a lot to achieve in this area,” he observed.
Positioning for the Future
Regarding India’s journey toward becoming a US $5 trillion economy and its benefits to the textile industry, he added, “Textile companies are investing not only in machinery but also to become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This will make India a preferable destination for textile sourcing. India’s per capita GDP is increasing at a good rate, which will enable the domestic market to grow from $240 billion now to $350 billion by 2030.”
“As for KISCO’s business growth, we will continue to strive with our value-based propositions and sustainable products. As manufacturing standards improve, demand for KISCO’s products will increase due to our unique product range. Currently, we have no concrete plans for establishing a dyestuff manufacturing plant in India, but we definitely aim to be part of India’s growth story,” he concluded.
