
India has been an important market for Bobst and will continue to be so, Giovanni Caprioglio, head of sales, Business Unit Web-Fed, Bobst Italia told Packaging South Asia during the 8th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2019, which was held in Mumbai on 22-23 August.
“We have a good presence in gravure, flexo, lamination, metallizing and label printing segments. This is on the flexible packaging side of the business. Although that is not my department, it is well known that Bobst also has an impressive presence in the folding cartons segment in India with a manufacturing facility at Pune. So, yes, India is indeed an important market for us and will remain so,” Caprioglio said.
Bobst boasts of an impressive customer base in India, which includes Huhtamaki PPL, Jhaveri Flexo India, Aditya Flexipack, Patanjali, Rajhans Enterprises, IDMC, Sagar Metallics and Emperial Flims, among many others.
Although there has been a lot of discussion about slowdown in the Indian economy and the subsequent impact on packaging industry, Caprioglio said that things do not look very gloomy.
“Based on the number of interactions I have had with customers and various other stakeholders in India, I can say that the situation so far is good. We have got good enquiries and customers have shown willingness to invest. Yes, I do not know what will happen in the next few months, but as of today things do not look bad,” he said.
Commenting on the trends that can be expected to unfold in the Indian flexible packaging industry, Caprioglio highlighted that the industry will move more and more towards BOPP from polyester. He also talked of seeing a lot of opportunity in coating and metallizing. Also, the number of flexo presses will continue to grow, he added.
A well-organized summit
Caprioglio looked highly impressed with the way ElitePlus has been organizing the Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit.
“The number of delegates has been rising every year and this year the numbers have been very good. Even the venue is very good. It is great a platform to meet potential and existing customers. It is a great place to network. I am glad I came,” he said.