Pidilite, South Korea’s Hwaseung Chemical Partner to Bring Advanced Footwear Adhesives to India

Pidilite, South Korea’s Hwaseung Chemical Partner to Bring Advanced Footwear Adhesives to India

Pidilite Industries has partnered with South Korea’s Hwaseung Chemical to introduce globally benchmarked adhesive systems for India’s footwear manufacturing industry, as the country continues to strengthen its position as a major footwear production hub.

The collaboration will give Indian footwear manufacturers access to adhesive technologies already used in international sports footwear production, including solutions nominated by leading global brands. The companies said the partnership combines Hwaseung Chemical’s specialised formulation capabilities with Pidilite’s local technical expertise and support network.

The new adhesive systems are designed to provide strong bonding, durability and flexibility, which are important requirements for footwear manufacturers operating high-volume production lines. The companies also said the solutions are intended to help manufacturers maintain consistent product quality while improving manufacturing efficiency.

A key aspect of the partnership is compliance with international environmental and safety requirements. According to Pidilite, the adhesive systems meet standards and regulations including REACH, SVHC, Prop 65 and the US Clean Air Act, while also aligning with ISO 14001 and RoHS requirements.

The products have been developed as low-VOC and non-flammable formulations. Their compatibility with modern application methods is expected to support safer working conditions and lower environmental impact across manufacturing operations.

For Pidilite, the partnership expands its presence in a specialised segment of the industrial adhesives market. The company sees growing opportunities as footwear production in India becomes increasingly connected to global supply chains and international brands.

Hwaseung Chemical brings more than four decades of experience in footwear adhesive technologies. Its solutions are used across global footwear manufacturing, while the company has also developed products for high-performance applications requiring consistent bonding and durability.

Pidilite Managing Director Sudhanshu Vats said the partnership would help Indian manufacturers access advanced adhesive technologies while benefiting from local technical support. Hwaseung Group Vice-President Chris Hyun said the collaboration combines the Korean company’s formulation expertise with Pidilite’s understanding of the Indian market.

The partnership comes as India’s footwear manufacturing ecosystem seeks to improve quality, productivity and sustainability while meeting the requirements of global brands. For manufacturers, access to specialised adhesive technology could become an important part of achieving consistent performance across large-scale production.