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Both EBM and IBM tech enable designing innovative solutions, says Kapote
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Saturday, 07 December, 2019, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
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Extrusion Blow Moulding (EBM) and Injection Moulding (IBM) are processes extensively used for the production of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene)products. Both EBM and IBM technologies offer freedom in designing innovative packaging solutions, according to Sanjay Kapote, CEO, Manjushree Technopack.
“Premiumisation of products like curvy bottles, with variable neck and innovative flip top caps are the need of the hour. NowEBM and IBM technologies allow packaging solution providers like us todeliver these design capabilities,” he stated.
The companyis the pioneer in producing multi-layer bottles through the EBM technology. “The iconic Kissan Squeezo that replaced glass ketchup bottle was a multi-layer container produced through EBM technology. This was a revoluntionary design of our times. Themultiple layers of plastic including evoh ethyl vinyl alcohol, prevented entry of oxygen into the container, thereby keeping the food product in a safe consumable condition, for a longer period. It was unbreakable, clean and light in weight. It solved the classic problem of ketchup not flowing out of the bottle without thumping it from behind. It was an upside down bottle, something unheard off and a design thinking, ahead of its times,” shared Kapote.
The demand for HDPE / PP has grown in-line with overall packaging growth of 10-12%. HDPE and PP packaging are highly popular across FMCG segments such as Personal Care, Home Care, Health and Food Supplements, Paints and Lubes. HDPE and PP containers have very high moisture barrier and hence apt for Food Supplement Powders.
They also have high chemical resistance and make excellent materials for packaging products like surface cleaning and toilet cleaners. PP, on the other hand, is widely used for caps and closure applications because one can create a hinge-like structure (usually seen in flip caps) through moulding process.
Today, 50% of the company’scontainer business is contributed by HDPE and PP packaging. “We are seeing a healthy growth coming from this vertical, and predict this to be atrend going ahead too. This is because HDPE/PP packaging have been the fastest growing segments within containers and we are growing at 18% CAGR in the last 3 years,” observed Kapote.
“Our manufacturing capacity stands at 30,000MT pa which is 20% of the total capacity. A lot of our recent investments in machines/moulds are towards PP and HDPE applications. Some of the brands thathave opted for ourHDPE and PP packaging solutions to include ITC, Unilever, Patanjali, P&G, Nestle, GSK, Himalaya and Dabur,” he said.
“We have a healthy pipeline of projects in HDPE / PP applications from our existing customers as well as many enquiries coming in from new customers. We are also investing towards a HDPE/PP recycling line which should be operational by March-2020,” said Kapote.
According to PlastIndia Foundation’s report on The Indian Plastic Industry-2018, HDPE is the most consumed plastic polymer up to 4600KT in 2016-17 followed by PP which consumed 4,400KT.
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