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.

Importance of Design in Packaging

The world renowned marketing guru Mr. Philip Kotler said that failure rate of new consumer products is as high as 80%. That means that on an average of 100 new consumer brands hitting the Indian stores only 20 of them survive. So what does it take for a product or stay on the shelf, or better still get picked up by the end consumer?

When a consumer visits a supermarket or a grocery store he searches for the item which are known to him or looks at items which he finds visually appealing. Visuals are the mainstay of promoting a product. The more attractive the package, better are the chances of it flying off the shelf into the shopping basket.

If there is a new product, a spiffy package may tempt the customer to try the product. Packaging is often the consumer’s first point of contact. Even in cases of known brands, a re-launch will require attractive packaging. Without that the re launch will be a guaranteed failure. But there are points to consider when designing the package:

•          The design should be functional. That is to say that it should be easy to use and convenient
•          It should protect the content it holds
•          Allow for easy storage, transportation and distribution
•          Provide the product information to the consumer
•          Draw attention to itself amongst competition

No matter how good a product is, poor or drab packaging can keep it from selling. A good design should reflect the brand and personality of the company. Apart from a good looking package the manufacturer should also ensure that the shape and materials are equally appealing. Customers also look for honesty in the brands they choose to use. Simply said, they want to know whether the contents listed on the package are exactly what they are to find inside it. For this purpose, see through option in the package, if possible, could be provided in the package design and ensure that their packages look trustworthy. This can happen if the packages are made from the highest quality of materials and should be in tandem with the image of the company. For eg, a company promoting clean and green should also be recycling and innovative.

Uflex Ltd. ensures the production of highest quality of plastics, which are top of the order. Our in-depth R&D of the market and the needs of the consumers ensure that we manufacture and deliver only the finest quality to our customers. Top of the line designs and recyclable plastics have been our mainstay for last many years. Use of creative graphics and shapes has ensured that our packages hold the end consumer interest for a sustainable period of time.

UFLEX Ltd Q4 FY2012-’13 Consolidated Net Revenue at Rs. 1240 crore; and Net Profit at Rs. 41 Crore

New Delhi, May 30, 2013:- Uflex Ltd, the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed, India's largest flexible packaging company has registered the Consolidated net revenue for the March quarter of 2013 of Rs. 1240 crore as against Rs. 1175  crore for the same period last year, up 5.5%  whereas the sales volume has grown by 13% due to availability of additional capacities at the new manufacturing facilities that commenced operations. However, the consolidated net profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 has been lower at Rs. 41 crore as against Rs. 51 crore for the same period last year due to continued downward pressure on the operating margins.

For the full financial year ended March 31, 2013, UFlex recorded a strong growth of 14% in consolidated net revenues at Rs. 5161 crore as against Rs. 4516 crore for the last year.  The net profit for the full financial year (FY 2012-13) has been lower  at Rs. 190 crore against Rs. 255 crore in the last year, a decrease  of 25%.

The higher revenue growth is attributed to new capacity expansion globally and increased uptake of innovative flexible packaging solutions offered by the company across sectors. Uflex completed the expansion in Poland successfully during July, 2012 and in Kentucky, USA during January 2013. Collectively the two facilities involved investments of about $150 million.   

According to Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and M.D. of UFLEX Ltd, “With growing number of markets in our fold and manufacturing facilities at important commercial centres of the globe gives us the necessary edge to serve our clients with quality products and services. Our direct near-shore presence to clients has enabled us to serve them promptly which is important in the dynamic business environment today. This has ensured long term relationships with customers globally and reflects well in our growth trajectory.”

Uflex's strong manufacturing base in India, Mexico, Dubai, Egypt, Poland and USA 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. 

Indian Packaging Industry Expected to Become the Fourth Largest Global Market

Packaging Industry plays a crucial role, adding value to the various manufacturing sectors including agriculture and FMCG segments. In recent times, with changing consumer preferences, the packaging industry has faced numerous challenges and adopted various upgraded technologies such as aseptic packaging, retort packaging and biodegradable packaging to enhance the shelf life of food products.

As per a recent report by Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Indian packaging industry is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 12.3 percent over the next 4 to 5 years. There are roughly 22,000 packaging companies in the country - from raw material manufacturers to machinery suppliers to ancillary material and nearly 85 percent of them are MSMEs.

