STRATEGY: Lightweight flexible packaging
ADDING CONVENIENCE TO
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Courtesy: Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Division, Europe
FUNCTIONALITY
he Indian packaging industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the country and influences all industries directly or indirectly. It has a growth rate of more than 15 per cent per annum. This growth is expected to double in the coming years as India’s per capita packaging consumption is less than the world average, thus offering substantial business opportunities to the Indian packaging industry. Rajiv Trivedi, Chairman, IPI – Ahmedabad Chapter, says, “The plastic packaging (flexible and rigid) industry in India is growing at a fast pace. At present, the total Indian packaging industry is valued at $ 13 billion, and of this, the plastic packaging industry’s share is about $ 6.5 billion. Innovations in the segment are driven by lightweighting, corrosion resistance, attractive design etc. Additionally, increasing disposable income, changing lifestyle patterns and
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With the growing retail sector and changing customer expectations, the packaging industry is experiencing new trends and developments. A major development is a shift from rigid to flexible packaging. Avani Jain highlights the reasons for this change and focusses on the benefits offered by flexible packaging.
Modern Packaging & Design May-June 2013
health consciousness are key factors that are driving the growth and innovation in the segment. Further, this industry has seen major changes in the recent years, and the major one being a shift from rigid packaging to flexible packaging.”
Rigid versus flexible packaging The huge packaging industry can be broadly divided into flexible and rigid packaging. The existing market for flexible packaging in India is estimated at about $ 2.8 billion and is growing by 14–15 per cent annually, with the rapidly increasing demand for packaged consumer goods from India’s growing middle class. Key advantages of flexible packaging over rigid packaging include lightweight, small pack size, energy savings, ease of storage & transportation and convenient disposal. Further, the utility of flexible packaging arises from properties of aroma retention, heat insulation, sealing, barrier
against moisture and strength. The demand for small packs has also given impetus to the flexible pouch segment, which allows small quantity packaging. Also, flexible bags are used for carrying bulk goods such as food grains and cement. Ease of printing has also made flexible packaging a tool for branding of retail goods.
Favourable Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of flexible packaging Other than the benefits stated above, it is also observed that flexible packaging rate favourably as compared to rigid packaging when evaluated in this way. The life cycle attributes of flexible packaging demonstrate many advantages across numerous packaging applications and alternatives. LCA of flexible packaging shows that by using lightweight packaging, such as flexible pouches, companies can reduce the amount of fuel used as