Its Asepto brand, showcased at Anuga FoodTec, in Cologne, Germany, (March 20-26) is distinguishing itself from rival companies by the decoration on the packaging itself, including holographic, metallic images, embossing and foil stamping for stand-out shelf appeal
Drinks on-the-go
Uflex builds aseptic liquid packaging plant in Gujarat
Uflex has already commissioned the first phase of its aseptic liquid packaging plant. Capacity is for seven billion packs a year, which can be scaled up to meet demand. The factory surface area is 72 acres. The Greenfield project will lead to 250 employees. Commercial production and dispatch has already begun.
“The idea is to create as much value as we can while being different and innovative,” said Ashwani Sharma, CEO, Uflex.
“India is obviously a massive market but the market size for aseptic packaging in cartons is still at a naissance stage. But this particular market is growing 20% year-on-year.
“In 4 years’ time the market size should double from 10 billion to 20 billion packs. That will need a lot of packs and machines to produce that.
“India is divided into three broad segments of dairy, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol consumed is mainly whisky, brandy, and rum, being packed in aseptic 100ml liquid packs, especially in the south of India where people pick up drinks on-the-go.
“The problem with glass bottles is adulteration of low-end brands but this is not possible with our type of packaging.”
The Asepto liquid carton packaging include formats such as Asepto Pillow, Trio and Brick Packs, ranging from portion to family sizes (65ml-1,000ml). Asepto Spark and Asepto Premium comprise the value-added range.
Holographic packs
“Asepto Spark comes in holographic and metallic packs giving customers endless possibilities to modify their existing designs or create new brand proposition,” added Sharma.
“The Asepto Premium metallic look is achieved through flexo-printing technology accentuated by foil stamping, embossing, precision stamping, 3-D Fresnel Lens, multi-lens and holographic effects.”
Uflex has now launched Asepto filling lines as well as packs and is looking to develop a high-speed range for launch within 18 months.
Sharma said the Asepto Smart 78 is the first ever Indian aseptic filling machine with a capacity of Forming-Filling and Sealing 7,800 packages per hour for sizes ranging from 100ml, 125ml, 160ml and 200ml slim packs.
Uflex’s aseptic liquid packaging material manufacturing plant located in Gujarat, India, has an annual production capacity of 7 billion packs, while its aseptic filling machines are manufactured at the company’s engineering plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.