Modern Packaging & Design - March-April 2011

Page 1

Also available in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China & Hong Kong


Modern Packaging & Design

March-April 2011







EDITORIAL

A greener package

I

ndustrial packaging is fast evolving as a blend of both – science and art. Besides protecting its content, it is expected to portray the products or image thereof. At the same time, it has to fit in between two different worlds – environmental regulations as well as clients. While the former continually pushes the boundary to utilise alternative systems, employ multi-trip packaging and bring down the weight of packaging material, the clients increasingly require shelf-ready packaging. As the awareness and preventive regulations (about environmental hazards) related to disposal & recycling of packaging wastes grow, coupled with initiatives to cut down carbon footprint, the focus is likely to be more on sustainable packaging. Further, it would lead to not only novel packaging designs but also significant improvements in several key performance areas such as ecofriendliness, simplicity, material saving and cost reduction. Source reduction can potentially be an effective way of preventing damage to the environment by virtue of reducing the toxicity or amount of waste that is generated. In this regard, it becomes imperative for the industrial packaging manufacturers/suppliers not to employ those products, which usually lead to the generation of toxic waste. It will not be an overstatement that the time is now ripe for the domestic industrial

packaging segment to revisit its expertise and offerings that include product packaging specifications, various international norms linked to sustainability, ergonomics, export/import regulations, material returns, to name a few. The ‘Sector Watch’ offers a detailed perspective on this dynamic packaging segment. Having said that, today’s wide array of shelf-ready packaging solutions would not be possible without contemporary advancements in the allied materials and technologies, in particular Adhesives and Sealants (A&S). An integral part in the evolution of the global packaging industry, the A&S segment plays a vital role in enabling converters to keep pace with new types of packaging that take shape at consumer’s end. However, the criticality of requirements does not end with the finished package. The processing characteristics of the adhesive in the packaging machine are also equally important. Some of these include flexibility, ease of operation, higher machineability, lower run times, enhanced accuracy and cost efficiency. For deeper insights into A&S, turn to the ‘Market Trends’.

Editorial Advisory Board P V Narayanan

Chairman Cognizance Packaging

M K Banerjee

Director - Creativity & Innovations (Global) Essel Propack Ltd

R Krishnamurthy

Director-Marketing & Operations Orient Press Ltd

S Das

Managing Director Nordson India Pvt Ltd

Manas R Bastia

Editor manas@infomedia18.in

Editor Manas R Bastia Senior Features Writer Beverley Lewis Features Writers KTP Radhika Jinoy (Delhi), Annabel Dsouza, Kymberlee Fernandes Correspondent Anwesh Koley (Delhi) Copy Desk Meghanadan Sudhakaran Products Desk Michael Anthony, Abha Mishra Chief Photographer Mexy Xavier Photographer Neha Mithbawkar, Joshua Navalkar Design Sharad Bharekar Production Pravin Koyande, Dnyaneshwar Goythale, Vikas Bobhate, Ravikumar Potdar, Ravi Salian, Sanjay Shelar, Lovey Fernandes, Pukha Dhawan, Varsha Nawathe, Abhay Borkar, Akshata Rane Marketing & Branding Jagruti Shah, Ganesh Mahale CEO-Publishing Sandeep Khosla Associate Vice President Sudhanva Jategaonkar

Circulation/Subscription Sunil Nair, Distribution Head Tel: 91-22-3003 4631 / 4633 Email: sunil.nair@network18online.com, customercare@infomedia18.in Editorial & Business Office Infomedia 18 Ltd, Special Interest Publications Division, ‘A’ Wing, Ruby House, J. K. Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028 Tel: 91-22-3003 4669 / 4673, Fax: 91-22-3003 4499 Email: spedit@infomedia18.in Other Business Offices Ahmedabad (Shashin): Tel: 079-3982 6432 Fax: 079-3982 6464 Email: sipdahmedabad@infomedia18.in Bangalore (Mahadev B): Tel: 080-3001 0900 Fax: 080-3001 0999 Email: sipd.bang@infomedia18.in Chennai (Hari): Tel: 044-3986 4200 Fax: 044-3986 4250 Email: sipd.chennai@infomedia18.in Cochin (Robin): Tel: 0484-4054 380/90 Fax: 0484-405 4370 Email: kochi@infomedia18.in Coimbatore (Prakash): Tel: 0422-309 2600 628 Fax: 0422-309 2666 Email: coimbatore@infomedia18.in Hyderabad (Kalyan): Tel: 040-3064 7600 Fax: 040-3064 7676 Email: sipd.hyderabad@infomedia18.in Indore (Ameya): Tel: 0731-307 4876 Fax: 0731-307 4882 Email: sipd.indore@infomedia18.in Jaipur (Durgesh): Tel: 0141-300 7414; 300 7411 Fax: 0141-221 3728 Email: sipd.rajasthan@infomedia18.in Kolkata (Deb Ranjan): Tel: 033-2265 8637/38 Fax: 033-2265 2964 Email: sipd.kol@infomedia18.in Ludhiana (Jasmeet): Tel: 0161-302 6198/99, 302 6200 Fax: 0161-302 6198 Email: ludhiana@infomedia18.in

Mumbai (Rahul): Tel: 022-3003 4640 Fax: 022-3003 4499 Email: spmktg@infomedia18.in New Delhi (Mukesh/Surendra): Tel: 011-3322 3309 Fax: 011-3322 3322 Email: sipd.delhi@infomedia18.in Pune (Rohit): Tel: 020-3322 3309 Fax: 020-3322 3322 Email: sipd.pune@infomedia18.in Surat (Sunil): Tel: 0261-263 0181 Fax: 0261-263 0974 Email: surat@infomedia18.in Vadodara (Samarth): Tel: 0265-392 6500/1 Fax: 0265-235 6013 Email: vadodara@infomedia18.in

Printed by Mohan Gajria and published by Lakshmi Narasimhan on behalf of Infomedia 18 Limited and printed at Infomedia 18 Ltd, Plot no.3, Sector 7, off Sion-Panvel Road, Nerul, Navi Mumbai 400 706, and published at Infomedia 18 Ltd, ‘A’ Wing, Ruby House, J. K. Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028. Modern Packaging & Design is registered with the Registrar of Newspapers of India under No. 67827/98. Views and opinions

expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Infomedia 18 Limited. Infomedia 18 Limited reserves the right to use the information published herein in any manner whatsoever. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information published in this edition, neither Infomedia 18 Ltd nor any of its employees accept any responsibility for any errors or omission. Further, Infomedia 18 Ltd does not take

any responsibility for loss or damage incurred or suffered by any subscriber of this magazine as a result of his/her accepting any invitation/offer published in this edition. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Overseas Contacts

�����������������������

China (Craig Shibinsky): Tel: +86 21 6289 5533 Ext. 368; Fax: +86 21 6247 4855 Email: craig@ringier.com.hk Hong Kong (Octavia Au-Yeung): Tel: +852 2369 8788 Ext. 21; Fax: +852 2869 5919 Email: octavia@ringier.com.hk Taiwan (Sydney Lai): Tel: +886 4 2329 7318 Ext. 16; Fax: +886 4 2310 7167 Email: sydneylai@ringier.com.hk Singapore (Annie Chin): Tel: +65 9625 7863 Fax: +65 6841 5273 Email: annie@janianmedia.com USA: Tel: (513) 527-8800, Fax: (513) 527-8801 Email: dhight@gardnerweb.com Germany, Austria, Switzerland Tel: +41-44 734 0472, Fax: +41 44 734 0680 Email: info@islerannoncen.ch • Issue Price: ` 100 100 • Annual Subscription: ` 100 401

Editor: Manas R Bastia

3


CONTENTS

Design Innovation

26

24

The latest in product designs and innovations

Leaders Speak 22

Vimal Kedia, Managing Director, Manjushree Technopack Ltd

Facility Visit 24

Bobst India Pvt Ltd: Partner in progress

26

Industrial and electronics packaging: Decoding progressive solutions

Sector Watch Market Trends 30

30

Adhesives and sealants: Bonding with the best

Packaging Perspectives 34

Food packaging: A ‘fresh’ outlook P V Narayanan, Chairman, Cognizance Packaging

Packaging Printing 38

Screen printing: Identifying the right parameters Bhargav Mistry, Managing Director, Grafica Flextronica

Packaging Innovations 42

34

Smart designs: Look good, sell better Harish P Joshi, MD, Nichrome India Ltd

In Perspective 46

Pharmaceutical packaging: Enhancing consumer experience Shyam Sunder B K, Corporate Manager ,Tata Elxsi

Case Study 50

Efficient PET bottling: A multi-benefit approach Horst Meixner, Vice President (Sales), Middle East - Africa, Krones AG, Neutraubling

Practical Tips

46

54

Image-based ID reader: Ten reasons to choose the right one Courtesy: Cognex

Report 60 64

• PLASTIVISION INDIA 2011: Networking through knowledge exchange • Engineering Expo Indore 2011: Echoing success

Cover Design: Sharad Bharekar

REGUL AR SECTIONS Editorial............................ 3 National News.................. 6 World News.................... 10

Book Shelf ...................... 68 Product Update Update............... 70

Tech Updates .................. 16

Product Index.................. 79

Events Calendar.............. 58

Advertisers’ List .............. .80

Details on page no.58 Cover photo courtesy: Henkel

Highlights of Next Issue Sector Watch : QA & QC in packaging Market Trends : Printing & Graphics in Packaging Note: ` stands for Indian rupee, $ stands for US dollar and £ stands for UK pound, unless mentioned otherwise

4

Modern Packaging & Design March-Apil 2011



NATIONAL NEWS

MCMA seeks fiscal incentive

In a pre-budget memorandum to the Ministry of Finance, the Metal Container Manufactures Association (MCMA) has demanded that the government should provide fiscal incentives to promote eco-friendly packaging. These incentives can be given in terms of subsidies, refund of indirect taxes, concessional duty on import of capital goods/inputs and income tax exemption. This is

Hindustan Tin Works gets HACCP and ISO certification Hindustan Tin Works Ltd (HTWL) has been certified by Transpacific Certifications Ltd (TCL) for ISO 9001:2008 and Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Points (HACCP). Both certifications are applicable to quality assurance, systems, procurement, storage, printing, manufacturing, packing, dispatch of tin containers and its components. HACCP is used in the food industry to identify potential food safety hazards, so that key actions can be taken to reduce or eliminate the risk of hazards. The system

with regard to the challenges faced by the metal packaging industry while accumulating credit due to inverted duty structure. Can packaging plays a crucial role in export of food products like processed vegetables and coffee. These cans are supplied by the industry without paying excise duty, as merchant exporters and their supporting manufacturers do not want to pay excise duty and claim refund. This results in non-utilisation of CENVAT credit. Sanjay Bhatia, President, MCMA & Managing Director, Hindustan Tin Works Ltd, said, “We have urged the government to provide fiscal incentives to promote packaging, which is environment-friendly, recyclable and sustainable.” is used at all stages of food production and preparation processes including packaging, distribution, etc. HTWL follows a strict regime of quality control, quality assurance and food safety and these certifications are testimony to this. TCL is an international certification body consisting of highly rated professionals, helping organisations achieve excellence and world-class competitiveness through application of standalone or integrated national and international standards.

Bhargav Mistry, Director, DMI Institute and Managing Director, Grafica Flextronica, has been invited as one of the five Global Screen Masters to conduct live workshops on advanced screen printing process at the FESPA AMERICAS’ workshop at Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, USA. Following are the other four ‘Screen Masters’ or the international screen printing experts: SGIA Parmele Award winners, Michel Caza, France; Scott Fresener, US; Charlie Taublieb, Taublieb Consulting US; and Ad Versteeg, S e c r e t a r y, Het Zeefdruk Instituut, The Netherlands. F E S P A AMERICAS is an international exhibition-cumconference, which was held from February 24-26, 2011, at Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, USA. This is FESPA’s first ever Screen Masters Workshop. Participants at the workshop benefited from their collective expertise. Michel Caza and Bhargav Mistry talked of the secrets of excellent graphics printing and print finishing. Commenting on this development, Bhargav said, “I felt honoured after receiving the invitation from FESPA. Joining the elite club of global screen printers at FESPA AMERICAS is a great honour.”

Pune. The centre will allow Bobst to work closely with folding carton

suppliers to conduct demos, run customers special jobs and process training programmes. The Competence Centre is part of Bobst’s strategy to better serve its Indian customers with local resources. Bobst India has equipped the Competence Centre with a NovaCut and an ExpertFold with more machinery, to high-end performance and scalability to the prospective users of the centre.

Bobst India opens Competence Centre in Pune In order to meet the needs of existing and new packaging customers in India and regions around the Indian Subcontinent, Bobst India has started a Competence Centre, which offers a wide range of consultancy and support services. Inaugurated on February 22, 2011, this centre is located at the company’s headquarters at Pirangut,

6

Bhargav Mistry joins elite club of global screen masters

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


NATIONAL NEWS

Plastic ban to impact laminate packaging segment

Universal installs Mitsubishi press to double its turnover New Delhi-based Universal Offsets has installed its second Mitsubishi press, Diamond 3000, following the Mitsubishi Diamond V3000, which the company had installed two years ago. Given the investment in these cutting-edge presses, the company seems to be on a growth curve. Vikas Gupta, Managing Director, Universal Offsets, said, “We have come near to achieving the target of doubling our turnover of Rs 23 crore, which we quoted two years ago.” Universal, along with its sister concern, Universal Print-o-Pack located in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, produces commercial books and packaging products. Universal caters to varied clients in North India and is set to clock

a turnover of over Rs 53 crore during the current financial year. The company believes that there is huge competition, but new applications in the market are making the industry more creative. Going ahead, Universal has plans of expanding its business, which includes targeting new clients and exports and setting up a new facility with new equipment in Noida, in the next financial year. The newly installed machinery will help the company become a one-stop solution for customers.

Groundbreaking ceremony of India’s largest glass manufacturing complex Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Ltd (HNGIL) has commenced the first phase of construction of the largest glass manufacturing complex in South East Asia at Naidupeta, with an initial investment of over `700 crore. This mega-Greenfield glass manufacturing complex is the first step towards HNG’s quest to double its capacity in the next three years. Spread across 210 acres, the complex will house the largest batch house in the world, single largest furnace in India with a capacity of 650 MT per day and the world’s largest container glass end port fired furnace of 175 sq m. The facility will house three container glass and two float glass plants, and is expected to be the largest glass complex in South East Asia having a capacity of 3,500 MT per day. It will employ the latest NNPB technology for the production of lightweight glass containers. Located at the crossroads of Chennai, Venkatagiri, Nellore and Tirupathi on NH5, the complex lies in close proximity to Ennore and Krishnapatnam ports, making it ideal for imports and exports. Through this project, HNG aims to capture the market demands from Middle East, South East Asia, the US and Europe.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

The Environment Ministry ’s notification to ban the use of plastics for packaging gutka and pan masala will have a major impact on manufacturers of such products. This directive will be enforced from March 1, 2011, and will reduce total volume sales of the sachet market by nearly 80 per cent. According to industry experts, the chewing tobacco/pan masala industry is awaiting clarity from the government on the substitute raw material to be used as packaging material.

Indo-African Summit for food packaging

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries recently conducted the Indo-African summit and residential workshop on packaging of fresh and processed foods for key leading nations from the African continent. The summit was aimed at adopting a harmonised and comprehensive framework to reinforce regional cooperation in various fields in support to the existing mutual cooperation between Indian and African countries. Packaging has developed and evolved alongside the development of the global supply chain. As transportation networks lengthened and industrialised countries looked towards agriculture-based developing countries for their food requirements, it was packaging that made possible the purchase of goods from distant locations. Thus, the IndoAfrican summit was intended

(L-R): N C Saha, Director-llP, Ashok Sinha, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing

to consider these modalities to strengthen cooperation ties between the two partners in the areas of economic, political, science, technology, R&D, social development and capacity building, tourism, infrastructure, energy & environment and media and communication. Ashok Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, said, “The Ministry has taken a special interest in the upliftment of food packaging industry in India and will continue to support the Indian Institute of Packaging through financial assistance to organise such international workshops.”

7


An

���������������������������������������������

i nv

i te

th

at

re

w

ar

ds

as well...

Dear Reader, ‘Modern Packaging & Design’ solicits original, well-written, application-oriented, unpublished articles that reflect your valuable experience and expertise in the packaging industry. You can send us Technical Articles, Case Studies and Product Write-ups. The length of the article should not exceed 3000 words, while that of a product write-up should not exceed 200 words. The articles should preferably reach us in soft copy (either E-mail or a CD). The text should be in MS Word format and images in 300 DPI resolution & JPG format. The final decision regarding the selection and publication of the articles shall rest solely with ‘Modern Packaging & Design’. Authors whose articles are published will receive a complimentary copy of that particular issue and an honorarium cheque. Published by Infomedia 18 Ltd, ‘Modern Packaging & Design’ is the leading bi-monthly magazine exclusively for manufacturer and user fraternities of the packaging industry. Well supported by a pan-India readership of over 80,000 and our strong network of 26 branch offices across the subcontinent, this magazine reaches out to key decision makers among the manufacturers of products, machinery and allied segments. Brought out in association with Hong Kong-based Ringier Trade Media Ltd (one of the world’s largest trade publishing houses with more than 200 special interest titles and offices in every major country), it ensures that advertisers are able to promote their products and services across the globe at no extra cost. So get going and rush your articles, write-ups, etc… Look forward to hearing from you, soon! Yours sincerely,

���������������������������������������������


NATIONAL NEWS

Flint Group invests in India

Flint Group has been present in India since 2001 and is now building a new factory near Baroda to manufacture inks for the packaging and narrow web sector as part of its ongoing programme to improve service to converters. India’s packaging industry is growing fast and Flint is keen to cater to customers in this market. The plant, which is still under construction, is being built as per European standards for processes and safety. It will have separate

HNG Float signs MoU worth ` 750 crore at the Vibrant Gujarat

At the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit (VGGIS) 2011, HNG Float signed a Memorandum of Understanding for undertaking an investment worth ` 750 crore to set up a new float line at its existing float glass manufacturing plant at Halol, Gujarat. The HNG Group has aggressive plans

Workshop on ethnic food packaging

In a attempt to further spread packaging awareness, Indian Institute

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

areas for manufacturing water-based, toluene-based and toluene-free solvent-based inks. George Lyle, VP Packaging and Narrow Web, Flint Group Asia, said, “Due to long-term partnerships with our customers, we have enjoyed innovation and leading product developments for long. Our extensive product range is known worldwide, and investing in a new site in India was the next logical step.” Upal Roy, General Manager, Flint Group India, said, “We have an ISO 9001-2000 certified plant for packaging inks in Bangalore, and blending units in Baroda, Noida and Savli, supported by depots at Pondicherry, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Navi Mumbai.

Tetra Pak to build plant at Pune

for its float glass business. The project is targeted to be completed by 201314, and will generate employment for approximately 1,000 people. The capacity of this new production line will be 1,000 million tonne per day. This is the second line being set up at Halol along with the existing one producing 600 million tonne per day. The group recently signed largest deals in the Indian container glass industry worth ` 2.5 billion with eminent international companies from Switzerland and Germany. These deals are part of HNG’s strategy to follow an aggressive growth plan, which would act as a catalyst in doubling its existing capacity in container glass in the next 30-35 months entailing investments of ` 25 billion.

Tetra Pak is planning to construct a packaging material factory at Chakan, India. The € 100-million plant is designed to meet the growing demand for carton packaged dairy beverages and fruit-based drinks in India, South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It will have an initial annual production capacity of 8.5 billion packages, with the potential to increase up to 16 billion packages. The new packaging plant will have a Machine Rebuilding Centre providing technical services like start-up support and machine renovation to customers. It will also have a Product Development and Innovation Centre, with a laboratory, a pilot processing plant and a pilot packaging plant to meet product formulations and development needs of customers. The new plant will also have several environmentally efficient features such as the use of renewable and non-conventional energy and materials, heat recovery to generate air conditioning and rain water harvesting, a dynamic consumer base and modernisation of the distribution and retailing system.

of Packaging will organise a workshop to discuss methods and means to package processed bamboo shoots and other ethnic food at the workshop, which is aimed at helping micro, small and medium entrepreneurs. K C S Kurup, General Manager, North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (Neramac), said, “The aim of this conference is to disseminate information about the latest

packaging trends and technologies to entrepreneurs. The Indian Institute of Packaging is playing a great role in creating awareness in the country about the importance of packaging and also in promoting exports by way of innovative package designs and standardisation,” Similar workshops have been organised earlier in places like Delhi, Agartala, Tirupati, Goa, Muzzafarpur, Aizawl and Imphal.

9


WORLD NEWS

Brückner Group acquires 100 per cent shares of Swiss PackSys Global

The German Brückner Group has announced that effective January 31, 2011, Brückner Technology Holding GmbH has acquired all shares of PackSys Global (Switzerland) Ltd, located in Zürich, Switzerland.

PackSys Global (PSG) is a global leading manufacturer of specialised equipment for the packaging industry. With 30 years of experience and expertise in integrating the best of Swiss high technology and mechanical precision, the company designs and builds full lines for aluminium, plastic and laminate tubes, metal and plastic closures and monobloc aerosol cans, as well as dry offset printing systems which can be integrated into production lines for tubes, metal caps and cans. With an R&D centre in Switzerland, manufacturing and assembly bases in Switzerland and Thailand as well as a software development centre in India, the company offers a unique balance of high technology and cost-effective machinery.

BERICAP Singapore commences production of closures in South East Asia

BERICAP has recently established a production facility in Singapore. The plant is expected to provide direct service to customers in the ASEAN-zone, which are served by a sales office and deliveries from BERICAP China and other BERICAP facilities. This facility is expected to be the nucleus for further expansion of sales and production facilities in South East Asia. The facility

RXi4 RFID Printer/Encoder from Zebra Technologies

Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in specialty printing and automatic identification solutions, has announced the availability of its first high-performance RFID printer/encoder in Asia Pacific. This device is designed to address the needs of the growing

10

has the space and capability to enlarge the product programme and increase its output. One of the products to be produced by BERICAP Singapore is a screw cap with folded tamper evidence band for the agrochemical industry. RFID market for high-volume itemlevel tagging. The R110Xi4 streamlines business improvement and supply chain management applications such as item-level tracking, asset tracking, inventory management, etc across retail, manufacturing, healthcare and distribution channels. “Targeted at verticals with intensive printing needs, Zebra R110Xi4 is a real workhorse that delivers quality prints in large volumes,” said Andrew Tay, President, Zebra Technologies, Asia Pacific. According to a recent survey from VDC, average corporate investment in RFID solutions is expected to grow by more than 200 per cent over the next year to nearly $7 million in 2011.

