The year 2026 has brought an important development for the pan masala packaging industry. Recent changes and announcements related to FSSAI packaging requirements are drawing attention from gutka manufacturers, pan masala companies, pouch makers, paper converters and packaging machinery manufacturers.
The major focus is on the materials used for packaging. Reports indicate a move away from certain plastic and polymer-based packaging structures, aluminium foil and metallised layers towards permitted alternative materials.
For companies involved in gutka pouch manufacturing and pan masala packaging, this is a major reason to review their existing packaging materials and production processes.
One technology that can help companies explore suitable paper-based alternatives is a Gutka Pouch Coating Machine.
What Has Changed Under the New FSSAI Packaging Requirements?
FSSAI has been working on changes to the permitted packaging materials for pan masala. Recent reports have highlighted restrictions concerning plastic-based materials, aluminium foil and metallised structures and greater focus on permitted alternative materials such as paper and paperboard.
This development is particularly important for manufacturers because packaging is an essential part of the final product.
The new requirements mean that companies should carefully examine the materials currently used in their pouch structures and determine whether they meet the latest applicable requirements.
This is a packaging-material development, not a general announcement banning the manufacture of gutka or pan masala.
Manufacturers should therefore focus on packaging compliance and evaluate suitable alternatives based on the latest official FSSAI requirements.
Why Is This a Big Change for Gutka Pouch Makers?
Gutka and pan masala pouches have traditionally depended on flexible packaging structures designed to provide protection, printability, strength and sealing performance. When a commonly used packaging layer needs to be replaced, pouch manufacturers may need to reconsider the entire material structure.
The change can affect:
✦ Pouch formation
✦ Sealing
✦ Storage performance
✦ Moisture protection
✦ Overall packaging compliance
✦ Raw material selection
✦ Paper grade
✦ Barrier coating
✦ Printing
✦ Slitting
For this reason, gutka pouch makers cannot simply replace an existing material with ordinary paper. The alternative structure needs to be properly evaluated and tested.
Why Coated Paper Can Be Important
Paper is one of the materials being considered for alternative packaging structures. However, untreated paper may not provide all the properties required for a pouch application. This is where barrier coating becomes important.
A suitable coating can be applied to the paper surface to improve selected functional properties, depending on the coating formulation and final packaging requirements.
For example, a properly selected coating may help improve resistance to moisture or grease and provide a more suitable surface for further processing.
The final performance depends on the complete combination of paper, coating, coating weight, printing and pouch-conversion process.
What Is a Gutka Pouch Coating Machine?
A Gutka Pouch Coating Machine is a roll-to-roll coating system used to apply a controlled coating layer to paper.
The paper is supplied in roll form and passes continuously through the coating section. The coating is applied across the web, followed by controlled drying and rewinding.
This process can help manufacturers produce coated paper rolls that can subsequently be processed through printing, slitting and pouch-making operations.
For companies exploring new paper-based packaging structures, coating technology can therefore become an important part of the production process.
Why Coating Uniformity Is Important
When manufacturers move towards a new packaging material, consistency becomes extremely important.
If the coating is uneven, the finished paper may not provide consistent performance across the complete roll.
A properly configured Paper Coating Machine for Gutka Pouches can provide better control over important production parameters such as:
✦ Coating thickness
✦ Coating weight
✦ Web tension
✦ Drying
✦ Production speed
✦ Rewinding
✦ Coating uniformity
Consistent coating can help provide more predictable material for subsequent printing and pouch conversion.
How Mohindra Engineering Company Can Help
Mohindra Engineering Company manufactures industrial coating machinery for manufacturers and converters looking to develop coated-paper solutions.
Our Gutka Pouch Coating Machine is designed for continuous roll-to-roll coating applications and can be configured according to different production requirements.
Depending on the selected configuration, the machine can support coating methods including:
✦ Air Knife Coating
✦ Reverse Gravure Coating
✦ Comma Coating
The listed machine configuration can operate at speeds of up to 150 MPM, while paper GSM, coating weight, coating width and drying requirements can be selected according to the application.
