In a significant regulatory development, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has amended two crucial norms covering bonded mineral wool for construction insulation and paper-based multilayer cartons for liquid food and beverage packaging. The revised standards will come into effect after a six-month transition period, providing manufacturers in both sectors time to align their processes with the updated requirements.
Enhanced Standards for Construction and Food Sectors
The BIS periodically updates material specifications in sectors linked to construction safety and food processing to align domestic norms with evolving safety, performance, and quality requirements. This move comes amid growing use of insulation material in construction and increasing reliance on aseptic and non-aseptic packaging in the food and beverages industry.
As per a government order reviewed by Mint, the BIS has issued Amendment No. 1 to IS 8183:2024, which lays down new requirements for bonded mineral wool used in thermal and acoustic insulation. "The amended standard will come into force after July 2026, replacing the existing version, though it will become mandatory only if notified separately through a quality control order," clarified a senior government official.
Impact on Mineral Wool Manufacturers
The revised standards are expected to affect mineral wool manufacturers supplying the construction, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. Mineral wool manufacturers produce insulation material made from molten minerals such as rock (rock wool) or industrial slag (slag wool). The material is spun into fibres and formed into slabs, rolls, or boards.
Mineral wool is used primarily for thermal insulation to reduce heat loss or gain, acoustic insulation to control noise, and fire protection because it is non-combustible. It finds applications in commercial buildings, factories, power plants, refineries, warehouses, metro and airport projects, and increasingly in green and energy-efficient buildings.
Key suppliers of mineral wool and rock wool insulation in India include Rockwool India Pvt. Ltd, the Indian arm of ROCKWOOL International, Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd, Thermocare Rock Wool India Pvt Ltd, Polybond Insulation Pvt Ltd, and Goenka Rockwool (India) Pvt Ltd. The Indian mineral wool insulation market is projected to expand from $1.07 billion in FY25 to $1.77 billion in FY33.
Paper-Based Carton Packaging Standards
Paper-based multilayer laminated or extruded composite cartons are widely used by dairy companies, beverage makers, and food processors. "Packaging manufacturers, along with food and beverage companies that rely on such cartons, will need to ensure compliance with the revised specifications by the end of the transition period, which ends in July 2026," the government official stated.
A dairy industry executive expressed concerns that the six-month window may not be adequate because changes to material standards often require adjustments in raw material sourcing, manufacturing processes, and certification. In food packaging, even incremental changes can have implications for shelf life, safety approvals, and export compliance, especially for suppliers to regulated overseas markets.
Industry Response and Expert Analysis
Experts believe the updated norms could help exporters lower the risk of rejection in international markets by offering clearer, more up-to-date specifications aligned with global requirements. "At the same time, smaller manufacturers may face short-term compliance costs as they upgrade processes or testing capabilities," noted Abhash Kumar, a trade expert.
"The revised specifications will support better food safety, longer shelf life, and smoother acceptance in domestic and export markets," added Binod Anand, an agriculture expert. The key companies in the paper-based liquid packaging carton segment include Tetra Pak International S.A., Elopak AS, and SIG Combibloc Group.
Market Context and Growth Projections
India's carton packaging market reached $6.58 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $10.98 billion by 2033, reflecting robust growth in the sector. This regulatory update comes as the BIS has stepped up revision of standards in sectors with direct consumer interface or infrastructure relevance, often as a step towards tighter regulatory oversight. As of now, over 100 such standards have been updated.
Aseptic packaging keeps food sterile by filling it into pre-sterilized containers, extending shelf life without refrigeration, while non-aseptic packaging requires preservatives or cold storage. The BIS's move to revise these standards demonstrates India's commitment to enhancing product quality and safety across critical industries.