Theegarten-Pactec sets standard for double-twist chocolate wrapping

At the beginning of the 1990s, Theegarten-Pactec’s ‘CHD’ model reached a record breaking level of 1300. It can pack that many chocolate items per minute using the double-twist wrapping technology. This had set a new standard, which still stands to this day. Now, technicians at the Dresden factory are preparing to send the 100th model for export to Russia. It is equipped with the latest control technology and options for all-round sealing using double-twist wrapping (Protected Twist). Among currently interested parties, there are always customers who have worked with this technology from the start, sometimes for more than 10 years, and are now planning to increase their capacity. On one hand, this confirms that the packaging machine has passed its practical test both in terms of performance and efficiency. While on the other hand, the fact that chocolate products in the double-twist wrap presentation are still in demand is also seen in many markets as a possibility for their further development. As with all machine series from Theegarten-Pactec, the CHD is continuously adapted to the current state-of-the-art technology and market needs. Processes are regulated using a multi-axial controller with the latest generation of PLC functionality, which facilitates integration into an automated production environment. A touchscreen provides a userfriendly interface for operation and fault finding.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


WORLD NEWS

First 1L PET Wine Bottle for North American Airline by Canadian Supplier

A leading supplier of fine wines, beers and alcomalts – Societe de Vin Internationale LTEE – (based in Laval, Quebec) has made its debut in plastic packaging by introducing the first 1L PET wine bottle for the North American airline industry. The lightweight PET barrier container, supplied by Amcor Rigid Plastics, the world’s leading producer of PET packaging, gives costconscious airlines a high-quality option that mimics glass while also delivering reduced fuel consumption and a cost savings over its glass predecessor. Air Transat charter airline in Montreal, one of Canada’s largest

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

charter airlines, adopted the use of a lightweight 1L PET wine bottle for sustainability advantages, according to Aldo Geloso, an executive with Societe de Vin Internationale. “We introduced the concept and they quickly came on board because of a vital need to reduce weight on their aircraft and, consequently, reduce fuel costs,” explained Geloso. In addition, Air Transat reports that the wine container has been well-received by air travellers and will be expanded to full service use, according to Geloso. The 54 g PET stock bottle is one-eighth the weight of the previous 430 g glass container. It is used for Societe de Vin Internationale’s 1L Claret wine format for its Costabella, Viejos Robles, Massaria and Bergerie du Loup wine brands. The 1L bottle is a first in this format for Amcor, which previously developed smaller 187 ml and 750 ml containers.

President of IPACK-IMA 2012 appointed

Paolo Barilla, Vice-President of the eponymous industrial group and President of AIDEPI, the Association of the Italian Pastry and Pasta Industries, has been appointed to lead the upcoming edition of IPACK-IMA. On the appointment, he said, “I am honoured to be offered the office of president for the next edition of IPACK-IMA 2012, an outstanding event in the industry since 50 years. I hope to accomplish this task with as much commitment and enthusiasm as my predecessor Alberto Bauli, President of the last edition of IPACK-IMA.”

11


WORLD NEWS

WPO’S WorldStar 2010 awards ceremony sponsored by PACK EXPO

PMMI, owner and producer of the PACK EXPO family of trade shows, has announced that PACK EXPO has signed as Platinum Sponsor of the World Packaging Organization’s (WPO) WorldStar awards ceremony. WPO will present the packaging awards on May 17, at a special event during Interpack 2011 (Dusseldorf, Germany; May 1218, 2011). The honour recognises

German beverage contracts go to Label Apeel

Leicester-based self-adhesive label manufacturer, Label Apeel, has broken into the German beverage labelling market with two contract wins. Label Apeel is on the route to expanding in the growing beverage

Saint-Gobain says no to pack division

Saint-Gobain has reportedly turned down a series of private equity offers for its € 3.4 billion glass packaging business Verallia.

12

the best packages among awardwinners from competitions around the world. “It is an honour to be part of such a great event and bring more attention to innovative packaging. As excellence and innovation are hallmarks of PACK EXPO, it is only fitting that we sponsor an event recognising both,” said Charles D Yuska, President & CEO, PMMI. With WorldStar Awards, WPO selects the best packaging from among 278 entries. These entries, representing 30 countries, will be judged in seven categories: Beverage, Electronic, Food, Health & Beauty, Household, Pharmaceutical & Medical and others. WPO will also present its President’s Award and Sustainability Awards at the event.

rPET to produce recyclable polymer sheets

market and has signed deals with Weingut Herbert Becker, a vineyard in the Kraichgau wine region, and Mall-Brau, a brewery in Meckesheim, to supply bottle labels. Speaking the on contract wins, Stuart Kellock, Managing Director, Label Apeel, said, “We were interested in helping them [Herbert Becker and Mall-Brau] solve their problems. In the German industry, few labelling businesses are willing to invest the time and effort for smaller brands.” Label Apeel has designed a self-adhesive wrap around label for Weingut Herbert Becker’s products. The German firm previously had front and back bottle labels.

MicroGREEN Polymers transforms recycled PET (rPET) into InCycle sheets, which are lightweight, insulating, grease & moisture-proof and printable. These sheets are a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for print, packaging and container applications. InCycle sheets are made from rPET, which is then expanded using MicroGREEN’s patented Ad-air® technology to reduce the amount of plastics required and significantly lower the environmental footprint of products made from those. For example, the amount of source material recycled from one 20-oz PET beverage bottle can produce seven 12-oz hot beverage cups made from InCycle. The sheets can help consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies increase their environmental scorecard rating for their packaging and enhance their brand’s sustainability position by reducing the amount of their packaging waste. The sheets also improve rPET’s functionality in terms of useful temperature range, insulation, flexibility and impact.

The second-biggest glass manufacturer in the world had rebuffed an offer from a group of private equity firms, including TPG Capital, Blackstone Group and AXA Private Equity. Saint-Gobain is planning to retain a stake in the business, which it rebranded last May in a bid to raise its profile. It is estimated that the IPO would value Verallia at more than €4 billion. The business was originally put up for sale in 2007, but was delayed until the world economy recovered form the economic turmoil. After the initial IPO plans were announced, Saint-Gobain stated, “After three difficult years, the

general business environment in 2011 is more likely to ensure that the packaging sector will be valued at a price that reflects its true worth.” However, questions have been raised over the IPO plans. Sven Edelfelt, a Paris-based AurelBGC analyst, said, “Listing the unit is not a completely satisfactory solution because they will have to offer a discount of 10-15 per cent.” Furhter, Sophie Chevallon, company spokeswoman, Saint-Gobain, informed that a listing of Verallia could go ahead from the second quarter, with ‘market conditions permitting’.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



WORLD NEWS

Soaring profits for Amcor even as postAlcan closures continue

Amcor has said that it is ‘likely’ to announce more flexibles plant closures this year as it revealed soaring sales and profits in the first half of the year. Amcor, the Melbourne-based packaging giant, has posted first-half sales of AUS$6.2 billion (£3.9 billion), 51 per cent up in the same period a

Fivefold profits for Mondi corrugated after UK pull-out

Profits increased more than fivefold in Mondi’s international corrugated business in 2010, when it pulled out of UK corrugated manufacture. In full-year results for 2010, the Anglo-South African paper and packaging group said that restructuring as well as improving prices and the establishment of a new mill in Poland had led to a 417 per cent increase in the division’s underlying operating profits. In Europe & International Corrugated division, sales rose 19 per cent to €1.2

14

year ago, and pre-tax profits of AUS$478 million, up 59 per cent. The completion of the Alcan acquisition a year ago has strongly boosted the figures. In its Flexibles Division, which accounts for much of Amcor’s European business and reports in Euros, Amcor’s first-half sales rocketed 159 per cent to €2.2 billion, while pre-tax profit rose 146 per cent to €198 million. Ken MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Amcor, said, “The half year result was particularly pleasing. Profit rose by 55 per cent, a strong performance given the relatively subdued economic conditions. Since the Alcan deal was completed, Amcor has announced the closures of six facilities, with three plants already closed. billion, while the underlying operating profit figure rose from €23 million in 2009 to €119 million in 2010. The group said that the division’s restructuring was now complete after the sale of three of its corrugated plants in the UK to Smurfit Kappa and the sale of a mill in Austria. “Going forward, the business will focus on its core central and eastern European markets, supported by production facilities in Poland, Turkey, Germany and Austria,” the company said. Mondi’s European & International Bags & Coatings division, has taken over several Smurfit Kappa sack plants in Europe as part of the deal for the UK corrugated business. David Hathorn, Chief Executive, Mondi, said, “Mondi’s strong performance confirms the validity of our strategy and reflects the commitment of all our employees.”

New owners to develop and rebrand Nampak cartons business The new owners of Nampak’s European Healthcare and Cartons businesses have spoken of their plans to rebrand the business after the completion of its £65 million acquisition. The Los Angeles-based Platinum Equity said that it would look for growth and improved profits through a mix of acquisitions and operational improvements. New branding for the 14-plant business, whose sale was first announced before Christmas, will be revealed in the coming months. It was also revealed that the company has been looking at buying the business, which includes three facilities in the UK and Holland, for producing cartons for food and drinks markets and 11 pharmaceutical cartons facilities across Europe, since the last five years. P l a t i n u m’ s intention to invest in the business was clear when Nampak announced its plans to build a new facility in Portsmouth to replace its plant in the town. Tom Reid, former Managing Director, Nampak Europe, will be staying with the businesses following the deal. He said, “We are excited about the change in ownership and are optimistic about the new opportunities this transition presents for our company and our customers.” Brian Wall, a partner at Platinum, and who led the Nampak team, informed, “These are sound businesses with excellent people to work with and has a lot of potential. We see real opportunity as a standalone enterprise for growth and value creation through operational improvement and strategic acquisitions.” He elaborated, “Over the last five years, we have developed a strong relationship with the management team and Nampak, which helped facilitate this transaction opportunity.” Wall asserted, “We are eager to move forward and are already acting on plans to upgrade and improve our business.”

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


WORLD NEWS

Asda, Bezier’s 25-year long relationship ends

Asda has ended a 25-year, multimillion-pound supply relationship with point-of-sale group Bezier after the Londonbased Delta Group won a competitive tender for the job. A statement from the supermarket said that Delta would be setting up an office in Leeds, where Asda is headquartered, to service the contract. A number of staff from Bezier who work on the Asda contract in Leeds will move to Delta to continue work at the supermarket. The statement from Asda said that the retender process had attracted ‘a range of excellent pitches’ and that Delta had ‘scored highly across the board’ for the contract.

“This decision means that we will be ending our contract with Bezier from May 2011. We worked with Bezier since long and the people here have provided a fantastic level of service to us throughout this time. “Should we retender a contract, they would certainly figure on the shortlist,” the statement said. David Mitchell, Chairman, Bezier, who had led a management buy-in at the Chesterfield-based point-of-sale business in November 2009, informed that Bezier had recently refinanced, thus proving its financial backers’ confidence in the business. “Our lenders have been absolutely aware of the new situation and our facilities and the funding going forward reflects that. We are confident that the capacity will be filled,” he said.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

L’Oréal eyeshadow pack by RPC Beauté

RPC Beauté Marolles has manufactured a compact eyeshadow pack for L’Oréal Paris’ infallible brand. The new product promises to ‘fight the signs of make-up melt down’ for up to 16 hours of wear. The central component of the pack is a transparent 40 mm x 40 mm jar, injection moulded in PET-G using a small mould.

RPC said that the key feature of the jar is its perfectly flat exterior, achieved by a special cooling system developed in cooperation with sister site RPC Bramlage-Wiko. The company informed that the ‘technically demanding’ process permitted a reduction in the cycle time inside the mould. The pack is also hot stamped in silver. A L’Oréal spokesperson said, “Our marketing team is pleased with the aesthetics of the product.”


TECH UPDATES

Eco-friendly aerosol-replacement applications

Afa Dispensing Group is expected to launch an advanced aerosol replacement, with the debut of packaging and dispensing applications based on its innovative Flair™ technology. This is especially developed as a dispensing platform for liquids, high-viscosity products, soft food and various other products that are susceptible to oxygen degradation. Flair™ is an air-based, all-plastic, highly effective, non-pressurised alternative to aerosols. It offers spray pattern and sustained spray of an aerosol, with consistent dispensing in quality and quantity, though without environmentally harmful VOCs. Flair™ allows consistent dispensing in quality and quantity of a dropletsized spray from start to finish regardless of viscosity, for both periodic and continuous applications. The product can be dispensed as foam, spray, mousse or plain liquid, with or without measured doses. Flair™ offers all-round cost advantages, as the packaging cost of the liquid is significantly lower when compared to the cost of traditional aerosol packaging.

Image-based barcode improves on-line visualisation

Cognex Corporation announced the launch of the new DataMan® 500 image-based barcode reader. This is designed to achieve higher read rates, offer improved on-line visualisation and have higher reliability than laser scanners currently used in the logistics, postal and retail distribution markets. Using the Cognex IDMax® superior code reading software, DataMan 500 achieves higher read rates by reading the 1D barcodes that laser readers cannot read, including damaged, distorted, blurred, scratched, low height and low-contrast codes. It processes images at up to 1,000 frames per second and can read codes in any orientation, for example, 2D codes such as Data Matrix and QR, and multiple codes in the same image. DataMan 500 is easier to use than a laser scanner and allows users to see what the reader sees, either live on a monitor, or by using image archiving for later review. It has no moving parts and is designed to be more reliable than laser scanners. It combines Ethernet communication and power delivery in a single cable using Power over Ethernet (PoE). It also supports RS-232 for legacy systems.

16

First biodegradable toothpaste tube Tectubes introduces innovative biodegradable toothpaste tubes made from FKuR’s bioresins. The company injection moulds, extrudes and prints the various parts of the tube. Using bio resins for such an application is a challenge because the product needs to have compatibility between the different parts, and match them together with good conversion properties. This development shows the versatility of biopolymers and how far biopolymers have progressed with respect to processability and final characteristics. Bioplastics are a special class of polymers, which have properties comparable to conventional polymers, but are made from renewable resources or enable the biodegradability of the products made from this material. Tectubes is a global partner in tube production and produce more than 300,000,000 tubes yearly.

Vision-based inspection for PET containers Agr International Inc has announced the introduction of the OptiCheck™ sidewall/label quality management system for plastic container production. The OptiCheck™ product, a vision-based inspection and measurement system, is designed to address the most critical process related issues common to plastic bottle production. It is cost effective, easy to operate and has an extremely reliable approach that considers the day-to-day variations in the production of plastic containers with the versatility to deal with frequent product change-overs, color changes and limited line space. The OptiCheck™ system is designed specifically for bottle measurement and inspection applications as well as the process control needs of the plastic container industry. The OptiCheck™ has modules for high-accuracy on-line finish gauging, seal surface defect management, and sidewall/ label inspection. The unique optical arrangement, as well as multiple high-resolution cameras, in conjunction with longlasting LED lighting, makes 360o inspection coverage possible on bottles that are translucent or opaque. Defects that can be detected by the system include folds, contamination, foreign materials, opaque spots, holes, missing or distorted features, flash, label defects and other related occurrences.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


TECH UPDATES

Inkjet printers a boon for signage printing applications The latest industrial printer from Agfa has UV-curable engines for quality printing both on uncoated rigids and roll media. The Anapurna M gives excellent photorealistic printing results. With a print resolution of 720 x 1440 dpi, one can print up to a width of 160 cm (63 in) on a variety of roll or rigid media. Its printing potential is evident from the wide-format industrial inkjet printer, designed for printing photorealistic quality POP, displays, posters, banners, fleet displays, exhibition panels, stage graphics, construction announcements, ad panels, etc. The Anapurna M has a robust design and is engineered to deliver high-quality prints in applications like posters, billboards, fleet displays, POS & POP displays, exhibition panels, stage graphics, construction announcements, etc. The Anapurna M is an innovation that is likely to become an indispensable investment to all signage printing applications.

Space-saving packaging conveyor systems The space-saving design and heavyduty conveyor systems engineered by Dorner meet the needs of almost all complex packaging environments. The 3200 series heavy-duty belt conveyor offered by Dorner is a full line of aluminium, steel and sanitary designed stainless steel packaging conveyors. This has an 8-mm nosebar that can transfer even the smallest of products. It can be customised to any length and any width without extra cost or extra time, and provides the engineer with ultimate flexibility when planning a packaging operation. It has a wide selection of motors, guides, profiles, belting, stands, covers, chutes, side tables, stops and casters in the industry. The 3200 series comes with a flat belt end drive, cleated belt end drive and center drive models. It is designed as a heavy-duty belt conveyor handling loads up to 1,000 lb (455 kg). It has V-guided and non-V-guided belts for bulk transfer of goods. It offers precise part movement and part handling & positioning for seamless operations. Along with automated modules, it offers the alternative of manual assembly, making it more user-friendly.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Monobloc configuration to run labelling processess The DecoBloc labeller from Krones AG will make it possible to create a monobloc configuration synchronising a modularised labeller. This will feature a Sleevematic carousel, a Shrinkmat tunnel and a Linadry unit for predrying the containers. Users can then use this monobloc to run all common labelling processes, with enhanced flexibility. Whether it is coldglue, pressure-sensitive, hotmelt or shrink and stretch sleeves. The docking stations feature motorised height adjustment, so that irrespective of the floor level involved, the labelling stations can be swiftly prepared for a product change-over at the touch of a button. Different machine sizes offer outputs of up to 72,000 containers an hour. Servomotors are used to ensure maximally accurate dress positioning. For sleeving applications, there is a choice between shrink-sleeve labels with a downstream Shrinkmat tunnel or stretch-sleeve labelling. There is also an option for camera-based alignment of the containers on an embossed marking.

Packaging machinery to wrap small pieced confectionery The packaging machine responsible for packaging small pieced confectionery items is the model MCH by Theegarten–Pactec. It has a meticulously engineered control system and ingenious mechanical design allows jelly articles, sensitive to handle, to be processed in continuous motion with maximum care even at high speeds. The MCH is modular in design and besides double twist wrap, offers three wrapping styles: protected twist, side twist and foil wrap. The MCH along with the model MCC, perform different functions. One version will be the foil wrapping chocolate eggs, with the other wrapping articles using the top twist method. Still other wrapping styles offered by the MCC are double twist wrap, protected twist and side twist. This degree of versatility coupled with an excellent performance standard have made the modular MCC and MCH machine models, both launched in 2008, a resounding success in the marketplace.

17


TECH UPDATES

Digital printing module for pharmaceutical applications

The Atlantic Zeiser Group, a provider of technology, module and system solutions for industrial DoD digital printing, is expected to showcase the new OMEGA™ 20/25 printing module and a new air-cooled LED curing technology at INTERPACK 2011, one of Europe’s leading packaging trade shows. The printer and curing system package can be used for horizontal and vertical printing, and has been designed for special requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. It features a compact design and offers powerful inline integration components for marking, coding and serialising in late-stage customisation, as well as product track & trace and anti-counterfeiting. The OMEGA™ also offers machine-readable coding of packaging materials with the corresponding information as barcodes or 2D data matrix. In this process, check codes are printed, which can be used for product tracing. The check codes can also be used to tackle the growing grey market in the pharmaceutical sector. The demand for lower printing widths of 20-25 mm is based on the installation options available on existing packaging.

Patients to benefit from wireless packaging connected to cellular module

The Stora Enso Pharma DDSi wireless package is based on conductive ink on a carton board based blister inlay, which is connected to a cellular module embedded in the package. This enables tracking of one pill at the time of removal from the blister, whereby data is sent to the cellular module and then forwarded wirelessly, even instantaneously if required, using GSM or GPRS cellular networks, to electronic health record systems. This allows real-time tracking and intervention by a physician and also enables physicians to make timely changes to patients’ medication. The principal benefits include the numerous possibilities that this provides the healthcare service providers with numerous solutions such as sending voice-call reminders or text messages (SMS) to patients, or making personal visits when important prescribed medication has not been taken in time. Stora Enso will be offering its intelligent blister packaging technology to partners that have an existing and established presence in the market, so that it can be used and integrated with solutions and support services providers.

18

Greater flexibility for bottle manufacturers The new Pakman Packaging System from Proco Machinery Inc, a leading supplier of automation systems for the plastics container industry, sets a new industry standard by delivering improved performance and greater flexibility for bottle manufacturers. The new system offers distinct benefits over competitive manual case packagers and is unique because of its compact space-saving design and portability, enabling manufacturers to maximise their investment. The Pakman Packaging System is outfitted with heavy-duty castor wheels, which allow the unit to be easily moved from one line to another. The heart of the system is a fully articulated six-axis robot mounted on a structural sub-frame complete with in-feed product conveyor, box-in-feed and exit roller conveyor and safety guards. The integral in-feed conveyor is ready to install into any pre-existing production line or can receive containers directly from the blow moulding machine with a minimum amount of integration.

