POLYMERS Communique - 6.6 - Aug-Sep 2020

A CUSTAGE I N I T I A T I V E Aug - Sep 2020 l Issue 6.6 l ` 150

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Pankaj Sheth

Lalit Sharma

Director R. K. Metal & Plastic Pvt. Ltd.

B. P. Shiv

Chief Mktg. & Programs Officer Plastic Omnium India

Sunil Dhawan

Managing Director SSF Plastics India Pvt. Ltd.

Paresh Patel

Managing Director Lincon Polymers Pvt. Ltd.

COO KEI Industries Ltd.

Sourabh Doshi

M. Karthik Krishnan

Himanshu Baid

Director Inoflex Pvt. Ltd.

Managing Director United Industries Plastic Pvt. Ltd.

Managing Director Poly Medicure Ltd.

Naveen Talwar

Director Marketing Skypack India Pvt. Ltd.

Industry Bounces Back Makrand Appalwar

Srikanta Khatua

Chairman & Managing Director Emmbi Industries Ltd.

Senior VP Constantia Flexibles Group

Pranav Bhalara

Rajesh Pajnoo

Director Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd.

CEO Truflo by hindware

P. Prabhaker

CMD Baba Group of Companies

Devaraya M. Sheregar Managing Director Devu Tools Pvt. Ltd.

Gautam Rawal

Kudos to the resilience of our industry. Our tenacity has helped us overcome insurmountable obstacles. In this phase that we are passing through, the upbeat business sentiment and the desire to co-operate have played and will continue to play a big role in this bounce back.

Rakesh Tainwala CMD Abhishri Packaging

Country Business Unit Head Factory Automation, Siemens Ltd.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

CONTENTS

Aug - Sep 2020 l Issue 6.6

Industry Bounces Back

32

62

CUSTOMER CALLS

Sourabh Doshi, Director, Inoflex Pvt. Ltd., Indore

66

GOING NORTH

Pandemic can Cause a Delay but Growth is Certain

Changing Needs in the Packaging Industry: Challenging to Keep Pace With

SURE-SHOT

Medical Devices: Witness Significant Increase Within Healthcare Expenditure

Lalit Sharma, COO, KEI Industries Ltd., New Delhi

36

In-mould Labelling Opens Up Big Opportunities in Packaging

CHANGING HORIZON

ADVERTORIAL

74

ANOTHER APPROACH

40

Pankaj Sheth, Director, R. K. Metal & Plastic Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

TOUCH FACTOR

B. P. Shiv, Chief Marketing & Programs Officer, India - BU Asia

46

NIMBLE FOOTED

49

54

58

70

BPR Realignment and Change in Strategies: The Need-of-the-hour

78

Plastic Omnium - Intelligent Exterior Systems, Pune

Consumer Behaviour is Changing: Be Ready to Offer Something New

Sunil Dhawan, Managing Director, SSF Plastics India Pvt. Ltd.,

Himanshu Baid, Managing Director, Poly Medicure Ltd., New Delhi

LyondellBasell is Advancing the Circular Economy

Easy-to-Recycle: An Emerging Focus of Packaging Design

Naveen Talwar, Director Marketing, Skypack India Pvt. Ltd.,

Faridabad

BAG FULL

India: A Good Manufacturing Hub for Moulded Luggage

Rakesh Tainwala, Chairman & Managing Director,

Tainwala Chemicals & Plastics (India) Ltd. Abhishri Packaging Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

82

Good Potential for Food Grade Packaging in India

Mumbai

ADVERTORIAL

Pranav Bhalara, Director, Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd., Rajkot

86

Corporate Commitment: The Big Differentiator

Joyful Plastics Adopts UL Validated Millad® NX™ 8000 Green Label for Enhanced Sustainability Source: Milliken & Company

FAST TRACK

Paresh Patel, Managing Director, Lincon Polymers Pvt. Ltd.,

92

INSIDE OUT

M. Karthik Krishnan, Managing Director, United Industries

RIGHT PLACE

FROM THE TOP

Rajesh Pajnoo, CEO, Truflo by hindware, Hyderabad

Woven Bags: Big Opportunities All Around

ADVERTORIAL

Ahmedabad

Source: Kubota Corporation

96

FOCUS AREA

Enhance Efficiency to Reduce Customers’ Cost

Plastic Pvt. Ltd., Chennai

A Micro Feeder Addressing Mega Industry Needs

Sharp Increase Expected in Woven Geotextiles in the Next 5 Years

Makrand Appalwar, Chairman & Managing Director, Emmbi

Industries Ltd., Mumbai

NEXT GENERATION INJECTION MOLDING CONTROL office.in@br-automation.com | +91-20-41478999

A++++ A+++ A++ A+

ENERGY

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

100

ACROSS SECTORS

Food Packaging, Home and Healthcare Segments to Witness Tremendous Growth

Srikanta Khatua, Senior VP, Constantia Flexibles Group, Puducherry

Printed and Published by

104

PAILS AND MORE

Manish Chawla manish@polymerscommunique.com

Teamwork and Leadership: The Business Mantras of Today

P. Prabhaker, Chairman & Managing Director, Baba Group of

108

Skilled Manpower: Foundation of the Tooling Industry

Designed by

Companies, Hyderabad

MAN POWER

Devaraya M. Sheregar, Managing Director, Devu Tools Pvt. Ltd.,

Chief Editor

SPEED-N-SPEED

Jyoti jyoti@polymerscommunique.com

Mumbai

112

It’s No Longer About Big or Small Companies: It’s Now All About Fast or Slow Companies

Gautam Rawal, Country Business Unit Head - Factory Automation,

Digital Industries Division, Siemens Ltd., Navi Mumbai

115

ADVERTORIAL

Source: Kraiburg TPE

118

Business Confidence Sentiment (BCS 2020)

RESEARCH REPORT

FIRST TIME

Mumbai Vinisha +91-88790 50327 vinisha@polymerscommunique.com

Manish Chawla, Publisher, POLYMERS Communiqué, in dialogue with Ruby Thapar, an independent reputation, branding, crisis and

New Delhi Vijay +91-98100 15111 vijay@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué Survey Services

122

POLYMERS Communiqué: Leadership Today With an Eye on Tomorrow

sustainability strategist and an executive & communication coach

131

ADVERTORIAL

135

CHANGING NORMALS

Dr. Sameer Joshi, CEO, Knoesis, Pune

With its New Sustainable Production Facility, Calco to Touch 25,000 MTPA Capacity

127

132 137

139

142

144

News

24

Vadodara D. S. Bhumra +91-81289 90887 devinder@polymerscommunique.com

Advertising Sales - International

Plastic Economy and Circularity in the Next Normal

Dubai Pritam +971-5548-32330 pritam@polymerscommunique.com

In series...

Siddhant siddhant@polymerscommunique.com

Hyderabad Vani +91-93924 28927 vani@polymerscommunique.com

Pharmaceutical Packaging in Top Form With TPEs

Asst. Editor

Advertising Sales - National

Custage Marketing Solutions LLP 406, Vikas Centre, Dr. C. G. Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400 074, INDIA

The Pandemic and Opportunities for Polymer and Allied Chemical Industry

Professor (Dr.) Ganapati D. Yadav, Emeritus Professor of Eminence & Former Vice Chancellor and R. T. Mody Distinguished Professor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai

Demystifying the New Normal - Macro Factors: Learning to Live With COVID-19

Shailesh Sheth, Corporate Strategy Advisor

Management & Manufacturing Technology, Mumbai

USA Manisha +1-908-720-3510 manisha@polymerscommunique.com

Editorial Advisory Board Arvind Mehta Chairman and Managing Director Welset Plast Extrusions Pvt. Ltd. Prof. (Dr.) N. C. Saha formerly Director at Indian Institute of Packaging N. K. Balgi formerly President & Director at Ferromatik Milacron India Pvt. Ltd. Pushp Raj Singhvi formerly Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Borouge (India) Pvt. Ltd. Rajesh Nath Managing Director German Engineering Federation (VDMA) India Office Rakesh Shah formerly Managing Director at Windmöller and Hölscher India Pvt. Ltd. S. K. Ray formerly Sr. Executive Vice President (Polymers) at Reliance Industries Ltd.

Printed at

Silverpoint Press Pvt. Ltd. A-403, TTC Industrial Area Near Anthony Motors Mahape, Navi Mumbai - 400709 District - Thane

Content Alliance Partners

Subscriptions

Bhavesh +91-22-2520 4436 bhavesh@polymerscommunique.com

Business Related Research: A Thrust Area

Prashant Trivedi, Vice President, Sangir Plastics Pvt. Ltd., Vapi

Trust: The Foundation of Successful Organisations

Rakesh Shah, RS Coaching and Consulting, New Delhi

The Plastic Paradox

S. K. Ray, Hon. Secretary & Member of Executive Committee Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (ICPE), Mumbai

The New Mandate for HR: Living as the Nucleus of the Organisation and Helping Each Department to Function Better Dr. Naveen Malhotra, Senior HR Professional, Ahmedabad

RETRO

52

K ALE’S KUIZ

116

BUSiNESsTOONS

72

Puzzzmania

147

Weekend Delights

94

Events

148

Printed and Published by Manish Chawla, and printed at Silverpoint Press Pvt. Ltd., A-403, TTC Industrial Area, Near Anthony Motors, Mahape, Navi Mumbai - 400709, District - Thane and published from 406, Vikas Centre, Dr. C. G. Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400 074, INDIA. Editor: Manish Chawla.

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Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of POLYMERS Communiqué. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances and so POLYMERS Communiqué does not take any responsibility for any loss or damage incurred or suffered by any of its subscribers / readers / advertisers of this magazine. The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct but do not take any responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the information. Subject to Mumbai Jurisdiction. Some of the images used in this issue are from Shutterstock. The maps, if used, in this document are only a pictorial representation, not to scale and do not indicate any geographical boundaries.

No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing.

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Mind Speak Pushp Raj Singhvi

be robust demand for food and be sluggish applications. Demand is likely to goods and as regards furniture, white only after building and construction. It’s distance and (long trains the that time such schools and local) are back on track, and fathom the colleges re-open, will we is awaiting carnage owing to COVID that ends when us. Let us wait till the year how strong we will be able to understand Let us not is the industry bounce back. in demand get carried away with the spurt st.

Augu and July g durin ssed witne

N. K. Balgi

Arvind Mehta

Rajesh Nath

COVID-19 has shaken economic growth.

‘Jaan hai toh jahan hai’ polic y has saved lives, but with a heavy econ omic penalty; Q1 of this FY was a total washout for MSMEs. In the fight against corona, plastics has been a life saviour.

The Indian government anno unced loan packages for MSMEs, while several countries announced grants!

The plastics industry is blessed by virtue of its material versatility. The pack aging sector has bounced back as other sectors are recovering too! Oct - Dec’20 is expected to be far bette r. We can expect a growth of 12% in all sectors, backed by vibrant exports.

formerly Managing Director Pvt. Ltd. at Windmöller and Hölscher India

have segments of our industry own; while done well even during lockd infrastructure automobile, construction and recovery is all Over . rmed perfo not have es. Future incom le ndab expe to d linke e practices hom for work and s security need asing of contributed to reduced purch June, over non-essential items. However, in as regards 1 crore jobs were added and 13% more agriculture, there has been anies have sowing this year. FMCG comp growth in experienced good demand bility, low rural areas. Early vaccine availa ent of gem mana good and death rates are likely to the disease are factors that during the produce a fair demand growth predictions upcoming festival season. Most g bounce say that there will be a very stron rnment has back in the economy. Gove spending announced major infrastructure ct. impa t fican signi have will h whic

Some

Rakesh Shah

N. K. Balgi

S. K. Ray

followed the first phase of initial shock, the government by the second phase where this pandemic, found success in controlling e, the rebound we are now in the third phas to bounce back phase. Packaging is expected can be rapid to its original stage. The rebound sector to vary to cted expe is it ual; or grad aging is pack urant resta and ts outle sector. Food back. come e ediat imm an show expected to igent packaging Demand of smart and intell t. In short, the would increase to a great exten shift of consumer pandemic has made a paradigm the pattern behaviour which has impacted packaging. of demand of particular types of

After

Rajesh Nath

Managing Director German Engineering Federation (VDMA) India Office

Rakesh Shah

COVID-19 has hit us hard, shattering the economy more than initial forec asts. We Indians, born optimists, anticipate d a short stay of COVID-19 and early recov ery. The expected boost in exports did not come as global economy had itself shrunk.

