Flexible Packaging & Food Safety

‘It’s all in the packaging’ is a phrase most manufacturers swear by. Unless the consumer tastes the end product, he wouldn’t know the quality. But to convince him to pick up that packet from the supermarket shelf, a good and attractive packaging plays a major part.

The role of flexible packaging isn’t limited to just attract the consumer. It is also meant to protect the food items inside.  Protection from contamination and deterioration throughout its shelf life is also an integral part of good flexible packaging. It must also be informative of the nutrients and ingredients and other details in compliance with the labeling and packaging regulations.

Some of the basic features considered for good flexible packaging are:

· Compatibility with the product and storage conditions

· Protection of the product from deterioration of chemical, physical or biological nature

· Appropriate packaging intended for the final use of the product (e.g. - Microwavable packaging, resealable packets etc)

· Ability to sustain the stress of production and distribution - won’t crack/break or degrade

No material is inert. When a material like plastic is put into contact with edible products there will be a release of substances from the plastic into the edible content. The release will depend on 3 factors namely:

-The types of material

-Type of edible content

-Contact conditions

However, the release or ‘migrants’ as they are known into the food content doesn’t not render it toxic or dangerous to consume   because a shield layer of plastic which is food grade is used while forming the packaging material.  Even the   migration is taken into account by regulators while approving a new food contact substances. Studies on toxicology are carried out by regulators prior to approval.

Uflex Ltd., India’s largest flexible packaging company has been offering amongst others, the food packaging solutions for more than two decades now.  The company offers packaging materials for food products made out of BOPET (Biaxially Oriented Polytthylene Terapthalate), BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) and CPP (Cast Polypropylene) films. The manufacturing of these products are in strict adherence to the international standards and norms. Flexible packaging at Uflex is known for excellent chemical resistance, strength, protection against moisture and odour and dimensional stability.

Keeping up with the times and the dynamics of the packaging industry Uflex has been a pioneer in setting benchmarks for delivering innovative packaging concepts and to ensure the safety and viability of the packaged food in its life cycle. 

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. 

Sustainable Packaging and Design

Sustainability is an oft repeated phrase these days owing to the threat that our slowly depleting natural resources are facing.  Flexible packaging designers are trying to use material which will be sustainable in the long run and will not be a hazard to the environment and will also look equally attractive.

Uflex products are designed keeping in mind the sustainability of the packaging. We understand how hazardous plastics can spell for the earth and keeping this in mind we have constantly evolved ourselves and our produce. Along with the sustainability of our packaging we believe that design is an equally important component.

If we look at sustainable packaging from a design perspective, design makes the packaging better. An attractive design package was good for the customer earlier but with a sustainable designed package, it will be good for the environment too.

How does one achieve a good design along with sustainability? There are roughly 3 principles which we will share with you:

• It’s all about the product: For a holistic design and sustainable packaging it would be sensible on the part of the product manufacturer not to separate the product from the packaging design. In the short run it might be good for the producers’ pockets but in the longer run it will have a negative impact on the consumer as well as the environment thereby defeating the purpose of sustainable packaging.
  
• Earlier the better: So now the question arises is how soon should a manufacturer involve designing the packaging? We say the sooner the better. Most of the environmental impact of the product & packaging is said to be determined in the early designing stages. To add sustainability factor at a later stage is not only hard but also costly and less effective.

• More with less: While the supply chain demands ‘less’ in cost saving, reductions, simplifications etc, the market demands ‘more’ in terms of added value, benefits, new functions. Doing more with less is sustainability prerequisite.

Sometimes in providing ‘more’, more materials is used which in turn spells higher carbon footprints and is tricky to square off with sustainability. Ultimately it’s about ‘less is best’ for consumers& our customers. Sometimes striking a balance between them can be a challenge in sustainable packaging.

Sustainability challenges are linked with design challenges. Yet, creative and attractive designing is the only thing that can ultimately get a product noticed.

At Uflex Ltd., India’s largest flexible packaging company, the health and safety of our clients and our environment is paramount. All regulations regarding the preservation of the environment are met. Keeping in mind the evolving socio-cultural trends and environment conscious customers, Uflex has come up with sustainable packaging options accompanied by attractive designs to appeal to the customers. With experience and expertise in all spheres of packaging Uflex keeps a track of all the latest developments and innovations that are taking place around the world. This helps us to be in tandem with the needs of our customers and constantly upgrade our quality concerns.

Along with sustainable packaging options and striking design options, Uflex is committed to prevent the wastage of natural resources and minimize any hazardous impact on the environment during the stages of development, production, use and disposal.