Efficient manufacturing of PET bottles Innocorp’s compact InnoPET® BloFill enables efficient manufacturing and filling of PET bottles. The combination of two technologies, which have been successful and tested over years, forms the monoblock. Its key features include tried-and-tested blow mould technology for high-precision production of lightweight bottles including many different sizes and shapes of bottles. Low total operating costs due to higher levels of availability combined with extremely low levels of energy and material consumption give InnoPET® BloFill a unique advantage. Gentle preform handling, the use of a wide variety of bottle designs, filling and capping technologies for filling a wide range of beverages, from still and carbonated beverages to microbiologically sensitive liquids, make this system functional, reliable and economical. Machine concept for all requirements includes 8-24 blow mould stations and output of up to 43,200 bph. The bottles are transported to the filler via a transfer wheel and transfer star. An integrated airlock prevents moisture from the filler from reaching the stretch blow moulder and the system can be run by one operator.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


TECH UPDATES

Packaging innovations to achieve quality foiling results The Bobst Group will be representing its latest range of machinery for the carton and corrugated board markets. These will include details of the company’s Masterflex-HD flexo print line, Expertcut 1.6 flat bed die cutter, Expertfold 300 modular folder gluer, FS Polyjoiner 400. This opens up new markets for display of two or three part boxes, and Masterflute, the latest generation of litho-lam machines from Asitrade – all for the corrugated packaging market. For carton printers, the new Masterfoil 106 PR hot foil stamping press, offers a number of innovations. Speed, pressure and temperature have received detailed attention, in addition to precision and ecological impact. With a completely new design that delivers more time under impression, it needs less pressure and lower temperatures to achieve quality foiling results. Thus, it is more energy efficient, and it can foil and emboss in one pass.

Tube filler sealers offer quick and easy adjustment The TFS-1PT tube filler sealers machines are heavy-duty stainless steel fillers suitable for filling all kinds of semiviscous and viscous products into plastic tubes. Plastic tubes are then internally heated and can be embossed with an optional date and lot number coder. The TFS machines are designed for use in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and chemical industries. Tube feeding, marking identification, filling, folding or sealing, code printing and finished product output are conducted by a fully automated touchscreen control system with help menus. The TFS tube filler sealers offer quick and easy adjustment, making these machines simple to operate and maintain. It has a compact design for minimum floor space, heavy-duty stainless steel frame construction, automated pneumatic tube loading system, intelligent temperature control and cooling systems, are easy to operate and adjust with touch screen controls, 316 sanitary stainless steel contact parts, fully enclosed safety frame with door interlock, automatic sensor activated orientation, convenient and swift adjustment of filling volume via hand wheel, options magazines and bulk loader and date coding embossing.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Versatile flexo printing technology to increase profit margins The new F4 FLEXO Efficiency is a new type of CI flexo press designed to cope with the diverse demands of the print for the packaging industry, from short run work to expanding opportunities in new markets. The elimination of photo initiators through Comexi solutions, which utilises EB Flexo technology in high performance flexo printing, is an option on the new press. To cater to the continued decline in run lengths, Comexi has incorporated a high degree of automation to reduce change-over times and increase profit margins. The F4 FLEXO press incorporates Comexi’s latest technology for automatic pressure and register adjustment. With the EB option, a curtain of accelerated electrons is emitted towards the web in a vacuum chamber. When the energized electrons hit ink or coating, the curing process happens instantaneously, without the need for a photoinitiator (PI).

Liner machine controlled by sensors The machine pulls a liner through the cutting and inserting mechanism, which cuts out liner in a particular diameter or form. This cut out form of liner is inserted into a cap. It has a double pulling system, outlet conveyor. It can introduce caps on input conveyor by eliminating wrong caps. The used up foil can be wound up or cut to pieces. All functions of the machine are under control of sensors and rudder-control unit. Foil can be used on the reel or the cutting function can be used at the end of the machine. The basic components of the machine include: basic construction, unwind and pulling system of the foil, input and output conveyer, cap feeder with orientation, electro jar box, PLC, control panel, inverters for speed regulation, voice and light signal, 20 sensors and photocells and ppa 30 alarms. The capacity of the machine is 200 cycles per minute. The working speed is set in the machine and six caps can be put in simultaneously.

19


DESIGN INNOVATION

In a sea of look-alikes, the challenge is to bring to the market new and improved product concepts where the packaging does more than simply contain and protect the contents. Packaging innovation is crucial to the future of packaged goods, with user convenience being a key driver. As smart packaging concepts are predicted to be commonplace features in the future, this column is a tribute to the latest innovations in packaging designs.

New concept for greater protection

Bejar Signature’s fragrances designed by Storopack feature a new concept that utilises Expanded Polypropylene (EPP). The benefits of employing EPP in packaging include its capacity for implementing the most unusual shape ideas, and low volumetric weight. By utilising EPP for the outer casing, a sales presentation with a look and feel, which is quite different from the ordinary for the cosmetics sector, is created. But, this EPP box produced by German packaging company Storopack for Béjar Signature, Spain, is oddly appealing, maybe because it is counter-intuitive. It shows how selecting polymer materials can provide a desirable surprise, even though they are usually dismissed for their perceived low value. The Goldskin perfume was previously packaged in a collapsible box, which was getting damaged by the flask’s diamond-like edges. For the relaunch, Storopack suggested EPP for its differentiation and ability to provide better product protection on the shelf and in transportation. The base element doubles up as a platform. The slip-on lid fixes the flask in the packaging. The two parts are joined together by a printed card sleeve.

Manufacturer: Bejar Signature

Les Indiennes TexStyles designed by H-57 Creative Station

Milan-based Les Indiennes TexStyles’ new packaging for Pack Les Flats joins the attention of contemporary women’s needs with the usual love for style and details. The packaging created by H-57 is a cylindrical cardboard box externally lined with a printed paper bottom and a cardboard lid. The packaging has been made to suit eco-friendly concepts with recycled paper. Decorated with Les Indiennes trademark graphics, together with funny & witty suggestions dedicated to women, this is an old-time, hand-made box, and distinguishes Les Indiennes TexStyles from other objects. This can be regarded as something more personal and original, connected to the rest of Les Indiennes packagings, stylistically reminiscent of a world where skilful craftsmanship was, and still is, absolutely fundamental.

Manufacturer: Society27

20

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


DESIGN INNOVATION

Sneaker Model No.1

The team at Depot WPF design house took up the challenge to differentiate the MLK© packaging on the store shelf and to distinguish it from the products by the big dairy producers, and emerged successful. The milk cartons from MLK © may not look any different at first sight, but a closer look reveals its distinctive characteristics. The graphics on the package utilise natural farming patterns – a family farm, where the products are manufactured in a traditional way. Illustrations are hand-made (with a pencil), which enables to stress the hand-made production process. In addition, a pencil technique makes the image ‘soft’. The brand visual identity consists of black and white graphic patterns, which were taken from the real environment of the small milk farm. The patterns of the real farm were used in order to reflect the naturalness of the dairy production and the products. Interestingly, MLK © won the Epica Awards 2010.

Manufacturer: Society27

Unique packaging concepts for premium tea

Designworks, in partnership with JWT, developed the name, branding and packaging concept for Zealong, premium quality Oolong tea.

Louis XIII Rare Cask

BETC Design’s latrest jewellery case meets the standards of the prestigious vintage cognac Louis XIII Rare Cask of Rémy Martin. The case is covered with a metallic mesh ornate with quatrefoil. This traditional decorative motif is composed of four symmetrical circles reinterpreted in a version purifying the fleurde-lys of France, the signature of Louis XIII. The case’s interior was developed like a window display when opened, revealing the carafe. Lights pop up by sliding apart each section like curtains, revealing the sublimely enlightened Baccarat-crystal carafe, displayed with a quatrefoil pattern similar to fleur-de-lys on the background. Each case is presented with its own brass plaque engraved with the limited edition. This package is a precious safe and a jewel piece that required the best know-how and the highest quality materials. The exterior is made of brass and nickel-plated plaque adorned with the quatrefoil motif; sides are made in fine leather with a silver embossed logo, fastened closed with a solid brass engraved nickel plate. The interior is a polycarbonate laser engraved mirror, with brass nickel-plated pedestal and black lacquered doors.

The objective was to develop an identity and packaging design for the first Oolong tea to be grown outside Asia. The owners needed a unique name that would work in both Asia & New Zealand, and a luxurious identity & packaging design that would appeal to a new, younger generation of Asian consumers. The name Zealong is an obvious fusion of New Zealand and Oolong, The strong diagonal and horizontal lines of the Z in Zealong became the brand’s shorthand and inspired the packaging concept – a box similar to a gift that opens on the diagonal. The Z concept carries through to tins held inside the box and the wider collateral where black on black (New Zealand’s national colour) patterns strengthen the luxury cue, with hints of bright fresh green representing the product’s contemporary attitude and pure green source. Manufacturer: Zealong

Manufacturer: Rémy Martin

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

21


LEADERS SPEAK

“Indian rigid packaging segment is slowly realising the importance of automation” …says Vimal Kedia, Managing Director, Manjushree Technopack Ltd. With an experience spanning over 25 years in the Indian rigid packaging segment, he is not only reckoned as an innovative entrepreneur but is also counted among the most reliable voices in the industry. In conversation with Annabel Dsouza, he reveals the promises and perils within the industry.

Prevailing trends in the Indian rigid packaging industry The overall scenario of rigid packaging in India looks relatively positive. The growing FMCG market, including carbonated soft drinks, is today fuelling the growth of rigid packaging in the country. The industry is also benefitting from large-scale conversions of other packaging materials, notably glass. One can expect a growth rate of around 25 per cent year-on-year. We are aiming at a 100 per cent growth by 2015. There is still a lot of ground to be covered in India visà-vis the US, Europe or even China. We will leverage on this potential by expanding capacity and utilising advanced machinery to achieve our targets. Demand for rigid packaging Though FMCG is the main contributor

22

in rigid packaging, segments like pharmaceuticals, liquor, insecticides, agro chemicals are also contributing enormously. The industry is expanding and growing at a good pace, with superior machinery, automation, logistics planning, presence in multiple locations, units closer to customer factories, investment in packaging R&D, better quality control & statistical quality control methods and costeffective & energy-efficient products. India’s performance v/s global competition Indian rigid packaging segment is slowly realising the importance of automation. Today, sourcing adequate labour is a tedious task, be it skilled and semi-skilled. Volatile raw material prices also add to the woes of the industry. As better client manufacturing facilities scale up, rigid packaging

needs to catch up with improved technology and value-added services, thereby cutting down input prices in a significant manner. Also, better operational efficiency, especially waste management, will be the mantra to better margins. Recent innovations in rigid packaging technology Post-consumer recycled products are the next big thing everywhere. But, we still have not witnessed too much action in India in this area. To replace vintage glass, the food processing industry is adopting barrier technology on a wider scale, although this technology had been in vogue in India since early 2000. To incorporate pilfer-proof and anti-counterfeiting measures, better printing solutions and technologies are gradually gaining ground.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


LEADERS SPEAK

Initiatives towards sustainability Several companies are seeking various sustainable materials and technologically advanced products that are user-friendly, cost-effective and environmentally safe. Recycling waste efficiently, utilising better energy-saving products, effective value engineering, among other initiatives, contribute in its own way to ensure better, safe and efficient products. We are actively working towards developing ecofriendly plastic packaging. Infinite opportunities In the future, innovations are going to assume a critical role in the Indian rigid packaging sector. Mphinite Solutions is the in-house R&D facility of Manjushree. Over the years, Mphinite has been able to design solutions in tune with the end-consumers’ requirements, both functionally & aesthetically, and provide shelf-ready applications to the retail sector. It has reduced ‘go-to-market’ timelines to as close as three months from the earlier six months.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Better and superior prototypes for customer feedback, better label designs, pilot moulds for immediate machine production and transit trials with market feedback have been the hallmark of Mphinite. We have also produced light weighting options for many FMCG rigid packs to reduce consumption of plastics and also save material costs for clients. Challenges confronting the industry In terms of better shelf appeal in retail, rigid packs score over flexible packaging. Also, the pros & cons of rigid and flexible packaging are different. Rigid packs come with better aesthetics, provides convenience to customers, and it can also withstand better rigours of the market. They also offer the convenience of resealability, mouldable service and rigid structure. Most of the products available in India that are packed in flexible pouches are also available in PET containers.

However, their advantage as refill pouches competes with rigid packaging. Flexible packaging is more suitable for low-price unit product packs like gutkha . Pricing remains the key challenge for rigid packaging today. Capacity expansion plans at Manjushree, for 2012 Manjushree’s installed capacity will almost double from its existing 36,000 metric tonne per annum, at an initial investment of ` 150 crore. We have already entered into an MoU with the Government of Karnataka for allotment of 15 acre industrial land at Bidadi, and 10 acre at Harohalli to set up a greenfield unit, and thereby ensure the envisaged growth. The new facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art preform manufacturing machinery from Husky. There will also be a dedicated unit for barrier beer/wine bottles. These new facilities are likely to become operational by mid 2012.

23


FACILITY VISIT

Bobst India Pvt Ltd

Partner in progress As the corrugated packaging industry in India emerges from its nascent phase, Bobst India is trying to play a pivotal role by offering cost-effective and world-class machinery. Over the years, the company has adopted a solution-oriented approach towards market demands. Annabel Dsouza traces the trajectory of the company as it grows in tandem with the Indian packaging industry.

A

As the Indian packaging industry evolves further to meet international standards, automation and standardisation are among the primary needs of the packaging machinery segment. In this regard, Bobst India Pvt Ltd has emerged as the leading solution partner of the packaging equipment and service market, specialising in folding cartons, corrugated board and flexible materials. Bobst India is a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Switzerland-based global conglomerate Bobst SA. It

24

began operations in India in 1995, through a wide network of sales and service hubs across the country. There has been no looking back ever since for the company, which has been gaining steady foothold in the Indian market by offering innovations in folding carton and flexible packaging. Bobst India began its manufacturing and assembly unit in Pune in 2003. This facility gave an impetus to the company, as it could then provide world-class machinery to its customers in India. Currently, it has three business units: web fed division for flexible packaging, sheet fed for folding carton

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


FACILITY VISIT

machinery; and the services & spares. The company grossed around $ 36 million in the financial year 201011, by means of export as well as domestic revenue. It now holds 75 per cent of the marketshare in the sheet fed machinery segment, it claimed.

State-of-the-art inbound Spread across 65,000 sq ft, the Bobst India manufacturing unit at Mulshi, near Pune, meets world standards of quality and is on par with the company’s other facilities in Switzerland, France, Italy, England, Germany, Brazil and China. Its shop floor and administrative sections facilitate efficient operations. Its assembly line is further complemented by a state-ofthe-art sheet metal working Division, with in-house painting facilities. In keeping with the global sustainability quotient, the facility at Pune also has an underground rainwater harvesting capacity, which suffices the water utility requirements of the unit. At this manufacturing plant in Pune, Bobst India has to date manufactured close to 30 folder gluers machines (launched in 2010), which is being supplied to the Indian and overseas markets. Going by an adage at the company, every carton or a flexible pack has passed through a Bobst machine at some stage of its manufacturing. This is evident from the plethora of equipment and machinery it provides. From folder-gluers and die-cutters to hot foil stamping and gravure presses, Bobst India is considered as the one-

Assembly of folder gluer line

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

stop-shop for packaging machinery solutions.

Quality services In 1994, the number of Bobst India’s machines installed in the country was 17. Today, it has increased to more than 500, only in the folding carton segment. Another 200 of these would be in the flexible packaging segment. The range of products and services offered by the company allows its customers to add value to their processes. This goes on to prove the commitment of the company towards the machinery segment. Bobst India’s culture of quality is deeply rooted in its emphasis on training & knowledge-sharing with its employees and customers. The company believes in establishing lasting relationships with its customers through a widespread sales & service network in all regions throughout the country. It also provides after-sales service for the packaging and printing machinery imported from its principals. This is why the company today prides itself on a loyal customer portfolio that includes leading brands in the industry like ITC-PPD Ltd, Parkson Packaging Ltd, Borkar Packaging , TCPL Ltd, among others. With its service and technical support from Bobst SA, it has certainly played a pivotal role in the Indian folding carton industry’s accelerated growth over the last decade. Subhasis Roy, Business Director – SEA, India, Mideast & Africa, Business Unit SheetFed, said, “In an attempt to remain a reliable supplier and partner to the folding carton market, Bobst India is currently aiming at providing costeffective, productive and reliable solutions to the said segment in India.” In an attempt to further cultivate a culture of excellence in packaging machinery segment, the company has initiated the ‘Bobst School of Converting’. This course aims at familiarising the industry with the latest innovations and technologies in converting equipment.

In an attempt to be a reliable supplier and partner of the folding carton market, we are currently aiming at providing cost-effective, productive and reliable solutions to the folding carton market in India. Subhasis Roy

Business Director SEA, India, Mideast & Africa, Business Unit Sheet-Fed

Future outlook In October 2010, Bobst Group had acquired Shanghai Eternal Machinery Co Ltd, through a 65 per cent share. The folding carton and flexible segment has been driving the company’s growth in the recent times. However, today, Bobst India is an integral part of the boom being witnessed in the Indian packaging industry. Currently, the company is focussing more on the development of corrugated board packaging in India. For years, the Indian corrugated box industry has been characterised by low technology in terms of materials and machinery. It was perceived as being reserved for the small-scale sector. “With the booming white goods, fruits & vegetables in the FMCG segment, the usage of the corrugated box as a secondary or tertiary package is increasing. At the same time, the market is witnessing increased customer demand for an improved corrugated package. The industry is expected to witness an evolution in the next 2-3 years. In such a scenario, Bobst India is playing a strategic role as the provider of world-class converting solutions,” stated Roy.

25


SECTOR WATCH

Industrial packaging provides protection during storage and transportation of spare parts and semi-finished & finished products. Packaging materials also strongly influence the effectiveness of an electronics packaging system with regard to reliability, design and cost. Beverley Lewis takes a close look at the evolving dynamics in both industrial and electronics packaging.

26

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


SECTOR WATCH

T

oday’s packaging is generally light in weight, utilises less packaging material, is easy to open, dispensable, resealable, storable and disposable. Flexible packaging, as laminates of plastics, has a unique set of properties that ensure toughness, moisture resistance, aroma retention, heat sealability, printability, etc. The role of packaging products has evolved considerably since its inception. There are different types of packaging including hazardous materials packaging, industrial packaging, transport packaging, and much more. Although the usage of packaging products will always be to protect its content, more marketers and companies see product packaging as a design to portray their products/image. Today, packaging is an expression at its finest colours and shapes. In fact, some industry experts would even argue that packaging is a form of art.

Current trends The current demands in industrial packaging are committed to cutting down packaging costs. Ashok Gourish, Business Head, Bosch Packaging Technology, India states, “Flexible packaging is utilised to pack food, tea, coffee, spices, chewing tobacco, bakery, confectionary, oil, and in a variety of non-food applications such as household detergents, health & personal care, soaps and shampoos. An all-time requirement of packaging is protection of the packed product.” Today’s automated packaging solutions gives total consumer protection by keeping the product clean and protected from pilferage & adulteration. It provides good barrier against external atmosphere, so that the food is not damaged by oxidation and fermentation. “This can be achieved by representing the best vendors who provide leading edge technologies at the most competitive prices, and by designing systems that maximise output, minimise labour costs & material costs.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

It can also be achieved by optimising efficiency of the existing packaging lines that maximise uptime and eliminate rewraps & repackaging. Also, by supporting the packaging equipment with our good-quality, long-tenured, experienced service technicians & parts department personnel, the cost of a line being down and out can be understood,” asserts Jatin Khanna, CEO, M&C Packaging.

Challenges faced by the industry Increased awareness about environmental hazards related to disposal and recycling of packaging wastes, government initiatives to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, and stringent regulations are driving the growth of sustainable packaging. Sustainable packaging involves the usage of sustainable raw materials such as recycled materials and renewable resources. Companies are offering novel packaging designs, with improvements in several key performance areas, such as environment-friendliness, simplicity, material saving and cost reduction, without compromising on ease of use and convenience. With sustainable packaging progressively becoming a mainstream global trend, several companies are adopting green packaging as a marketing tool. In addition, manufacturers are currently under pressure to employ environmentfriendly materials, and adopt methods that require low-energy consumption and reduce the adverse environmental impact of packaging. States Khanna, “Packaging must meet the needs of the product it is holding. Food must be kept free of contamination and leakage. Electronics must be protected from being damaged. Any plan to retool product packaging must be carefully designed and executed to keep the product integrity intact, while minimising costs. Another issue is consumer awareness.” Companies must make an effort to effectively advertise their sustainable

The material manufacturer has to optimise the material cost and meet the industry demand. He is supposed to keep a balance between the capital & operating cost offering value for money to the user. Ashok Gourish

Business Head, Bosch Packaging Technology, India

Any plan to retool product packaging must be carefully designed and executed to keep the product integrity intact, while minimising costs. Another issue is consumer awareness. Jatin Khanna

CEO, M&C Packaging

27


SECTOR WATCH

In a typical RFID system, individual objects are equipped with a small and inexpensive tag, which contains a transponder with a digital memory chip that is given a unique electronic product code. Manmohan Chahal Market Unit Manager, Nefab India Pvt Ltd

packaging efforts. This should include information regarding how consumers can dispose off the packaging once its life is over. Biodegradable packaging poses particular challenges to producers. The availability of compost facilities remains difficult, as does ensuring that customers properly recognise biodegradable materials and dispose them off accordingly. The makeup of biodegradable packaging can also be an issue. According to Gourish, “The packaging industry is always facing the challenge of offering services at low operating cost. The material manufacturer has to optimise the material cost and meet the industry demand. He is supposed to keep a balance between the capital & operating cost offering value for money to the user. So, the primary pack should be easily placed in the secondary pack, which should be transported to the enduser without any issues.”

‘Green’ industrial packaging Currently, there is a lot of debate on how we should deal with environmental issues like global warming and receding glaciers, but few people doubt about the necessity to deal with the issue before it becomes unmanageable. The

manufacturers of industrial packaging are now focussing on developing products that suits the environment. Researchers are now developing products on a constant basis that would be good for the environment. Says Khanna, “One of the ways in which industrial supplies can be made environment-friendly is by making them biodegradable. Once the products are utilised, these are broken down by bacteria, which thus become a part of the earth. This means that they will not take up space in the landfills, which are harmful to the environment. The products that are utilised for manufacturing packaging supplies are made from the ones that we eat regularly such as sugar, potatoes, and corn.” He further adds, “Another way of dealing with environmental issues is to recycle industrial packaging supplies. If commodities are packed with cardboard, these packages can be applied as raw materials for making other packing supplies after they have been utilised.” Source reduction is also an effective way of preventing damage to the environment, which is about reducing the toxicity or amount of waste that is generated. Manufacturers of industrial packaging supplies make sure that products, which usually lead to the generation of toxic waste is not utilised. If the production of a certain amount of waste cannot be prevented, it can be reused in some other form. This is beneficial too because there is no need to pay for municipal composting, combustion or land-filling. “We offer outer packaging (plywood boxes), which are E1-complaint and meets the stringent demands of major export markets like the US or Europe. Solutions are designed to ensure full utilisation of container, so low emission per unit is transported,” reveals Manmohan Chahal, Market Unit Manager, Nefab India Pvt Ltd.

