The Indusfood Manufacturing exhibition and Indusfood Agri-Tech at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka along with Indusfood in Greater Noida in January were an amalgamation of exhibitors displaying and demonstrating their food processing and packaging equipment and brands showing their food products.
Aimed at the domestic market, the shows featured packaging lines mainly for smaller pouches in both the vertical and horizontal formats, some even retrofitted with weighcheckers. Many paper-based packaging solutions targeted QSR chains while inspection rewinders and automated conveyor technologies, which formed a good chunk, were accompanied by spare parts dealers.
Manufacturing at IICC Yashobhoomi
Canpac, a paper-based packaging provider was present with its solutions for QSR chains, FMCG, and pharma products. According to Pawan Pareek, senior manager said. “Our participation at Indusfood was to highlight our sustainable and innovative packaging for the brand owners. Being among the biggest paper packaging providers in the country, we aim to expand our market reach and penetrate more regions in India.”
Along with OEMs, converters were present to gain a better perspective of food brands’ needs and align them with consumer demand. Sustainability was a buzzword at the show. The converters hinted at increased investments in R&D, which could enable them to offer recyclable packaging at better costs. However, paper prices are still a concern.
One-stop packaging provider UFlex’s engineering business showcased its highly acclaimed machines. There was a live demonstration of the multi-track 1200 3-side machine (MT1200 3S) — a high-speed continuous motion multi-track machine for three-sided sealed pouches. It is used for filling powder, liquid, and granules. The company highlighted its five kg flexible packs for rice, wheat, and other food items.
Gujarat-based Canny Coverage, a pouch packaging machine maker in the manual, semi, and fully automatic range, exhibited its technology. According to Devanshi Dalal, Canny Coverage received a steady footfall during the three-day show. “We have been providing multiple packaging solutions to the Indian FMCG brands since 2015, and have recently begun exporting with African countries as our first overseas clients.”
Brands at Greater Noida
The Greater Noida version of the show featured brand owners, where we encountered several packaging innovations. Happa, a baby food provider, presented an innovative choke-free range of packaging with its rainbow-colored product range. The closure solution on its stand-up pouches is designed keeping in mind that children tend to put everything in their mouths. So, even if a child is to fidget with these caps, they won’t block its breathing even if they swallow it.
Pankaj Sharma, director of the company, said, “Our packs don’t have any gradient in their color as an 8-month-old cannot differentiate between gradients. The rainbow-colored packs inspire the kids as food comes in many colors. So they won’t grow up to be picky eaters.”
Funta Goli Soda had a huge gathering at its stand, mainly due to the nostalgic ‘banta’ bottles. The sodas with multiple SKUs in flavors such as orange, lemon, blue lagoon, mango, and jeera are good for both idle consumption and as a cocktail premix. Irrespective of the taste, a crowd gathered at the stand wishing to pop the bottle on their own.
The shows at both locations received sound footfall though the division across the different ends of Delhi-NCR confused the exhibitors and visitors alike. Some exhibitors expressed concern at not being able to meet the targeted ROI.
