UFLEX Commissions Al-Ox Coater, CPP-film line at Egypt Plant

 - - - Planned investments in Egypt pegged at US$ 135 million for BOPP films, PET and CPP films

- - - The first line to produce 35000TPA of BOPP film commenced operations

- - - Second line to produce 12000 TPA of CPP film also commenced operations and third line to produce 30000 TPA of PET film is under implementation & expected to commence by Dec., 2011 / Jan., 2012.

Uflex Ltd, the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed, India’s largest flexible packaging company has commissioned an AL-OX coater for Packaging films at its Egypt plant in 6th of October City, near Cairo. With this, UFLEX joins the list of handful manufacturers, capable of producing ALOX-coated films.

As part of the expansion plans in Egypt, Uflex Ltd is ramping up production capacities for BOPP films (Bi-axially Oriented Poly Propylene film) to 35,000 TPA; 30000TPA of PET (Polyester) and 12000TPA of CPP films aggregating to total capacity of 77,000 TPA. The company’s planned investments in Egypt are pegged at US$ 135 million. The first line of this expansion involved adding capacities in BOPP films.

The second line of setting up facilities for CPP films, work at the new 12,000-metric-tons per year facility, state-of-the-art Cast Polypropylene (CPP) film line has been  commissioned and has become operational whereas the third line to produce 30000 TPA of PET film will be operational by Dec., 2011 / Jan., 2012.

According to Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and M.D. of UFLEX Ltd, “Setting up of the AL-OX coater for Packaging films at the Egypt plant is in sync with our plans to add manufacturing lines for new product categories at the existing facilities. By adding new facilities at our plants we aim to strengthen our foothold in the flexible packaging market globally and further growing our revenues & profits and enhancing values in every respect.”

The site of the plant already houses an 8.7 meter wide, 500-mpm, state-of-the art Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) Film plant, which is one of the world’s largest packaging film lines, capable of turning out 35,000 MT/year, and a plasma enhanced high-barrier metallizer that were commissioned in 2010. The operation has recently been certified as conforming to ISO 9001:2008 standards.

Under installation at this location are also an 8.7 meter wide, 500-mpm Biaxially Oriented Polyester (BOPET) film line and another plasma enhanced metallizer that will be fully operational within 2011. The ALOX coater is the Group’s first such installation and will further consolidate UFLEX’s position in the global flexible packaging industry.

The ALOX coater applies a thin and highly transparent coating of aluminium oxide on packaging films that gives the materials extremely high moisture and gas barrier properties that rival those of aluminum foils and metallized films. It is the only truly high-barrier flexible packaging material available that is transparent and allows the packaged product to be clearly visible. This not only provides a big marketing plus but also facilitates operations like optical scanning/inspection and metal detection during and after the packaging process.

Packaging Companies adopt waste reduction methods for a Greener Tomorrow

Realizing the importance of packaging waste reduction, food, beverage and consumer product makers worldwide are following distinct improvement initiatives to eliminate their packaging waste. As per a survey by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, food, beverage and consumer product makers expect to have eliminated nearly four billion pounds of packaging waste between 2005 and 2020.

According to GMA, firms answering the survey also revealed that the reduction were achieved by adoption of several innovative and sustainable packaging techniques, including the improvements in packaging designs and increased use of the recyclable materials.

While food, beverage and consumer product makers are revamping their packaging, packaging providers too, are adopting packaging processes that will enable them to reduce packaging waste and contribute to a healthy and eco-friendly environment. And, one such packaging company, Uflex Ltd., India's largest and Globe's fifth largest flexible packaging company follows completely eco-friendly manufacturing process that enables them in reducing the carbon footprints and being more environment friendly.

The company works with close association with the consumers to develop packaging solutions that are sustainable. Uflex also follows innovative waste reduction techniques, making conscious efforts to recycle the waste and further use it to offer innovative packaging solutions.

Being on the edge of innovation, Uflex is known worldwide for its innovative packaging solutions, including its pioneering concept of recycling of mixed plastic wastage.

Uflex Ltd. becomes a member of Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN)

Uflex Ltd., India's largest flexible packaging company, has joined Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) as one of its members. The Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment (INCPEN) is a research organization, which draws together an influential group of companies that operate throughout the supply chain and share a common interest in packaging, the environment and sustainable development.

INCPEN’s members operate at all stages in the supply chain – raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers, product manufacturers and retailers.  Working together and sharing knowledge enables cross-sector improvements for mutual benefit. INCPEN members include some of the renowned companies, including, ASDA, Ball Packaging Europe, Cadbury, Coca-Cola Great Britain, Colgate-Palmolive, Consol, Dow, DS Smith, Duracell, Gillette, Green and Black's, Sainsbury, Kellogg's, L’Oreal, LINPAC Group, Marks and Spencer, Nestlé UK, Procter & Gamble, TATA, Tesco, Unilever and Warburtons.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman & Managing Director, Uflex Ltd., said, “It is indeed an honor to be a member of INCPEN. As a member of the organization, Uflex Ltd. will gain the opportunity to be a part of the global packaging community and get access to information on global developments in the packaging sector.  INCPEN is one of the few organizations working to address the growing environmental concerns of the public and environmental authorities worldwide from a clear perspective. We are greatly looking forward to work with the organization and to bring healthier and sustainable solutions to enhance Uflex experience to our valued customers.”