hubergroup Chemicals launches ELARA additives, expanding into coatings and inks with high-performance, sustainable solutions debuting at PAINT INDIA 2026.
Huber group Chemicals has unveiled ELARA, a newly developed brand of high-performance additives designed to support advanced formulations across coatings, printing inks, adhesives, and related industries. This launch represents a major milestone in the company’s strategic transformation, signaling its progression from a traditional supplier of raw materials for printing inks to a broader, solution-oriented partner serving multiple high-performance application sectors. ELARA will be officially introduced at PAINT INDIA 2026 in Mumbai, where the company will present the portfolio as a structured, application-focused toolkit for formulators navigating increasingly complex technical and regulatory landscapes.
As performance expectations continue to rise across global markets—alongside tightening environmental and regulatory standards—additives have taken on a more critical role in formulation science. Though often unseen in the final product, they are essential in enabling dispersion quality, surface control, stability, and processing efficiency. With ELARA, hubergroup Chemicals addresses this shift by offering a portfolio that blends scientific depth in polymer and surface chemistry with practical functionality tailored to real-world industrial needs.
According to Premal A. Desai, CEO of hubergroup, ELARA underscores the company’s long-term strategic ambition to expand beyond its traditional domains and position itself as a forward-looking global partner for formulators. He emphasizes that the new range reflects the organization’s commitment to responsible chemistry while empowering customers to pursue innovation confidently and sustainably.
The ELARA brand name, inspired by one of Jupiter’s moons, reflects themes of precision, stability, and orientation within complex systems—qualities that are fundamental to modern formulations. Each product within the portfolio has been engineered for a clearly defined technical function, ensuring measurable impact whether used independently or integrated into balanced, multi-component systems.
The portfolio is structured to address specific formulation challenges under the guiding claim, “Shaping chemistry. Expanding horizons.” It includes ELARA Disperion 400, a line of non-aqueous dispersing agents engineered for organic and inorganic pigments, carbon blacks, extenders, and matting agents. These additives are optimized for high pigment loading, enhanced color development, and strong process stability in solvent-based, solvent-free, and UV/EB systems.
ELARA Disperion 500 focuses on aqueous systems, offering dispersing solutions that promote consistent color performance, reproducibility, and broad compatibility with different binder chemistries. These grades are particularly suited for VOC-free and biocide-free formulation strategies in coatings and printing inks.
Complementing the dispersing lines is ELARA Wetora 300, a range of wetting agents designed for versatility across water-based, solvent-based, solvent-free, and UV-curable systems. These additives improve substrate wetting, ensure uniform pigment distribution, and minimize surface defects, even on demanding substrates.
Franziska Trapp, Technical Marketing Manager Coatings at hubergroup Chemicals, highlights that ELARA reflects a deeper understanding of formulation systems, balancing technical efficiency, compliance requirements, and processing realities faced by customers.
Sustainability is also embedded into the portfolio’s design philosophy. Many ELARA grades are solvent-free or formulated with reduced VOC content, aligning with global environmental objectives. The products are engineered for compatibility across multiple formulation platforms, ensuring supply reliability and flexibility.
Looking ahead, ELARA has been conceived as a scalable system with a defined development roadmap. Future additions are expected to include defoamers, humectants, and rheology modifiers, further strengthening its position as a comprehensive additive platform. The portfolio will be commercially available worldwide from March 2026, supported by expert formulation guidance to ensure optimized performance across applications.
