Flexible packaging and the pharmaceuticals industry

A study conducted by McKinsey & Company states that the Indian pharmaceutical industry will touch USD 45 billion by 2020 and the market will be the sixth largest in the world by the same year. The reason for this robust growth in the pharma sector is being attributed to committed health insurance, improved healthcare facilities, a growing economy and FDIs. Healthcare in India contributes to almost 6% of the nation’s GDP. 

For the flexible packaging industry the pharmaceutical sector is a golden opportunity to diversify and innovate. Due to an increase in the health awareness, increase in product processing units, demand for convenient packaging, the pharmaceuticals packaging industry is registering strong gains and as the market grows the demand for flexible packaging in this sector is also expected to grow.

According to a report (marketsandmarkets.com), edged by a vast population and favorable demographics Asia-Pacific countries like India, Japan and China is expected to overtake North America and the European pharma packaging market by 2018. Other factors like robust pharma market, increased incentives, investments and initiatives both by the government and FDIs will help keep the market at an upside.  

Flexible packaging presents many advantages to the medicinal industry like better features and convenience in packaged products. Child resistance, tamper proof and anti-counterfeit packaging are also some innovations that the flexible packaging industry has come up with keeping with the worldwide demand. As with most other packaged products, pharmaceuticals too need a dependable and innovative packaging solution that is a combination of quality, protection and convenience.

Over the years, the pharmaceutical companies have let go of glass packaging and switched to PET bottles for packaging their syrups and other liquid medications.

As most of the Indian pharmaceutical products are also exported overseas (US$ 14.6 billion in 2012–13), it is imperative for the flexible packaging industry to provide packaging that is foolproof and compliant to international norms. For that the packaging systems need to be advanced.

A rapidly developing pharmaceutical industry in the country and a more aware and educated consumer has made it mandatory that the packaging structure also goes through a paradigm shift. Uflex Ltd., India’s largest flexible packaging solution provider has ensured to keep pace with the times and keep itself armed with technological innovations to provide affordable and sustainable packaging solutions. Developments in the pharma sector have pushed the flexible packaging companies in India to be more competitive, economical and novel.

The Growing Trend of Sustainable Packaging

Sustainability is fast gaining favours amongst companies, with consumers increasingly looking to buy products that are ‘green’. A recent report highlighted the growing trend of sustainable packaging in growing markets of China and India. The cause is attributed to a growing middle class who is aware of health and environmental issues of flexible packaging. It is forecasted that by 2018, Asia will become the largest market for sustainable packaging in the world accounting for 32% of the overall market share.  In the same year consumer demand, technological advancement will push sustainable packaging to a $244 billion mark. 

Bioplastics have been playing an integral role in company’s sustainability drive over the past couple of years and these materials will be more and more commonly available as we further head into the new millennium. The global production of bioplastics is tipped to increase from 1.2 million tonnes in 2011 to 5.8 million tonnes by 2016.

The approach towards sustainability also offers a competitive business advantage that manufacturers should keep in mind. Good environmental performance and business value can work in tandem, and this is all the more relevant in today’s time.

In addition to clear business advantage, sustainable packaging offers exploring innovative options both for the flexible packaging manufacturer and the FMCG industry. It is important that both the sectors work together to employ a number of innovative   approach   to improve sustainability of their products like recycling and reprocessing  infrastructure, using optimum packaging, producing packaging from bio-based materials.

Packaging companies in India like the Uflex Ltd., which is India’s largest flexible package provider, has always been committed towards sustainable options of flexible packaging. Being on the edge of innovation they provide packaging that keeps the products safe, fresh and devoid of any harmful reactions. With the constant R&D for safer and environment friendly packaging, the company is dedicated to   bring  safer, better and sustainable packaging solutions.

Uflex products are high on sustainability which is important in packaging as the product is very close to the consumer and is usually assumed as a waste. Uflex believes that wherever possible all flexible packaging waste should be re-cycled or reprocessed in the same industry or alternative applications.

Their Green pet and rPET techniques ensure that the plastic is manufactured in an environment friendly manner without compromising on the quality of the product and the recycling and reprocessing of the plastic waste is done in a safe and non hazardous manner.

In its new role, sustainability is a way for the company to provide a platform to the consumers that allows them to feel like they have made a difference, to have done something that they might not have been able to achieve on their own and feel good about the purchase.

UFLEX’S POLAND UNIT OPERATIONS

India’s largest flexible packaging company Uflex Ltd had invested $ 80 Million to set-up 30,000 tones polyester film unit in the Polish city of Wrzesnia. It was announced on the occasion of completion of one full year of operation of Uflex’s plant in Poland that since the commencement of its operation in July, 2012, the company has achieved revenues  of USD 90 Million. The Polish plant is operating in its full capacity and is utilized to meet demands for flexible packaging solutions from within Poland and neighboring countries of Europe.

Uflex has plans for a major corporate revamp wherein the company plans to bring its overseas plastic film business under an umbrella company based in Dubai. Plans are also in the pipeline to list the said company overseas to part-finance future expansion plans.

Uflex has its presence in over 140 countries across the world with plastic film manufacturing facilities in India, Dubai, Mexico, Egypt, Poland and Kentucky, U.S. and packaging products facilities at multiple locations in India.