Government spending on proje cts are still at planning / budgeting stage . For us, the bounce back happened in polymer consumption due to increased production of packaging films, blow moulded containers, injection moulded plastic crates, food packaging conta iners and PVC pipes and fittings. New machinery sales have also revived. Goin g by what experts say, the economy will bounce back only in Q2 2021. We are optimistic about ‘our optimism will come true’!

Pushp Raj Singhvi

formerly Director at Indian Institute of Packaging

Chairman and Managing Director Welset Plast Extrusions Pvt. Ltd.

going to For the foreseeable future, there is med icare

formerly President & Director at Ferromatik Milacron India Pvt. Ltd.

Prof. (Dr.) N. C. Saha

Arvind Mehta

ging Director formerly Vice Chairman and Mana at Borouge (India) Pvt. Ltd.

The pandemic has caused a shock for the Indian economy. The four legs - consumption, manufacturing, exports, capit al flows - on which the Indian economy grow s have been adversely impacted. To reboot, it is essential to proactively invest in local capability to stay cost-competitive with the focus being on in-house resources. Going forwa rd, capability, cost-competitiveness and the government’s ability to support the industry will be vital for quicker recovery. We need to move from ‘fear’ to ‘faith’.

S. K. Ray

ent formerly Sr. Executive Vice Presid Ltd. (Polymers) at Reliance Industries

Prof. (Dr.) N. C. Saha

While

global plastics industry strong face to continues of headwinds, there are signs ce green shoots. Part of this boun of back is result of the release was which demand pent-up the severely impacted during The lockdown. unprecedented rting Indian industry is already repo as 60% to 70% operating rates time. compared to pre-pandemic by Few niche sectors, driven and demand from healthcare grappling are products, food g with challenges of de-cloggin from the supply chain. A lesson and this pandemic is the agility ns speed at which organisatio can respond to a crisis in future.

Feedback ntent makes layout and co ality printing, qu of ines. I look t az ep ag m nc The whole co uniqué one of my favourite eys ction of surv mm admire the se POLYMERS Co w the ery edition. I ho ev on its ng ng di ivi an ce underst forward to re gives a good kend Delight pics since it cake is Wee e th on various to e on ng Ici it. personal sid es e th eiv industry perc nity to know of rtu po fan op g bi an a gives s make me section that s. These area team. stry colleague awla and the Ch ish an of our indu M s to do Ku . r ué iq mmun Rajesh R. Sonad.

POLYMERS Co ik Lt hn ec nT sio Kabra Extru

I appreciate the quality and content in the POLYMERS Communiqué magazine. We are a regular reader for last so many years and this magazine has been very useful with latest updates on markets and technologies.

I have always been a great admirer of this superb magazine.

Mukesh Jain

MCJ Multipack Pvt. Ltd.

I would like to thank POLYMERS Communiqué magazine team for providin g latest information and updates about the polymer industry which are very useful for us in decision mak ing.

Amit Gupta

Jay Polymer & Machinery

As a leader in flexib le packaging, UFlex has always sc outed for the right arena to showcase its range of pr oducts and packaging so lutions to th e brands at large. What makes the publication stand out is how well they meet the marketing mix of a large and diversified business lik e ours. Th e magazine paves a path that offers do uble barrel benefits to both, polym er players and prospect s.

UFlex Limited

magazine rmation on our info of rce sou d goo a is plastics industry. d on the latest It keeps me update y. I get lots of ustr ind this of trends st technologies late information on the ustry in India ind the by d pte ado being very much am I s. as well as oversea arch report in rese the d rea to excited it up! your magazine; keep the team of My best wishes to ué. niq mu Com POLYMERS

The POLYMERS Communiqué

Z. I. Saiyed

. Ltd.

Polycan Extrusion Pvt

First of all, I would like to thank the tea m for circulating such an informati ve magazine.

This is a very detai led magazine an d very useful as reg to machine, mould ards s and raw mater ials. In short, it is informative platfo a very rm to get the latest updates polymer industry of the and keeps us up dated on the cu market trends. rrent Pramod Kumar

Breech Oralcare

POLYMERS Communiqu é brings together relevant informati and products rev on iewed by the po lymer industry an industries. It pro d various user vides exceptiona l qu ality in terms of paper used and content, overall finishing.

We always eage rly wait for the ma gazine.

Pvt. Ltd.

POLYMERS Communiqué is an exce llent and unique magazine. We also receive its digital edition.

Vinod Kamboj

Reynold India Pvt. Ltd.

Uday Mehta

Ebullient Packagin

g Pvt. Ltd.

4

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

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News Digest

Pre-engineered Automation Solution for VFFS Machines from B&R

B

&R

Industrial

Automation,

has

recently launched an out-of-the-

Bercella’s composites dispenser structure successfully in orbit onboard the Vega VV16

bifa and Interseroh welcome the new minimum standard of the Central Agency (according to paragraph 21 of the German Packaging Act) as regards recyclability of packaging

box automation solution for vertical

form fill seal (VFFS) machines called ospVFFS - a scalable, configurable and pre-engineered

new

technology.

machines

limitless

It

can be used for new as well as retrofit with

possibilities

and configurations. ospVFFS enables machine builders to configure a VFFS machine within 30 minutes with various

S

hri Ambica Polyfill, is a diversified manufacturer

of

colour

masterbatches and filler compounds in India.

Perfect shade with quality at effective

rates can be achieved by proper selection of pigments, additives, carrier base and a perfect mixing process. A dedicated team at Ambica focuses on the proper

choice of raw materials while using advanced technologies.

possibilities. This not only improves

We have developed a sound production

a shorter time-to-market. In addition,

match the stringent quality expectations

machine performance, but also enables

the configurable solution is Industry

4.0 ready with web-based diagnostics and secure IT connectivity over inbuilt OPC UA.

Braskem starts commercial production of polypropylene in its new production line in Texas (USA)

An Insight into Ambica Polyfill

and quality control infrastructure to of our clients. Made with high-quality pigments, superior mixing process, inhouse laboratory and trained chemists, provides best batch to batch consistency.

“B&R’s OEM solution package for vertical

form, fill and seal machine (ospVFFS) will give a completely new perspective to

Indian

ospVFFS

VFFS

enables

machine

machine

builders. builders

to meet various industry standards, Conair’s EP2 Series portable chillers now include PLC control and a 7-inch colour touch screen HMI as standard equipment

B-C

reduces engineering effort, achieves higher performance, reduces total cost

We

have

matched

1,000

different

reduces time to market (TTM),” confirms

with perfection. The masterbatches are

Intelligence Technology Centre (MITC),

moulding, woven-sacks, non-wovens,

of ownership (TCO) and significantly

colour shades as per customer needs

Prashant Rasal, Manager - Machine

widely used in blow moulding, injection

B&R India.

cables, blown films and more.

Brückner Maschinenbau Teams Up Along the Value Chain - Cooperations for a Sustainable Future

D

OW

and

Brückner

are

jointly

developing BOPE-LLD and BOPE-

HD resins and films as well as barrier solutions for BOPE. Brückner and SABIC

24

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Leading Manufacturer of Plastic Auxiliary Equipment

We Strive to Ensure the Quality of your Packaging

Nu-Vu Conair serves packaging industry through its wide range of auxiliary equipment in Conveying, Drying, Blending and Heat Transfer processes. Our technology coupled with application know-how help rigid and flexible packaging manufacturers offer right product for the right category such as FMCG, retail and pharmaceutical packaging.

Nu-Vu Conair Pvt. Ltd.

Plot No. 147, 148 & 154, Devraj Industrial Park, Piplaj-Pirana Road, Piplaj, Ahmedabad - 382 405, Gujarat, INDIA. E: marketingindia@conairgroup.com | W: www.conairgroup.com/india www.facebook.com/nuvuconair

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Offerings

Digest

have collaborated for quite some time

to create sustainable materials for the Desch Plantpak (Desch) will acquire all IPP’s commercial activities; this acquisition is a significant boost to Desch’s leading position in thermoformed and injection moulded products for the horticultural industry

packaging industry, e.g. BOPE films.

NOVA Chemicals has been working with

Brückner

development

to

and

accelerate

the

commercialisation

of a new high-density resin technology for the BOPE market.

The

optimisation

of

polymers,

masterbatches and process parameters

necessary for innovative BOPE films was carried out by CONSTAB engineers

EconCore, Toray and Bostik collaborate on the development of FST qualified thermoplastic honeycomb panels

on a Brückner pilot plant. One example is white opaque BOPE film.

Additionally, Brückner cooperates in various partnerships.

Brückner

Maschinenbau

researched

and developed extensively in close collaboration with Bulgarian Plastchim-T Formlabs expands large format 3D printing line, making intuitive, cost-effective large-scale printing a reality

and

Portuguese

Polivouga,

two

Europe’s top film manufacturers.

of

Brückner has been doing numerous joint trials at Brückner’s technology centre in

Germany and the customers’ production sites. Both film manufacturers then consequently

Gualapack present recyclable laminates solutions for cosmetics products

Henkel pioneers digital watermark technology for better packaging recycling

D-H

took

the

next

step:

Each of them ordered an ultra-flexible

BOPP/BOPE hybrid line for an extended

range of films. Both lines will be in operation by the second half of the year 2021.

EDI® EPC™ Die System for Extrusion Coating and Laminating from Nordson

E

PC™

dies

feature

optimised

the deckle blade assembly, edge beads

can be reduced to a minuscule amount.

The deckle system can be quickly

retracted to simplify the clean-out of

gels and carbonised polymer build-up

in the die lip or rapidly removed for die maintenance events. Optional EDI® deckle

maintenance

carts,

custom-

designed to fit each system, ensure maintenance work is performed at a safe

height and reduce potential damage to critical deckle parts.

Kraftika - Paper-based Tube Packaging from UFLEX

F

lexiTubes from UFlex has developed

an innovative paper-based tube

packaging

for

different

application

formats. The paper-based tube - Kraftika was created to reduce plastic

materials

at

source,

thereby reducing the impact on

environment that a conventional tube does.

Kraftika replaces plastic with a

virgin kraft paper by upto 70%

depending on tube’s application

and structure. This novel tube

is available both in PBL and ABL

structures and is best suited to

pack products in oral care and cosmetics segments including face wash, gels, lip

lands, designed to create uniform

flow orientation and reduce die swell.

By adding an optional Autoflex™ VIRE automatic lip adjustment system,

processors can reduce gauge variation and further increase product yield.

EPC™ die allows producers to quickly adjust the product width by moving the

internal deckle blade system to open or restrict flow to the ends of the die. By

26

adjusting individual components within

creams etc. Kraftika is proving to be an effective and successful replacement for normal tubes.

