NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at improving the quality of construction insulation material and packaging for processed liquid food and beverages, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has amended two norms covering bonded mineral wool and paper-based multilayer cartons.
The revised standards will come into effect after a six-month transition period to allow the industry to comply with them, as per a government order reviewed by Mint.
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 amid the growing use of insulation material in construction and the increasing reliance on aseptic and non-aseptic packaging in the food and beverages industry.
In recent months, the BIS has stepped up the 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.
As per the order, BIS has issued Amendment No. 1 to IS 8183:2024, which lays down the 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,” a senior government official clarified. As per practice, during the transition period, manufacturers align their products and testing processes with the revised norms.
The move is 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.
Insulation material
Mineral wool is used mainly for thermal insulation to reduce heat loss or gain, acoustic insulation to control noise, and fire protection because it is non-combustible. It is commonly used 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 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 said.
A dairy industry executive said 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, the executive said.
Experts said 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,” said Abhash Kumar, a trade expert.
“The revised specifications will support better food safety, longer shelf life and smoother acceptance in domestic and export markets,” said Binod Anand, an agri expert.
The key companies in the paper-based liquid packaging carton segment include Tetra Pak International S.A., Elopak AS and SIG Combibloc Group.
India’s carton packaging market reached $6.58 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $10.98 billion by 2033.