Radio frequency identification Courtesy: Bosch Packaging Technology, India

28

Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFID) is an e-tagging

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


SECTOR WATCH

technology that can be utilised to provide electronic identity to any object. Electronic information about an object is stored in RFID chips embedded or attached to the object. The data transmitted by the tag may provide identification or location information, or specifics about the product tagged like price, colour, date of purchase, etc. By employing an RFID reader, the electronic identity (code in the form of several bits of data) can be read. The purpose of an RFID system is to enable data to be transmitted by a portable device, called a tag, which is read by an RFID reader, and processed according to the needs of a particular application. “In a typical RFID system, individual objects are equipped with a small and inexpensive tag, which contains a transponder with a digital memory chip that is given a unique electronic product code. An antenna packaged with a transceiver & decoder, emits a signal activating the RFID tag, so that it can read and write data. When an RFID tag passes through the electromagnetic zone, it detects the reader’s activation signal. The reader decodes the data encoded in the tag’s integrated circuit (silicon chip), and this data is passed to the host computer for processing. The

host computer could have applications such as inventory management, time & attendance, healthcare, toll, etc. The data pertaining to a single tag can be processed, and relevant MIS reports can be generated from the system,” explains Chahal. A packaging supplier who is knowledgeable about evolving RFID technology and applications is a valuable resource in helping maximise ROI with RFID integration. RFID systems are completely customisable with infinite combinations of hardware and software. Each system comprises a transponder, a reader and software.

Types of RFID RFID technology exists primarily in two forms - passive and active technology. Passive technology uses energy emitted by the RF readers, which then emit an RF air signal to energise passive tags, the signal is read by the RF reader and then decoded for processing. Since little power is absorbed from the RF signal received from the passive tag, the effective transmission range is very small, generally under 10 ft. With no power source to contend with, passive tags have a simplified circuitry, which allows the

technology to be miniaturised and therefore can be reproduced at a very low cost, typically several cents apiece. With no battery source to deal with, passive tags ideally have an unlimited life span. Active technology utilises battery power to energise the active tags, which utilise the power to beacon their RF signal. Having a powered source allows the active tags to transmit their signal over large distances. Typically an active tag can transmit an effective RF signal up to 300 ft indoors and up to 1,000 ft outdoors. Active RF tags require more complicated circuitry to deal with the powered RF transmission. This complicated circuitry coupled with the powered battery cell make active RF tags much larger and more costly than passive RF tags.

Future outlook

Courtesy: Siemens

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

The industrial packaging segment needs a revamp of all its capabilities and expertise, which include product packaging specifications, incorporating varying international requirements like sustainability, ergonomics, export/ import regulations and material returns. Besides, global sourcing, transportation efficiency, breakage and programme launch & management should also be taken into consideration. “The recent innovations & global necessities have added value to the industrial packaging segment in India. Going forward, the need and dependence on industrial packaging is expected to increase,” concludes Chahal.

29


MARKET TRENDS

Courtesy: Bostik

Adhesives and sealants

Bonding with the best As packaging innovations penetrate the market, there are increasing performance demands from adhesives & sealants. Besides heat, humidity, chemical and UV resistant packaging, adhesives & sealants are focussing on increased performance and sustainable parameters. Annabel Dsouza highlights the packaging industries’ efforts to deliver cost-competitive and production-friendly solutions.

W

ith the advent of organised retail, performance demands from the packaging industry have increased manifold. The plethora of shelf ready solutions that are available today would not be possible without contemporary advancements in the allied materials and technologies of

30

packaging. Adhesives and sealants are integral to the evolution of the global packaging industry. These have led to high quality solutions for technically demanding packaging structures. Adhesives and sealants is a 20-milliontonne global industry with a sales value of over $ 30 billion. Of this, the sealant industry contributes only $ 5 billion. In

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


MARKET TRENDS

India, the adhesives and sealants market is reported at a capacity of over 20 lakh liter per month. Advancements in the adhesives and sealants segment impact a cross section of the packaging industry such as base material producers including resins, mineral fillers and extenders; formulators who process adhesive and sealant systems; manufacturers and producers of assembled products; associated industries such as equipment, testing laboratories, consultants and end-users. Traditionally, packaging adhesives fulfill the basic requirement of packaging by combining different substrate materials like multi-layer laminates, metallised films, barrier layers, etc. Adhesives help to form the geometric shape of the package in carton forming, seam sealing and lidding. Sealants are meant to prevent some form of fluid from escaping the container or provide a leak proof barrier. The packaging industry is a major application driven market for the adhesives and sealants industry, besides construction and transportation. Apart from its conventional roles, adhesives & sealants are playing a critical role in enabling converters to keep pace with new types of packaging that originate at the consumer. Some of the key trends observed in the packaging adhesive segment include the need for detailed information printed directly on the package or adhered to the package walls with

a label; food packages are getting increasingly easy-to-open for people with busy schedules while medical & pharmaceutical products require protection against contamination and leakage. Also, in terms of aesthetics, adhesives and sealants are enabling designers to introduce innovative graphics and anti-counterfeiting measures on the package. The manufacturer or converter of modern day packaging is also demanding adhesives and joining processes that can handle a wide variety of new packaging solutions at ever increasing speeds and efficiencies. In addition, manpower shortages and cost control require higher degrees of mechanisation.

Demand drivers With the burgeoning middle class population across the global economy, the need for convenient food packaging cannot be emphasised enough. With the food processing industry set to achieve greater heights, the packaging segment is innovating on controlled adhesion techniques. This prevents tearing of the lid and assures seal integrity through distribution and retail channels, preventing product loss. Also, with regard to the freshness in food packages, sealing integrity is of absolute importance to prevent moisture invasion and leakage. High performance resins and adhesives are developed to meet these demands of durability and toughness.

A special trend in hot melts for the packaging industry has been the low temperature hot melts processed between 100 and 120°C. This leads to less thermal stress, improved viscosity stability, and faster setting. Anil Krishna

Chief Executive and GM, Henkel CAC Pvt Ltd

Anil Krishna, Chief Executive and GM, Henkel CAC Pvt Ltd, says, “As, flexible packaging continues to replace rigid packaging, cans and paper containers, the adhesives and sealants market in poised to play a more significant role. Modern product packages have a dual function: to protect the contents and

Courtesy: IQS

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

31


MARKET TRENDS

Challenges faced by adhesives & sealants industry Volatility of global oil prices in terms of raw material and freight expenditure, impact the cost of speciality chemicals and resins utilised in adhesives & sealants manufacturing In addition to availability and cost disparity, the industry in India is continuously challenged by increasing service needs from diverse enduser demands. The need of the hour is heavy investments in R&D to deliver high-quality products on time. For this, suppliers are integrating converters’ business requirements to develop products for the future Adhesives and sealants are perceived as unmanageable, hence require special handling. Processors are focusing on making adhesives and sealants more user-friendly in manufacturing operations. In this regard, pressure-sensitive tapes have a unique advantage for the converting industry Education and awareness of stakeholders within the packaging segment is a major cause for concern. To reverse a negative perception that adhesives and sealants are less-reliable, manufacturers need to encourage & debate and share knowledge & experience With rising raw material costs, companies have been seeking low-cost products and large profit-margins through offshore sourcing. This requires intensive legislation to protect the interests of small-scale manufacturers With the advent of new technology and materials in the packaging sector, the adhesives & sealants industry has to keep pace with these developments. Material recyclability and substrate compliance will remain the key mantra in the times to come

to sell the product. The adhesive used in flexible laminates must meet the highest standards of performance and versatility.” However, it is not only the requirements of the finished package that are important. The processing characteristics of the adhesive in the packaging machine are equally important. Along with consumer appeal, adhesives & sealants have to meet manufacturers’ and converters’

32

demands in terms of flexibility, ease of operation, higher machineability, lower run times, enhanced accuracy and cost efficiency. A hotmelt adhesive has to fulfill a whole range of conditions in its particular application situation. The adhesive also has to satisfy many customer-specific requirements and this requirement profile is highly exacting. Until recently, it could only be satisfied by using different adhesives dedicated to certain limited tasks.

Innovations index In order to keep pace with growing consumer expectations, the adhesives and sealants market is witnessing tremendous innovations at the formulation front. Conventionally, adhesives and sealants contained a base polymer of high tensile strength that is modified by extenders and additives. Along with flexibility, environmental resistance is determining the adhesives and sealants quality and market acceptability. The material cost is also an important criterion for certain industries because of the high volumes of material that are used. Various external accessory materials such as primers, bond-breaker tapes, back-up materials, and other aids may also be needed during the application stage to provide for an effective sealant joint. The additives used for sealant formulation provide special performance applications and storage properties. For example, antibacterial agents and freeze-thaw cycle suppressants are commonly used in water-based sealant formulations as well as with adhesives. Many sealant additives are required especially because of the unique characteristics demanded of a sealant such as long-term exposure outdoors or colour matching characteristics. Sealant formulations may also include UV absorbers and ozone inhibitors to prevent any undesirable sensitivity. The linear hydrocarbon rubbers are especially sensitive to sunlight and ozone and are generally used only for indoor applications.

Enhanced performance characteristics of adhesives enable manufacturers and converters to overcome process inhibitors like damage of substrates and packaging material. For example, in the case of hot melt adhesives (HMA); this is widely used in packaging applications like carton box closing, labels and tapes. Corrugated boxes are assembled just before the packaging operation and they are subject to the natural constraints of folding and de-shaping. In order to overcome this, it is important to use adhesives with higher cohesive strength. Also, automatised packaging manufacture requires fast development in cohesive strength so as to improve productivity. When the package is sealed with tapes, high shear is an additional requirement to high cohesive strength. Styrene block copolymers (SBC) adhesives, engineered by Dynasol, is tailored for properties that match a wide range of applications in a variety of hotmelt and solvent-based formulations. Their versatility allows tackifiers, plasticizers, antioxidants, and other additives to be blended when specific balance of performance is sought. Its

Courtesy: Ad-Tech

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011




MARKET TRENDS

adhesive viscosity can be further reduced by formulating with a thermoplastic. As a result, the temperature required for the application is lower, improving adhesive set time, and the productivity. It can be formulated as a 100 per cent solvent free solid. “A special trend in hot melts for the packaging industry has been seen in recent years. This is the development of low temperature hot melts that can be processed between 100 and 120°C. This leads to less thermal stress, improved viscosity stability, and faster setting. In the case & carton packaging, adhesives running at 120º C can dramatically prevent char building up while extending equipment life and reducing downtime. This is also in line with the commitment to sustainability,” asserts Krishna. Sealants form an integral part of the packaging industry as it is used to seal joint parts in packaging material, like lids, closures, etc. In applications such as food and pharmaceutical packaging, it is essential to have sealing systems that are effective on slightly oily or greasy surfaces. Keeping these requirements in mind, BASF developed the Oppanol® that allows a hermetic sealing of metal or glass surfaces. This olyisobutylene sealant has its excellent barrier properties to hydrogen and a variety of gases, including water vapour. Another advantage offered by Oppanol® is the fact that it is odour and flavour free which makes it suitable to be used in

Adhesives and sealants resolves environmental concerns in two ways – one looks at reducing waste and the other at using bio-polymers or polymers based on renewable sources. Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

more sensitive applications like food and pharmaceuticals. Its weatherability, chemical stability and inertness enhance resistance to shrinkage over time. In addition, this medium and high molecular Oppanol® sealant is toxicologically harmless and fulfils various legal regulations and FDA specifications which regulate the use of raw materials in food packaging. Sustainable solutions Adhesives and sealants resolves environmental concerns in two ways – one looks at reducing waste and the other at using bio-polymers or polymers based on renewable sources. Brand owners look at products and packages holistically, analysing their total life cycle and considering ways to reduce packaging wastage. One method of solving the waste reduction challenge is to redesign packaging structures to use less material while assuring that the structure delivers the required performance. Adhesives that allow thinner flexible packaging structures seem to be the industry norm. “In package manufacturing, the use of sustainable adhesive technologies is a key factor for success. They make an important contribution to improving the eco-efficiency of production processes, while also offering real added value in terms of economy,” states Krishna. Renewably sourced polymers for the adhesives and sealants market are still in the nascent phase and will need more investments to be marketable. However, sustainable monomers are likely to offer dependable adhesives and sealants solutions in the near future. Petroleumbased polymers such as PE have undergone continuous improvement over many years to have the right balance of processability and properties. Completely bio-based polymers such as PLA have yet to be optimised to their full potential because of the inherent

Courtesy: Saint-Gobain

brittleness. Once a monomer becomes available and cost-effective, it can quickly be incorporated into making bio-based versions of petroleum based polymers that have already been fine tuned for packaging applications.

Conclusion Judging from the current demand drivers of cost-effective solutions and betterperforming products, manufacturers are adding value through innovations that allow cost saving opportunities while catering to high-end applications. Improving certain assembly process, productivity and yield are efforts in the right direction. Also, adhesives give converters the option of substituting conventional materials for quality enhancement. Suppliers of adhesives and sealants in India vary from the multi-national players to small regional competitors. The market offers immense growth prospects in terms of volumes as well as quality deliverables. Thus, the opportunities for adhesives & sealants producers and raw material suppliers continue to remain attractive.

33


PACKAGING PERSPECTIVES

Food packaging

A ‘fresh’ outlook The different concepts of packaging, design & development features, and packaging materials available (dealt with in earlier issues) make it necessary to make a judicious selection based on various considerations. These factors include product characteristics, quantity to be packed, and consumer convenience features, among others. This article marks the beginning of a new series on ‘product packaging’ and the first among them focusses on food packaging. P V Narayanan

P

ackaging requirements vary considerably and what is true for one product can be completely different for another. The userindustries for packaging segment are spread from cottage sector to highly sophisticated ones, which adopt varying levels of technologies in their production and packaging lines. The number of stock-keeping units also differs considerably, and thus

34

the packaging needs in terms of materials and features also are not the same. The wide range of products that can be further segregated according to the product mix results in the demand for suitable packaging materials. Probably, the food industry, which includes both fresh and processed products, constitutes the singlemost user segment that demands the maximum varieties of package, machinery and system.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PACKAGING PERSPECTIVES

Food packaging requirements The changes witnessed in the food supply chain in the developing countries during the recent past are laudable, with considerable modernisation in the areas of harvesting, processing, handling and packaging. This has facilitated the reduction in food losses, besides making different categories of food available across the country. The concept of modern retailing has enabled quality supply of foods. Produce in its natural/processed forms should reach the consumers in such a make wherein flavour, colour, texture and nutritional value are retained. Prevention of losses and conservation of food products will go a long way in making them available to millions of people at affordable prices with assured quality and quantity. Preservation and packaging of food commence with the identification of causes for spoilage of foods. Major factors for this include micro-organisms, enzymes, chemical reactions & mechanical factors; however such incidents can be prevented through appropriate food preservation techniques.

Preservation techniques A number of methods are prevalent for food preservation & processing, and packaging forms an integral part among them, with direct a influence on the system. Barrier properties of the packaging material probably have a major influence in the preservation of food. Cool & cold storage: The technique involves storage of products at low temperature conditions – cool storage (5-12 oC) and cold storage (0-5 oC). Deep freeze temperatures normally are at sub-zero, which are commonly at -15 oC and below. Produces packed in different packaging media are stored in cool and cold storage. Preservation by heat: Most commonly used packaging media include hermetically sealed glass and metal containers. Aseptic cartons

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

& pouches are recent additions and are catching up faster due to various benefits they offer over the traditional options. The process of heat preservation primarily involves blanching, pasteurisation, sterilisation, aseptic and retorts processing. Dehydration: Reduction or removal of water is adopted as a means of preservation, as more often spoilage is associated with water content and moisture. The process of dehydration is achieved through concentration & evaporation, drying, increase in salt or solid content and freeze drying. Often though the most commonly available packaging materials/forms are suitable, selection is essentially governed by the product characteristics and market/consumer needs. Vacuum & gas flush system: In a vacuum packaging system, the air inside the pack is removed, and thus its effect on the product is nullified. Hence, the product remains good for a longer duration. The packaging material used should, however, be a good barrier to keep the vacuumised pack as desired. A step further to vacuum packaging is gas flush system wherein the available air within the pack is

removed and an inert gas like nitrogen or carbon dioxide or a mixture of these are introduced into the pack. Presence of inert gas provides a resistance to the entry of moisture vapour and gases into the pack from external atmosphere, thereby increasing the shelf-life of the product further. Tinplate container for milk powder is a typical example. Since the recent years a large variety of flexible packaging materials have found their utility with ensured functional needs and the added advantage of cost economics. Chemical preservation: Generally preservatives like sorbic acid, benzoic Courtesy: xxx acid, sulphur dioxide are used. Some are incorporated during the food processing itself or utilised externally within the pack placed in a sachet or coated on a paper or film. The chemical used acts as an inhibitor to spoilage. In the development of new technologies, the usage of ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide is also common. It is also vital to sterilise packaging materials. When a sterilised product is packed within a sterilised medium, the shelf-life of the product is considerably increased.

35


PACKAGING PERSPECTIVES

Table 1: Methods of sterilisation, application & advantages Method Applications Benefits High temperature at atmospheric pressure. Wet heat Metal containers Micro-organisms are more resistant than in saturated steam Metal/composite Dry heat – juice & beverage High temperature at atmospheric containers pressure Micro-organisms are more resistant than in saturated steam Foil-based laminates Hydrogen peroxide Fast and efficient method and plastic containers Preformed cartons and Effectiveness of hydrogen Hydrogen plastic containers UV peroxide/peroxide enhanced by UV light combination Glass and plastic Cannot be used where chlorides are Ethylene oxide containers present or where residuals would remain Extrusion-Heat Plastic containers No chemicals used Useful in sterilising heat-sensitive Radiation Heat-sensitive packaging materials. Location of sources-need caution

Irradiation: Sterilisation may be effected by exposure to high energy electrons from a particle accelerator or to a gamma irradiation from sources such as cobalt 60, at energy levels 10 Mev. At these energies, the radiations directly interact and transfer their energy at molecular and atomic levels, bringing about a variety of physical, chemical and biological changes including microbial inactivation with negligible amount of energy deposited in the materials treated. For inducing radioactivity in materials radiation and interactions at nuclear levels, interaction with nuclei of elements are involved. Such interactions are possible with gamma

36

rays and electrons of energies well above 10 Mev. In irradiation practice, however, radiations of energies well below 10 Mev are usually employed, and hence no radioactivity is induced in the material so treated. Factors for irradiation to be considered include their amenability, packaging requirement and initial level of microbial contamination. Radiation in a dosage of 2.5 megarads25k GY) are found to be satisfactory for sterilising certain materials. The advantages offered by the irradiation sterilisation are: It is clean, safe, reliable, costeffective and a simple & cold process that also conserves/saves energy; and can be carried out as a terminal step. The process is now increasingly employed due to its simplicity, economic and technological advantages. Methods showing the advantages of sterilisation and its applications are depicted in Table 1. Other methods: Yet another means of preservation is exposure to ultraviolet. The technique of fermentation preservation helps slow down the spoilage factors. The principle involved is that the alcohol or acid

produced during the fermentation aids preservation. Generally, this technique is combined with pasteurisation.

Summing up Food sector is probably the singlelargest family that utilises the most number of permutations & combinations of packaging materials and package forms as well as preservation techniques, closely followed by pharma industry & medical device packaging. The dynamics of packaging and developments further facilitates the benefits of preservation processes. The evolution of packages and their acceptance demand careful analysis. Unlike other products, food packaging is governed by several general requirements as well as statutory needs/regulations. Adoption of appropriate pre-preservation & preservation techniques & postactivities such as storage, handling & distribution with optimum functional and aesthetic packaging would help in minimising food losses and preserving it for the usage of common masses with the basic benefit of quantity & quality assurance. Besides, certain seasonal food items can be made available throughout the year, irrespective of the place and season. Also, the growing sophistication and changing marketing practices on one side and consumer buyer behaviour on the other, call for improved packages and packaging technologies. Valueaddition and consumer protection have become the order of the day, wherein the right package makes the big difference. P V Narayanan is the Chairman of Cognizance Packaging. He is also the Secretary General - IPMMI, and Chief Executive - PFFCA. He is a recognised UNIDO, ITC, and CFTC (UK) expert consultant in the field of packaging. Email: peeveen@gmail.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



PACKAGING PRINTING

Screen printing

Identifying the right parameters Following the screen making aspects (which was elaborated in the previous issue), the next step is to identify the machinery/ technology to carry out the screen printing process. It involves steps such as preparation of the screen for printing, registering the screen, and preparing the press. Bhargav Mistry

O

nce all pre-press tasks (file handling to positive output) are accomplished, the next is to proceed to the complete screen making stage (which includes stretching the fabric, washing prior to emulsion coating, drying, exposing, developing and other fine tuning, prior to commencement of production). From here, the screen is ready to be placed onto the screen printing machine – semi automatic or full automatic, as the case may be. The screen printing process consists of three main elements: the screen which is the image carrier, the ink and the squeegee. In the case of screen printing, the most important point to keep in mind is – ‘Half knowledge is dangerous’. One

38

need to have thorough knowledge in the screen making procedure - right from digital positive output to screen stretching, emulsion coating, drying, exposing, screen developing and screen reclaiming.

