UFlex to double aseptic liquid packaging plant’s capacity
UFlex Limited, India’s largest multinational flexible packaging and polymer science company and first Indian manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging, has announced it is doubling its aseptic plant’s production capacity from 3.5 bilion to 7bn packs per annum, in Sanand, Gujarat. The capacity expansion will be completed within the next 10 months approximately, according to the company.
The expansion is in response to the new contracts and increasing demand for the company’s aseptic packaging laminates. Driven by a strong and healthy order book and consistent market growth, this initiative doubles the production capacity and will allow creating company’s expanding operations team by adding more workforce, which the company says will strengthen its expansion plan.
Some of UFlex’s holographic aseptic packaging
Ashwani Kumar Sharma, president & CEO, Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business, UFlex Ltd, said, “Asepto expansion is part of the growing need for aseptic packaging and I am excited that our team and state-of-the-art facilities we have are well-positioned to respond to the increasing demand for our services and innovative technology in aseptic packaging. Despite the pandemic, we have continued to deliver services without a pause and carried on with innovative thoughts to deliver expected results from our customers.
“We have been working on taking Asepto globally, and our expansion takes a leap to enlarge the brand’s horizons to different continents. We remain the most innovative packaging company when it comes to aesthetic rejuvenation in aseptic packaging space. The expansion steps in our operations reflect ASEPTO’s strong position in the marketplace and positive outlook for the future.” continued Sharma.
Once the commissioning of the project is complete, the company plans to take steps for global expansion. Mr Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director of UFlex Ltd, said, “Asepto has now grown and entering into its next phase of life cycle with the first expansion plan announcement. This expansion of production capacities is our natural progression, addressing our rapid growth in the aseptic liquid packaging space, and stepping strong footsteps into the global arena. Asepto is taking one step at a time, and that’s the best way I foresee to imbibe growth approach in the given global economic scenario.”
The first phase of expansion will focus on adding new machines to the existing line i.e., the best-in-class new generation Gallus printing line (M/S Heidelberg Web Carton GmbH) from Germany. The new-age machine has progressive features, loaded with sophisticated technologies that reportedly make it extremely efficient and sound in operation. The machine prints at a speed of 500MPM (meters per minute), making it an ideal choice for UFlex’ aseptic liquid packaging business growth strategy.
The Slitting Line is a high performance machine from IMS technologies S.P.A Italy, which gives output at a speed of 1200MPM. In addition to increasing the capacity, the company has also added Doctoring Line and over 8 new tools/formats as part of its expansion. This is targeted to be completed within approximately 10 months, adding Asepto’s capacity to address the increasing demands.
