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At the end of the April–June 2021 quarter, UFlex announced a host of remarkable products and solutions across its businesses that are set to make packaging a better experience for brands and consumers alike, especially in the wake of changing trends in packaging.
Table of Contents
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Flexible Packaging Business
- Paper based structure for aesthetically rich look pharma packs – To enhance the look and feel of pharma packaging, the flexible packaging business of UFlex replaced conventionally used high metal content foil and poly structure packaging in Vicks Action 500 with a paper structure comprising of 40 GSM OLB paper, LDPE and foil. The packaging format uses emerging high-energy curing chemistries for delivering high performance, low migration product system that supports cross-linking of inks and high gloss coatings. The cross-linking reactions ensure scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and color fastness. The overall process being environmentally friendly with no carbon dioxide emissions outshines the traditional process, which uses solvents. With this new structure for P&G brand Vicks Action 500 pharma packs, UFlex has been successful in boosting the aesthetics of the pack and repositioned it with a redefined appearance while simultaneously reducing the CO2 emissions significantly.
- Material reduction at source with 3-ply stand-up spout pouches for large quantity liquids – Spout pouches formats have gained worldwide acceptability for packaging due to their multiple attributes such as convenience, easy storage and dispensation, and cost reduction in transportation. The recent development for Wipro Softouch Fabric Conditioner has a 3-ply structure of polyester combined with the virtues of BON (Bi-axially Oriented Nylon) and Natural Poly against the earlier conventional 4-ply structure, thus enabling material reduction at source. With a wider gusset at the base, this combination gives strength to hold large quantity of liquid and has successfully replaced the earlier structure in meeting sustainability standards as well.
Chemicals Business
- PU resin for 1K matt coating – The newly launched PU resin for 1K matt coating FLEXPAK 2765 offers an excellent matt finish on the surface of printed PET and BOPP films. The coating resin offers high heat and chemical resistance due to its high cross-linking densities that lend an enhanced look to the pack and builds an instant connect with the consumer. While there is an increased focus on safe food packaging that meets recyclability and sustainability goals, FLEXPAK 2765 PU resin meets high-quality performance standards, as per the packaging demand.
- Water-based adhesives with numerous features for high-speed mono carton-making machines – Water-based synthetic adhesive technology FLEXBOND SF WET LAM–1178, another new launch by the chemical business of Uflex in this quarter, is designed for side pasting and inner liner pasting in cartons, and can be used on all standard nozzle/roller applicators. The adhesive is recommended on various laminated substrates like BOPP, PET and also on metalized PET with paper board; and is designed for ‘side and bottom sealing of mono carton’ compatible with automated high-speed mono carton making machines. This ready-to-use adhesive offers excellent bonding with fast setting time and stability and has found takers in major brands such as KFC, MDH Spices, and more.
Holography Business
- Holographic Lidding Foil with special invisible ink to arrest counterfeiting in pharma packs – To prevent pharma brands from the menace of counterfeiting, UFlex Holography Business has developed holographic lidding foils with a special invisible ink. This novel offering was conceived, developed and engineered to increase the degree of difficulty and prevent duplicity but at the same time make it viable for the current application set-up at the user end. This first time development for holographic blister foil substrate includes an addition of new layer of security that includes covert features by incorporating the invisible ink which is visible only under UV light, thus making it easy for brands to confirm product originality throughout their value chain. On the other hand, the overt feature helps the consumers to identify the genuine brand before any purchase, which helps build trust in their preferred pharma products. Since this development is viable on the current packaging set-up, it brings no additional cost burden on existing packing lines.
Engineering Business
- Time efficient, high-accuracy combi laminator – With consistent efforts in the new product development category, the engineering business of Uflex has designed a combi laminator for use in both dry and solvent-less lamination processes. The combi laminator overcomes the challenge of change-over-time, thus saving time. This laminator with an operator-friendly interface runs at a speed of up to 450 mpm and has both the lamination units pre-exist in a fixed frame that helps achieve higher accuracy by reducing downtime since no change-over is required. According to UFlex, the combi laminator has been receiving a lot of business interest from converters and best serves packaging of segments like food packaging, building materials, dry chemicals, etc.
- Reverse registered coating through lamination machine – The demand for reverse registered coating has been on a high, and to cater to this demand, the engineering business designed a lamination machine that allows registered heat seal lacquer coating and registered cold-seal lacquer. With this new machine, coating on pre-printed substrates such as chocolates and candies, which was earlier a challenging task, has now been made easy.
Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business
- Foil stamping aseptic packs for liquor brand UDAAN by Radico Khaitan – Foil stamping innovation is catching the imagination of companies as they are finding its uniqueness to help them score on their brand exclusivity quotient. After tasting success with foil stamping new age packs by Asepto for one of its IMFL brand, Radico Khaitan once again turned to Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business to manufacture aseptic packs with foil stamping aesthetics for its UPML(Uttar Pradesh Manufactured Liquor) brand UDAAN. These packs create an elevated shelf appeal for the brand with superior aesthetics that makes the pack stir the retail shelves. This speedy entry of foil stamping in aseptic packaging showcases a very lucrative future of this innovation.
- Aseptic packs for dairy brand and ORS brand – With a continued focus on expanding its customer base domestically and globally, Aseptic Liquid Packaging Business added new brands to its client bouquet. South India-based Thirumala, a 100% owned subsidiary of dairy company Lactalis Group chose Asepto to supply milk in its pillow packs, whereas oral rehydration solutions manufacturer FDCIndia collaborated to sell their ORS and energy drinks in Asepto packs.
The Flexible Packaging volumes were affected due to the second COVID-19 wave that struck India in the April-June 2021 quarter. Despite the headwinds, the company continued with a streak of good performance and introduced a host of new innovations. It also commissioned its 10.4 mt wide BOPP film line in Hungary with a production capacity of 42,000 TPA.
Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex, said, “UFlex has been on the path to fulfilling its vision to get closer to its patrons with manufacturing units across the world with BOPP line in Hungary commissioned and Nigeria set to be commissioned. With consumers becoming more mindful of what and how they consume, the packaging industry needs to be proactive in developing sustainable packaging without compromising the convenience and functional attributes of plastic. UFlex has progressed in developing green products and solutions such as biodegradable packaging, water-soluble bags and more, which will not only meet the approval of consumers but also uplift their perception of the flexible packaging industry.”