Screen printing machines A good screen making set up should comprise either a high-quality semi automatic or fully automatic screen printing machine with inline UV curing machine, and a trained team in the screen printing unit. If the unit houses an advanced fully automatic screen printing system called cylinder press with inline UV curing machine, highquality results can be achieved at rapid speed, even 3,000 Impressions Per Hour (IPH). It is a highly and economical combination for mass production of packaging material with

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PACKAGING PRINTING

fine print finishing. Other machines include: a flat bed screen printing machine for semi-rigid to rigid substrate (up to 0.5 mm) which offers accurate registration at full speed; Camshell, which is a semi automatic screen printing machine with stainless steel vacuum bed that can print substrates up to thickness of 20 mm with micro registration system: ± 0.01 mm (this comes in different sizes such as 20” x 30”, 30” x 40” etc); two post pillar, another type of Semi automatic screen printing machine.

UV technology UV curing depends on the type of Ultra Violet (UV) ink of varnish and of the thickness of coat. (one line here deleted) A high-quality reliable UV curing machine is necessary in the printing unit. UV module consists of complete vacuum hold down system for substrate during curing process. It helps deliver each substrate with uniform curing all over. It should also have an ozone removal system, which vents ozone and hot air from the point of origin safely out of the working area. A good UV curing machine must have a UV lamp, which can be operated in half/full power as required and prolongs the lamp life. Highpressure mercury vapour UV lamps of 300 watts per inch can also be run at 200 watts per inch for low production speed if required, which enables less power consumption.

UV curable inks and coatings render a durable, high-gloss finish with excellent mar and abrasion resistance. Because UV curable inks/varnishes are nearly 100 per cent solids, they will not evaporate solvents into the air. In addition, UV inks and coatings cure only by exposure to UV light, so they will not dry on the screen. The nearly instant drying of UV results in more output from existing presses and fast completion of a job order. A screen printing machine consists of two important components, viz, squeegee (a strip of not so stiff rubber) to push inks through the screen, the flood bar to maintain constant ink flow on the screen during screen printing process. The squeegee is the heart of the screen printing machine and flood bar is like a hand. During the screen printing process, ink is forced into the fine screen opening with the help of a squeegee by applying pressure.

Over to the squeegee The squeegee is fixed in an aluminium holder. It ensures that the mesh openings filled with ink in the stencil touch the material to be printed. The material ‘sucks’ the ink from the mesh openings. The screen goes up & down, the squeegees back & forth, and the substrate to be printed moves on & off the print surface. Squeegee rubber should be of high quality polyurethane, preferable to utilise high-resistant PU for long print

A screen frame is mounted onto a semi automatic screen printing machine wiht utmost care with clean and neat environment

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Squeegee properties and parameters Shore hardness of 75-80 shA Thickness 10 mm Free length 20-30 mm Angle 75o Set contimum and equal pressure on both sides Maintain speed as per the ink flow properties Maintain sharp edge runs. Using triple durometer squeegees (75-90 75 shA) will extend squeegee life, help prevent dot gain and generate immediate savings on ink and other consumable through better control of the squeegee pressure.

Flood bar (coater) The most essential factor for every screen printing press is the ability to flood stroke. This is easily accomplished by coating the inside of the screen, uniformly without forcing the ink through the screen. Flooding the screen ensures wetting and proper ink supply to every part of the screen. Using an advance flood bar with UV inks plays a major role in reducing ink consumption, and gains control on deposition of ink film layer, increases quality consistency, increases production speed due to less ink deposition, which in turn enhances curing time, maintains dot gain in long production runs and colour consistency. There are two types of flood bars: A standard flood bar, zero degree from vertical with rounded edge. It

In screen printing thorough knowledge is must. Here’s a training in progress using an advanced screen printing machine

39


PACKAGING PRINTING

leaves thick layer of ink on screen after flooding, and hence is not suggested for fine line and half tone printing; Advanced flood bar 75o from vertical with sharp edge, especially with hardened SS blade that leaves thin ink layer on screen after flooding, and hence is useful for the fine line and half tone printing. A good flood bar eliminates issues such as smudgy prints, ink smearing, excess ink deposition, uneven ink film layer, voids/skipping, loss of sharpness and dot gain.

Preparation of the screen for printing After receiving the duly exposed screen from screen making department, the printing department needs to check the screen for pin holes, dust. One needs to place three registration guides of about 1 “ x 2” cut from any substrate, which should be equal to the substrate to be printed in thickness, place these guides next to the lines one drew on the base so that one can correctly locate each sheet to be printed. These guides should be fastened securely with tape or rubber cement. These guides are a must when we have to print more than one colour/effect of any print. Later, post exposure of the screen needs to be carried out. If the screen is exposed on exposing machine without maintaining the vacuum, it makes the screen hard, its life increases and dots would not go. After mounting the screen onto a printing machine, tape has to be put on the inside of the screen to prevent ink from flowing under frame. Taping in this way helps maintain a tight screen, prevents ink from leaking under the screen frame during printing and will keep the edges of prints clean.

use 1”-1.5” wide registration guides. The guide thickness should be same as substrate to be printed to avoid access squeegee abrasion on the corners. Also, to set off-contact gap, a rounded crown needs to be on all corners of the printing area (vacuum space). A sheet of the printing paper has to be placed under the screen, and positioned as it is to be printed. Allow for margins. When it is certain that the paper is in the correct position, lift the screen gently and mark where each edge of the paper should be placed. Further, when registering, each of the screens to be printed must wait for the first screen to complete its entire print run. All subsequent screens must then be aligned with the first run printed substrates. The substrate should be kept on the printing table,

Advantages of keeping sharp edge squeegee rubbers and sharpeners Reuse squeegees, reduce squeegee consumption, reduce cost Reduces ink consumption Reproduces superior image quality Improves edge definition Delivers accurate ink film thickness then measure the off-contact (the gap between the screen and the top surface of the substrate to be printed) with a height gauge from all sides; adjust the gap between screen and substrate placed on the bed with the height measurement scale. Peel off system is one of the most important factors for achieving high-quality printing. Peel off involves lift off of screen and stationary position of substrate on printing bed after the printing stroke.

Registering the screen

Preparing press for printing

Usually in screen printing machines, features vary with respect to squeegee and flood bar speeds, dwell time, vacuum adjustment, micro registration, counters and print head adjustment from press to press. For thin and flexible material

Before loading the screen onto the machine, all aspects of the machine have to be checked. Also, substrates and inks (both CMYK and special effect inks and varnishes as per the job requirement) are to be checked

40

too. All machine parameters must be set for previous jobs should be reset to zero followed by clearing and cleaning the table, removing all the tapes and masking. The vacuum holes in the printing machine bed must be checked for any dirt or ink drop to remove all blockages. All open area needs to be closed too, with transparent tape or less thick paper than substrate, which will enable maximum vacuum to hold the substrate firmly while printing. Check front, back, left and right and ensure the gap is equal on all sides as per set parameter. This is to ensure equal squeegee pressure while printing and achieve the best result, otherwise there is possibility of uneven ink deposition. It is quite natural to have equal squeegee pressure and to achieve that there should be equal gap on all sides between screen and the substrate. And finally, all parameters that you set afresh need to be locked.

Printing A considerable amount of ink is poured on the screen, and flood bar is utilised to maintain the ink flood on the screen through the printing operation. The ink is squeezed through the substrate by the squeegee with even ink deposition. As the squeegee moves toward the rear of the screen the tension of the screen lifts the screen up, thus separating it instantly from the substrate, which is called as peel off. The printing must begin to build the profile of a particular ink and substrates. A minimum of 100 sheets need to be printed before running mass quantity, and consistency in printing must be observed/maintained. Temperature, humidity and other press parameters needs to be recorded. It also calls for inspection of proper print quality and registration. Fine prints can be produced, provided one maintains a generous quantity of ink on the screen, utilise the flood stroke and maintain adequate & even pressure on the squeegee during

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PACKAGING PRINTING

Factors impacting print results Flood far edge shape: Most flood bar are thin metal or plastic bar that spreads a thin film of ink uniformly over the printing screen, in the opposite direction of and preceding the printing stroke. The profile of the flood bar edge, whether sharp or rounded, will affect quality. Any variance in edge evenness, or other imperfection, will produce inconsistent flood coat action Flood bar angle: The angle of the flood bar during printing affects the amount of ink deposited and the quality of printing Flood bar stroke speed: The speed of the flood bar, either fast or slow movement, affects the quality and amount of ink deposited Food bar pressure: The pressure of the flood bar affects uniformity of the flood coat, ink deposit and final image quality the print stroke. It is to be noted that the screen printing is often combined with other techniques to achieve the desired result. But, printing is done ‘one colour/ effects at a time’. Hence, a separate screen is made for each colour and special effect.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Tape test The substrate must be tested for UV ink adhesion and even after printing; one has to carry out tape testing for UV adhesion (curing) or scratch the corners or folding edges in case the jobs are packaging related. If the UV ink comes out, fine tuning of the UV curing system is needed, or clarified with the ink supplier. Having explained some technical parameters/procedures of screen printing, what is more important is practice. And, the most important job is to record the final parameters of each job at each stage that will work as a thumb rule for other jobs, since in screen printing there is no written parameters for each and every job. Further, a densitometer is needed to check CMYK in case of four process colour screen printing with UV. So, a UV integrator is required to check UV light intensity. A UV curing machine only cures the UV ink and it is featured with an adjustable conveyor

speed to set as per the desired value specified by the ink manufacturers in Joules or Milli Joules/cm2. Every ink on different substrate printed with different mesh counts, needs different intensity to cure the UV Inks and don’t forget to involve your ink supplier to give you proper specifications. They have it all ready but you need to ask for it. Even if you get those specifications you need a meter to check on regular basis. Disclaimer: Screen printing process is a vast subject and its techniques vary from job to job and application to application. This article attempts to shed light on screen printing process in a nutshell and the information shared here is not a complete knowledge in itself. Bhargav Mistry is the Director of DMI, and MD of Grafica Flectronica, manufacturer of fully automatic and semi-automatic screen printing machines. Email: bhargav@graficaindia.com

41


PACKAGING INNOVATIONS

Smart designs

Look good, sell better Picking one of the neatly placed packs having an eye-catching design and smart look on the stand is a customer’s delight. Neither is the need for packaging questioned, nor the desire to look good doubted. Simple, attractive, elegant but functional packaging has now become a selling point for all commodities traded in the market. Harish P Joshi

T

he awareness of fashioning the commodities with designer packages is growing, as companies have started competing in not only the product space but also in the packaging arena. Competition has helped in developing packaging as an art form, with innovations being introduced to keep the consumer engaged.

In packaging, innovation can be applied in a number of areas; materials, design and processes are just a few. Each has the potential to have an impact on a brand owner’s entire value chain. In trade journals, conferences, exhibitions and design contests, packaging innovation is a fixed topic of discussion. Also, the packaging supplier industry is never short on innovative offerings. As with other disciplines, packaging is under pressure to incorporate innovation. Packaging innovations, though healthy, need to be weighed on different parameters, before those become a ritual process. The companies, who plan for innovative packaging must think before they innovate.

Courtesy: Nichrome

42

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PACKAGING INNOVATIONS

Product needs The prime need in innovation is to understand the product that is to be packed. Every material has its unique requirements, which need to be analysed and rated objectively. Only then can one decide on how to drape the material with an exquisite shape and size that will be appreciated by the consumer.

Solid packing From granular material to biscuit-like products, the solid material comes in a variety of forms. These products needs to be checked for its processing parameters, utility, shelf-life, storage conditions and distribution, before suggesting a packaging solution. For example, hybrid seeds, which are costly and light in weight, demand accurate weighing mechanism with dedicated packaging systems. On the contrary, packaging sugar requires tough package material with strengthened seals, which can last through rough handling of the packs.

Liquid packing Liquid packing started in India, when Nichorme India Ltd first developed the machine to pack milk in convenient packs. Dairy industry received a flip with this innovation, and since then water, oil, pastes and such other liquid forms are being packaged in this way to increase their availability to consumers.

pack in which water is added to resin in the mother pack. Nichrome India Ltd has perfected this innovative combo packing, starting a revolution for the packaging industry. Packaging is a powerful, multifaceted tool. But, as with any tool, it should not be assigned tasks that are outside its functions. These are primarily five: accurate quantity, protection, communication, convenience, and utility. A packaging innovation should relate to one of those functions (or more, since they overlap).

Consumer requirements The consumer knows what they require. Hence, companies should not go overboard and pack items in such a way that consumers are pulled away from the product. In making a judicious choice of the packaging solution, the companies must consider the trends of consumer requirements.

Choice of consumers Though difficult to pin-point, companies must know how the consumer would select their product from the stands in a mall or from a kirana store. The patterns analysed will help us better understand what goes into the minds of the consumer, before he selects a packaged product from the stand.

With products like noodles that comes with the masala, a mother pack with solid material and child pack with a powder or seasoning have helped the food industry flood new products into the market.

Solid & liquid combo packing

Connecting with the consumers

Ever imagined that there could a mother pouch containing solid, while the child pouch containing liquid? Take the example of a pop-corn brand, which requires a mother pack for corn, while a child pack for drops of oil, or an ice

The packaging item must connect with the cultural milieu in which the consumer has been brought up and living. Awkward shapes, crumpled look, gawdy designs automatically become repulsive for the customer.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Aesthetics factor The packaging must have aesthetic design, with the necessary finesse in presentation and style. Like a model on a ramp walk, the packaged item must look worthy to be paraded on a stand.

Choice versus selection Several companies hammer their products through multitude of advertisements. The impact of advertisement almost forces the consumer to choose a product. But, the need of packaging is to stand up to the occasion and help convert a ‘chance choice’ into a selection of the consumer.

Solid & solid combo packing

Courtesy: Nichrome

Courtesy: Nichrome

43



PACKAGING INNOVATIONS

Shelf impact ‘Hey, what’s that?’, should be reaction of the consumer, when he sees the packaged product on the shelf. The impact should be so sudden and effective that the consumer wants to look back a second time at the product, and finally lured into buying.

Last word Consumer perceptions, attitude and experiences about the products are increasingly influenced by packaging. From print copy, to store shelf to trash can, the consumers’ lasting impression guide their satisfaction & loyalty with products and brands. Truly knowing how consumers experience packaging through every step of their ‘use cycle’ is critical to understanding the value of packaging.

Beware of three pitfalls Being too complex is one pitfall. Simplicity is to innovation, as brevity is to speech. Subscribing to KISS (keep it simple, stupid) is no insult to the consumers’ intellect, rather, a concession to their busy lives. Combining innovation and simplicity is quite a challenge, but it is to be noted that both are relative; these are not opposites; and, simplification is a type of innovation in itself. Besides, trimming an innovation of undue complexity is consistent with the previously discussed topics of a concisely-defined brand and the convenience function. Being irrelevant is the second pitfall. A particular innovation might provide anything new, but that alone does not mean that it is what the consumers are clamouring for. Innovators should guard against becoming enamoured of what they produce that they fail to appreciate what consumers are not as emotionally invested. Innovations should be the result of consumer needs and not just the result of a company’s technical capabilities. Being too costly is the third pitfall. Will the innovation result in more production costs, and if so, can these be passed along to the consumer? If not, can a justification be made for the brand owner’s absorbing the costs? Economic considerations should not be sidelined for the need to grab attention. Harish P Joshi is the Managing Director of Nichrome (India) Ltd. He is an Alumnus of College of Engineering, Pune, and IIM, Ahmedabad. He was earlier working with Middle East Packaging - a pioneering packaging material start-up in the Gulf. Today, he is spearheading Nichrome’s growth and has introduced aseptic pouch packaging systems for milk & juices. Email: marketing@nichrome.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

45


IN PERSPECTIVE

Pharmaceutical packaging

Enhancing consumer experience Packaging is one area that not only helps in preserving product quality, but also increases the shelf-life of products. In the recent times, pharmaceutical packaging has undergone a significant change. Today, packaging design provides stability and shelf-life to the drug and the delivery system, which are key to safety, convenience and compliance of drug use.

Shyam Sunder B K

S

ophisticated drug products, development of new drug diagnostics, stringent government requirements, rapidly rising middle-class population, liberaliation, growth of organised retail and increase in number of prominent players with new emerging markets have increased the demand for pharmaceutical packaging materials worldwide. Due to the unique requirements of products, pharmaceutical companies need to focus on the quality of drug at the time of delivery. They need to also look at different ways for increasing shelf-life while designing the packaging for products.

Growing market Today, in India, pharmaceutical packaging occupies a significant share of the overall drugs market. Earlier, the requirements of pharmaceutical packaging focussed exclusively on preserving the quality of the enclosed medication. Today, they are extended to incorporate criteria such as

46

prevention of product tampering & counterfeiting, assurance of product dispensing accuracy and promotion of patient compliance with product dosage schedules. Therefore, a variety of packaging is available in the pharmaceutical arena, which includes glass, pet bottles, strip & blister packs, injectables, ampoules, bulk packs, etc. Today, more demand for packaging and associated equipment comes from the food processing industry, which is around 50 per cent, while 25 per cent is from the pharmaceutical industry. Besides the US, western Europe and Japan, the other countries who are progressing rapidly in pharmaceutical packaging are India, China and Brazil (according to a report on www.indiapac kagingshow.com). According to Economy Watch, the global pharmaceutical packaging industry is expected to grow by 5.9 per cent per annum by 2011, and is predicted to reach $ 34 billion mark within 2011. Meanwhile, as per Mckinsey Report, Indian pharmaceutical packaging is expected to reach $ 50 billion by 2015.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


IN PERSPECTIVE

Trends & innovations As drug producing sectors upgrade and diversify, the packaging market is also witnessing rapid growth. Today, pharmaceutical companies understand the market trends and needs. Also, with companies adopting the FMCG model, packaging is no more being neglected in the pharmaceutical sector. The global pharmaceutical packaging is witnessing the following main trends: Sophisticated packaging requirements for new products and biotech products: Recently, Catalent Pharmaceutical announced that henceforth it will offer media-enhanced packaging to its drugmaker clients. The packaging contains coding by which consumers can connect via smart phone to product content, in addition to what they can already see on a drug’s label, printed packaging and inserts. The manufacturing and packaging contractor considers the technology as a way to offer clients’ products a leg up on crowded retail shelves. These innovative and sophisticated packaging by Catalent aims to better inform and engage consumers. Cost-reduction in packaging across the globe: As many products are coming off patents, this in turn translates into is a significant emergence in generic and licensed products. One apt example of cost-reduction, which reflects the innovative capability of the Indian pharmaceutical industry is of Jumbo Bangs Ltd. It is a Chennai-based company, which after intensive research and development

developed bags with corrugated linings. These bags, developed for the first time in the country, can hold weight from 500 to 2,000 kg. The company embarked on developing this latest packaging, keeping in mind some of the manufacturing companies, which had bulk packing requirements. Jumbo Bangs had targeted the bulk drug manufacturing companies as their requirements were almost on similar lines as that of the other manufacturing companies. Since the latter were still utilising drums, the company felt that superior quality bags would ease pressure on the bulk drug companies. In doing so, it managed to do away with the large number of drums, and replaced them with polypropylene bags. The new packaging bag has the same stackability, however it comes with an added advantage. It could be folded when not in use, which was not possible while drums were employed. Demand for Over The Counter (OTC) drugs: This is another area that is gaining popularity and witnessing a stupendous increase in demand. OTC medicines are those that do not require a doctor’s prescription. Products such as food supplements, pain killers, cough syrups, oral contraceptives, etc are widely preferred, because of the change in consumer’s attitude, increase in awareness levels, and easy accessibility of medicines. Revital – the health supplement drugs from Ranbaxy and Sensodyne, and a range of oral care products for sensitive teeth from GlaxoSmithKline’s are some of

the products, which were turned from prescription drugs to OTC products. Increasing importance of packaging among ayurvedic brands: Another interesting area, which has witnessed a sea change is the ayurvedic drugs/brands. Ayurvedic companies are now giving more importance to brand identity, packaging, etc. For example, Himalaya, a company known for its wellness products such as Liv52 and Bonnisan, was competing for shelf space with the leading FMCG brands. Since its target audience is mostly the modern consumers who are willing to pay for the products, the brand underwent a complete design and packaging makeover to appeal to the consumers alike. Further, a common look was given to all products. Attention was also paid on the designs of the bottles. For instance, shampoo bottles were flat as compared to the lotions, which had a rounder caps. Common colours (teel green and orange) were also utilised to distinguish the products on the retail shelf. Today, because of this distinct packaging, the brand has been imprinted in the consumers mind, which looks more like an Indian MNC brand that stands out for international quality. Other brands like Zandu have also witnessed a similar change. Emphasis on enhancing consumer consumption: A major trend that is being witnessed in the pharmaceutical industry is that companies are now looking at innovative ways to enhance consumer experience. For instance, Reckitt Benkiser launched the easily portable ‘Handy Tube’ version of its popular Strepsils® line of

Courtesy: Tata Elxsi

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

47


IN PERSPECTIVE

Statement about ownership and other particulars about Modern Packaging & Design, as required to be published in the first issue every year after the last day of February. 1. Place of Publication: Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai-400028. 2. Periodicity of Publication: Bimonthly 3. Printer’s Name: Mr. Mohan Gajria Nationality: Indian Address: Infomedia 18 Ltd, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai-400028. 4. Publisher’s Name: Mr. Lakshmi Narasimhan Nationality: Indian Address: Infomedia 18 Ltd, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai-400028. 5. Editor’s Name: Mr. Manas Bastia Nationality: Indian Address: Infomedia 18 Ltd, Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai-400028. Address: Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, J. K. Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai- 400 028 6. Names and addresses of Individuals who own Modern Packaging & Design & partners or shareholder holding more than 1% of total capital of Infomedia 18 Limited (formerly known as Infomedia India Limited), Ruby House, ‘A’ Wing, JK Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai-400028. Details of the shareholders of Infomedia 18 Limited who are holding more than 1% of the paid up equity share capital of the company as on 11-02-2011: a. Television Eighteen India Limited, 601, 6th Floor, Hotel Le-Meridian, Raisina Road, New Delhi-110001. b. Soumen Bose, (acting in capacity of trustee of Infomedia 18 Merger Trust for the benefit of India Advantage Fund II) Flat - 11, Neelam, 2nd Floor, Road 14 B, Off Linking Road, Khar(W), Mumbai -400052 c. ACACIA Partners, LP, Citibank N.A., Custody Services, 77, Ramnord House, Dr. A.B. Road, Worli, Mumbai- 400018 d. Sanjiv Dhireshbhai Shah, 702, Silicon Towers, Behind Samar theshwar Mahadeo, Law Garden, Ahmedabad 380 006. e. ACACIA Conservation Fund LP, Citibank N.A., Custody Services, 77, Ramnord House, Dr. A.B. Road, Worli, Mumbai- 400018 f. The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd, Oriental house, P. B. 7037, A-25/27, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110002 g. ACACIA Institutional Partners, LP, Citibank N.A., Custody Services, 77, Ramnord House, Dr. A.B.Road, Worli, Mumbai-400018 h. Optimum Securities Private Limited, 3, Amba Bhuvan, 29, Sion Circle, Sion (W), Mumbai-400022. I, Lakshmi Narasimhan, hereby declare that all particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Dated: 16th February 2011 Sd/LAKSHMI NARASIMHAN Signature of the publisher

48

sore throat lozenges. The new packaging is not only convenient to carry, but also provides adequate humidity protection to the product during its shelf-life. Another example is of Moov – the pain reliever from Paras Pharmaceuticals. It was earlier available in tubes, but is now also available as an aerosol spray, which is convenient, easy to apply and ideal for people on the move. Vicks’ products are widely known to bring relief to cold and cough issues, and its products now not only comes in the form of balms but also in the form of roll-ons again targeted at consumer convenience.