This flexibility allows manufacturers to evaluate different paper and coating combinations according to their technical requirements.
Why Choose a Coating Machine from Mohindra Engineering Company?
The changing packaging environment means manufacturers need machinery that can adapt to new material requirements.
At Mohindra Engineering Company, our focus is on manufacturing industrial coating machinery for continuous production applications.
Our Gutka Pouch Coating Machine can help companies looking to:
Why This Technology Is Becoming More Important in 2026
The packaging industry is constantly changing because of regulatory requirements, environmental concerns and developments in packaging technology.
The latest FSSAI packaging developments have made material selection even more important for pan masala and gutka-related packaging businesses.
For gutka manufacturers, pouch makers and paper converters, this is an opportunity to evaluate new packaging structures before making major changes to their production lines.
Instead of treating the new requirement as only a material replacement, companies can look at the complete production chain:
Paper → Coating → Drying → Printing → Slitting → Pouch Making
A reliable coating process is an important part of this chain.
What Should Gutka Pouch Manufacturers Do Now?
Companies should begin by reviewing their current packaging structure and comparing it with the latest applicable FSSAI requirements.
A practical approach includes:
- Review Current Packaging : Identify whether the existing pouch contains plastic, aluminium foil or metallised layers.
- Check the Latest FSSAI Requirements : Always refer to the latest official notification and applicable packaging requirements.
- Evaluate Paper Alternatives : Select paper suitable for the intended pouch application.
- Test Barrier Coatings : Evaluate suitable coating formulations and coating weights.
- Produce Trial Rolls : Use a coating machine to produce coated-paper samples for testing.
- Test Printing and Pouch Making : Check whether the coated material performs correctly in downstream processes.
- Validate the Final Structure : The complete packaging structure should undergo appropriate technical and regulatory validation before commercial production.
A Major Opportunity for Pouch Manufacturers
For pouch manufacturing companies, changing packaging requirements can also create new business opportunities.
Companies that are prepared to work with alternative paper-based materials may be able to support customers looking for new packaging structures.
This can create demand for:
✦ Paper coating machines
✦ Barrier coating technology
✦ Coated-paper production
✦ Printing solutions
✦ Slitting and rewinding
✦ Pouch conversion
Companies that start evaluating these technologies early can be better prepared for changes in customer requirements and regulations.
Why Mohindra Engineering Company Is a Suitable Machinery Partner
When investing in a coating machine, manufacturers should consider more than just production speed.
Important factors include coating consistency, machine configuration, drying capability, web handling, production requirements, after-sales support and the ability to customize the machine for the intended application.
Mohindra Engineering Company manufactures coating machinery for industrial applications and provides machine configurations based on the material, coating process and production requirements.
Our Gutka Pouch Coating Machine is designed to help manufacturers and converters explore coated-paper production for changing pouch applications.
The machine can be configured according to the required coating method, paper specifications, coating weight, working width and drying requirements.
The Future of Gutka Pouch Manufacturing
The latest FSSAI packaging developments indicate that material selection will become increasingly important for the pan masala packaging industry.
For gutka manufacturers and pouch makers, the future may involve greater use of permitted paper-based structures and specialised coating technologies.
However, manufacturers should not assume that every paper or coating is automatically compliant. The complete packaging structure must meet the latest applicable requirements and should be properly tested before commercial production.
This is where the right Gutka Pouch Coating Machine can provide the production capability required to develop and manufacture consistently coated paper.
Conclusion
The new FSSAI packaging requirements in 2026 represent an important development for gutka manufacturers, pan masala companies and pouch manufacturers.
The focus on permitted packaging materials means that companies should start evaluating alternative packaging structures and understand how coating technology can support their future production requirements.
Mohindra Engineering Company provides industrial Gutka Pouch Coating Machines designed for roll-to-roll paper coating applications.
With controlled coating, continuous production and configurable machine options, our coating technology can help manufacturers explore coated-paper solutions for changing pouch requirements.
For companies planning to move towards alternative packaging structures, investing in suitable coating technology can be an important step towards preparing their production capabilities for the changing packaging landscape.
