At PlastIndia’s exhibition floor, Ahmedabad-based Shubham Extrusion operated a five-layer POD blown film line at an output of 800 kilograms per hour with a 2.7-metre film width. The scale of performance, especially under exhibition conditions, stood out. “Running at 800 kilograms per hour at a show like PlastIndia is itself an achievement,” Janak Patel, general manager – sales, said, underlining the confidence behind the display.
With the machine’s capability on display, he said, “Indian-built blown film technology is no longer playing catch-up—it is setting competitive benchmarks.”
The line was not just about speed, but about application flexibility. Over the first three days, the machine produced 60-micron polyethylene shrink film using a blend of LDPE, metallocene, and HDPE.
In the following days, the same setup was shifted to medium-duty sack lamination film, commonly used in applications such as flour packaging—running at 750 kilograms per hour with an ExxonMobil recipe. The transition highlighted the line’s adaptability across packaging requirements.
Technically, the system featured a 65-75-90-75-65 extruder configuration, a 600 mm die, along with a centre surface gap winder. What stood out, however, was the consistency at high speeds. The line maintained a thickness tolerance of under 2.5% even at peak output—an area typically associated with European equipment. “We are achieving the same parameters that European machinery offers,” Patel noted.
This performance comes at a time when Indian processors are increasingly looking to optimize both space and productivity. According to Patel, conventional POD lines in the market typically operate in the range of 500 to 550 kilograms per hour. In comparison, the system on display pushes output significantly higher without increasing footprint. “The demand today is for higher production within limited space, and that is exactly what we are addressing,” he explained.
Alongside its high-end offering, Shubham Extrusion is building a parallel track focused on affordability. Its OBC five-layer POD line, introduced at the previous PlastIndia, targets new and emerging processors seeking lower investment entry points. Designed for applications such as lamination films, courier bags, and shrink films, the line aims to bring multi-layer advantages within reach of smaller players. “We want more processors to access advanced technology without heavy capital investment,” Patel said.
The company’s broader strategy reflects the expanding footprint of flexible packaging in India. With rising consumption and evolving packaging formats, demand for blown film continues to grow steadily. Shubham’s approach of customizing machine configurations to suit processor-specific needs has helped it stay closely aligned with market expectations. “Flexibility is key. Indian processors have varied requirements, and we design accordingly,” Patel added.
Another noticeable shift, as observed during the exhibition, according to Patel, is in buyer perception. While European machines continue to serve a segment of large converters, Indian manufacturers are increasingly being seen as credible alternatives. Patel pointed out that even established processors are now evaluating domestic options more seriously. “There is a growing realization that Indian machinery can deliver similar performance at a more competitive cost,” he said.
On the manufacturing front, Shubham Extrusion appears prepared for scale. Its Ahmedabad facility, expanded two years ago, has the capacity to produce more than 500 machines annually. The company plans to utilize this capability aggressively over the next few years, with a target of 300 to 500 blown film lines per year. “We are ready for higher volumes and more demanding projects,” Patel stated.
Beyond India, the company is strengthening its export focus, targeting markets in the Middle East, Latin America, CIS regions, and Southeast Asia. Having already supplied machines to the United States, it is looking to deepen its global footprint.
“Our focus is to deliver high-output, reliable technology at a price point that works for Indian processors,” he said, positioning the company within the larger ‘Make in India’ narrative.