Waterless Resin Dryer from Bry-Air

G

reen

DrySmart

(GDS

Series)

from Bry-Air is the world’s first

revolutionary truly

resin

waterless.

dryer

Specially

which

is

developed

to cater to the drying needs of next

generation plastic materials, it is able to

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Superior Plastics Color Management Solutions that take you further, faster Inaccurate color in the complex environment of the plastics industry is very costly. From resins to pellets to finished products, Datacolor provides solutions to ensure accurate color no matter whether your materials are opaque or translucent, smooth or textured, glossy or flat.

deliver < (-) 40° C dew point even at 70° C return air to desiccant rotor inlet, with

Digest Huntsman Advanced Materials launces ARALDITE® 2000 adhesive core range, designed to help businesses to maximise productivity by covering upto 80% of all bonding needs

upto 40% reduction in running cost.

In addition, the dryer provides great mobility, the

portability

hassles

water the

hoses

problem

and

eliminates

connecting

and

cooling

of

dripping / leakage of

water. for

who

It

condensed is

possibility to produce BOPP laminated

ideal

AD*STAR® bags, as well as advanced

processors

want

sack features such as handles and an

energy

efficient INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe announces expansion of the Recycl-IN range of products to include flexible packaging solutions with over 60% recycled content

of

easy-open closure open up new fields of

solutions

application for packaging producers

with the convenience

and their customers.

of portability.

Based on honeycomb rotor technology with special geometry and chemistry, GDS helps reduce the OpEx and other

CapEx costs resulting in significant savings which is difficult to get from other dryers available in the market.

KRAIBURG TPE and NEXTIS partner on flexible USB socket protection cover moulded in THERMOLAST® for respiratory devices

KraussMaffei delivers 100th injection moulding machine to Polycom

The return on investment vis-à-vis

a standard dryer is, therefore, much faster.

Undoubtedly,

drying best.

Bry-Air

ad*starKON HX: Highspeed Block Bottom Sack Conversion

S

tarlinger’s

high-speed

knows

H-L

140

bags/min.

Intelligent

block

speed

of

technical

functions such as iMOVE, iSHAPE and iPATCH ensure highest quality and

efficiency as well as easy machine

apart and enabled it to obtain NSF approval for its CPVC pipes and fittings.

Astral launched many industry firsts,

like launching India’s first lead-free

facilities

at

Santej

and

Dholka

in

Gujarat, Hosur in Tamil Nadu, Ghiloth in Rajasthan, Sangli in Maharashtra and

Sitarganj in Uttrakhand to manufacture plumbing systems, drainage systems, agriculture systems and fire sprinkler

piping systems, industrial piping and electrical conduit pipes with all kinds of necessary fittings.

operation during the fully automated

Astral

welds the precisely folded sack bottoms

range including corrugated piping for

production process. The block bottomer by means of hot air, achieving highest strength

and

optimum

bottom

geometry. Optional micro-perforation guarantees high air permeability without product emission.

The

broad

format

range

enables

bag converters to produce a wide

array of sack sizes and formats such as standard, 2-ply and open mouth AD*STAR® block bottom bags. The

28

Bringing CPVC in India, has set Astral

Astral Pipes is equipped with production

bags for dry bulk goods with an Loop Industries and Suez announce strategic partnership to build first Infinite Loop™ facility producing 100% recycled and infinitely recyclable plastic in Europe

been a front runner in the piping

category by bringing in innovation.

stream water.

bottomer ad*starKON HX produces

production

E

stablished in 1996, Astral has always

uPVC pipes for plumbing as well as for

the patented AD*STAR® block bottom outstanding

Elaborate Setup and Products from Astral

Pipes’

Infrastructure

division

Rex offers a comprehensive product

drainage and cables, polyolefin cable channels,

sewage

treatment

plants,

plastic sheathing ducts, suction hoses and sub-surface drainage systems.

In 2014, Astral forayed into the adhesives category

by

acquiring

UK-based

Seal It Services Ltd. and Kanpur-base Resinova Chemie Ltd. which manufacture

adhesives, sealants and construction chemicals.

With

five

manufacturing

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

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facilities now in this business segment,

experience of over 40 years in the

the category and made rapid inroads.

represents an excellent example of

Astral has strengthened its presence in

Digest Lubrizol’s ESTANE® TPU is now available for online purchase in China

NABL Accreditation of Lohia’s TTRC Plastics Woven Bag Laboratory as per ISO 17025:2017

the

company

‘Make in India’; and the latest call of the

nation

Polymechplast

of

‘Vocal

India

for

Local’,

personifies

it

totally. Truly a ‘Gold Coin’ of the

L

woven products (sacks / bags as per

customer demand. They have shifted

testing and quality assurance of plastics BIS, ISO standards) which initially got NABL Accreditation in December, 2018

for testing of plastics woven bags MTD Micro Molding, a company for the micro-medical device market, doubles manufacturing space

industry,

industry, its brand name!

ohia’s TTRC has a full-fledged plastics woven bag testing laboratory for

LyondellBasell successfully starts up new pilot molecular recycling facility

plastics

specifically for food grain packaging as

per IS:14887. TTRC’s testing laboratory, exclusively for plastics woven products,

is a unique initiative to support the raffia sector for meeting requirements

The company has grown in leaps and bounds and is on its way to expand its production capacity for increased corporate operations to a new office,

all geared with the state-of-the-art infrastructure providing

which

better

would

customer

mean

service

support, more satisfied and focussed employees and a corporate image in the industry.

of testing and quality certification of such products as per national and

Nestlé invests USD 30 million in Closed Loop Leadership Fund

international standards.

Recently, TTRC’s laboratory augmented testing

infrastructure

and

capability

to include testing of all types of PP / Neurala launches global channel partner program to bring vision AI to manufacturers

Peel L&P’s Protos moves forward with the £20M plastic-to-hydrogen plant

HDPE woven bags (cement, fertilizer,

sugar, food grain, tarpaulin etc.) under

M. R. Bhuva, Executive Director, Polymechplast Machines Ltd.

latest version of ISO 17025:2017.

As a company, it has a very strong good

After preliminary review / adequacy

of its customers and shareholders. With

the scope of NABL Accreditation as per

audit by auditors, the TTRC laboratory

got assessed in September, 2020 by

a team of NABL Technical and Lead Auditors and accordingly recommended the grant of accreditation to TTRC’s

Polyplastics introduces new DURANEX® PBT grade with improved hydrolysis resistance and heat shock performance

L-P

plastics woven bag laboratory with enhanced scope and as per the latest version of ISO 17025:2017. With this reassessment

recommendations

of the auditors, TTRC would be able to undertake testing on various types of

PP / HDPE woven bags / products and issue test certificates as per NABL.

E

(PML)

with

developing path breaking machinery and being one of the leading exporters,

it has managed to sail across in the

most challenging times. True to its commitment

and

consistency

in

performance, the shareholders have been rewarded for their trust and

investment with dividends YOY. Even in

these challenging times, it has declared a dividend of 8%.

Total customer satisfaction is the motto Furthering

its

growth

momentum,

PML is actively exploring diversification

stablished in 1978, Polymechplast Ltd.

a lot of innovations under its belt for

and PML is living it.

Polymechplast Moves into its New Corporate Office ‘Goldcoin House’ Machines

30

and

will in the market and has all the support

an

opportunities in business for better prospects

and

the organisation.

future

growth

of

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Let our experience work for you!

textile packaging l recycling

l

GOING NORTH

Lalit Sharma COO KEI Industries Ltd. New Delhi

“Diversification in these times can be

a double-edged sword; it can be both, risky or profitable, and can be seen differently for different industries,”

suggests Lalit Sharma, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

32

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Pandemic can Cause a Delay

but Growth is Certain Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

Talking to existing customers shall be the priority. Our future business

growth completely depends on how customers are growing and how they

plan to do the future business and how that’s going to affect you. Looking at the current scenario, it’s the only way to growth post COVID-19. We have

to look out for new schemes for the dealers / retailers to retain and partner

with them in their growth, which shall ultimately help in our company’s growth. Diversification in these times can be a double-edged sword; it can be both, risky or profitable, and can be seen differently for different industries.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

With the seemingly unending COVID-19 pandemic - individuals, organisations, nations - everyone is affected. The only good thought about it is, “This too shall pass”. It becomes imperative to rethink your marketing approach and

whether your brand is geared to serving your customers in the new normal.

Prioritise not only activities that yield the highest return on marketing

spend, but also those that are necessary for you to establish your renewed position in the market. Review your operational KPIs based on your strategy and benchmark them with the best-run organisations in your industry.

Q. What are the key factors that ensure that you bag the coveted ‘Superbrand’ award, year after year?

The key drivers for any brand excellence are trust, vision and responsibility. The To know more, please subscribe to

Polymers Communiqué at subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

33

CHANGING HORIZON

In-mould Labelling

Opens Up Big Opportunities in Packaging

Pankaj Sheth Director R. K. Metal & Plastic Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai

36

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

“I would say currently, IML is adopted by 20% of the market; however, for most packaging, IML is the future and I view this percentage increasing to 60 - 70% in the next 5 years,” states Pankaj Sheth, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Q. The biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

There were some suppliers who tried to switch

over to plastics but failed, so there was always that

fear to move into plastics; however, the oil and

Post COVID-19, there is a lot of financial assistance

paint industry encouraged us to take that leap

investment opportunities in terms of infrastructure,

market shifts, price point will not be as important

a lack of trust on Chinese products, and we can

In 1998, we took the leap of faith, and purchased

from the government which would help in good

of faith into plastics. It was my belief that if the

machinery and automation. Also globally, there is

because of the other benefits of plastics.

capitalise on that and enter into those markets previously dominated by China.

one machine for manufacturing plastic containers

to supply to Tide Water. What I realised was

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

that manufacturing plastic containers was less tedious as compared to metal. Use of labour v/s machine was 20% in plastics compared to 60 -

Post COVID, major challenges that we are facing is in labour, whether it is shortage or unpredictability.

Hence, it has become more evident to automate wherever possible, and conduct cross-training of unskilled labour, make them skilled in different areas

of

manufacturing

to

overcome

these

challenges, because the demand is still high and shortage in labour is causing that demand to go unmet.

Q. Dating back to 1985, your year of inception, tell us something about your journey from metal containers to plastic pails.

In

the

early

years,

metal

containers

were

manufactured for oil and paints right up till

In our production line, by the introduction of HTL and IML, we added new orders / types of products to our already existing line which increased business revenue considerably by not increasing labour costs in the same way, but getting reasonable margins for those products.

mid-1990s. In 1996, there was a shift in the

market, as plastic was introduced. Not all suppliers

believed that metal containers can shift to plastic containers,

because

there

was

a

substantial

difference in price at the time. Plastics did

have other advantages over metal in terms of appearance, durability, reusability and ease of use.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

37

TOUCH FACTOR

BPR Realignment and Change in Strategies The Need-of-the-hour

Q. What according to you, is the biggest business opportunity presented by the pandemic that could be well exploited by the automotive industry?

Operating virtually and digitally connecting can enhance productivity and efficiency quite

significantly. The travel time and resources saved are quite invaluable and that easily adds to the bottom line by saving costs in double digits.

It allows to start meetings on time and ending it on schedule, does take away discussion on lesser important stuff and output can be more meaningful and result-oriented.

Having said that, people connect is ever so important in doing business and hence, operating virtually and digitally won’t displace physical presence altogether, but organisations will be much more open to adopting a judicious mix of both going forward.

Q. As a corporate, do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID era? If yes, how?

Absolutely!! These are unprecedented times and never ever the business viability has come under such pressure than before. Never ever cash flows in the business slumped to nil, yet fixed costs were being incurred.

