Cosmo First, a manufacturer of specialty films, has announced the procurement of Brückner Maschinenbau’s KARO IV laboratory stretching machine, positioning India among global leaders in film technology development.
This strategic investment aligns with the country’s initiative of reducing dependency on imports and advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities. This initiative also strengthens Cosmo First’s position among an elite group of global film manufacturers with advanced R&D capabilities.
The KARO IV technology will significantly enhance India’s capabilities in specialty film development by minimizing development time and costs for films designed for specialized applications. It will enable domestic development of niche film applications, which are currently being imported and support in-house development of proprietary film technologies, enhancing self-reliance in high-performance flexible packaging.
The technology will allow Cosmo First to conduct extensive research and development, accelerating R&D timelines through cost-effective laboratory-scale testing before moving to production trials.
“The KARO IV will transform how we approach film development in India,” said Kulbhushan Malik, Business Head, Cosmo Films, the flagship company of the Cosmo First group. “By enabling precise testing of films in both sequential and simultaneous stretching modes, we can now develop new film recipes and evaluate properties at a fraction of the cost and time previously required. This technology represents a significant leap forward in our ability to innovate. It opens doors for collaboration with academic institutions, supporting talent development in polymer science and reinforcing India’s position as a serious player in the global R&D landscape.”
The KARO IV features high stretching ratios from 1.01 x 1.01 up to 10 x 10, heating capability up to 400°C with up to 3 independent heating modules, an advanced EPC control panel with programmable test sequences, and state-of-the-art measurement equipment for stretching forces, displacement, and temperatures.
The machine is equipped to handle a wide range of film types, including BOPP, BOPET, and BOPA, with consistent and accurate control over test film processes. The technology positions India to compete at the highest levels of specialty film innovation. Key competitive advantages include faster prototype-to-market cycles compared to traditional development methods, enhanced ability to develop eco-friendly, mono-material films aligned with circular economy goals, and the capability to partner with global brands for co-development of advanced film solutions.
The Indian packaging industry, historically, has lacked advanced lab-scale film stretching systems that could accurately simulate commercial production conditions, as most Indian manufacturers rely on full-scale production lines for R&D, making innovation costly and less agile. Additionally, the packaging industry is facing regulatory and consumer pressure to shift from non-recyclable multi-material plastics to recyclable mono-material films. The installation will address significant gaps in India’s packaging innovation infrastructure.
Cosmo First recently commissioned a new BOPP line, taking its BOPP production capacity up by approximately 40% to 2,77,000 MT per annum. The investment in KARO IV reinforces Cosmo First’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing by enabling rapid development of recyclable films, addressing India’s growing environmental concerns. It allows for testing of new barrier coatings, laminates, and formulations that meet recyclability targets and supports the creation of domestic expertise in advanced polymer science through potential academic collaborations.