“With sales of USD 24.6 billion, India was the 6th largest packaging market in the world in 2011. However, in next few years, it is expected to grow at CAGR of 12.3 percent that will make it the 4th largest global market in packaging industry, with sales of USD 42.7 billion,” said D Purandeswari, Union Minister of State for Commerce during Indiapack-2013 exhibition.

India's per capita consumption of packaging is only 4.3 kg per person per annum, as against Germany's 42 kg and China's 20 kg, which is very low as compared to the global standards. This presents a huge scope for innovation, entrepreneurship as well as logistical advancements for industry’s key players to take initiatives needed to convert the large unpacked commodities into processed and packed and well-presented commodities.

Given the rate at which the Indian packaging sector is growing, country’s largest flexible packaging company Uflex Ltd., is gearing up with innovative packaging ideas and a host of value added packaging materials and sophisticated products for the market. The packaging giant is expecting a 30% growth in the revenue this year.

Pharma and food industry to be the key growth drivers of Indian packaging industry

The Indian packaging industry today is growing steadily to emerge one of the key players in the global arena. The industry is not only evolving in terms of adapting to latest technology and packaging trends but today is one of the fast growing pegged to be $18.8 billion with a growth rate of more than 15 per cent per annum.
A number of Indian packaging firms today are innovating with packing trends for specialized products especially for drugs and chemicals. Along with traditional packaging techniques, these firms are evolving with software technologies to speed up the packing process; maintain quality of medicinal and pharmaceutical products which are produced on a mass scale.

With huge potential to innovate and experiment, Uflex Ltd too has entered the pharma packaging and is increasing making its presence felt in the segment. The company had earlier announced robust investment plans which included sizable investments in FMCG and pharma packaging. The company currently supplies flexible packaging materials to Pharma companies such as Ranbaxy, Procter & Gamble amongst other prominent pharma companies in India and abroad.

Pharma packaging the country has gained prominence owing to the increasing health consciousness to stay fit. The growing awareness of AIDS and other STDs has also led to the rise in demand for contraceptives and disposables syringe usages. Further, the need for specialized pharma packaging is another reason attributing to the industry growth.

In the years to come, the increasing health and hygiene conscious (to consume healthy food) will be the key growth drivers of the packaging industry and the players catering to these segments are expected to acquire a good market share.

UFLEX Ltd Q2 FY11-12 Net Profit at Rs. 57 crore

Uflex Ltd, the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed, India's largest flexible packaging company has achieved the consolidated revenue for the September quarter of 2011 of Rs. 1097  crore as against Rs. 859 crore for the same quarter last year, up 28%. The higher revenue growth is attributed to new capacity expansion ,  & increased utilization. However, the consolidated net profit for the quarter ended 30^thSept, 2011 has been lower at Rs. 57 crore  as against Rs. 203 crore for the same period last year.  The lower profit has been due to drop in gross margins of PET film and higher input & other operating costs during the said period.

For the six months period ended September 30, 2011, UFlex recorded lower net profit of Rs. 153 crore against Rs. 263 crore in the corresponding period last year stood at Rs. 2244 crore compared  to Rs. 1551 crore in the same period in previous fiscal, up by 45%.

According to Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and M.D. of UFLEX Ltd, “This quarter has not been a good quarter in terms of profitability due to pressure on margin of PET film both in domestic & international market but the new capacity expansion, higher capacity utilization and the growth in sales volume continue to be strong which is a reflection of strong fundamentals and strength of the company of its business. We are well positioned to pursue our strong growth potential and are moving forward with several development projects to further enhance shareholder value.”

UFLEX is continuing with its strategy of capacity expansion and adding manufacturing lines for new product categories across facilities in Mexico, Egypt, India, Poland & USA – not only to increase proximity to the markets, but also to bring broad portfolio of value added products to its clients at competitive price points.

In the first half of the current financial year (H1 FY11-12), Uflex Ltd completed the expansion of its facility in Mexico in the quarter ended June 30, 2011. This facility has trade pacts and part of NAFTA and thus access to a large market like North America. The expansion here was in two phases of 30000 MT capacity each, aggregating a total capacity of 60000 MT, and involving total capital investment of USD  110 million.

