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“With demand for F&B, packaging technology will grow”
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Monday, 06 July, 2015, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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fiogf49gjkf0d  Henkel Adhesive Technologies India is a leading solution provider manufacturing special adhesives for laminating various materials such as those necessary for flexible packaging. Flexible packaging fulfils the requirement of food packaging which has to be light, yet tear- and compression-resistant, and guarantees that freshness and quality are protected until the product is used. Snacks like chips or crackers have to be kept dry. Meat and cheese need to stay fresh and hygienic. The flavour should never escape from coffee or tobacco packages, nor should acid corrode the inner layer of juice packaging. Thus it is products like these that are driving the growth in packaging industry in India. Jayachandran Nair, business manager, flexible packaging, tapes & labels adhesives, Henkel Adhesive Technologies India, in an email interaction with Harcha Bhaskar, throws light on the phenomenon. Excerpts
Tell us about solvent-free adhesive technology. What is the importance of this technology for the food packaging industry?
Solvent-free technology is the latest technology in terms of its evolution. It is more efficient, supports fast production and no presence of solvent means it is more safer and environment-friendly with less/nil chances for odour pickup on the food.
How big is the flexible packaging industry in India? At what rate is it growing?
The Indian flexible packaging industry is pegged at reaching €3.3 billion (Rs 22,950 crore, $3.8 billion) in 2015 with a growth rate of 14-15% annually (source: ASSOCHAM Report 2011)
How big is the share of flexible packaging in food and beverage industry? What are the prospects for its growth?
Be it the packaging of confectionery or cookies, sandwiches, bread and other baked products, meat and meat products, beverages, dairy products, or other convenience products, flexible packaging has solution in each of these applications. The packaged food industry is the fifth-largest sector in India. The Indian packaged food industry is worth US$39.7 bn and is expected to reach US$65.41 bn by 2020. To meet the rising demand for processed and packaged food and beverages, companies have to expand their production, and as a result the demand for state-of-the-art processing and packaging technology will grow.
Tell us about your clients in India.
Almost all converters in India use our product and in turn cater to all the end-users.
What are the various customized solutions you offer to customer?
Henkel offers a broad range of laminating adhesive and coating products to fit every customer’s requirements. Our product portfolio covers all special solutions from standard applications to sophisticated customised laminates for the most demanding performance.
What are the various regulations and certifications to be adhered to for food packaging?
US FDA, EU and IS (BIS) for packaging materials.
What are the recent trends in food packaging in regards to style, raw material used and convenience of the consumers?
Product development in packaging is now focussed on food-safe solutions. Key driver for this is consumer awareness and strict regulatory norms. Most of the purchasing of raw materials and packaging materials need to balance both government regulations and consumer demand for a safe, convenient and attractive product packaging.
Is the raw material for flexible packaging available in India or imported from other countries?
Most of the raw materials are imported.
What are the key factors for the growth of food packaging industry in India?
- A rapidly growing young population and increased urbanisation
- Increased investment in food production and processing across regions
- Significant investments in new flexible packaging converting capacity
- Increased availability of locally produced and competitively-priced base substrates
- Growth in modern retailing and increased penetration of pre-packed foods.
Any expansion, acquisition plans on the anvil?
Henkel has been actively streamlining its portfolio in recent years in order to strengthen the core businesses. We would continue the same as part of our Strategy 2016.
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