Into the future According to the GBI’s research report, the global pharmaceutical industry is currently witnessing rapid growth with advances in manufacturing processes, technology innovation and integration, which is the main driving force behind the growth of pharmaceutical packaging industry, globally. The growth is likely to be high in emerging economies of India and China, primarily on account of increasing generics and contract manufacturing activities in these countries. The fastest growth in pharmaceutical packaging market is expected from prefillable syringes and parenteral vials, which will continue, as advances in biotechnology result in the introduction of new therapies that must be injected. The increasing demand for biologics will boost the demand for innovative product packaging solutions in the global pharmaceutical packaging domain. Also, with more than $ 120 billion worth of drugs going off-patent in the next five years, generic drug manufacturers will emerge as a major segment driving demand for pharmaceutical packaging. Nanotechnology, the science of small materials, is poised to have a big impact on pharmaceutical packaging and will enable it to bring innovative and new-generation packaging solutions to market. Also, with increasing demand for drug delivery, devices & blister packaging will boost the growth of the pharmaceutical packaging industry. The global market for nano-enabled packaging for blisters was $ 941 million in 2008, and is expected to reach $ 2.10 billion by 2014. The pharmaceutical packaging industry in India has come a long way and is expected to grow further. With globalisation, many MNCs in the field are setting up their manufacturing bases in India, it will further revolutionise the pharmaceutical packaging market in the country. Increasing availability of better quality technology and new packaging machines in the country are some of the reasons behind this rapid growth. Also, the tremendous rise in health awareness amongst people will continue to create more demand for hygienic, tamper-resistant and use-and-throw packaging in the future. Shyam Sunder B K is Corporate Manager at Tata Elxsi. Email: shyams@tataelxsi.co.in

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



CASE STUDY

Efficient PET bottling

A multi-benefit approach By commissioning its first PET bottling line, Nairobi Bottlers Ltd has opened several doors into the future for the company in one stroke. The new PET line, featuring an integrated blowmoulder/filler BLOC configuration, was supplied in its entirety by Krones.

PET bottles are dressed by a Contiroll wrap-around labeller

Blow-moulder/filler BLOC, featuring a Contiform S12 and a Volumetic filler in a cleanroom

Horst Meixner

A

bottle of Coca-Cola is available for less price in Kenya than anywhere else in the world; the consumers here have to pay a mere twenty Kenyan Shillings for a 300-ml bottle of the soft drink, which corresponds to twenty Eurocents. This low price is the only possible way to create a sensible presence in the market. The price of a new glass bottle is almost just as high. Coca-Cola South African Bottling Company (Coca-Cola Sabco) owns a majority holding in Nairobi Bottlers Ltd (NBL), Kenya. Sabco, in turn, is an anchor bottler in the Coca-Cola system, operating 25 filling plants in twelve countries, divided into three divisions

50

Products are packed by a Variopac Pro PFS non-returnables packer

– North-East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique); Southern Africa (South Africa and Namibia); and Asia (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia).

Biggest Coca-Cola bottler in Kenya In 1995, Sabco, together with its partner Centum (ICDC), having a minority holding, purchased NBL directly from The Coca-Cola (CC) Company. Back then, there were three Kenyan facilities, two of which were closed down in 2004. And, 2005 saw the entire production being concentrated in a new building in the suburb of Embakasi. NBL is not the only Coca-Cola licensee in Kenya. There are seven other bottlers

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


CASE STUDY

handling Coca-Cola products. But, NBL is the biggest company, producing about half of Coca-Cola’s entire soft drink volume in Kenya. The volume filled by NBL amounts roughly to 20 million physical cases (32 million unit cases) or 170 million ltr, or to 4.25 ltr per head. And, NBL is largely concentrating on the region in & around Nairobi, plus the Nakuru and Machakos regions, thus supplying this soft drink to around onethird of Kenya’s population. To tap into the prospects offered by soft drinks packaged in PET, NBL, for the first time installed PET capacities inhouse. This PET line provides an option for NBL to fill Coca-Cola’s international Dasani water brand at its own premises. Moreover, this Coca-Cola Anchor bottler is also tapping into new opportunities in the market, especially those emerging in the big supermarket chains. The new PET line, which was supplied by Krones, has a capacity of 22,000 containers an hour, and went into operation in late 2008.

A classic returnables market Traditionally, Kenya’s soft drink market has always focussed on returnables. Even an year after the start-up of its nonreturnable PET line, about 92 per cent of NBL’s production is still being filled in returnable bottles, and a mere 8 per cent in non-returnable PET. In view of the pricing, there are almost no cans in the Kenyan market, except some minimal imported quantities, and almost no non-returnable glass bottles, either. And the Coca-Cola licensees have a unique position in the soft drink market.

Novida makes its debut in Kenya There are more than 50 companies bottling water in Kenya: in this market Coca-Cola’s Dasani brand accounts for around 20 per cent, which makes it the market leader. Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid product range’s share in the fruit juice market is likewise one-fifth. Here, however, another brand processing the fruits of domestic farmers is significantly stronger.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Moreover, this market, with its over 100 bottlers, is even more fragmented. As a world premiere among the Coca-Cola bottlers, NBL has launched a beverage called Novida, a malt-based carbonated soft drink, available in four flavours – pineapple, tropical fruits, apple and orange. Within a year, the production output of Novida was already accounting for 5 per cent of NBL’s overall production volume, and for 50 per cent of Kenya’s entire (still young) malt-based drinks market.

A strategic shift towards complete lines Whereas Sabco specifies both strategy and corporate policies from a central location, the country teams are relatively free in their decisions relating to investments and national market development. NBL employs more than 1,000 workers, 660 of whom work in supply chain (production). The facility operates nine lines, including one premix line, a small manual bottling unit for a lime-based mixed drink, and six returnable-glass lines, plus the new PET line. While NBL used to put together its bottling lines itself on the mix & match principle, 2007 saw a shift in strategy and a decision to give preference to complete single-sourced lines in future. And, NBL premiered this strategy with a complete 36,000-bph glass line from Krones, which went into operation in 2007. The majority of the returnable glass bottles handled on this line comprise a variety of 300-ml sizes. And still, NBL has to manage more than 50 different stock-keeping units. The decision in favour of PET was taken within one year after installing this glass line. “It has always been our firm conviction that with this new line, we are creating new markets for ourselves,” says Sergio Fernandes, Country Supply Chain Manager, NBL. “Although one has to pay 40 Eurocents for a 500-ml Coca-Cola PET bottle, and only 28 Eurocents for the same contents in glass, PET is a popular choice. We are recording high growth for soft drinks in

PET, and are now for the first time able to fill Dasani water in our premises. It is simply availability in the market that boosts demand,” he adds. Previously, Dasani had to be imported from Tanzania to meet the demand, and the bottling of soft drinks in PET was handled by another Coca-Cola bottler in Kenya.

Blow-moulder/filler BLOC solves space issues For its new PET line, NBL opted for a blow-moulder/filler BLOC configuration, comprising a Contiform S12 and a Volumetic filler accommodated in a cleanroom. “This enabled us to solve our space problems,” explains Mwenda Ruona Kageenu, Production Manager, NBL. The PET bottles are dressed by a Contiroll wrap-around labeller and packed in a Variopac Pro PFS nonreturnables packer. Palletising, too, has been automated and is handled by a pressant. A Contiflow mixer has been installed for beverage blending. “In view of space constraints, we do not keep any preforms in stock, either, but are taking just-in-time deliveries from the preform producer on a daily basis,” States Kageenu.

Exploiting performance reserves Originally, NBL had a slow line in mind, but purchase costs do not rise in proportion to line performance, which

Novida is a carbonated malt-based soft drink

51



CASE STUDY

is why it opted for a higher output straight away. Fernandes explains, “The idea behind this was – among other things – to be able to exploit performance reserves and deliver twoltr containers to consumers in Uganda. In addition, demand always peaks in December, and that is the crucial month for us. Our Coca-Cola products have a shelf-life of only six weeks, so we cannot produce for the warehouse. Moreover, there are issues related to the limits of our glass capacities, despite the new line installed in 2007, and so if there is additional demand, we simply fill in PET.” About the experience after the installation of the PET line, he says, “What we did learn, however, was that with nine different packaging variants run on the PET line, we have almost bitten off more than we can chew. It means that there are frequent interruptions for change-overs, which does, of course, reduce the line’s output.”

Excellent local support from the Krones LCS Centre Despite NBL’s satisfaction with the complete Krones glass line, the company left no stone unturned before deciding on the investment. “We scrutinised four different vendors. And, Krones was not the cheapest. What is really a big issue for us in Kenya is the continued shift in the exchange rate against the Dollar and the Euro. In the period from order placement to PET line commissioning alone, we lost 20 per cent by devaluation against the Euro,” asserts Fernandes. In the final analysis, however, the determinant factors were the good relations the company had with the Krones staff over the years and also the excellent local support from the LCS Centre in Nairobi, which guaranteed an efficient partnership.

Intensive training at the Krones Academy NBL sent ten operators and maintenance staff for 30 days to the Krones Academy in Neutraubling. “That is what we did for the glass line as well, and it worked out fine,” emphasises Fernandes. He further adds, “We are benefitting immensely from this. The members of staff trained in this way take possession of the line and do their best. And what’s more, they were able to familiarise their colleagues from the other shifts appropriately once they were back home. During the four weeks of commissioning, we released them from other duties, enabling them to devote their entire working hours to the new machines, together with the Krones fitters.” The money channelled into the PET line has already paid off. In 2009, output rose by 10 per cent over the preceding year. The co-operation with Krones has already proved its worth and is the best evidence of the right decision. Horst Meixner is Vice President (Sales), Middle East-Africa at Krones AG, Neutraubling. Email: horst.meixner@krones.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

53


PRACTICAL TIPS

Image-based ID reader

Ten reasons to choose the right one Image-based ID readers stand poised to replace laser scanners in a wide range of industries including food, beverage, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and automotive, but when considering a transition from laser scanners to image-based barcode readers many think the cost is too high. Thanks to advances in microprocessors, imaging sensors and decoding algorithms, image-based ID readers have become more affordable and powerful as well.

T

oday’s most advanced image-based ID readers have overcome the technical & economic hurdles, and now offer a more attractive alternative to industrial laser scanners on the factory floor. When considering the transition from laser scanners to image-based barcode reading, it is important to consider the many advantages they offer. The latest generation imagebased ID readers has proven to actually outperform lasers in the following areas:

Read rate performance The most important way to rank barcode reader performance is by its read rate. Read rate is the number

of barcodes read, divided by the number attempted. It is expressed as a percentage; and the closer to 100 per cent, the better. In another way, read rate is the best measure of how reliable and robust the reader is to the barcodes seen on the factory floor. Image-based readers view the entire barcode, not just a single line, so they can utilise advanced algorithms to overcome quiet zone violations and other code damage issues that cause laser scanners the most trouble on the production line. In addition, image-based readers are able to utilise light sources to read codes that lasers cannot see, including barcodes printed with UV ink. In this way, image-based readers

Noise

Specularity

Contrast

Uneven IIIumination

Perspective

Quiet zone violation

Voids

Damages

Read rate performance

54

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PRACTICAL TIPS

achieve much high-read rates, even with the most challenging codes that laser scanners do not read.

Long-term reliability Laser scanners utilise an oscillating scan mirror to move the laser beam rapidly across the barcode, creating the laser line that reads the code. Image-based readers have no moving parts, which mean they are less likely to have mechanical failures. Typically packaged in industrial enclosures, image-based readers are designed for long-term reliability and low maintenance.

Omni-directional code reading Image-based readers can read barcodes in any orientation within a single view. In contrast, it often requires multiple laser scanners configured together to read barcodes in applications where orientation is not repeatable. Image-based readers

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

not only handle the typical ladder or picket fence orientation of barcodes, but also are able to locate and read barcodes in any orientation.

2D code reading Many industries are making the transition to 2D codes, such as Data Matrix or QR Codes. More information can be encoded in 2D codes to help with product traceability throughout the manufacturing process and the supply chain. Often, 2D codes are employed in conjunction with 1D barcodes in the production process, however, laser scanners, cannot read Data Matrix or QR codes. In contrast, image-based readers can robustly and reliably read 2D codes as well as 1D barcodes. In fact, image-based readers are often designed to read the most difficultto-read 2D codes that are directly marked onto the part (also known as direct part mark or DPM). Many 2D codes are marked onto the part using

laser etching or dot peening creating a permanent DPM. Even challenging to read codes, due to poor marking, or marking on a curved surface, can be read reliably with advanced reading algorithms.

Multiple code reading and output capability With so many types of image-based readers available today, it is important to note that they are not all equal. The best image-based readers employ advanced algorithms that can locate and decode multiple barcodes of any type. These imagers also allow the Courtesy: xxx

Long-term reliability

55


PRACTICAL TIPS

Image-based readers are able to decode 1D barcodes in any orientation from 0 to 360 degrees

user to configure the order of readout to make it easier to integrate the reader into the production process. In many applications, the order that encoded information is output from the reader is important. For example, it may indicate which test tube the code is read from or which part on a pallet is in which location. Having the flexibility to read multiple codes in one image and read them out in a pre-determined order can make a difficult application simple to install.

Image archiving With a laser scanner, there is no way to understand what happened if the scanner did not read the barcode. The most powerful image-based readers can be set up to archive images of successful or failed reads to provide a record of parts that have been successfully read on the production line, or to understand what caused a no-read. For example, the image can be utilised to see if the barcode was not present or was too severely degraded to decode. The automotive, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries, in particular, are using image archiving to provide detailed traceability of the manufacturing process.

Ease of setup and deployment Image-based readers should offer simple step-by-step setup to configure the settings of the reader and to communicate the results. No special training should be required to set up and install an image-based reader. In addition, if the user is able to see the

56

image while setting up the reader, it will be easier to ensure that the reader is properly focussed and positioned to find and decode the code or codes in the field of view.

Barcode quality feedback In many production lines, it is important to maintain the barcode print quality at a high level to ensure that the code can be read by other readers in the product distribution chain. Image-based readers can provide feedback on the quality of the print so the manufacturer can make adjustments before they ship badly printed codes to their customers.

Visualisation and communication When the image-based reader is working on the production line, operators have options that allow them to monitor the read rate statistics and look at the images that the reader takes. This allows the operator to understand how the system is working and to quickly recognise what is happening if there is a no-read. The image feedback at runtime lets the operator see what is happening while the system is online. The operator can also make simple adjustments to the reader through the online view without having to find a manual to understand how to make setup changes. In addition, industrial protocols like Ethernet/IP and Profinet allow image-based readers to be easily integrated into the factory network. Direct communication with PLCs allows both data communication and control to make the reader part of the quality control process.

Future proof While many industries are beginning to add 2D codes, such as Data Matrix or QR to provide additional tracking information to parts, not all industries are adopting these types of codes quickly. If this is the case, it is important to know that some image-based readers help make the transition from laser-based to image-based scanning easier, with a lower cost model. These readers offer omni-directional 1D barcode reading and lower risk with the ability to upgrade those 1D barcode reading models to enable 2D codes such as Data Matrix and QR codes. In addition, the most advanced image-based readers also have firmware update programs, ensuring that the reader’s firmware can be upgraded with the latest decoding methods and new code types. The idea of future proofing the line allows the user to start transitioning from laser scanners to image-based readers at a low cost, and allows the flexibility to upgrade in the future without having to replace the readers again and again.

Conclusion Currently, if one is utilising laserbased barcode readers, now is the time to investigate the advantages of image-based code readers. One may also find that image-based readers open up new opportunities to identify, track and trace products & components on the manufacturing lines and throughout the supply chain. Courtesy: CognexÂŽ Corporation

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



EVENTS CALENDAR

National

Chennai

Tamil Nadu Mar 11-13, 2011 Chennai Trade Centre

Ahmedabad

Gujarat Oct 14-17, 2011 Gujarat University Exhibition Hall

Pune

Maharastra Nov 18-21, 2011 Auto Cluster Exhibition Centre

Indore

Madhya Pradesh Jan 6-9, 2012 Poddar Plaza, Nr Gandhi Hall

India’s premier industrial trade fair on products and technologies related to Machine Tools, Hydraulics & Pneumactics, Process Machinery & Equipment, Automation Instrumentation, Packaging & Auxiliaries, IT Products, Electrical & Electronics, Material Handling and Safety Equipment.

For details contact: Infomedia 18 Ltd, Infomedia 18 Ltd, Ruby House, 1st Floor, J K Sawant Marg, Dadar (W), Mumbai 400 028. Tel: 022 3003 4651 • Fax: 022 3003 4499 • Email: engexpo@infomedia18.in

Food & Technology Expo 2011

An international exhibition focussing on food processing & packaging machines & technologies; July 29-31, 2011; at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

machines, foiling, capsuling, feeding & labelling machines, packaging containers, packaging materials, software, etc; July 1-4, 2011; HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad

For details contact: Anil Rana NNS Events & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd Meri Delhi House 25/10, East Punjabi Bagh New Delhi 110 026 Mob: 098102 13597 Email: anilrana_ars@yahoo.co.in

For details contact: Neetu Arora Print-Packaging.com Pvt Ltd F 101, Tower No 7 1st Floor, International Infotech Park, Vashi Navi Mumbai 400 705 Tel: 022-27812093, 022-27812619 Fax: 022-27812578 Website: www.packplussouth.in

N PRINTECH 2011

Compack Expo 2011

This event will bring future printing techniques and products closer to the Indian market. The emphasis of the exhibition will be on providing high-quality, efficient products to the buyers. Screen Printing, pad printing, ink jet printing, photo printing and offset printing will be the highlights of this fair; May 6-8, 2011; at Chennai Trade & Convention Centre, Chennai

The Comprehensive Packaging Expo (COMPACK) is recognized as a trusted base for various manufacturers of packaging machines, materials, logistics providers and end users. This three day event will prove to be a major hub for expanding business network; August 5-7, 2011; at Chennai Trade & Convention Centre, Chennai

For details contact: Karthika Buysell Interactions Pvt Ltd No 5, Shanmugam Street Royapettah Chennai - 600014 Tel: 044 28353739 Fax: 044 28350839 Email: karthika@buysellint.com Website: www.nprintech.com

For details contact: Smart Expos T-6, Agarwal Court - K G Plaza, 41-44 General Patters Road Chennai - 600 002 Tel: 044-2860 4087/2860 3086 Fax: 044-28604261 Email: info@smartexpos.in Website: www.smartexpos.in

PackPlus South 2011

This will be a platform to showcase the latest converting solutions in through advanced machinery and best-in-class practices. The concurrent India Flexo Show and India

The total packaging, processing and supply chain event with display of packaging machines and equipment like coding and on-line printing

58

India Converting Show 2011

Corrugated Show will offer a further insight into the strategic moves required by the Indian industry in order to keep pace with the global market trends; November 23-26, 2011; at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai For details contact: Neetu Arora Print-Packaging.com F 101, Tower No 7, First Floor International Infotech Park Vashi - 400 705 Tel: 022-27812093/27812619 Fax: 022-27812578 Email: info@packplus.in Website: www.indiaconvertingshow.com

India Packaging Show 2011

Among India’s most exhaustive packaging events, this brings together seven established niche shows dedicated to distinct segments. The show aims to bring together the worldwide manufacturers and providers of machinery, materials and services for food, pharmaceuticals and packaging industry from India and neighbouring countries; December 7 - 10, 2011; at NSIC Exhibition Centre, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi For details contact: Prateek Kaushik Print-Packaging.com Advant Navis Unit No A1101B Noida-201301, Uttar Pradesh Tel: 0120-3075400 – 04 Fax: 91-22-27812578 Mob: 09899981610 Email: info@packplus.in Website: www.indiapackagingshow.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


EVENTS CALENDAR

International AUSPACK PLUS 2011

For details contact: Pamela Yau Hong Kong Trade Development Council Unit 13, Expo Galleria, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre 1 Expo Drive Hong Kong, China Tel: (852) 1830 668 Fax: (852) 3543-8716 Email: pamela.wt.yau@hktdc.org Website: www.hktdc.com

For details contact: Rob Keen Event Director Exhibitions and Trade Fairs Pvt Ltd Tel: +61 2 9556 7988 Email: rkeen@etf.com.au Website: www.auspack.com.au

PrintEx11

This will be Australasia’s premier event for showcasing the latest developments in packaging, processing, plastics machinery, materials and associated technologies. It will be an ideal platform for industry professionals to showcase their solutions as well; March 22-25, 2011; at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center, Melbourne, Australia

