Building on its continued expansion in metalizing capacity, SRF has invested in a fourth Bobst metallizer – this time for its Indian plant. The Expert K5 3650 mm, which follows last year’s addition of a third Bobst metallizer at the company’s Thailand plant, is scheduled to be operational next year. The move further deepens SRF’s partnership with Bobst, a collaboration that has spanned more than two decades.
The new wide web machine will be used for the production of metalized BOPP and will be fully equipped with unique Bobst innovations: AluBond, AlOx GEN II and the Hawkeye Pinhole Detector. Bobst are Experts in the wide web market and the Expert K5 is designed to run large diameters at high speeds. The Bobst renowned winding mechanism produces virtually wrinkle-free film and the Expert is the highest productivity metallizer in the world for the packaging industry with the lowest production costs available in the market.
The AluBond and AlOx GEN II processes will allow SRF to produce both opaque and clear sustainable BOPP films with high oxygen and water barriers. The Hawkeye Pinhole Detector works to detect any defects in the film during production alerting the operator ensuring no interruptions to production.
The Expert K5 will be built to the highest standards at Bobst’s primary vacuum metallizer production site in Manchester, United Kingdom. In addition to this site which has been in operation for nearly 40 years, recently the Bobst vacuum metallizing diVision has expanded due to growing demand with a second site in Pune, India where the recently launched Vision K5 HS machine is produced by Bobst Experts with the same high standards as the production site in the UK.
Commenting on the investment, Prashant Mehra, president and CEO; and Hari K Singh, executive vice president and head of global operations, said, “We are delighted to have signed the contract to purchase our fourth machine from Bobst and to further strengthen our relationship. When our new Expert is installed in 2026 it will allow us to increase our capacity of metallized BOPP in India”
SRF established in 1970, has grown into a leading, diversified chemicals conglomerate with over 9,000 employees, 16 plants across 4 countries, and exporting to over 100 countries worldwide. The Packaging Films business has operations in 4 countries providing flexible packaging solutions to a wide gamut of applications ranging from food to non-food both in the category of fast-moving consumer goods and industrial products.