The company also commissioned an AL-OX coater and CPP plant  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 and CPP film. The new line of PET film of 30,000 MTs is expected to be commissioned by December, 2011.

The major portion of the expansion of manufacturing of Packaging products at Jammu has also been completed by September, 2011.

                                 

Earlier, Uflex had initiated the setting up of a new plant for manufacturing of 30,000 MTs of polyester film at Poland. The company will set up the plant in Wrzesnia with an investment of $80 million (around Rs 360 crore), which is expected to be operationalised by June 2012.

The Company also announced plans to invest total USD 180 MLN to set up polyester film plants in Kentucky, US with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes. The 1^st phase will start production by December 2012 having annual capacity of 30000 MTs.

Uflex is the only integrated unit of its kind in the world with flexible packaging at its core. It has vast capacities for production of Polyester chips, Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Teraphthalate (BOPET films) and Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films, Printing & Coating Inks, facilities for Holography, Metalization & PVDC coating, making Gravure Printing Cylinders & Flexo Printing plates, Gravure Printing, Lamination and Pouch formation.

The company's partial client list includes 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, and Birla 3M, among others.

About UFLEX Ltd

UFLEX Ltd (www.uflexltd.com) is the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed India's largest flexible packaging company with large manufacturing capacities of plastic film and packaging products providing end-to-end solutions to clients across more than  114  countries. It has vast capacities for production of Polyester chips, Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Teraphthalate (BOPET) and Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films, Printing & Coating Inks, facilities for Holography, Metalization & PVDC coating, making Gravure Printing Cylinders, Gravure Printing, Lamination and Pouch formation.

Synonymous with flexible packaging industry in the country, UFLEX group has Gross annual revenue of Rs. 47 billion and Gross Capital Investment across the world of about Rs. 32 billion. UFLEX offers finished packaging of a wide variety of products such as snack foods, candy and confectionery, sugar, rice & other cereals, beverages, tea & coffee, desert mixes, noodles, wheat flour, soaps and detergents, shampoos & conditioners, vegetable oil, spices, marinates & pastes, cheese & dairy products, frozen food, sea food, meat, anti-fog, pet food, pharmaceuticals, contraceptives, garden fertilizers and plant nutrients, motor oil and lubricants, automotive and engineering components etc...

Uflex Announces Dividend of 75%

Uflex Ltd, the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed, India’s largest flexible packaging company has announced dividend @ 75% (Rs. 7.50 per equity share) for the financial year 2010-2011. Standing on its long-term commitment to the shareholders, the company declared the dividend at the meeting held on September 10, 2011. The dividends will be dispatched to the members on September 21, 2011.

The announcement of the dividend is backed by company’s robust business growth and a 58% increase in its consolidated net profit before extra ordinary income for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 at Rs. 95.57 crore as against Rs. 60.50 crore for the same period last year.

The firm's consolidated revenue for the June quarter of 2011 stood at Rs. 1109.26 crore as against Rs. 660.63 crore for the same quarter last year, up 67.9%. The higher revenue growth is attributed to new capacity expansion globally and increased uptake of innovative flexible packaging solutions offered by the company across sectors.

According to Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and M.D. of UFLEX Ltd, “We have declared dividend of 75% as a part of our commitment of further strengthening our relationship with our valued shareholders. At Uflex, our focus has been to provide innovative end-to-end solutions to our discerning clients, which is reflected in our improved financial performance consistently over the years.  We are in a process of adding new facilities at the existing facilities and strengthening our global footprint by entering new markets and exploring better possibilities. Our growth is backed by the undeterred support of our clients and our employees who are a significant part of our growth story and we are happy to announce the roll-out of the dividend to the members.’’

Earlier this year, Uflex Ltd has completed the expansion of its facility in Mexico in the quarter ended June 30, 2011. This facility has trade pacts and part of NAFTA and thus access to a large market like North America. The expansion here was in two phases of 30000 MT capacity each, aggregating a total capacity of 60000 MT, and involving total capital investment of USD 109 million.

The company recently 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.

