At drinktec India 2025 in Mumbai, Nipra Industries formally rolled out its new pry-off crown caps, marking the company’s first major entry into the traditional crown-closure segment. Executive director Nikhil Jain said the launch follows successful commercialization with a few existing customers in the beer, RTD and carbonated beverage segments, and the focus at the show is to widen reach and initiate new conversations for this line.
Jain explained that the push into pry-off crowns did not come from nostalgia but from structural shifts in India’s demographics, consumption patterns, and supply dynamics. With India now home to the world’s largest young population, he expects sustained growth in alcoholic beverages—particularly beer—as drinking becomes more socially accepted and consumption more aligned with FMCG-style buying behavior. He believes both formats, cans and glass bottles, will continue to coexist, ensuring demand for traditional crowns.
He acknowledged that the crown cap industry had shrunk sharply over the past decade, largely because major carbonated soft drink brands moved away from glass bottles. But the contraction on the supply side—caused by older crown manufacturers exiting due to financial or succession challenges—has created a shortage at today’s demand baseline. Several customers who already buy aluminium closures from Nipra have approached the company for crowns as well, signaling a tangible gap in the market.
For Nipra, the move is a related diversification rather than a leap into unfamiliar territory. The company already operates extensive metal printing and processing capacity, meaning it only needed to set up a conversion line rather than invest in an entirely new ecosystem. The risk, Jain noted, is measured, and interest from export customers adds further confidence.
Reflecting on Nipra’s earlier participation at drinktec Munich two months ago, Jain said the global event delivered strong visibility and credibility, even with a few pre-scheduled meetings. Visitors were often surprised to see an Indian cap supplier on the floor, which helped spark meaningful post-show discussions. He sees such exhibitions as long-term brand-building exercises rather than immediate revenue drivers.
The Mumbai edition, meanwhile, serves a more grounded purpose: meeting domestic customers, strengthening existing relationships, and driving early-stage interest in the new crown division. For Jain, the value of these platforms extends well beyond transactions—they offer exposure, validation, and opportunities to connect with partners and industry peers.
