At the recently concluded drinktec India in Mumbai in November, Vikas Dafle of Sacmi India discussed the company’s latest product launches, emerging market opportunities and the broader demand outlook for closures and containers.
Sacmi introduced several new solutions at the show, including a new type of pull-ring closure, crown caps and standard beverage closures. The pull-ring format, still relatively new in the Indian market, currently has only one commercial user in Haridwar, but Sacmi expects wider adoption as brands look for differentiation and convenience features.
Along with closures, the company displayed its CBF and LBF container technologies, used for producing specialized pharmaceutical and dairy cups. Demand for these containers, Dafle noted, has been rising among customers in Indore and Delhi, with a growing share exported.
On the closures side, Sacmi continues to cater to a wide customer base that includes major beverage players such as Bisleri, Parle, Coca-Cola and Pepsi. These brands typically outsource closure manufacturing, creating opportunities for regional converters who operate dedicated lines for specific beverage companies. According to Dafle, Sacmi now supplies equipment to around 80 such closure manufacturers across India.
This year, however, prolonged monsoon conditions disrupted demand. With rainfall extending into November, beverage consumption dropped sharply, reducing seasonal earnings for converters and leading many to delay investment decisions. Despite this temporary slowdown, Dafle remains optimistic about the medium-to-long-term outlook.
Industry projections suggest that the closures segment could grow at a CAGR of 11–12% through 2030. Although recent policy changes—such as the impact of CAMPA on large beverage brands—have tightened budgets, he expects market conditions to stabilize over the next six to seven months.
At drinktec India, Sacmi focused primarily on its closures and container lines. Dafle said the company’s key industry events remain drinktec, Plastindia and Anuga FoodTec, along with participation in the Indian Ceramic Association’s exhibition for Sacmi’s tile-industry machinery.
He said drinktec plays an important role in engaging with customers across the beverage value chain, reinforcing Sacmi’s presence in one of its most important markets.