SinoCorrugated 2011

This is one of the leading trade fairs for the global corrugated manufacturing industry. Besides featuring the latest global corrugated equipment and consumables, it will also help carton box manufacturers to make informed purchasing decisions by alerting them to new products, technologies and emerging market trends; April 6 – 9, 2011; at Shanghai New International Expo Center, China For details contact: Judie Liu Reed Exhibitions Shanghai Branch 8th Floor, New Hualian Mansion, West Building 775 Middle Huai Hai Road Shanghai, China 200020 Tel: +86 21 5153 5243 Fax: +86 21 5153 5234 E-mail: judie.liu@reedexpo.com.cn Website: www.sino-corrugated.com

Hong Kong Printing & Packaging Fair

This is among the leading business platforms for meeting new clients as well as consolidating relationships with established customers for printing and packaging solutions as well as trading in related equipment and consumables. Buyers include print managers and brokers, publishers, graphic arts specialists, packagers, advertising agents and designers; April 27-30, 2011; at AsiaWorld - Expo, Hong Kong, China

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

This is Australia’s premier print and design exhibition dedicated to the graphic arts and communications industries. Staged every four years in Sydney since 1999, this trade-only event provides an unparalleled opportunity for networking in a dynamic and interactive business environment for a competitive edge; May 4 – 6, 2011; Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia For details contact: Guy Freebody Reed Exhibitions - Australia Locked Bag 7888 Chatswood DC NSW 2067, Australia Tel: 02 9422 2568 Fax: 02 9993 8342 Email: guy.freebody@ reedexhibitions.com.au Website: www.printex.net.au

ecoPack systems 2011

This conference is a new and exclusive platform for sustainable innovations from the plastic packaging and machinery industry. This event will see more than 200 practitioners from beverage, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical market in Europe engage actively in discussions on current topics, on May 10-11, 2011; at Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf, Germany For details contact: PETnology/tecPET GmbH PO Box 120 429 D-93026 Regensburg, Germany Tel: +49 941 870 2374 Email: ecoPack-systems2011@ petnology.com Website: www.ecopack-conference.com

Propac Arabia

This is the ideal place to get acquainted with Saudi Arabia’s packaging sector where potential buyers can source and select the best packaging solutions that meet their particular needs. It will also provide a perfect gateway for international and domestic suppliers to capitalise on excellent growth and business opportunities and an exhaustive range of cutting-edge technology; May 29 - June 01, 2011; at Jeddah Centre for Forums & Events, Saudi Arabia For details contact: Al-Harithy Company PO Box 40740 Jeddah 21511 Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 (0)2 654 6384 Fax: +966 (0)2 654 6853 E-mail: ace@acexpos.com Website: www.acexpos.com

ProPak Asia 2011

This is among Asia’s largest event for international manufacturers and suppliers of machinery, technology and materials in the sectors of packaging, filling, processing, quality assurance, test and measurement and the related fields of automation, transportation, storage, refrigeration, ingredients, labelling and pollution control; June 15-18, 2011; at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Thailand For details contact: Piyaporn Lertpongsopon Bangkok Exhibition Services Ltd (BES) SPE Tower 9th Floor 252 Phaholyothin Road Samsennai, Phyathai Bangkok 10400 Tel: (+66) 02 615 1255 Fax: (+66) 02 615 2991 Email: Piyaporn@besallworld.com Website: www.propakasia.com The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective organiser. In any case, it does not represent the views of ���������������������������������������������

59


REPORT

PLASTIVISION INDIA 2011

Networking through knowledge exchange The plastics industry in India has grown phenomenally, and this growth story was reflected in the success of the recently held PLASTIVISION INDIA 2011. The event emphasised the industry’s progress, and once again proved India’s potential as an emerging market for plastics and machinery. It also provided a plethora of opportunities to entrepreneurs in India for consolidating and strengthening their trade globally. A report…

Members of AIPMA with guests from the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Korea

Beverley Lewis

T

he Indian plastics industry has big market potential and is steadily prospering. The potential of this industry is also propelling the subsequent growth of other associated industries. Taking a note of this growth, the All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) held the 8th PLASTIVISION INDIA (PVI 2011), one of the largest exhibitions for the plastics industry. It offered opportunities for market players to explore this booming market through an ideal networking platform for both manufacturers and visitors. The exhibition was held from January 20-24, 2011, at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon in Mumbai.

Inauguration ceremony Niu Qingbao, Consul General of People’s Republic of China; Dr Seo-hang Lee,

60

Consul General of the Republic of Korea; and Paul Jukes, President, British Plastics Federation, were the honourable guests at the ceremony. The Chief Guest for the inauguration was Ashok Goel, President, Plastindia Foundation. During the inauguration, Qingbao expressed that China and India can and should be partners in the plastics industry. He emphasised on the need for more machinery to manufacture the bulk of plastic products, which is experiencing a short supply in India. Qingbao suggested that Chinese manufacturers of plastics machinery are ready to help through joint ventures and MoUs.

Backgrounder PLASTIVISION INDIA is one of the largest plastics exhibitions in the country organised by AIPMA, with the support of the Government of India, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers;

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


REPORT

Plastics Export Promotion Council of India, Plastindia Foundation, Indian Institute of Packaging and various state governments. It is held triennially as an international event aimed at promoting the plastics industry. The latest edition of the exhibition proved India’s potential as an emerging market for plastics & machinery and also offered considerable opportunities to entrepreneurs in India for growing their business and expanding trade globally. About the exhibition, Yogesh Shah, President, AIPMA, said, “Today, we are living in the plastic age. At no given point of time, we can live without plastics; hence it is important to know how and where to utilise them. Considering the two aspects, viz, the growing sector and environmental concerns or rather the myths related to plastics, we at PVI 2011 had incorporated the relevant discussions through Green Pavilion and PLASTICA.”

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

Ajay Desai, Chairman, PLASTIVISION INDIA 2011, asserted, “We attempted to ensure hall-wise participation to provide visitors with focussed spectrum exhibitors and better business options.”

Increased participation In terms of exhibitor participation, a 58 per cent rise was witnessed at PVI 2011. The exhibition saw the participation of 1,000 exhibitors from 17 countries spread across the five halls at the exhibition centre. The exhibition covered a gross area of 55,000 sq m, making this the largest trade fair ever held in Mumbai. An elated Shah said, “Such an increase in both the number of visitors who participated and the business generated clearly states and signifies the growth of the Indian plastics industry. The per capita consumption that is likely to double in next five years from 8 kg currently portrays the huge

demand expected within this industry. For instance, the automobile industry has seen a growth of almost 35 per cent and when such industries surge, the demand for plastics is bound to increase.” He further added, “We are pleased and overwhelmed with the response we received for the 8th PLASTIVISION, and are confident that our next exhibition in the year 2014 will be bigger in terms of size and offerings.” On the success of the exhibition, Desai commented, “The 8th edition has been a satisfying and pleasing experience for us. All exhibitors, including international and national, large, medium & small sized companies finalised business deals. Following this success, we are now being recognised as a ‘global exhibition for plastics industry’. The exhibitors have shown great enthusiasm and have assured their participation for the next edition, scheduled to be held in 2014.”

61


REPORT

Members of AIPMA attending the inaguration

According to Girish Handigol, Head – PPM Marketing, L&T Plastics Machinery Ltd, PLASTIVISION is a platform to showcase technological developments and introduce new products. “We have been a part of PLASTIVISION right from its inception and have seen it grow to its current substantial and immaculate stature, over the years. This year in particular, visitor turnout to our stall was huge. The exhibition was graced by quality visitors that resulted in genuine business enquiries and new business leads. When compared to the last year, our business has grown from 30 to 40 per cent, and our products have been well appreciated. We have received orders for all our products. PLASTIVISION being the second-largest trade fair for the plastics industry in the country, we had high expectations from it, and the exhibition has only exceeded those,” he added.

Going green The Green Pavilion attracted a lot of attention from visitors and exhibitors alike, as it brought to light one of the most highly discussed issues – plastics and its effects on the environment. Visitors were educated on how smart usage of plastics can help save the environment. There was also a live demo on plastic recycling, products that could be made out of used plastics, among others. During the five days of the event, various seminars were held, of which

62

Recycling plant at the Green Pavilion

a major one was on ‘Indian Plastic Industry Vision 2020’. The panel comprised eminent personalities from the plastics industry and its allied sector, which included names like Dr U K Saroop from Reliance Industries; Y R Anand from Unimark; Parasuraman from Allied Solutions; and many other prominent experts. AIPMA, on a parallel line, also undertook initiatives to educate the young generation about the importance of plastics in our daily life and about its safe disposal to protect our environment. It took a long leap by undertaking an all-India school level essay competition. The topic for the essay was ‘Life in the Plastics Era’. There was a huge response to this from across the country and 12 winners, three from each zone were finalised.

Business opportunities AIPMA and British Plastics Federation (BPF) signed an MoU to promote the development of plastics industries in India and the UK on the basis of equality and mutual benefit of the two parties. With this MoU, both AIPMA and BPF will work towards contributing to the mutual economic development of both countires and foster a common approach for the evolution of the global plastics industry. Commenting on this, Peter Davis, Director General, BPF, said, “We are delighted to have signed this MoU with AIPMA. We feel that our

very first visit to PVI 2011 has been a success, and with this agreement, we hope to build a co-operation between our associations and member companies. We can leverage great advantage by means of exchanging information for bettering our business approach, dealing with environmental & energy issues, and promoting education & training.” This MoU will increase co-operation & communication, share information & increase awareness on technology, markets and environmental issues between the two countries. Desai stated that the signing of the MoU signifies a step towards globalisation. He further concluded, “It will be a partnership for exchange of technology from West to East and help the Indian companies service their requirements. Through this MoU, there will be immense knowledge sharing between the two countries by way of seminars, conferences and exhibitions. Also, this partnership will provide Indian companies a great opportunity to showcase their offerings and services at the Interplas Exhibition, which is one of the biggest exhibitions in the world for the plastics industry.” To this, Jayesh Rambhiya, VicePresident, AIPMA, stated, “The success of PLASTIVISION has strengthened the brand AIPMA, and has attracted BPF to join hands with it, thereby opening new opportunities for its members.”

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



REPORT

Engineering Expo Indore 2011

Echoing success

Setting an inspirational benchmark for itself, the recently held third edition of Engineering Expo Indore surpassed its previous records. The event marked the presence of more than 270 exhibitors and generated business worth ` 65.24 crore. In the backdrop of rapid industrial growth in Madhya Pradesh (MP), the Expo played a catalytic role in providing further boost to the manufacturing fraternity in and around the region. Prasenjit Chakraborty

T

he business dynamics of every economy and market keeps evolving continuously as a large number of manufacturers enter the market, thereby enhancing competition and raising the standards. The intense competitive environment calls for a networking platform that not only connects the buyer and seller but also enables them to seal envious business deals. In such a scenario, a trade fair should offer all promotional benefits that a manufacturer looks for. In this direction, the third edition of Engineering Expo Indore, held from January 07-10, 2011, at Poddar Plaza, Gandhi Hall, delivered the promised prospects. It proved to be

one of the most successful shows held in Indore in recent times. Besides being extremely effective, the Expo provided participants with a cost-effective means to promote their products on a wider platform to a serious set of buyers.

Abundant opportunities

Engineering Expo Indore 2011 witnessed participation from over 270 exhibitors, including some of the leading engineering companies such as Siemens, Havells, S&T Engineers, Atlas Copco (India), Guhring India, Kirloskar Oil Engines, Nilkamal, Godrej & Boyce, etc. The exhibitors used this platform to fruitfully showcase their latest product offerings to esteemed customers and visitors present at the event.

ustries, ter of Ind iya, Minis rg o a xp yv E a ij e at th Kailash V g his visit MP, durin

64

The inauguration ceremony was attended by a galaxy of industry leaders namely Ashok Jaiswal, President, Association of Industries, MP; Gautam Kothari, President, Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan; Omprakash Gupta, President, Madhya Pradesh Electric Merchants and Contractors Association, and many other dignitaries across industries. Addressing the gathering, Jaiswal said, “With the proactive support of the State Government, MP is taking rapid strides on the industrial front. In this scenario, the exhibition provided a much-needed momentum to accelerate the growth prospects of the industries.” He further added, “The products displayed at the Expo will enable manufacturers to upgrade

The growth facilitator One of the major highlights of this Expo included the visit of Kailash Vijayvargiya, Minister of Industries, Government of Madhya Pradesh. He took keen interest in the exhibition and visited different pavilions. Commenting on the Expo, the minister said, “Engineering Expo is an excellent platform for the industry. It has an important role in uplifting the industrial scenario of MP.” He further added, “The Expo met several requirements of new entrepreneurs by providing them a chance to interact with a plethora of new companies, and learn about different products & technologies showcased at the event. It is a good platform for facilitating growth in the manufacturing sector of MP.” The minister was accompanied by dignitaries from the government as well as several industry associations.

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


REPORT

Guest of honour Omprakash Gupta, President, Madhya Pradesh Electric Merchants and Contractors Association (second from left); Gautam Kothari, President, Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan, and Ashok Jaiswal, President, Association of Industries, Madhya Pradesh lighting the traditional lamp at the inaugural function of Engineering Expo Indore

their existing technology. I hope the organisers will continue their zeal in the years to come. The Expo is beneficial to the manufacturing fraternity, visitors as well as the industrial segments of Madhya Pradesh.” Echoing similar sentiments, Kothari stated, “The exhibition is the manifestation of MP’s growth in the engineering segment. The participation of reputed brands across categories clearly narrates the success of Engineering Expo Indore. It also spells the bright future of industrial growth in the state.” He pointed out, “The technology displayed at Indore Expo will help manufacturers reduce production cost. It also acts as a platform for educating industries located in this region.” Highlighting the investment scenario in the state, Kothari informed

that Pithampur area, known as the automobile hub, has been on an expansion spree. Hence, there is a continous surge of investments being witnessed in this region. Putting things into perspective, Kothari concluded that the Engineering Expo is best placed to provide further momentum to this growth. Meanwhile, Gupta lauded the organisers for segmentation of pavilions, which helped the visitors in finding the right products in less time.

Generating crucial leads

In the backdrop of the state’s rapid industrial growth, Engineering Expo emerged as an ideal platform for companies to showcase their latest products. Atanu Sengupta, Area Manager – Power Tool Division, Bosch, said, “The atmosphere here was quite professional. Irrespective of whether the exhibitors were big or

Opportunities calling... With proactive support from the State Government, the industrial scenario in MP is rapidly changing. A closer look reveals that soya, chemical and food machinery segments are flourishing in western MP, while automobile and other engineering sectors are at the forefront in eastern Madhya Pradesh, especially Indore and its surrounding areas. However, there are ample growth opportunities in other sectors as well, as the state has natural wealth in the form of limestone, coal, soya, cotton, bauxite, iron ore, silica, etc. Therefore, the state has a strong industrial base in sectors like textile, cement, steel, soya processing, etc. “The State Government is attracting investments by organising summits and offering tax benefits to entrepreneurs who plan to invest in the state,” stated Ashok Jaiswal, President, Association of Industries, MP. The positivity incidentally is also indicative of the fact that in future, Engineering Expo Indore will play a greater role in boosting the industrial growth of the region. Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

small, they professionally managed their stalls. It clearly indicates that they highly value this exhibition and consider it a serious platform for enhancing their business.” Seconding the view, Ajay Jain, Sales Engineer – Madhya Pradesh, BIPICO Industries (Tools), said, “After the Engineering Expo Indore 2010 edition, the business of our company grew by 10-15 per cent in MP.” The Expo served myriad purposes for exhibitors; some utilised this platform to launch new products, others attempted to garner new information about companies. Finolex Cables is a case in point. “Many do not know that Finolex also manufactures a complete range of switches and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). During the event, our major focus was on switches and CFLs, so that people are aware of these products. Engineering Expo serves as the right place for deciphering the information,” explained Gopal Halwasiya, Engineer - Sales, Finolex Cables. The participants, exhibitors and visitors alike, believed that the rapid pace of industrial growth, coupled with emerging sectors like cement and power in MP is all set to add to the grandeur and significance of Engineering Expo Indore in times to come.

Third editio n of Engin eerin

g Expo Indo re attracte d 19,732 vi sitors

65


REPORT

270+ exhibitors Exhibitors’ experience

The launch pad

Rahul Yadav, Assistant Manager – Sales, Rittal India

Ashish Sinha, Assistant GM, Godrej Material Handling, Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co

Ajay Mehta, MD, Arihant Bearing Services

Yogesh Bagora, Assistant Manager – Sales & Marketing, Nilkamal

I was amazed by the number of visitors and enquiries received on the first day itself. Being an MNC, we generally take part in exhibitions organised in metro cities. We are participating in Engineering Expo Indore for the first time. And I must say, on a regional level, we never thought of receiving such a wonderful response. Through this exhibition, we had an opportunity to meet SME customers in and around Indore. Due to several constraints, small entrepreneurs cannot reach every customer. The Expo provided the perfect platform for customers to meet entrepreneurs and vice-versa.

Rajesh Godse, Director, Reliable Terrestrials

We always believed that this exhibition is a good platform for launching new products. We have more scope when a unit expands. If rapid growth of industries is any indication, the exhibition will grow manifold from its present status. We are satisfied with the kind of arrangement and the response generated here.

Sunil Mahajan, Area Sales Manager – MP, Black & Decker India

Engineering Expo is a good platform to participate. The plus point of the exhibition was the opportunity offered to meet entrepreneurs from neighbouring states, who participated in the event.

7,177

Total business leads generated

66

Indore is the commercial capital of MP, with a number of industries coming up in Pithampur, Dewas, etc. The industry is growing and this is the right platform to display our products. At the Expo, we have received quality enquiries from the visitors. We have also launched upgraded models of forklift trucks at this exhibition.

We have a complete range of material handling and storage systems. We launched the steel dustbin in MP at this exhibition. This is the only exhibition in the state where one can exhibit engineering products.

Rajesh Joshi, Assistant GM, Havells India

Engineering Expo is the best platform for reaching the target audience in Indore and surrounding areas. Recently, we have introduced (in India) geysers that are protected with earth leakage circuit breaker, which were displayed for the first time in MP through this Expo. The response was fantastic.

Sulabh Muchhal, Director, A-One Electrical Agencies

This year, the response is much better than the last edition. Overwhelmed by the response we received last year, we booked the entire row in a pavilion. At the Expo, we launched HT Solutions product.

86,000 kg

Total machin ery movement a t the venue

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


REPORT

Business of over

` 65.24 crore

19,732+ Visitors

Elated first timers

Visitors’ views

Raj Kumar Jain, Branch Manager, Legrand (India)

Mushtak Ali, Vice President, Wire & Wire Products Association, Indore

The exhibition has proved to be beneficial for one and all present here. Most importantly, only serious participants were present, which brightened the business prospects. At our stall, we displayed three new products. We consider this as the right platform to introduce our products to the target audience.

Manoj Pugaliya, Director, Kan Power Rubber Industries

I regularly visit exhibitions in Delhi and Mumbai, and I feel that the standard of Engineering Expo Indore is high. If the same standard is maintained, then we need not have to explore avenues outside the region to seek new types of machines.

Yogesh Mantri, Managing Director, AGECO

The exhibition is much better than what I had expected. The enquiries are from across all industry segments, which will facilitate the growth of our business.

The exhibition was much better than what I expected. The display range was vast, which covered almost the entire gamut of the industry. This exhibition provided the latest information about new products and technology, thereby it generated huge interest from exhibitors and visitors alike.

Rajul Gandhi, Director, Seion Watertech

Kumar M Desai, Director, Omega Elevators

Though I was a bit apprehensive on the first day, Engineering Expo Indore turned out to be a fantastic exhibition overall. I must say, we were at the right place to enhance our business prospects.

M B Unjhawala, Managing Director, MGMT Tools & Hardware

This is the first exhibition we have participated in, since we started manufacturing six months back. I firmly believe that the automobile sector will drive the growth of the industrial scenario in MP. The exhibition will help us to penetrate the market. We displayed tool cabinets and trolleys, which are mainly used in the automobile industry.

87%

appy Exhibitors h of with quality visitors

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

I have come all the way from Ahmedabad to seek some electronic automation products and machine tools. The trade fair covered the entire range of engineering products. Regional players will benefit tremendously from this exhibition.

Manish Kumar Jain, Business Manager, Tata Steel

Manufacturers, be it small-scale or large-scale, have displayed their products, thus offering a number of options to select from. We were looking for some galvanised products, which we managed to source from the Expo.

76%

Exhibito rs willing to partic ipate in the next edition

67


BOOK SHELF

Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications Third Edition Volume 1: Formulation and Packaging Editors Price

: Sandeep Nema and John D Ludwig : ` 11,250

The Package Design Book Editor : Julius Wiedemann Price : ` 2, 625

This volume presents a historical perspective of injectable drug therapy, common routes of administration, and biopharmaceutics of NCEs & NBEs; an in-depth discussion on the preformulation & formulation of small & large molecules, including ophthalmic dosage forms; a presentation of parenteral primary packaging options – glass & plastic containers, as well as elastomeric closures; a definitive chapter on container-closure integrity; and new chapters on solubility & solubilisation, formulation of depot delivery systems and biophysical/biochemical characterisation of proteins. First published in 1984 (as two volumes), and last revised in 1993 (when it grew to three volumes), this latest revision addresses the plethora of changes in science, and the considerable advances in the technology associated with these products & routes of administration. The third edition of this book maintains the features that made the last edition popular, but comprises several brand new chapters, revisions to all other chapters, as well as high quality illustrations. The three-volume set of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, is an authoritative, comprehensive reference work on the formulation and manufacturing of parenteral dosage forms, effectively balancing theoretical considerations with the practical aspects of their development. As such, it is recommended for scientists and engineers in the pharmaceutical industry & academia, and will also serve as an excellent reference & training tool for regulatory scientists and quality assurance professionals.