The post COVID-19 times will give every organisation an opportunity to relook at each and every

40

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

“People connect is

ever so important in doing business and hence, operating

virtually and digitally

won’t displace physical

presence altogether, but

organisations will be much more open to adopting a judicious mix of both going forward,” opines

B. P. Shiv, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

B. P. Shiv Chief Marketing & Programs Officer, India - BU Asia Plastic Omnium - Intelligent Exterior Systems Pune

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

41

cost element threadbare, which in a normal

‘China plus’ strategy. The cost restructuring being

first priority on agenda. The urgent need to manage

even points across organisations and improve

environment of expanding business may not be a

cash flows and cost reduction allowed businesses to prioritise critical and profitable businesses and sharpened them to focus on core business and put

off or wind up not so important or cash draining businesses, capex, processes or functions. All this

called for BPR (business process re-engineering) realignment and change in strategies.

Q. With the restrictions imposed by various countries due to the pandemic, what would be its impact on the exports All businesses are hit, including exports. Short-term, everyone, including India, will have to bear the brunt.

compelled by corona will further reduce the breakIndia’s position.

The capacities are in place, resources are available in abundance, most of the assets are already

depreciated, spare capacities are available, costs have been shaved, so the attractiveness towards India gets further reinforced.

Q. With the gaining popularity on clean fuel, zero-emission EVs, how important is the role of plastics in the automotive industry?

Oh, I can speak and write for days on this topic which is very close to my heart and work!!

However, mid- to long-term, with the clampdown

The role of plastics is very critical and it will get

over, will make sourcing teams around the world

some time to gain sizeable mass, the need to

on China and increased need for cost-cutting world to look for best-cost locations.

India, with its highly skilled workforce which comes at an attractive labour cost and design

capabilities, will compel the world to look at

further boosted. While electrification will take

conform to higher emission standards including To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

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42

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POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

NIMBLE FOOTED

Consumer Behaviour is Changing Be Ready to Offer Something New

Q. Any new business opportunities that can be exploited in the post COVID era as regards your business?

We, being in the rigid plastics packaging business, feel that COVID has led to a change in consumer behaviour and consumption towards use of liquids

in their day-to-day usage. The 2 most notable areas of consumption are

hand sanitisers and hand wash / body wash. Also, we sense that there would be a decline in the use of

soap bars as traditionally a soap bar is shared amongst a family;

with the current situation, sharing of personal use items is being

Sunil Dhawan Managing Director SSF Plastics India Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai

“If any person or organisation is not flexible and ready to change, the cut throat competition will take no time to take over from you and become the preferred supplier,” strongly highlights Sunil Dhawan, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

46

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

With the current trend of sustainability, I feel that avoided. This means that requirements for

from the failures

a huge potential to take advantage of the

that

body

wash

would

soar.

The

industry

has

changing consumer behaviour.

Q. You have been an ardent fan of new technologies. What is your message to the machine providers? What is your dream of a futuristic machine?

With the current trend of sustainability, I feel that

all

mistakes serves

as

process efficiency and ensuring cost optimisation.

With the current situation, manpower shortages

and legal requirements of social distancing, the

role of automation in smooth operations has grown even higher.

Q. What do you consider as the importance of IML in the coming years?

the conversion process of

learning for the future

projects

plastics sustainable, along

to come.

were

Recycling). Automation will also hold an important

power saving, making

a

role in future factories in terms of improving

the conversion process of plastics sustainable,

machines with greater

made

in this project

along with the use of PCR (Post-Consumer

machines with greater power saving, making

emphasis on adopting

the

Q. What made you enter the plastics trade in 1980s?

we need to put great emphasis on adopting

we need to put great

and to ensure

with the use of PCR (PostConsumer Recycling).

During the ’80s, there lot

of

opportunities

available in the plastics industry with and

the

increase

also

sectors.

In

in

acceptance

comparison

local

of

to

manufacturing

plastics the

in

many

1980s,

the

exposure to plastics in our day-to-day lives

has had a significant rise, and this growth is still continuing.

IML will hold great importance in packaging in the future as it will enable the aspect of

Q. Three big changes that could help the future of the rigid packaging industry...

sustainability due to the ease of recycling and removal of secondary operations such as

Looking at the current trends and customer

sleeving / labelling. IML also gives a greater

behaviours changes

shelf the

presence

superior

to sleeves.

to

the

appearance

product in

due

to

comparison

Q. While you have been very successful in your initiatives, each one of us encounter failures as well. Share with us one of your failures and learning from the same.

Over

the

years,

we

have

had

a

lot

of

/

would

requirements, be

greater

the

3

emphasis

big

and

compliances as regards sustainability through environmentally-friendly concept of PCR.

materials

and

the

The second change is in the importance to be

given

towards

investment

in

human

development to ensure we operate in a manner

to provide our customers with superior quality services and products.

as

The final change is in the increase in adaptability

development of blow moulded tubes and

survive if the customers are given what they want

market. However, we had undertaken a project

the time.

the new product was not accepted in the

Q. According to you, the state of the mould making industry in India?

tube, which was not able to create the required

My

breakthroughs

and

developments

such

decorations,

towards latest trends. A company can only

tamper-proof bottles and caps for the lube oil

and are provided with something new all

innovation

in

post

moulding

which did not get a very positive response as market. This product was an injection moulded excitement in the market as was hoped during the development stage. Post this project, we

learnt that every project has a possibility of

failure along with it, but it is key to bounce back

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

personal

view,

which

might

not

be

To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

47

Nano Infrared Barrel Heaters

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chemical.milliken.com

Joyful Plastics Adopts UL Validated Millad® NX™ 8000 Green Label

for Enhanced Sustainability

Joyful Plastics adopts UL

validated Millad® NX™ 8000

green label for its Multi-Fresh containers 9000 and

12000 in association with Milliken & Company.

M

anufactured at Joyful Plastics facility in Daman, the Multi-Fresh

Containers 9000 and 12000 have carved a position for itself by using the Millad® NX™ 8000; they are now produced with a crystal-clear

glass-like clarity and make food safer. For production of clarified PP parts, Millad® NX™ 8000 offers sustainability benefits with faster production rates and with 10% lower energy consumption helping reduce carbon footprint.

Millad® NX™ 8000 is also recognised for its compatibility with recycling of plastics packaging and is suitable for all conversion processes.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

49

chemical.milliken.com

A Step that Matters Happy with his choice of using Millad® NX™ 8000 as a clarifier, Abhishek Bafna, Director, Joyful

Established in 1995, Joyful Plastics

Plastics Private Limited proudly adds, “Being UL-certified

in

our

Multi-Fresh

food

are

storage

professional

manufacturers

containers not only shows our commitment

and exporters of household plasticware,

consumers make a sustainable move towards

blow moulding. With a state-of-art facility

towards

circular

economy,

but

also

specialising in injection moulding and

helps

at Daman in India, the company has a

buying the right product.”

fleet

About the UL Green Label Concept Millad® NX™ 8000 value proposition for low temperature on

are

energy

processing

savings

important

in

and

has

strong

sustainability

today’s

green

product

trusted

safety,

names

validation

in

injection

moulding

The comes with an annual production

industry

capacity of over 2,000 tonnes.

About Joyful Plastics

third-party

and

50

screen printing and foil stamping facility.

which

as a clarifier. Milliken worked with one of the most

over

to 350 tonnes as well as an in-house

impact

landscape and unique for Millad® NX™ 8000 world’s

of

machines that range from 60 tonnes

standards

development, UL, to validate its sustainability claims through a label. This label communicates to

customers that products have been audited by a credible third-party and independently validated to

With design patents for

over 50 products as of

now, Joyful Plastics are authorised in

licensees

the

stationary

Nickelodeon,

Cartoon

category for Walt Disney,

Network India and Viacom 18.

have been manufactured and/or perform in accordance with its environmental claims. The

They

have been validated by UL Environment, an

volume obtained from new products

energy savings enabled by Millad® NX™ 8000 independent Based

on

sustainability

an

audit

solutions

conducted

by

to

seek

through

to

greater

increase sales

and markets, and work towards being

provider.

UL

continue

profitability

a

of

collaborative

platform

for

industry-

driven research for the benefit of their

consumers by partnering up with external research institutes.

They

Abhishek Bafna Director Joyful Plastics Private Limited

constantly

evaluate

available

opportunities and look ahead to concentric and horizontal diversifications.

“Being UL-certified in our Multi-Fresh food storage containers not only shows our commitment towards circular economy, but also helps consumers make a sustainable move towards buying the right product.”

numerous industrial Millad® NX™ 8000 trials, the

following environmental claim was validated: ‘Millad® NX™ 8000 enables an average of 10% energy savings for production of clarified PP parts’. is

Permission

dependent

on

to

the

get

a

convertor

successful

label

completion

of the validation process carried out by UL Environment. Joyful Plastics went through the

audit process of UL Laboratory and cleared the process based on numerous data about the company, process description and testing of their Multi-Fresh containers.

50

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

1

7 9 9

Maniesh K. Singhania Director, Vintech Polymers Pvt. Ltd.

Maniesh, a first-generation entrepreneur, ventured into the plastics industry in 1997 after completing his graduation, with no knowledge of plastics, a few lakhs of capital, 8 workers, but loads of energy. His set-up now boasts of employing 400 workers. He carries a very determined look then and now.

Change being the only constant, we thought it

would be wonderful to capture this and freeze

‘time’. We associate with the ‘current look’ of

our industry colleagues and would it not be

exciting to know of their persona, decades

ago. That’s what we did, had them dig deep into their archives and share this just for your ‘read’... or should we say ‘see’!

1

A visual delight!

99

0

Ashish Baheti Managing Director, Vectus Industries Ltd.

What a journey; it was in 1990 when Ashish started his small-scale industry with a capital investment of Rs. 75,000. Vectus today has 13 factories spread all across the country and has a revenue of around Rs. 750 crore. In both the images, Ashish carries an unmistakeable vision of the future!

52

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

1

98

8

Ravish Kamath

1

CEO, Big Bags International Pvt. Ltd.

99

6

In 1988, Ravish was working with his father. And now, besides running his business, is relentlessly serving the industry through the industry offices The Plastics Export Promotion Council and Plastindia Foundation.

Hiten P. Mehta President - Packaging Division, Multigraph Machinery Company Ltd.

1

The 1996 picture shows Hiten in Polygraph Printing Technology Ltd. 2015, saw him join Multigraph Machinery; he currently heads its Packaging Division. His ‘cool composure’ is laced with a whole lot of experience.

99

0

Samir Gandhi Managing Director, Gandhi Automations Pvt. Ltd.

In 1990, Samir completed his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) and joined Gharda Chemicals Ltd. as a Design Engineer. The successful journey from then to today was most certainly not ‘automated’! Kudos to Samir!

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

53

FAST TRACK

Woven Bags

Big Opportunities All Around Q. How do you see the trends in the construction v/s agriculture sectors as regards driving the next level growth of PP woven sacks?

As of the current scenario, construction and agriculture sectors are emerging trends; however, based on market demand, the cement and chemical sectors have more ups and downs than agriculture. The government is also moving into

PP woven bags from the jute bags for food-grade items due to many advantages like flexibility, transparent / outstanding presentation, vapour and moisture resistance etc.

Q. Having the expertise in woven sacks, what are your plans for expanding your product portfolio?

We have recently expanded our portfolio and now we are producing PP/BOPP woven bags for food grade and non-food grade applications. We are also manufacturing AD*Star block bottom-valve bags for cement, chemicals, food and feed item.

We are planning for FIBC jumbo bags and geotextile products in the upcoming years.