 

Uflex recently initiated the setting up of a new plant for manufacturing of 30,000 MTs of polyester film at Poland. The company will set up the plant in Wrzesnia with an investment of $80 million (around Rs 360 crore), which is expected to be operationalised by June 2012.

The Company had recently announced plans to invest total Rs 380-crore to set up polyester film plants in Kentucky, US with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes. The 1^st phase will start production by December 2012 having annual capacity of 3000 MTs.

Uflex is the only integrated unit of its kind in the world with flexible packaging at its core. It has vast capacities for production of Polyester chips, Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Teraphthalate (BOPET) and Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films, Printing & Coating Inks, facilities for Holography, Metalization & PVDC coating, making Gravure Printing Cylinders & Flexo Printing plates, Gravure Printing, Lamination and Pouch formation.

The company's partial client list includes 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, and Birla 3M, among others.

About UFLEX Ltd

UFLEX Ltd (www.uflexltd.com) is the Bombay Stock Exchange (UFLEX: 500148) and NSE listed India's largest flexible packaging company with large manufacturing capacities of plastic film and packaging products providing end-to-end solutions to clients across more than 108 countries. It has vast capacities for production of Polyester chips, Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene Teraphthalate (BOPET) and Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) films, Printing & Coating Inks, facilities for Holography, Metalization & PVDC coating, making Gravure Printing Cylinders, Gravure Printing, Lamination and Pouch formation.

Synonymous with flexible packaging industry in the country, UFLEX group has Gross annual revenue of Rs. 47 billion and Gross Capital Investment across the world of about Rs. 32 billion. UFLEX offers finished packaging of a wide variety of products such as snack foods, candy and confectionery, sugar, rice & other cereals, beverages, tea & coffee, desert mixes, noodles, wheat flour, soaps and detergents, shampoos & conditioners, vegetable oil, spices, marinates & pastes, cheese & dairy products, frozen food, sea food, meat, anti-fog, pet food, pharmaceuticals, contraceptives, garden fertilizers and plant nutrients, motor oil and lubricants, automotive and engineering components etc...

Neeraj Atri,

Mavcomm Consulting,

+91 9811714871,

n.atri@mavcommgroup.com

Sustainable Packaging: Towards More Greener, Eco-Friendly Packaging Solutions

With growing concern, consciousness and an increased consumer awareness of 'going green', packaging industry too is turning eco-friendly. What started from paper bottles in the milk industry, is now encouraging, packaging companies around the world to explore greener, eco-friendlier and sustainable packaging solutions to reduce packaging waste.

While still in its infancy, sustainable packaging is the need of the hour and is gaining momentum with manufacturers taking initiatives of providing customers with eco-friendly packaging options. According to research firm Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the growing demand of sustainable packaging in Asian markets will lead to an explosion in demand over the next few years.

In a bid to cater the increasing demand of sustainable packaging as a result of increased consumer awareness, packaging manufacturers such as, is increasingly using eco-friendly and recyclable products such as paper, bamboo, plastic composite, airless pump bottles and more for packaging.

Today, Sustainability and material optimization have emerged as the biggest trends in packaging. India's largest and Globe's fifth largest packaging company Uflex Ltd believes that sustainability is important in packaging as the product is very close to the consumer and is usually assumed as a waste. Therefore Uflex has identified four key areas for sustainability, namely Energy conservation by using eco-friendly technologies- for instance the intercept technology which combines long term, contamination-free corrosion control with ESD protection. It is clean, green, reusable and recyclable, Reduction in carbon based resources by focusing on biodegradable packaging materials which break down relatively quickly and cleanly, by cutting the use of materials made from fossil fuels and by adopting the advanced flexographic printing technique which provides environmental benefits through energy efficiency and reduced material consumption, Wastage minimization and reuse of all process waste and Recycling post-consumer waste.

Although a little pricey than the traditional packaging, sustainable packaging is here to stay owing to changing trends of shopper’s psychology.  The increased environmental awareness and government initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions have also attributed to rising demand for green packaging in the country. As per recent estimates, eco-friendly packaging will nearly double in revenues between 2009 and 2014.

With increasing consumer awareness of sustainability, sustainable packaging is a great step towards making make our planet a better and safer place to live in for the coming generation. The market for sustainable packaging is maturing worldwide with greater awareness about environmental disposal hazards.