Global flexible packaging giant Alcan Packaging (2007 revenues: $6.2 billion; 130 facilities in 31 countries) has acquired the Chakan plant (near Pune in Maharashtra) of ACG Worldwide (the Associated Capsules Group). This plant prints and laminates flexible packaging. It specialises in rotogravure printing in up to 9 colours, dry and wet lamination using solvent-based and water-based adhesives and solventless lamination. It is a very strong supplier to the pharmaceutical industry and also caters to the requirements of the food and FMCG industries (confectionery, snack foods, chocolates, oils, soaps & detergents etc.).
According to Ilene Gordon, President and CEO of Alcan Packaging, “The acquisition of this facility advances our leadership position in pharmaceutical flexibles through growth in emerging markets”. The Chakan operations both expand Alcan Packaging’s geographic footprint and strengthen the organisation’s strategic presence in the Indian pharmaceutical market, which is currently ranked 14th in the world in terms of scale and expected to triple over the next decade.
The 2,600 sq. meter Chakan plant is located 30 km. north of Pune and employs about 100 people. It clocks up annual sales of about $3.6 million. It has USFDA DMF and cGMF compliant facilities and has good manufacturing capabilities and management practices in place.
Alcan is a business unit of the Rio Tinto group, a mining and metals conglomerate. It intends to use the Chakan plant to service both regional and global markets and expects to fully integrate it into their system by early 2009.
Associated Capsules, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hard gelatine capsules, has also been a pioneer in introducing high barrier pharma grade PVdC coated PVC in India through its Packshield Division. It also supplies high barrier aluminium cold forming blister foil and lidding foil in collaboration with Alcan Packaging and high barrier Aclar laminates in collaboration with Honeywell,USA. Packshield has two plants at Shirwal and Chakan near Pune; the latter has now been sold to Alcan Packaging.