To know more, please subscribe to

Polymers Communiqué at subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

“Exports is the biggest opportunity post COVID. Food

and fertiliser sectors are also at their peak in the COVID

situations as demand is very high,” updates Paresh Patel, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

54

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Paresh Patel Managing Director Lincon Polymers Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad

Nowadays, the market is tending to focus on hygiene

and quality than economic and cheap products, so it’s a good chance to expand market share with ease.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

55

CUSTOMER CALLS

Changing Needs in the Packaging Industry Challenging to Keep Pace With

Sourabh Doshi Director Inoflex Pvt. Ltd. Indore

62

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Q. The biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

As goes the saying, that in every problem we should seek an opportunity to move forward. We have also explored ways to move forward and have been consolidating and

expanding our customer base to enable us to have a strong growth in terms of volumes and capacity expansions.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Yes, definitely we had to tackle various challenges faced during and post COVID-19 era, some of which were payment cycles which were delayed, transportation of goods and raw material were hampered and, labour and staff were reluctant to show up owing to the pandemic, but we assured them by maintaining SOPs, which we have successfully overcome now.

Q. What changes do you see in the demands of packaging FMCG products in the next 3 - 5 years?

As

per

the

trends

available,

toluene-free

packaging,

We have recently

CI-flexo instead of gravure and single-family structure like

executed our expansion

PE/PE and PP/PP will be some of the changes that customers would demand.

Q. Your opinion on the importance of automation and supportive auxiliaries for the converting industry, to achieve better operation speeds.

during this post COVID time

by increasing our capacity by

100% and, in the coming couple

To know more, please subscribe to

of years, we are planning for 7-layer poly, CI-flexo and metalliser line.

Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

“As per the trends available, toluene-free packaging, CI-flexo instead of

gravure and single-family structure like PE/PE and PP/PP will be some of

the changes that customers would demand,” foresees Sourabh Doshi, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

63

INSIDE OUT

Enhance Efficiency

to Reduce Customers’ Cost Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

An alternate for China is on the cards and it will be split to other South East Asian countries, including India. This increase in demand will trigger growth and opportunity. More so in medical, household, mobile phones and defence sector. Also, the automotive industry will limit its imports which will be an opportunity for us to locally support the industry; a great boost.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Realigning and changing strategies is a continuous process in the world that we live in. Post COVID-19, we are to find a balance between growth and financial security. Improving efficiencies

and innovations are the path which will give sustained growth and better bottom line. The most important lesson I personally learnt is to have cash reserves to help us tide over such

occurrences in the future and bring balance between investment and cash reserves.

Q. Having been in the industry for over 30 years and a name to reckon with in the automotive industry, what are your plans for diversification?

We felt that we needed to do a forward integration and be

different from our competition. We have added a painting line

to our portfolio. We are constantly looking to add value to our customers. We are also working with an engineering house to develop our own product in the household sector.

Q. It is known in your organisation that challenges are a way of life and their solutions are a reason for

58

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

M. Karthik Krishnan Managing Director United Industries Plastic Pvt. Ltd. Chennai

“Learning from COVID-19...for

several years I have been running in

improving the top line and growth, but

gave lesser importance to bottom line

and reserves. COVID-19 taught me that

lesson,” shares M. Karthik Krishnan,

in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

59

celebration, what motivates this spirit?

Customer focus and keeping them happy at all cost has been the driving force in our organisation.

Constantly challenging ourselves and finding

solutions keeps our team young and active. This is

Q. Your take on the use of technology accompanied with problem solving tools like Poka-Yoke and PSP, and its impact on the final output on all aspects i.e. quality, cost and delivery?

very important to service our demanding industry.

Tools like Poka-Yoke and others, along with

Q. What has been the most challenging job so far and why?

It helps us to reduce our defects and also improve

Cracking and getting an entry into the automotive

industry was a big challenge. Our experience prior to that was in the bicycle industry. To

convince customers to trust our capability and our

infrastructure

was

a

challenge.

Getting

the first break almost took 6 months since we

technology, are very important to any organisation. our efficiencies. It also helps reduce our manpower fatigue and deliver constant output. This has a

direct impact on the quality of our products as well as on-time deliveries and lowered costs. Indirectly,

it builds confidence and trust in our customers and makes us their first choice.

started approaching them and it happened

during an emergency situation for the customer

Q. What is the importance of pricing in your business?

and we proved it to them that we are ready and trustworthy.

Optimum pricing is important to us to retain customers. Too high a pricing will drive customers

Q. You mention about Industry 4.0 and being located in the very hub of the automotive industry, what are your plans for expansion in terms of capacity and innovation?

to our competitors and too less or below par

pricing will impact our organisation and its growth. We also constantly improve efficiency

and share it with our customers as cost reduction, year-on-year.

shop floor and gives us data to make decisions immediately and cost-effectively. Since we are in

Q. What is the next big change that you expect in the injection moulding machines technology?

a continuous processing industry with round the clock supplies, we need to be alert all the time

Machine constantly adjusting itself in giving good

Industry 4.0 is a tool that gives us a grip on our

and receiving data at the right time is very important.

Innovation

and

continuously

improving the system is the need-of-the-hour and our focus is always on it.

products

continuously

without

human

To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

Education is the most powerful weapon

which you can use to change the world.

Educate Every Child...

60

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

SURE-SHOT

Medical Devices

Witness Significant Increase Within Healthcare Expenditure “The medical devices market is witnessing growth in

the emerging economies to the extent that by 2025, a

substantial part of the global healthcare expenditure is

expected to arise from these economies,” believes Himanshu Baid, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Himanshu Baid Managing Director Poly Medicure Ltd. New Delhi

66

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Q. What do you see as business opportunities in your business sector, post COVID? New normal has brought in tremendous opportunities for Polymed. The

government’s key initiatives, ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ have

come up as an opportunity for India to become the hub of not just the global medical device manufacturing, but also leveraging its strengths to develop and

manufacture raw material being used in these devices. At the moment, India imports over 80% of the medical devices from other countries.

As market recognises the need for more indigenous products, Polymed is

happy to be contributing to India’s fight against COVID-19. Our priority now is to collaborate and work closely with all stakeholders such as the government, private sector as well as the medical research fraternity to develop new products. To make the most of the opportunities, we are focusing on the

growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining our position in the slow-growing segments.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID era?

COVID-19 has caused organisations globally to re-examine and refocus, and the same applies to Polymed as well. Yet, as we begin to settle into the new normal,

our business would include releasing new products in the field of renal, respiratory care and diagnostics business.

We are also breaking the old boundaries and redefining our model which is clinical focused as even medtech players need to be more focused on value-based and patient-focused care.

To achieve this, we will ensure that user-centred design should begin early and continue throughout device development. The priorities of the clinical users were

identified, as well as a number of factors that would act to the safe and effective adoption of the device.

This COVID-19 pandemic also gave us an opportunity to engage digitally with

the healthcare community. These virtual programmes enabled us to build online learning events aimed at imparting knowledge and skills to different set of healthcare professionals.

We have already started investing in digital transformation as it has helped us

rival with rapid supply chain changes and workplace together with unpredictable business needs that the pandemic has raised.

To know more, please subscribe to

Polymers Communiqué at subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

67

ADVERTORIAL

LyondellBasell is Advancing the Circular Economy

LyondellBasell is one of the largest producers of chemicals and plastics in the world. From improving healthcare to enabling access to

clean water to keeping food fresher, longer to helping to manage emissions, LyondellBasell’s products contribute to improving the quality

of life. With that said, LyondellBasell is looking at strategic opportunities like the formation

of the ‘Alliance To End Plastic Waste’ to help advance the circular economy.

70

Shifting Mindsets and Giving Plastics a Second Life It’s hard to imagine a world without plastics because it plays such an important role in our lives. From the evolution of smartphones to making cars lighter

and more fuel-efficient to breathing tubes keeping

people alive every day, plastics have a far reaching and lasting impact.

Even with these benefits, everyone, including the plastics industry, agrees there’s no place for it in the environment. Plastic waste is the most

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Mechanical Recycling Collaboration Helps Keep Travellers Moving When properly disposed off, recycled plastics can have value and a purpose beyond their initial use.

LyondellBasell,

Samsonite

and

SUEZ

breathed

new life into what was historically considered

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Bio-based Plastics from Renewable Materials

The ‘Green Grey’ edition of S’Cure ECO, a new suitcase collection made 100% from recycled plastic waste, currently available in the European market.

LyondellBasell

recently

materials.

was

created

bioplastics It

announced

from

the

it

renewable

first

parallel

production of bio-based polypropylene

and bio-based low-density polyethylene at a commercial scale.

The project successfully produced several thousand tonnes of bio-based plastics that are marketed under Circulen and Circulen Plus, the new family of LyondellBasell circular economy product brands. The

new bio-based plastics are approved for the production of food packaging.

This achievement is extraordinary in that it

combined

a

unique

renewable

feedstock with LyondellBasell’s technical

capabilities. The end result was the creation of bio-based polyethylene and

Circular Steam Project

bio-based polypropylene, which contains over 30 per cent renewable content.

From Waste to Sustainable Energy 1,40,000 metric tonnes

Finding a second life for plastic materials

29,000 cars off the road

=

is not the only circular economy effort

from LyondellBasell. In fact, sustainability

Maasvlakte site rendering.

trash. The companies came up with

are

is a perfect use for recycled plastic

chemical recycling, is an emerging

a unique, innovative application that materials with the creation of the

‘Green Grey’ edition of S’Cure ECO, a new suitcase collection with the outer shell made 100% from recycled plastic waste.

through joint

LyondellBasell its

mechanical

venture,

Polymers

and

(‘QCP’),

Quality

technologies.

Molecular recycling, also known as

technology and a key enabler to fully achieving a circular economy.

It involves the chemical conversion

of plastic waste into molecules for

Circular

production process, resulting in new

post-

use as feedstock in the petrochemical plastic for all applications including

consumer plastic such as packaging

food contact. Recently, LyondellBasell

Samsonite

laboratory trials of its new proprietary

into

a

high-quality used

polypropylene.

this

recycled

achieved

initial

success

chemical

during

plastic to create the outer shell of its

MoReTec

which is currently being sold to the

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

LyondellBasell

means

advancing

solutions to address global challenges while meeting stakeholders’ needs and maintaining

the

highest

operational

standards. This is evident through our

recycling the

facilities.

For

example,

LyondellBasell

and its joint venture partner, Covestro, are building a Circular Steam Project to

convert

waste

into

steam

for

LyondellBasell’s Maasvlakte site. This will

result in an estimated annual reduction of

1,40,000

metric

tonnes

of

CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to

taking more than 29,000 cars off the road.

technology

European market.

in Germany. Using specially-developed

are

Molecular Recycling will be a Gamechanger

post-consumer plastic waste such as

generation. There is an opportunity to

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

with

dioxide (CO2) emissions at LyondellBasell

new limited edition suitcase collection,

Mechanical and molecular recycling

developed

for

continued focus on reducing carbon

SUEZ,

recycling

converted

complementary

catalysts, MoReTec technology uses

bottles and packaging as raw material to create new plastic materials.

Initiatives like this are important and playing

an

instrumental

role

in

determining the future for the next

affect real global change. The time to act is now.

71

B u s in es sToon s

More than just ordinary, BusinessToons take content to another level in POLYMERS Communiqué.

Reading this, some may laugh, some may smile, some may read it and just put the magazine on the

side. In either case, it has achieved its intent to help you unwind and reset your mind...make it fresh, as green as it can get; essential isn’t it...as possibilities with polymers are endless...circular nevertheless!

72

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

73

ANOTHER APPROACH

“Plastics packaging is the most energy-

efficient and carbon-efficient material, but

how can we use it for effective recycling in a large country like ours is a big challenge.