With the company’s vision to ‘Progress with Distinction’, Uflex brings a variety of value added flexible packaging material and sophisticated products like BOPET, BOPP and CPP, state of the art converting machines, rotogravure cylinders giving the company an edge over its competitors. The company also specializes in a wide variety of packaging machines like Vertical Form-Fill-Seal Machines, Horizontal Wrapping Machines, Special Purpose Machines, High Speed Pouch Making Machines.

In the last financial year 2012-13, plastic films contributed nearly 60% of the company’s revenue. Value added products contributed around 53% of the earnings having 40% share in the revenues. Uflex Ltd offers complete packaging solutions for a wide range of FMCG goods, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, pet food, sugar, automotive oil, lubricants and components.

Speaking to journalists who were touring the Uflex plant in Poland Mr. R.K. Jain, Group President for corporate finance and strategy stated: “We have pursued global investment in both greenfield and brownfield projects. This has been our consistent strategy. In this regard, we have successfully invested more than $500 million. This has given us the strength to address our dual commitment: To the investors, by creating incremental value on their investments, and to clients, by offering products that add value to their go-to-market strategy. The first full year of operations of Uflex in Poland saw a contribution of $90 million to the revenues. We also witnessed favorable demand trends for our innovative flexible packaging solutions. This saw an increased uptake from clients globally. Let me also add, the profit margins are showing improvement quarter-over-quarter during the current financial year.”

Future plans

Uflex plans to consolidate its position as a truly Indian MNC. The strategy of global expansion includes capacity expansion and adding manufacturing lines for various product categories in existing and new locations to increase proximity to the markets and also to include the broad portfolio of value added services to clients.

In the coming three years beginning 2014-15 the company has plans to go in for a major capacity expansion to diversify their products range, grow revenues and improve margins.

For the financial year ended March 31, Uflex recorded 14% growth in consolidated net revenues at Rs.5,161 crore, against Rs.4,516 crore in the previous year. For the six-month period ended Sep 30, 2013 consolidated revenues were Rs.2,914 crore, against Rs.2,626 crore in the corresponding period last year.

While the higher revenue growth is attributed to new capacity added by the company since the manufacturing facilities in Poland and Kentucky in US commenced commercial production over the last year and also witnessing favorable demand trends for its innovative flexible packaging solutions, which saw increased uptake from clients globally whereas the profit margins are showing improvements quarter over quarter during the current year.

UFLEX LTD Q2 FY 2014 CONSOLIDATED NET REVENUE AT RS. 1516 CRORE AND NET PROFIT AT RS. 46 CRORE

New Delhi:- Uflex Ltd, the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed, India’s largest flexible packaging company maintaining a sustained growth trajectory, has achieved a consolidated revenue for the September quarter of FY 2014 of Rs. 1516 crore as against Rs. 1250 crore for the same quarter last year.

On a sequential basis, the company registered growth in its quarter-on-quarter consolidated net revenue of Rs. 1516 crore and net profit at Rs. 46 crore, over consolidated net revenue and net profit figures of the preceding quarter that stood at Rs. 1398 crore and at Rs. 43 crore respectively in the April-June quarter (Q1 FY13-14).

For the six months period ended September 30, 2013, UFlex recorded Consolidated revenue at Rs. 2914 crore compared to Rs. 2626 crore in the same period in previous fiscal and net profit of Rs. 89 crore against Rs. 113 crore in the corresponding period last year.

While the higher revenue growth is attributed to new capacity added by the company since the manufacturing facilities in Poland and Kentucky in US commenced commercial production over the last year and also witnessing favourable demand trends for its innovative flexible packaging solutions, which saw increased uptake from clients globally whereas the profit margins are showing improvements quarter over quarter during the current year.

According to Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and M.D. of UFLEX Ltd, “The higher revenue growth has come on the back of increased manufacturing capacities at our disposal with the newly commissioned facilities in Poland and Kentucky which resulted in expanding our market reach and improving response time to the demand from the regions that these facilities address. Innovation and expansion are two aspects that Uflex is always eagerly pursuing and has ensured that we maintain our steady growth trajectory.”

For the full financial year ended March 31, 2013, UFlex had recorded a strong growth of 14% in consolidated net revenues at Rs. 5161 crore as against Rs. 4516 crore during a year ago, on the back of favourable demand trends globally.

Uflex’s strong manufacturing base in India, Mexico, Dubai, Egypt, Poland and Kentucky caters to global markets spanning USA, Canada, South America, UK, Europe, Russia, CIS countries, South Africa and other African countries, the Middle East and the South Asian Countries.

Expansion Plans

UFLEX’s agenda of global expansion and consolidation of its position as a truly Indian MNC (Multinational Corporation) is reinforced with its strategy of capacity expansion and adding manufacturing lines for various product categories across existing and newer locations to increase proximity to the markets, but also to bring broad portfolio of value added products to its clients at competitive price points.

The company offers its flexible packaging products and solutions globally to clients including Unilever, Pepsi, Wrigley, Procter & Gamble, Colgate, Palmolive, Nestle, Gillette, Ranbaxy, Perfetti, Joyco, Monsanto, ITC, Godrej Pillsbury, Tata Tea, Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil, Britannia, Dabur, Haldiram, Wockhardt, HUL, Parle Biscuit, Birla 3M, among others.