Indiaplast 2019 is the first exhibition organized by PMMAI. The show has received overwhelming response from exhibiors and visitors alike. Uflex’s Engineering Division put up three machines at the show. The first is the 400 mpm CI flexo press, which is a top-of-the-line upgraded machine with auto-splicing from Uflex. The machine costs 25% to 30% more than its previous, basic version which was a 300 mpm machine without auto turret. The new variant is an ideal replacement for imported machines, according to the company. The second machine is the extrusion coating and lamination machine, which again is a 400 mpm machine preceded by its older variants which had a maximum speed of 250 mpm and 300 mpm. The company has made a number of significant improvements in the machine with consultation from its German collaborator.
“We look forward to having a good market for this machine even for exports because this machine will prove to be a key replacement for many of the manufacturers in Japan and US for this kind of a machine. We’re very expectant,” says Ajay Tandon of Uflex Engineering Division.
The third machine showcased by the Engineering Division at the show is the solvent-less laminator, which the company has been manufacturing for the last 15 years. The company has done some improvements in the machine and has made some value-additions to the new variant.
“Amitabh Kant, chief executive officer of Niti Ayog, said earlier that packaging is the only industry that is growing at more than 10-12% Y-O-Y for more than two decades. As per his figures, the per capita consumption of plastics is only 12 kg a year, which is bound to grow over the next decade. So much so that it might even go up to 50 kg a year. This means that there is immense scope for growth. Plastic is something that is playing a major role in the daily life of human beings. We’re still 70% rural and as it becomes urban, the packaging needs are going to grow because the need for packaged products will go up in due course of time. Packaging has got a very bright future and so does plastic. This is the only product that cannot feel the pinch of recession,” says Tandon.
Apart from all the machinery on show, there are certain new machines that the Engineering Division is focussing upon. “All I can say right now is that in about a year-and-a-half time, we’re going to do some machine manufacturing in the country which will be a first-of-its-kind machine. It’s too early to talk about this, but it will have something to do with the processing of plastics. We are working out on a foreign collaboration and are hopeful of coming up with the new machine soon,” Tandon concludes.