A lot needs to be done in this regard and

the industry has made strong steps in this

direction,” states Naveen Talwar, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Naveen Talwar Director Marketing Skypack India Pvt. Ltd. Faridabad

74

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Easy-to-Recycle

An Emerging Focus of Packaging Design Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

known as Dispovan. As a proud 100% ancillary unit

to HMD (which we still work today), we gradually diversified into new project categories of packaged

COVID-19 brought unprecedented opportunities

food, personal care, home care, oral care, agro

we saw was in personal hygiene and packaged

In 2008, we diversified into laminated tubes using

demand for most of our products related to beauty

became among the top 3 tube makers for

in several industries. The biggest surge in demand

products, auto parts etc.

food segment. During the initial days of lockdowns,

state-of-the-art Swiss technology and gradually

and non-essential products (as defined by the government) fell, but we saw massive interest in

packaging related to packaged food, hand sanitisers, liquid hand wash and medical packaging. We were

pharmaceutical tubes, skin creams and oral care.

We also reached globally and started exporting to Europe, USA, Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka etc.

flooded with enquiries not only from India, but also

The most important resource that we are proud

during April and May itself.

this growth; they also stood by and worked

from overseas. We did close to 53+ new launches

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Post

COVID-19

era,

we

expect

interest

in

sustainable and easy to recycle packaging to

counter the impact of plastics on the environment.

We are already doing close R&D with our key domestic and multinational clients with whom we

are working on several sustainable projects. We also expect huge demand for syringes and vaccine delivery systems which is also a massive opportunity.

We are building up capacities to cater to that demand today so that we are ready to meet it.

Q. An astounding experience of 29 years in the plastics industry, please share with us the journey of Skypack India from the flexible packaging unit in 1991 to today’s multiportfolio packaging company?

Skypack started in early ’90s as a manufacturer of

flexible medical packaging materials for HMD Ltd.

They were the first company in India to introduce the concept of single and safe use syringe, also

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

of is our team who has been responsible for during the difficult COVID-19 lockdown times.

Today, we have 2 state-of-the-art factories with a 3rd plant ready and we are quite bullish about the growth.

Q. Please share your experience on the impact of exports on your business.

What do you take as your biggest learning from exports?

The common perception in exports is that buyers

are looking for low cost material from India.

This is not the case. If positioned well, India and Indian

companies

can

serve

global

market

requirements with the right balance of quality and

price. India has several strengths: hard working people and domestically produced raw material,

while it also has a weakness which is logistics.

The biggest learning from exports has been in the

areas of innovation which was done to fulfill the demands of the customers.

To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

75

BAG FULL

“There has been

a lot of developments in the

materials that can be used for

manufacturing of luggage. The

biggest constraint is the pricing,” believes Rakesh Tainwala, in dialogue with

POLYMERS Communiqué.

Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

launch your own brand? Why?

The current economic scenario is very grim.

marketing (especially for consumer durables)

Private sector investment will not be visible for the medium-term. The economic recovery can only be brought about by public spending. Our business has seen a downside of almost 70 -

80%, since travel has been the biggest casualty of the pandemic. We do not see recovery for our luggage business till 2021-22. We are looking at

diversification options for our business, but the

visibility is very poor, especially due to the overall poor performance of the industry.

Q. Already a leader in the luggage sector, what next?

We do not believe that manufacturing and makes sense. Most companies marketing the products prefer not to get into manufacturing.

They are involved in design and development,

and get it manufactured from OEM vendors.

Today, we cater to the top brands of the world,

including Police, Tommy Hilfiger, Samsonite etc. as well as most of the local biggies such as Provogue, Metronaut, Killer, Wrogn, Solimo etc.

Q. According to you, the advances in material science that could have a big impact on your moulded luggage business can be...

We are growing in other sectors, such as rigid

There has been a lot of developments in the

investments for the current financial year, to

luggage. The biggest constraint is the pricing.

packaging (drums and pails). We have outlined augment our capacities by 30 - 40%.

Q. Having the complete know-how on moulded luggage, you never ventured to

78

We have always been an OEM for our customers.

materials that can be used for manufacturing of To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

India: A Good Manufacturing Hub

for Moulded Luggage

Rakesh Tainwala Chairman & Managing Director Tainwala Chemicals & Plastics (India) Ltd. Abhishri Packaging Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

79

RIGHT PLACE

Good Potential for Food Grade Packaging in India

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Yes, COVID-19 is already in and we can’t undo the situation; so, what we can do is only realign ourselves. However, I see the situation on an optimistic note as it has helped us in making our employees learn the importance of health and hygiene; so, it has worked as a blessing in disguise. Health check-ups are

now theregular chore in the company and we will continue this practice in the coming times.

The other biggest challenge we see moving forward is innovating at the rate of speed required to keep up with rapidly evolving business requirements.

Q. In your growth story, share some of the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

We were the first company in Gujarat who is using 100% non-toluene on-ketone (NTNK) ink and we are also in the category of those few companies in the industry who are using NTNK ink. So, the challenge we had was how to get the things done with NTNK ink. For this, we reduced our profit margins and decided to contribute

for the better health of our employees and consumers. This I have learnt from my parents that if you do good for the society, then it’s not necessary that you target for high margins.

Another challenge was to work with only 50% of the workforce; so, we decided

that we will keep all our employees on board and ask them to come in an even-

odd day. This way, they all received their full salaries, they did not rush to their home towns and helped us in handling the pandemic situation in a better way.

However, the zest of employees played a key role as they knew that Balaji Multiflex (BMPL) has always stood by its employees, no matter what.

Q. A project execution that gave you immense satisfaction

82

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

In dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué

as regards PCR, EPR and circular economy, Pranav Bhalara says, “Plastics has its place

and that place is not in the environment. We want to keep this valuable material where it should be - in the circular economy.”

Pranav Bhalara Director Balaji Multiflex Pvt. Ltd. Rajkot

to execute...

sustainable

growth

due

The designing construction of our new

to the increase of packaged food

executed successfully within a span of

with demand for quality products. Thus,

Gujarat amongst converters in terms of

is good and the business has got high

about 25,000 sq. mts.

however, this growth is not the organic

plant situated at Nani Amreli which was

consumption

1 year only. This plant is the largest in

scope of food grade packaging in India

its area. The total constructed area is

growth potential in the coming times;

Q. What is the scope of food grade packaging in India and its potential for growth?

In

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

packaging

recent

years,

India

has

seen

and

awareness,

along

growth. New challenges will need to be To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

83

FROM THE TOP

Corporate Commitment

The Big Differentiator Q. Any new business opportunities you think that can be exploited in the post COVID era as regards your business?

and

engagement

channels

to effectively involve channel partners. It is imperative to adapt with the new normal.

In the last 2 years, we have had an excellent

Organisations have to be agile and adaptive

The product range, which includes CPVC, UPVC,

business

response to our brand and quality of products.

to survive in the new normal. While the core

SWR and PVC pipes and fittings offered by us

the operations, communications, human resource

from day one, makes our order fill ratio at par with

and financial management has to be realigned.

the best in the industry. The anticipated pressure

on construction related products post COVID

Q. What is the current market outlay for the plastic pipes and fittings market (PVC, CPVC, UPVC) and what is the growth rate?

for most industries will open newer avenues to develop retail businesses. For us, the recently

launched column pipes for bore well applications needs to be taken to the next level. Pre COVID, we had many retail driven products on the agenda,

which we will keep on exploring in coming times.

Storage water tanks is where you will see some action from our side.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the upcoming new normal?

Our core strategy continues to be promoting quality at the right price with good range

and service, and this seems to have paid off dividends even post lockdown. However, we have certainly realigned our strategy to handle

and nurture human resource with priority to health and hygiene. Right from the shop floor level to the frontline field sales level, we have reworked the daily working strategy to achieve

the goals and also maintain financial efficacy.

We have also been agile enough to realign our

86

communication

strategies

may

remain

unchanged,

The plastic pipe industry is a fast-growing industry that has been growing in double digits for long. The contribution of unorganised trade is reducing year after year. Corona pandemic may have impacted this a bit in the 1st quarter,

but it is too early to conclude. The 1st quarter

results this year would be an incorrect inference

for the year. While stalling or miniscule pace of

development of many big real estate projects due

to

reverse

immigration

of

labour

did

impact the urban sales, the rural and agri-

based business even in this period has been promising and the overall progress reported

by most companies for June - July months indicates that the industry will soon bounce back

to

the

coming months.

double

digit

growth

in

the

To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Rajesh Pajnoo CEO Truflo by hindware Hyderabad

“As regards growing

our current business,

we are aggressively looking forward to

expansions in the same

category for sure, with recent

addition being column pipes

for bore well application. Our next move could be in the

water tank segment shortly,”

shares Rajesh Pajnoo, in

dialogue with POLYMERS

Communiqué.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

87

Weekend Delights Friday night to Monday morning, a time to unwind, rejuvenate and be geared to face another grueling week. Each one of us use this ‘my time’ is different ways. And why not, weekend is a time for expressing ourselves. We all have known the personalities featured here as astute business stalwarts; as life is more than just business, we at POLYMERS Communiqué, have started this section called ‘WEEKEND DELIGHTS’. Live life...

Surendra Kedia Executive Director

Manjushree Technopack Ltd.

Having spent last 35 years prioritising work first, now I spend weekends away from business and devote time to myself and family.

I usually start my day with some yoga and stretching / cardio.

Then I try to experiment and learn few new subjects on Udemy or try my hands to cook a dish from Ranveer Brar’s recipes. Also, I do some gardening to taking care of the plants.

Rest of the day is with family, and being a part of a joint family of 15 members, there is never a dull moment as we indulge in family lunch and activities post lunch.

Anil Savsani

Managing Director

Aim Machintechnik Pvt. Ltd.

During my weekends, I usually do plenty of activities like next week company planning, reading books, surfing for new technologies in the market, telephonic networking, keeping abreast of new updates in market and if there is time, as a family we go out and spend time together.

94

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Mayur Bhatt

Managing Director Dura Group

First thing on weekends t hat I do is recap on the whole week and tick the set of goals accomplished, carry forward unfinished tasks and plan for the next week; then chill out, exercise, yoga, outing with my family on beaches, read a book, watch movie and thus rejuvenate myself for the coming week.

Lalit Agarwal

Managing Director

Duroplast Extrusion Pvt. Ltd.

Disentangling myself over a weekend after a strenuous week is gratifying and exuberant with things I like to do, avid travelling. Being a family man, I like to spend time with my family watching movies or even doing household chores sometimes.

As a passion, playing badminton is truly a vitalising activity for me. Karaoke nights or evenings spent with friends or family singing the night away is the most treasured caper for me. All of this makes and brings back loads of memories and it’s my pleasure doing so.

Prasanta Kumar Mallik Director

BT Polymers Pvt. Ltd.

Work is something which I enjoy doing the most, especially when I am in my favourite field. But that doesn’t mean I do not spend time with my family. Work-life balance is very important for everyone to follow.

During my weekends, I usually spend quality time with my family and also do some household chores. I do some cooking, watch movies, read some books, journals etc. and take adequate rest.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

95

ADVERTORIAL

A Micro Feeder

Addressing Mega Industry Needs The problem that plastic developers and manufacturers face is, ‘How to

accurately weigh and compound materials with small amount of additives.’

As an epoch-making solution to this problem, Kubota has developed a new gravimetric twin screw feeder, ‘Micro NX Feeder: NX-T12E’.

T

toward

accurately weigh and compound

automobiles is a major driving

additives.’ As an epoch-making

he

recent

trend

EVs and lighter weight in

force behind the development of

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Production

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polymers.

high-performance

polymers requires accurate addition

of additives with various properties to the base resin. Various materials

are added, including antioxidants, lubricants, pigments

UV

like

absorbers

titanium

and

dioxide,

and the number of cases in which

very small amounts are added has increased.

Solution for Powder Feeding in Micro Flow Rate The problem that plastic developers and manufacturers face is, ‘How to

92

materials with small amount of

solution to this problem, Kubota

has developed a new gravimetric twin screw feeder, ‘Micro NX Feeder:

NX-T12E’.

