At Anuga FoodTec India 2025, SACMI Engineering India presented its dedicated chocolate and packaging machinery portfolio, marking its second participation at the show. According to Vikas Dafle, business unit manager, customer service, the company witnessed a strong response this year, helped by better positioning at the exhibition compared with its 2024 debut.
SACMI’s chocolate business offers complete end-to-end solutions – from cocoa processing and mixing of ingredients to molding, welding, and both primary and secondary packaging. “We have installed full chocolate lines at Mondelez and Amul, while companies such as Ferrero and Milky Mist run specific SACMI machines,” Dafle said.
In India, SACMI’s footprint extends far beyond chocolate. Its rigid packaging division dominates the closures market, with nearly 95% of plastic caps produced on its machines. The company is also a leading supplier to the ceramics industry, particularly in Morbi, Gujarat. “Out of 1,200 plants in Morbi, around 950-1,000 use SACMI machines,” Dafle explained. Overall, the company has supplied more than 2,500 machines in India, with a client base of about 1,100.
The Indian food and packaging market continues to provide steady growth opportunities. Dafle projects a CAGR of 8-9% in the next five years, driven by rising demand for processed foods and flexible packaging. “The food, packaging, and chocolate segments are performing well, though the tiles business is currently stagnant due to overcapacity, high energy costs, and global trade disruptions,” he said.
Tile exports, heavily dependent on the US and other overseas markets, have been hit by shipping delays, tariff changes, and squeezed margins. “Just six or seven years ago, tiles sold at Rs25 per unit, whereas today the price has fallen to Rs19 despite raw material and gas prices increasing. This has left very little margin for manufacturers,” Dafle added.
Despite these headwinds, SACMI continues to see India as a long-term growth market across its diverse business units. “Our packaging and chocolate businesses are expanding rapidly, and India remains one of SACMI’s strongest markets worldwide,” Dafle concluded.
