For Germany-based Brückner Maschinenbau, India has begun to match China in its order intake for biaxial film lines for the first time in nearly 15 years, stated CEO Markus Gschwandtner at PlastIndia 2026 in New Delhi.
Speaking during the exhibition, Gschwandtner described India as “extremely important” for the company. “For the first time in almost 15 years, India has come on par with China in order intake. That shows how important the market is for us,” he said. China has traditionally been the German firm’s largest market.
Positive outlook despite cyclicality
Gschwandtner said that India continues to show very robust underlying fundamentals. “We had a very good year last year. This year also looks positive. Whether it can match last year depends on investment decisions,” he said. According to him, the current momentum in India is being fueled by capital expenditure and expansion plans within the converting and packaging industries.
Brückner’s strong expansion in India
Reflecting its growing commitment to the country, Brückner has solidified its Indian presence over the past 15 years. The company’s Mumbai office, which began with around 10 employees, now has more than 100.
Apart from organic expansion, the company has also pursued acquisitions to strengthen its local footprint. The expanded team in Mumbai supports sales, service, and technical functions, enabling faster response times and stronger engagement with Indian customers investing in high-speed and high-performance film lines. Gschwandtner called these moves part of an “inorganic way of growing” that complements Brückner’s broader strategy of being closer to customers in key markets.
FTA seen as a positive signal
Gschwandtner also welcomed the recently concluded free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union, which was announced just days before the exhibition. While he indicated that the direct financial impact on business-to-business (B2B) transactions may not be substantial, he noted that the broader psychological and economic effect is significant.
“It is absolutely a positive move. Even if we may not save too much directly, the atmosphere it creates is very important. It improves the climate, and when the climate improves, you automatically benefit,” he said.
Demand for the latest innovations
One of the defining characteristics of the Indian market, Gschwandtner observed, is its appetite for cutting-edge technology. “India always asks for the latest innovation,” he said, adding that this demand pushes suppliers to deliver state-of-the-art solutions rather than entry-level systems. He cited the example of one of Brückner’s fastest machines, which has been ordered by a customer in Kolkata and is scheduled for installation soon. The project, he suggested, underlines the growing technical sophistication of Indian converters and their willingness to invest in top-end equipment.
“If you make it in India, you can make it everywhere,” he remarked, suggesting that Indian customers are increasingly operating at global benchmarks in terms of speed, output, and quality.
Exhibition energy reflects broader momentum
At PlastIndia 2026, Ghanshyam Shilamkar, director – sales, Indian subcontinent, said that the exhibition was an “excellent” platform. Shilamkar said the company witnessed steady footfall from customers across all days of the event. Several of Brückner’s Indian clients had their own stands at the exhibition, and delegations comprising company owners, plant heads, and sales teams visited Brückner for detailed discussions.
With rising automation, increasing line speeds, and expanding domestic consumption, Shilamkar expects India’s growth momentum to continue over the next few years. The combination of demographic strength, FMCG growth, and higher hygiene standards is likely to sustain demand for advanced film production lines.