It

offers

a

range of micro flow rates from

10 mL/h ～ 10 L/h, and its innovative

design

wide

of

it

possible

range

to

makes

handle

powders

a

-

from high flowability to the ones that are difficult to handle.

As a leader in powder handling technology in the production

process

of

high-performance

polymers, Kubota Japan, has been

providing high-quality gravimetric feeders

in India and throughout the world. Gravimetric

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

feeders are widely used in the plastic

compounding process for continuously feeding various materials such as resins,

fillers and additives to a twin-screw extruder, and are an indispensable equipment for production of highperformance

polymers

such

engineering plastics.

Developed of

with

experience

over

40

years

capabilities

of

and

technological

Made-in-Japan,

as

the

Kubota

advanced

NX

Feeder

Series has been used in many plastic

manufacturing processes due to its innovative design; the ‘Negative wall angle

powder

hopper’

effectively

bridging

issues

prevents

and

the

‘Diagonal agitator’ provides a highly

accurate and stable feeding. Also, in response to customer requests, the new

feeder

has

been

developed

with a micro flow range that inherits the features of the NX series.

Contributing to More Efficient R&D The Micro NX Feeder can handle a wide range of powder materials with

highly accurate and small flow rates,

thus contributing to more efficient and

sophisticated

research

and

development. In this trend of rapid R&D, many plastic manufacturers are

increasing their investment in R&D

there is a growing need for micro feeders with high accuracy.

The requirements in the R&D process

are diverse such as being able to cover a micro flow rate with high accuracy, have

versatility to handle powders of various

properties, possess easy workability and user interface with compact installation dimensions etc. Since there are few

feeders that can meet these diverse

needs, R&D engineers need to perform equipment

improvement

or

time-

consuming manual work every time

they face a problem, which makes R&D inefficient. Kubota Micro NX Feeder

is a versatile feeder that can solve such problems with its unique design

of ‘Negative wall angle hopper’ and ‘Diagonal agitator’.

of handling. In the pre-mix process, the operator manually weighs each material,

puts the materials into the blender, mixes

and

disperses

challenges in terms of productivity

and quality control. First, the pre-

mix process becomes a bottleneck that determines the productivity of continuous manufacturing process. This

means that you lose the advantage of the continuous manufacturing process,

which has the flexibility to change the

production volume in a small space. In terms of quality control, there is also the problem that the risk

of mixing formulation mistakes

cannot

because

of

work.

Numerous additives are used to add a variety of functions to plastics, and their

compounding rates can sometimes be surprisingly low at 0.1%. In addition, additives such as antioxidants, lubricants and UV absorbers are often materials that are difficult to handle due to

their sticking and bridging properties.

How these additives are compounded is one of the issues in conventional production processes.

sufficiently,

the feeder. However, this process has

be

completely eliminated

Contributing to Improved Productivity in the Manufacturing Process

it

and then puts the mixed material into

Kubota

manual

Micro

NX

Feeder

can

solve

improve

productivity

these problems and and

quality

Pre-mixing is

not

control.

process

with

range of micro

flow rates from

10 mL/h ～ 10 L/h, and its innovative design makes it

possible to handle a wide range of powders - from

for

material

difficult to handle.

required

high

NX-T12E offers a

high flowability to

independently feeding additive

Micro NX Feeder:

accuracy.

the ones that are

The costs or losses of mixing work are reduced and it is possible to produce

facilities for technological innovation.

One solution currently used in many

high-performance resins in a more

processes is to pre-mix the minor

efficient and controlled manner.

are developing small size twin-screw

additives

increase the flow rate and improve ease

Contributing to the Indian Plastics Industry

Manufacturers of twin-screw extruders

extruders to realise efficient R&D, and

with

other

materials

to

Kubota is striving to contribute to the development of the Indian plastics industry by proposing the Micro NX

Feeder, which is an epoch-making solution for the micro flow feeding in the plastic compounding process, and

providing substantial after-sales service in India. At the Kubota Feeder Technical Centre in Chennai, India, customers can

consult the technical engineers and try out a Kubota feeding system, including the Micro NX Feeder.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

93

FOCUS AREA

“Superior properties

such as tenacity,

recyclability and better

resistance against weather, will

force producers to look in other

directions so as to create a world-class

material,” highlights Makrand Appalwar, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Makrand Appalwar Chairman & Managing Director Emmbi Industries Ltd. Mumbai

96

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Sharp Increase Expected in Woven Geotextiles in the Next 5 Years

Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

& Technology (DST) Certified R&D Centre, with a

Post COVID, we feel that the agricultural sector

Emmbi; we ensure that atleast 20% of our top

will remain extraordinarily strong. We feel that we have role to play in both the pre-harvest and post-harvest product lines.

Our

water

conservation

products

will

be

especially useful and they will seek much higher demand considering the Prime Minister’s ‘Atma Nirbhar

Yojana’.

Also,

our

incredibly

special

hermetic and modified atmosphere packaging will

witness

increased

demand

due

to

the

requirement of storage of food grains for a longer time.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Yes, we will have to make the organisation more agile and ready to take on the challenges

thrown to us by COVID-19. We will also have to make our organisation leaner and focus on improving the operating efficiency so as to take care of the losses incurred due to the lockdown.

Q. From a modest ground-breaking ceremony in 1994 to receiving the award of being amongst the Top 100 MSME’s of India in 2019, what are the attributes you would credit for this growth?

The growth is largely attributed to the wonderful teamwork that our company has displayed during

the past two decades. At the same time, the company always remained focused on R&D. We

are a Government of India, Department of Science

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

collective experience of over 250 years.

We have a particularly important philosophy at line is always generated from products which are developed through R&D.

Q. What is the impact of your geotextile operations on your business today? How do you envisage the coming years?

We

started

our

retail

geotextile

operations

commercially in last 4 to 5 years. Though the product was launched in the Indian retail market just 5 years ago, we were active in the international market for 10+ years. Launch of geotextiles gave us the much-needed entry into

the B2C market segment. Today, this segment

contributes around 25% of our top line and it is

increasing steadily year over year. We believe that by FY 2024-25, we will be able to get a contribution of Rs. 400 crore, from this, which will be around 45 to 50% of our then top line.

Q. Comparing woven, non-woven and knitted geotextiles; where do you see current and future market growth?

Due to the extremely high tenacity offered by

the woven geotextiles, especially in the water

conservation market, slowly the market is leaning

towards higher use of woven geomembranes

for this application. In the present situation, the To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

97

ACROSS SECTORS

Food Packaging, Home and Healthcare Segments to Witness Tremendous Growth

Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for growth of the flexible packaging industry?

There will be growth in flexible packaging because the consumer is now more alert and aware of health and safety; which was

in a way, taught by COVID-19. All daily needs must be packed safely, this is

what every consumer wants now. Global awareness increased

on

food

drastically

packaging and

has

nothing

uncovered is today accepted by people.

Q. What according to you is the role of creativity in the success of a packaging company?

Creativity will add value to innovation and bring to the fore innovative ideas

in packaging. In the erstwhile era of

packaging, the objective of packaging was to ensure that the product was protected

“As regards changing industry dynamics, innovations in digital printing and recyclable packaging shall

have a direct impact on the consumer as well as the producer / manufacturer,” suggests Srikanta Khatua, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

from the atmosphere, the packaging was

robust enough to protect the product

properties and ensure no damage, while hygiene

being

maintained.

In

today’s

scenario, the concept of packaging has

seen a paradigm shift. Apart from all of

the above mandatory parameters, there needs to be creativity involved to help

the product catch the customer’s eye

and pick it up from the rack. Creativity involves shape,

innovations

convenience,

combinations etc.

100

in

attractive

design, colour

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Q. Any regulatory changes that could impact the flexible packaging industry, be it positive or negative?

In my opinion, typically as regards the use of recycled material in the packaging industry, regulations would ensure that the material is

used and not gone to the landfills but comes back into the system, which is good for the industry.

The

government

would

definitely

support this reform which would also ensure that the recycling industry gets a boost as well, apart from the packaging industry.

Specifically, as regards post-consumer recyclates, I see difficulties in their usage due to technical difficulties in the packaging industry. PCR can be

definitely treated and used, but it most definitely cannot

be

used

in

the

packaging

industry

as it majorly caters to food where hygiene is paramount. The recycled material can be used for rigid packaging, which is again restricted to

certain product range e.g. the non-food sector like lubricants, oil, paints etc.

Q. Between food, home and personal care, which segment do you see witnessing the maximum growth and why?

I see the maximum growth in food packaging and processed food packaging. Post COVID, the

awareness on hygiene and protection from any contamination has reached a new high. Today’s

consumer would not accept any food item To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Srikanta Khatua Senior VP Constantia Flexibles Group Puducherry

101

PAILS AND MORE

Teamwork and Leadership The Business Mantras of Today P. Prabhaker Chairman & Managing Director Baba Group of Companies Hyderabad

Q. What is the biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

The global disaster COVID-19 has deposited all of us in such a detrimental zone for which the world was totally unprepared. As an entrepreneur, my

vision is always for growth, innovation and adding milestones. Now the world is slowly limping back to work. Though there has been a business

impact for couple of months, I would still like to hire people rather than

remove them to boost my business and adhere to my post COVID business; most importantly, place them in a safe zone. Sometimes it is not about the capital that you are making, it is about how many people are there for your business.

To add, me and my team are always looking forward for innovation. During the

lockdown,

we

all

started

working

from

home

on

innovation

and

development, rather than spending time with joy and laughter, which helped us to enhance our efficiency during post COVID start up.

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Yes, things have changed remarkably. We all are now into a new normal.

104

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

“As regards the paint pail industry, the growth is quite horizontal; I would like to see a flourishing real estate sector which can directly have an ascending impact,” suggests P. Prabhaker, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

Getting to the point, though there are so many hurdles being faced and more on the way as well, but there are no such marginal changes in my

business strategies because I always prefer to stay focused on my business and my broad vision.

Q. Your journey from the metal containers way back in 1979 to the plastics pails / containers of the modern times, what made you diversify?

Yes, I do remember those days; it all started with a dream. With God’s grace, as time went

retain them over a period of time; what is your business mantra?

I would love to answer this and readers can take it as an advise as well. I have two ethics...

Teamwork - I always get tasks done through the

approach of a good teamwork. Good teamwork

means a synergistic way of working with each

person towards a shared goal. It is, therefore, a necessity that leaders facilitate and build teamwork skills of their people if they are to steer a business towards success.

by, we diversified ourselves well. One thing that

Leadership - I believe in leadership, rather than

with metal was the customer requirement and

everyone with proper strategies to meet the

motivated me to get into plastics simultaneously the forthcoming market demand.

Customers are God and I am never ashamed to worship them. Apart from this, I focused on the

petrochemical sector as well and met with success with

customers

such

IOCL,

Reliance,

Valvoline, HPCL, BPCL, Eicher, Castrol etc.

TATA,

Q. You cater to all the leading brands in paints and lubricants, and have managed to

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

bossism. A true leader can motivate and direct business goals.

Q. Clearly the pioneer in the pails and container segment catering to the paints, chemicals and petrochemical industry, what are your views on the prevailing To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

105

MAN POWER

Skilled Manpower

Foundation of the Tooling Industry Q. The biggest opportunity that you see in the post COVID-19 period for your business growth / diversification?

non-conventional through training, providing canteen / bus facility to staff will help effective utilisation of the available manpower. Thus, in this pandemic time, we have critical issue of

‘Atmanirbhar’ campaign and reduction in imports

labour migration and to overcome this issue, is

from China will give boost to the business

our first focus.

growth. In terms of diversification, we are already

catering to various sectors / industries including

NN

preventive

ready to leap in scalability to the next level. The

Most of the labour force has moved to their native place due to the pandemic. Hence, operating with the available / limited manpower will be the new normal in the post COVID era. We need to realign our strategy from ‘one operator,

one machine’ to ‘one operator, two machines’, shifting of manpower from conventional to

108

environment

in

all

actions

safe-guarding

everyone

complete their tasks in time without any panic.

business growth.