Packaging is a highly underrated art form. As the first thing a consumer sees when looking at a product, the packaging can make or break a sale. Every year, the Pentawards celebrate the art of the package by presenting awards to designers and their creations from around the world. The designers compete in five main categories that include beverages, food, body, luxury, and other markets, and no less than 44 sub-categories. Featuring a myriad selection of more than 400 works from approximately 39 countries, this book brings together all Pentawards winners from 2009 and 2010; also the prominent frontrunners from 2008, providing a vivid demonstration of creativity in every form of packaging. Readers will also discover what drives the design industry leaders and agencies behind these creations, which are part of our everyday lives. This well-of inspiration is not only aimed at design and marketing professionals, but anyone with an interest in the creative process of packaging.

Wisdom Book Distributors, Hornby Building, 1st floor, 174, D N Road, Mumbai 400 001 Tel: 022-2207 4484/6631 8958 • Telefax: 022-2203 4058 • Email: thadam@vsnl.com

68

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



PRODUCT UPDATE

This section provides information about the national and international products available in the market

Laminating machine

HDPE/PP woven sacks & bag

Bori machinery o f f e r s laminating machine. These laminating machines are p r o d u c e d with imported machine parts of global quality. These are cost-effective and promise performance guarantees, profitable investment and long maintenance-free work-life. These laminating machines have adopted the parts from Italy, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, etc. The machine can be utilised for pouch film, thermal lamination film, toothpaste-tube sheet material, milk & drink aseptic soft packing multi-layer compound material, as well as for paper-plastic laminating, high-grade digital photo paper production, etc.

Kanpur Plastipack offers small HDPE/PP woven sacks and bags. Some of the salient features of these sacks & bags include: circular woven fabric & bags; laminated and/or unlaminated; printed and/or unprinted; all types of small bags, such as valve, bale wraps, liner bags, gusseted bags, etc; and reel-to-reel printing with corona treatment UV stabilised option. The comprehensive range of bags is utililsed in many industries such as fertilisers, agri products, cement, sugar, fibre, plastic polymers, chemicals, sand, seeds, salt, minerals, etc.

Bori Machinery Imp & Exp Corp Zhejiang - China Tel: 86-579-82050435 Fax: 86-579-82050430 Mob: 0086-18657991133 Email: bori@bori.cc

Kanpur Plastipack Ltd Kanpur - Uttar Pradesh Tel: 0512-2691113, Fax: 0512-2691117 Mob: 09838101789 Email: info@kanplas.com

Coding ink rollers & cartridge

Tender-Care International offers a wide range of air bubble films that are lightweight, chemically neutral, transparent & attractive, non-hygroscopic sealable & weldable, strong & firm, flexible and tenacious. Large size air bubble films are ideal for heavy and midsized items, test equipment, motors, receivers, machineries, spares, furniture, carton lining, void fill, etc. Medium-sized air bubble films and smaller diameter air bubble films are also available.

Process Instrumentation & Controls offers coding ink rollers & cartridges (food/ pharma grade) and felt pads/ rollers that are made for food/ pharma packaging machines, FFS machines and coding machines. The absorbing material utilised is polyporous in various microns. Absorbing capacity of the cartridges is quite high and the cartridges are hard, therefore the impression is good as there is cotton cloth knitted sleeves (covering), which is used to avoid direct contact of stereo with the roller. The cartridges are made in various IDs, ODs and lengths, depending on customers’ requirements. Maximum OD can be up to 85 mm and length up to 300 mm. The ID of the bore can be adjusted as per specific coding/marking requirements. The inking rollers are extensively used in coding and batch printing machines for marking/stamping of batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, retail price, lot number, etc; on packaged pouches, labels, strips, blisters, cartons, tins, boxes, packets, etc.

Tender Care International Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2685 4908 Fax: 022-2685 5930 Email: airplast@mtnl.net.in

Process Instrumentation & Controls Vadodara - Gujarat Tel: 0265-235 7228, Fax: 0265-235 5429 Mob: 09825139846 Email: batchprinting@yahoo.com

Air bubble film

70

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PRODUCT UPDATE

Blue LED display Kwality Photonics offers a wide range of blue LED displays which include: single-digit, multi-digit, dotmatrix, lightbars, etc. The expanded range now includes: single-digit, seven segment displays (SSDs) from 7.6 to 200 mm character height; dual, triple and quad SSDs in 7.6, 10 and 14 mm variants. Blue dot matrix displays are available in a wide range of alternatives with the traditional 30 and 50 mm, 5 x 7 modules proving particularly popular. There is a choice of intensity and wavelength in the range, with new variants being constantly introduced. The brilliant, 470 nm wavelength LED displays are visible in the brightest ambient lighting, but draws less than 0.5 W (85 mA) from a single +5 V supply, which is less than most standard red LED displays. The KLSXXXB series LED digital meter displays are offered as units to employ silicon carbide super bright blue LEDs. Kwality Photonics Pvt Ltd Hyderabad - Andhra Pradesh Tel: 040-2712 3555 Fax: 040-2712 4762 Email: kwality@kwalityindia.com

Aluminium profile section Kirpekar Engineering offers a variety of aluminium profile sections along with all the connecting accessories a designer requires. These sections and profiles allow the designer various options and possibilities of frames to be manufactured for industrial applications like Fifo storage racks, display boards, enclosures, machine guards & fencing, robotic & automation systems, conveyors, work-test & assembly line benches and tables, assembly in packaging machines and many more. These specially extruded aluminium profiles are designed and manufactured with very close tolerances and maximum strengths, anodised to a depth of 15 micron ensuring the structures are accurate and resistant to corrosion. These have a ling life and can be used for any application. The standard sizes available are 30 x 30, 40 x 40, 40 x 80, 80 x 80 and 80 x 160. Kirpekar Engineering Pvt Ltd Pune - Maharashtra Tel: 020-6674 1600 Fax: 020-6674 1601 Email: sales@kirpekarengg.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

71


PRODUCT UPDATE

Temperature controller Procon Technologies offers PXR series temperature controller from Fuji Electric. This 1/16 DIN temperature controller comes with a LED display that is 1.6 times larger than other previous models with dust-proof front display and operational section that is waterproof and conforms to NEMA-4X (IP66). It is available in 24 x 48 mm, 48 x 48 mm, 48 x 96 mm and 96 x 96 mm sizes. Fuzzy control is a standard feature suppressing overshoot without lengthy start-up time and improving the response to external disturbances by quickly reverting to set points. It is provided with 16-segment ramp/soak & menu driven auto/manual mode of operation. By using the digital input option, the operator can change between two set points using a remote, start/stop the control action, start/reset the ramp/soak, start/stop the auto tuning, cancel the alarm latch or start the incorporated timer. Procon Technologies Pvt Ltd Ahmedabad - Gujarat Tel: 079-2749 2566, Fax: 079-2743 2871 Email: dhaval@procon.co.in

Horizontal flow wrapper Bosch Packaging Technology offers horizontal flow wrapper, model Pack 301, for special product handling. The machine is ideal for irregularly shaped products, unstable product stacks, products on edge and multi-packs, which are traditionally difficult to wrap. To stabilise the product during wrapping, the Pack-301 offers a wide range of options including side and overhead belts, overhead chain and side chain through cutting head. Its modular design provides easy access and the ability to quickly reconfigure for different applications. The machine offers optional 650 mm film width and an end of film auto splice with knife mechanism, allowing for higher speed splicing and improved production reliability. It can achieve speeds upto 500 packages/min. Package appearance is improved with adjustable cantilevered fin wheels and the latest in fin seal technology that utilises gap control for consistent precise seal integrity. Providing transport of heavy products and reliable operation with light gauge film, the powered auxiliary fold-over wheel pulls film through the cutting head. Bosch India Ltd, Packaging Technology Division Bengaluru - Karnataka Tel: 080-2299 2032, Fax: 080-2299 2060 Email: boschpackaging@in.bosch.com

72

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



PRODUCT UPDATE

Contact coder Process Instrumentation & Controls offers online highspeed contact coder. This is a small intermittent motion reciprocating contact coder with ink cartridge enclosed in its container for label printing. It is mountable for online marking on sticker labelling machines in pharma/food industry and is widely used for coding and marking on labels at high speeds. It is used to print various statutory information like batch number, date of manufacturing, expiry date, price and any other information on various packing like tins, containers, cartons, lids, stickers, laminated flexible pouches, films, metal containers, etc. It is specially used for high-speed coding application viz, selfsticker labelling & multi-track packing line, FFS, blister pack, and strip pack machine. This machine’s compact design makes it easy to install where space is limited. It can be mounted in any angle: vertical, horizontal, or side mounting. It has a versatile controller with inbuilt cyclic timer and five different input modules to achieve or optimise printing at speeds up to 180-200 impressions per minute with easy operation. Process Instrumentation & Controls Vadodara - Gujarat Tel: 0265-235 7228 Fax: 0265-235 5429 Email: batchprinting@yahoo.com

Web guiding system ATE Enterprises offers web guiding system of low noise level (62-63 dB), manufactured by Erhardt+Leimer (India). Important features of this system include infinitely adjustable control sensitivity by regulating air signal pressure, adjustment of the operating pressure with the aid of a pressure gauge, adjustment of the cylinder positioning speed to optimise control circuit, and high-powered blower provides fast system response with almost nil signal transmission delay. This system is suitable for a wide range of webs including thin films, maintenance & wear-free blower, easy fitting of an additional hydraulic port for external uses, etc. Further, it is easy-to-maintain due to compact & modular construction, and is also operator-friendly. ATE Enterprises Pvt Ltd Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-6676 6100 Fax: 022-2673 2463 Email: pps@ateindia.com

74

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



PRODUCT UPDATE

Retro-reflective area sensor Pepperl+Fuchs offers RLG28, a new series of retro-reflective area sensor. With a total of six light beams, this sensor generates a constant 60 mm detection field over a sensing range of 0-4 m. This complete solution offers a resolution of 12 mm and is designed to fit aptly in situations where single-beam retro-reflective sensors reach their limitations or where expensive light grids are needed. Housed in a standard photoelectric senor housing, the RLG28 is mechanically and electrically compatible with all common photoelectric sensors available in the market. Users facing problems in detection of targets can easily use this technology without changing the control concepts within their control loop. This sensor reliably detects objects of all shapes. The sensors are used primarily for the reliable detection of the front edges of objects, as well as the consistent detection of different objects with no defined shape or position, such as pallets, bags, deformed blocks, etc. Pepperl+Fuchs (India) Pvt Ltd Bengaluru - Karnataka Tel: 080-4211 1198, Fax: 080-2837 8031 Email: info@in.pepperl-fuchs.com

76

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011



PRODUCT UPDATE

Oxygen and CO2 analyser Hemetek offers PACK CHECK model 325 single-handed oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) analyser for checking modified atmospheres inside packages. This is ideal for portable, fast and accurate headspace tests on the packaging line in warehouses or in laboratories. This analyser has the ability to store 400 readings, stored by operator and product name. Important benefits of this analyser include: safe & easy to use, test small packages, test more packages quicker, long-lasting batteries for a full day’s work, and rugged protective boot including security strap. This device finds applications in all modified atmosphere packaging, meat/poultry, coffee, cheese, nuts, snack food packaging, bakery, pet foods, pharmaceuticals, oxygen scavenger performance and beverages, among others. Hemetek Techno Instruments Pvt Ltd Mumbai - Maharashtra Tel: 022-2686 3865, Fax: 022-2686 0692 Email: mum@hemetek.com The information published in this section is as per the details furnished by the respective manufacturer/distributor. In any case, it does not represent the views of ���������������������������������������������

78

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011


PRODUCT INDEX

To know more about the products in this magazine, refer to our ‘Product Index’ or write to us at spedit@infomedia18.in or call us at +91-22-3003 4684 or fax us at +91-22-3003 4499 and we will send your enquiries to the advertisers directly to help you source better. Sl No Product

Pg No

1

Acrylic bending machine.................... 57

2 3 4 5 6 7

Air bubble film................................... 70 Air cooled sealer................................ 41 Aluminium profile section ................... 71 Ammonia liquid chiller ......................... 2 Auto sealer ........................................ 71 Automation ...................................... 61

8

Bearing.............................................. 8B

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Beer filling line................................... 45 Belt scale........................................... 63 Beverage filling line............................ 45 Blade bending machine...................... 57 Blue LED display ................................ 71 Bottle unscrambler ........................ FIC-C Brewing technology ........................... 15 Bulk milk cooler................................... 2 Butterfly valve ...................................... 2

18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43

Dairy machine ..................................... 2

44 45 46 47 48 49 50

Digital indicator ................................. 63 Digital platform scale ......................... 63 Digital temperature controller ............. 23 Digital universal scale ........................ 63 Drive .......................................... FIC, 23 Dual channel with modbus ................. 23 Dynamic controller ............................. 23

51

Encoder ............................................. 8A

Sl No Product

Pg No

52 53 54

Expanded polyethylene capseal.......FIC-D Expanded polyethylene seal liner.....FIC-D Extrusion laminating machine................ 5

55

Factory automation........................... BIC

56 57 58 59

Fiberoptic controller ........................... 49 Filling & closing technology ................ 15 Filling machine ............................. FIC-C Flow wrapping machine ................ FIC-C

60

Gasket.......................................... FIC-D

61

Gripper ............................................. 73

62

Hand-type impulse sealer .................. 71

63 64 65 66 67

HDPE/PP woven sack & bag............... 70 Horizontal flow wrapper ..................... 72 Horizontal form-fill-seal machine ................................. FIC-C, 44 Hot melt coating machine .................... 1 Hot melt laminating machine................ 1

Cable carrier ..................................... 8B

68

Induction sealing machine ................. 41

Cable connector ................................ 8B Capping machine ......................... FIC-C Caps................................................. 77 Cartoning machine .................. FIC-C,44 Case erector................................. FIC-C Case packer ........................... FIC-C, 63 Case sealer .................................. FIC-C Chain................................................ 8B Check weigher................................... 63 Checkrod less loadcell ....................... 63 Coating laminating machine................. 5 Coding ink roller & cartridge .............. 70 Coding machine ............................ COC Cold-aseptic filling technology ............ 15 Concrete block & paver machine........ 44 Connector ......................................... 8B Contact coder.................................... 74 Container filling line........................... 44 Controller .......................................... 61 Conveyor...................................... FIC-C Conveyor technology.......................... 15 Counters & power supplies ................. 8A C-slot and t-slot pneumatic cylinder .... 49 Cutting machine ................................ 57

69 70 71 72 73 74 75

Industrial automation..................... 71,75 Industrial control & sensing device ...... 8A Inspection & testing device ................. 63 Inspection & monitoring technology .... 15 Inspection machine .............................. 5 Intralogistic ........................................ 15 Inverter/variable frequency drive ......... 8A

76

Labeling & dressing technology ......... 15

77 78 79 80 81 82

Labelling machine ........ BC, FIC-C, COC Laminating machine .............1, 5, 13, 70 Level controller .................................. 8A Liner..............................................FIC-D Loadcell & indicator ........................... 63 Long bar sealer.................................. 71

83

Marking machine............................COC

84 85 86 87

Measuring & monitoring relay............. 8A Metal detector ................................... 63 Motion control system ........................ 8A Multihead scale ................................. 63

88

Nitrogen extrusion sealer................... 71

89 90 91

Non-nozzle type vacuum sealer .......... 71 Non-woven laminating machine............ 1 Nozzle-type vacuum sealer ................. 71

92

Online B2B marketplace ................ 5, 79

93 94

Overwrapping machine ................. FIC-C Oxygen & CO2 analyser.................... 78

95

Packaging machine............................ 53

96 97 98 99 100 101

Packing & palletizing technology ......... 15 Palletizer............................................ 44 Photoelectric sensor............................ 8A Plate heat exchanger............................ 2 Platen hot melt machine....................... 1 PLCs ................................................. 23

Sl No Product

102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113

Pg No

Plug valve............................................ 2 Pneumatic valve ................................... 2 Pneumatics & hydraulics-cylinder......... 73 Pressure regulator .............................. 73 Pressure sensor .................................. 49 Printing machine ................................ 53 Process tank ........................................ 2 Process technology............................. 15 Profile controller................................. 23 Programmable logic controller ............ 8A Programmable terminal ...................... 8A Proximity sensor ................................. 8A

114 Rail tanker ........................................... 2

115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122

Refrigerant pump ................................. 2 Refrigeration ........................................ 2 Retro-reflective area sensor................. 76 RFID.................................................. 8A Rinser & pasteuriser............................ 15 Robotic palletiser........................... FIC-C Rotogravure coating machine ............... 5 Rotogravure printing machine ............... 5

123 Safety light curtain............................. 8A

124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141

Screw compressor ................................ 2 Sealer ............................................... 41 Servo motor....................................... 61 Shrink bundler .............................. FIC-C Shrink film ..............................FIC-C, BC Shrink sleeve applicator................. FIC-C Shrink warp sealer ............................ 71 Shrink wrapping machine .............. FIC-C Skin wrapping machine ...................... BC Slitting machine ................................... 5 SME loan .......................................... 37 Solenoid valve ................................... 73 Solventless laminating machine............. 1 Standard machine element ................. 52 Stretch blow-molding technology......... 15 Switching relay................................... 8A System weigher .................................. 63 Systems engineering ........................... 15

142 Tank & silo........................................... 2

143 144 145 146 147

Temperature controller............8A, 23, 72 Thermoforming machine................ FIC-C Timer ................................................ 8A Tire balancer ..................................... 63 Tray sealing machine..................... FIC-C

148 Universal controller............................ 23 149 Vertical form-fill-seal machine 44, FIC-C

150 Vision sensors .................................... 8A 151 Washers............................................. 15

152 Web guiding system ........................... 74

COC - Cover on Cover, FIC - Front Inside Cover, BIC - Back Inside Cover, BC - Back Cover

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011

79


ADVERTISERS’ LIST Advertiser’s Name & Contact Details Bericap India Pvt Ltd

Pg No 77

Advertiser’s Name & Contact Details IFM Electronics India Pvt Ltd

T: +91-2114-661100

T: +91-231-2672770

E: sukhjeevan.bhimber@bericap.com

E: info@ifm-electronic.in

W: www.bericap.com

W: www.ifm-electronic.in

Bharat Bijlee Ltd

75

Igus India Pvt Ltd

Pg No 49

Advertiser’s Name & Contact Details Nanjing Lehui Light Industry Equipment Co., Ltd E: njsales@lehui.com

W: www.lehui.com 8B

Omron Automation Pvt. Ltd.

T: +91-80-39127800

T: +91-80-40726400

W: www.bharatbijlee.com

E: info@igus.in

E: srirams@ap.omron.com

W: www.igus.in

W: www.omron-ap.com

FIC

T: +91-44-24781035

India Mart Intermesh Ltd

E: sales@bonfiglioliin.com

T: +1800-200-4444

W: www.bonfiglioliindia.com

E: pr@indiamart.com

BORI Machinery Imp.& Exp.Corp

13

5,79

E: bhushan@pakona.com W: www.pakona.com

W: www.indiamart.com

Peschel Dynamics

E: bori@bori.cc

T: +91-11-46157777

W: www.bori.cc

E: info@pescheldynamics.com

E: keith@del3.vsnl.net.in

W: www.pescheldynamics.com

W: livewire18@infomedia18.in

KHS Machinery Pvt. Ltd

44

T: +91-22-22826751

Keith Electronics Pvt Ltd

73

8A

Pakona Engineers India Pvt Ltd

T: +86-579-8205-0435

livewire18

45

T: +86-25-5273-3625

E: vishwajyoti.vengurlekar@bharatbijlee.com

Bonfiglioli Transmissions (Pvt) Ltd

57

11

61

T: +91-20-32416980

Scanvik Packaging

53

T: +91-79-2644-0331

T: +91-22-40106327

E: partho.ghose@khsindia.com

E: ashvin.hebbar@yahoo.com

T: +91-22-42532220

W: www.khs.com/india

E: sales@in.clearpack.com

Krones AG

Shanghai Dase-Sing Packaging Technology Co., LTD

W: www.clearpack.com

T: +49-9401-700

E: leo@dasesing.com

E: info@krones.com

W: www.dasesing.com

T: +91-22-26541803

W: www.krones.com

Shanghai Huadi Machinery Co., Ltd

E: cvkdprabhu@cgtmse.in

M & M Technologies Pvt Ltd

Clearpack India Pvt Ltd

Credit Guarantee Fund Trust For Mic

FIC C

37

W: www.cgtmse.in

Elesa-Ganter India Pvt Ltd

15

71

W: www.mmtechnologiesindia.com

E: info@elesaganter-india.com

Markem-Image India Private Limited

W: www.elesaganter-india.com

T: +86-21-3365-8333

T: +86-21-5779-4228

Vora Packaging Pvt Ltd COC

E: pankaj@vorapack.com W: www.vorapack.com

E: salesindia@markem-imaje.com

Worldly Industrial Co., Ltd.

T: +91-9600344430

W: www.markem-imaje.co.in

T: +886-4-2359-9850

E: skumar@enerconmail.com

Mifa Systems

41

W: www.enerconaciapacific.com Entrepreneur

Misumi India Pvt Ltd

E: welead@ms17.hinet.net

Wu Hsing Electronics Co. Ltd.

E: info@mifasystems.com

BIC

E: wuhsing@ms17.hinet.net; sealer@wuhsing.com.tw W: www.sealers-web.com; www.wuhsing.com

T: +91-2692-225399

T: +91-20-66470000

E: idmc@idmc.coop

Yamato Scale Co Ltd

E: sales@misumi.co.in

T: +81-78-9185567

W: www.idmc.coop

W: www.misumi.co.in

W: www.yamato-scale.co.jp

Our consistent advertisers

63

COC - Cover on Cover, FIC - Front Inside Cover, BIC - Back Inside Cover, BC - Back Cover

������������������������������������� 80

71

T: +886-4-2271-1498

W: www.mifasystems.com

2

55

W: www.welead.com

T: +91-79-26870825

69

W: www.entrepreneurindia.in/ibi

IDMC Limited

23

FIC D

T: +91-22-24012330

T: +91-120- 4099500

Enercon Asia Pacific Iss Pvt Ltd

1

W: www.shhuadi.com

E: mkp@mmtechnlogiesindia.com

T: +91-120-4726670

BC

E: huadi@huadi.us

T: +91-22-27781580

52

Pg No

www.engg-expo.com

Modern Packaging & Design March-April 2011




Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.