Signaling strong confidence in the growth of the Indian packaging industry and its long-term commitment to the Indian market, Avery Dennison, a leader in global materials science and manufacturing, has inaugurated its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Greater Noida. Avery Dennison has made an investment exceeding Rs 250 crore (approximately US$ 35 million) in this plant taking its investment in India to Rs 1,000 crore plus (approximately US$ 125 million).
Spread over an area of 12 acres, the new plant will produce technologically-advanced, pressure-sensitive materials for the labeling and packaging industry, incorporating best practices available across Avery Dennison globally. The new facility is equipped with the latest high-speed coating technology and state-of-the-art coating and lamination lines, along with high-speed sliters and sheeters. The land for the new plant has been allotted to Avery Dennison by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA).
With this key business milestone, Avery Dennison celebrates 25 years of business operations in India and is looking for the next growth phase. Twenty-five years ago, the company was largely reliant on imports. With its increased foothold in the market, it has now moved to almost 100% localized production capability in India. With this plant, the company also plans to consolidate its manufacturing operations in order to better serve customer demands while optimizing the new technology and leveraging the improved efficiencies.
Saurabh Agarwal, senior director and general manager, label and packaging materials, South Asia for Avery Dennison, said, “We are extremely delighted to inaugurate our world-class manufacturing facility in Greater Noida and with this latest expansion, we are looking for the next big chapter in our growth in India. Our new facility is built on one of the most sought-after lands allotted by the UP Govt. and by expanding in UP, we will be able to serve the requirements of our customers better and also enhance the company’s production capacity to meet the growing demand of the Indian market.”
Agarwal added, “With the new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, we will be able to deliver the kind of consistency that we have been known for – we should be only taking it to the next level now. The plant will also allow us to double our production capacity.”
Speaking to The Packman, Pankaj Bhardwaj, vice president – marketing, Asia Pacific and Sub Saharan Africa, labels and packaging materials, Avery Dennison, said, “With the current capacity of the plant, we are now well poised to cater to the majority of the growth of the market for next three years. We have invested in a technology [coating operation] which has a very low tolerance for any deviation and is almost human-touch-free. With inbuilt robotics and automation, the machine elevates the level of safety, reliability, quality and productivity.”
Bhardwaj said that there is significant headroom for growth in the label industry in India, which has much lower per-capita consumption of pressure-sensitive labels compared to Europe, Australia, the US or even Malaysia and Thailand.
Speaking about sustainability, Bhardwaj added, “Our commitment to sustainability has really dialed up and reflects in almost everything that we do – the plant is Leed certified and we have also installed 500 KW solar panels on the roof of the plant.”
Having a presence in India for over two decades, the company has consistently led the way in transforming the Indian labeling and packaging industry. The company started its first plant operation in Gurgaon in 1997 with a hot melt coating line. Since then, it has expanded its operations across India in major cities – Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, and now in Greater Noida.