NN

healthy

from the pandemic so employee can work and

automotive sector offers potential for further

Q. Do you see yourself realigning or changing strategies to deal with the challenges faced post the COVID-19 era?

Maintaining

the operations and procedures, and taking

pipe fittings, automobile, white goods etc. and

NN

FTR (first time right) approach.

NN

Automation as much as possible.

NN

Minimisation of number of operations in tooling.

Q. What has been the most challenging To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

“Planning, execution / implementation and

timely review are the key parameters to

achieve speed, accuracy and timely delivery

in business,” opines

Devaraya M. Sheregar, in dialogue with

POLYMERS Communiqué.

Devaraya M. Sheregar Managing Director Devu Tools Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

109

SPEED-N-SPEED

It’s No Longer About Big or Small Companies

It’s Now All About Fast or Slow Companies Gautam Rawal Country Business Unit Head - Factory Automation Digital Industries Division, Siemens Ltd., Navi Mumbai

Q. What do you see as upcoming business opportunities in the automation sector, post COVID?

sector from present 16% to 25% of GDP by

FY22. This is extremely important for India as the manufacturing sector will provide employment

COVID-19 has presented many challenges for

opportunities

as

well

technological

supply side of the supply chain has got impacted.

important

the

country.

working

in

and this can only be achieved by ensuring

movement of experts and technicians to resolve

changes swiftly and manufacture products that

challenges, companies will accelerate plans to use

possible, most efficiently and with utmost security.

the manufacturing industry. Both, demand and

development in sectors that are strategically

Manpower availability and new norms on safe

manufacturing sector has to be made sustainable

manufacturing

the

that we have the flexibility to adapt to market

shutdowns and maintenance issues. With these

have world-class quality in the shortest time

automation in some of the processes currently

To achieve this, Indian companies will have to

has

resulted plants

in

and

less

also

manpower affecting

carried out manually. These companies will benefit

from reduced cost, more efficiency and enhanced work quality.

We will also see a greater adoption of digitalisation by the machine builders in the engineering

space for mechanical, electrical & automation engineering, simulation & commissioning.

Q. What are the core aspects in the area of manufacturing, as per you, that need to be improved / streamlined? How would automation help in the cause?

The Government of India has a stated goal of raising the contribution of the manufacturing

112

as

for

Growth

in

the

address all the five stages of manufacturing, starting

from product design to production planning to production engineering to production execution and to services.

Digitalisation and automation will be the key levers to achieve necessary improvements in all

the stages of manufacturing. Digitalisation and automation are helping manufacturers to launch

products faster - despite rising product complexity.

Traditionally, the big competitor has beaten the

small one - but now, the fast one is beating the slow one.

Q. In relation to the plastics sector, what

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made one thing clear, manufacturers

who have implemented higher level of automation will be the first to

come out of this crisis. The general notion that automation is a threat to manpower overshadows its potential benefits,” suggests Gautam Rawal, in dialogue with POLYMERS Communiqué.

are the various areas of implementation of automation / robotics. As a company, how do you look at business opportunities in the plastics sector in relation to your expertise?

The COVID-19 pandemic has made one thing clear, manufacturers who have implemented higher

level of automation will be the first to come out of

Digitalisation and automation are helping manufacturers to launch products faster - despite rising product complexity.

Q. We have been a country with cheap labour available - semi-skilled or skilled labour; what are your thoughts on the impact of automation and robotics on manufacturing and production units? Your thoughts on upgrading skill sets...

this crisis. The notion that automation is a threat to

Despite India having a population of 1.3 billion,

can be a critical enabler for the plastics industry

shortage of skilled labour. Automation has helped

manpower overshadows its benefits. Automation looking at shorter ROI with robotics and different

kinematic handling systems. The various take-out systems, for example like in injection moulding machines, with

provide

increased

highest

precision,

quality

efficiency,

products

speed,

flexibility and safety. Along with automation, digitalisation plays a major role in the plastics

industry. To compete with global OEMs and to create new opportunities, it is imperative for

the plastic machine manufacturers to automate

machines and implement Industry 4.0. Whether injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding or

thermoforming, the Siemens modular software library

and

integrated

standard

components

the plastics industry has always reported a

to bridge this gap. Automation has helped

companies to produce machines which are much more efficient and safer with consistent

quality. Machine builders are also benefitting from

automated

simulation,

machine

commissioning

to

engineering, simulation

shorten

their

efforts and faster time to market.

automation

and

We are constantly working with policy making bodies, educational institutions and industries to help enhance the skills of students and industry

professionals

centre - ‘SITRAIN’.

through

our

for automation and drives give you a fast and

To know more, please subscribe to

plastics machine.

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

cost-effective

way

of

realising

the

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

optimal

virtual

engineering

training

Polymers Communiqué at

113

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POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

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Finishing Operations fo r P l a s t i c Products

Mastermind: Prof. (Dr.) D. D. Kale

Choose Your Best Answer

A quick check on how updated you are, a few not so difficult questions.

A 3-minute quiz...give it a try!

1.

Finishing operations are necessary

only for:

6.

a. Laser gun

b. Thermosets

b. Hand tools such as handsaw or cutting wires

c. Hammering

d. Any plastic

Finishing operations for plastics

are possible when the product is:

d. Solvent

7.

a. Below glass transition temperature

a. Washed with solvent

d. Above melting point of plastic

b. Etched with acids

Thermoplastic can be adhered to:

c. Annealed after the flash is removed

a. Any plastic c. Thermoset only

d. Conditioned in ice cold water

8.

1: d; 2: c; 3: a; 4: d; 5: d; 6: b; 7: c; 8: a; 9: a; 10: c; 11: a; 12: a; 13: b;

d. Filled plastics only

4.

Plastic can be joined to:

c. Part is cooled cryogenically d. Part is heated to melting temperature rapidly

c. Paper only

Finishing of plastics is done for: a. Decoration only b. Protection from water c. Protection from dust d. Multiple reasons - for protection

against corrosion, chemical attack and improve the application properties

116

when:

b. Part is cooled to room temperature

b. Metal only

5.

Removal of flash, sprue etc. is easy a. Part is still warm

a. Plastic only

d. Any other surface

brittle plastics, stresses may be effects, part can be:

c. At any temperature

b. Thermoplastic only

During removal of flash from developed. To remove the ill

b. Above glass transition temperature

3.

generally by:

a. Thermoplastics c. Elastomers

2.

Removal of flash can be done

9.

For plastic part which requires close tolerance may be made: a. Oversized and then machined appropriately

b. Undersized and then heated to expand

c. Undersized and then welded d. Nailed together so that size does not matter

10. When plastics are machined

(cutting, sawing etc.), part gets heated and may change the dimensions. To avoid this,

a. Use cutting fluid b. Use ice pieces to cool the part c. Machine less intensively d. Machine very rapidly

11. Peck drilling is: a. Interrupted machine operation b. Using the sharp conical tool c. Drilling multiple parts together d. Drilling a conical shape hole

12. The skip tooth cutters are used to: a. Control heat produced during cutting, sawing etc.

b. Remove the dirt during the machining

c. Reduce cutting time d. Make tool less expensive and lighter

13. Rake angle in machine tool is: a. Angle of holding the light on the part during the operation

b. Angle of tool face with the radial lines c. Angle at which hard surface of plastic is polished

d. Angle at which light reflects

minimum from the plastic surface

POLYMERS CommuniquĂŠâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;lâ&#x20AC;&#x201A;August - September 2020

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING HIGH PRODUCTION 01 02 03

NO CURING TIME

NO CURING FOR LAMINATION TIME FOR LAMINATION BOTH SIDE LAMINATION BOTH SIDE

LAMINATION NO TOXIC CHEMICALS WHILE LAMINATION NO TOXIC CHEMICAL

LAMIFLEX Extrusion coating machines is suitable for producing a wide range of compositions for the flexible packaging industry.

Our single extrusion and co-extrusion are suitable for subtracts like PAPER, PET, MET PET and AL-Foil of double layer/multi-layer lamination and processing material- PP, LDPE, LLDPE, EVA, EAA, EVOH. Nucrel, Serlyn.

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RESEARCH REPORT

Business Confidence Sentiment (BCS 2020): A POLYMERS Communiqué Survey Results Declared

We are getting back, and getting back better in most cases. We are designed to perform. Adversities,

many-a-times, bring the best out of us! So here is another situation tailor-made for us! Well knowing that for us, more important than business, is the sentiment of doing business; thus, this survey. An objective achieved by POLYMERS Communiqué!

The questions are straight - touching upon aspects that mean a lot to the industry. For us, this survey was critical as we see that it has a big role to play in the bounce back of this industry. POLYMERS Communiqué in its

customary elegance, went about to serve this industry amidst prevailing challenges. This is so because the readers

of POLYMERS Communiqué are a genre of its own, and we believe they deserve quality and timely information; at a time, they need it the most.

Industry surveys from POLYMERS Communiqué are crafting a new niche for itself and providing the readers a very valued insight into this fiercely competitive market. The responses would serve as a general guide; you would, however, need to evaluate, validate and map responses for your business in specific. Have a safe read...

Survey Basics

Sample Size: 92

l

Format: Electronic

l

Response Tabulation: Singular

l

76% - 90%

< 50%

32.61%

26.09%

28.26%

13.04%

> 90%

50% - 75%

Business Bounce Back...

Bang-Bang! Seems like a cracker of a response before Diwali! Close to 75% of the respondents believe that their current business is already over 50% of their February, 2020 business. As a further split, over 32% consider it is between 75 - 90% and for over 13%, business is over 90% of the February business. Kudos to the spirit of the Indian plastics industry! Things racing to normalcy!

118

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

A lot of outings / socialising are truly optional

26.09%

70.65%

(Percentages total beyond 100 due to multiple choice answers)

Success of work from home

31.52%

35.87% 44.57%

Importance of digital technologies Importance of relationships in business

Being within home, you can save much more

79.35%

Biggest learning throughout this period

To be more concerned about our ecosystem

Almost 80% people have realised the importance 70%

of

understood

digital the

technologies.

importance

of

relationships in business. I personally feel

the latter is a more critical understanding and it is imperative, whether we continue

using digital technologies or not. In the forthcoming years, collaboration will be key rather than competition to survive, and building relationships is the root of this.

COVID - A new business opportunity?

Yes

Whilst only about 20% are unsure of this, a staggering 66% respondents believe that during or in the post COVID era,

they sense new business opportunities! It’s always said necessity is the mother of invention; many companies

across various industries have brought out innovative solutions, including implementing WFH into their system

66.30%

No

14.13%

and are comfortable in continuing to do so.

19.57% Worked below our expectations

Worked to our expectations

Unsure

Worked above our expectations

19.56%

Success of Work From Home Close to 60% respondents experienced that WFH has been at par or above their expectations. Companies are even adopting permanent WFH as a To know more, please subscribe to

Polymers Communiqué at subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

40.22%

40.22%

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

119

POLYTHINKING

The Pandemic and Opportunities

for Polymer and Allied Chemical Industry There is nothing to fear about plastic

waste and judicious recycling can be

done using a proper technology. MSMEs have great opportunities in the plastic

recycling and to protect the environment.

D

uring this lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic and

henceforth, we will have to

change our lifestyle and there will be

a new normal. That new normal will be

different for different ages and locations.

Never in our wildest dreams a year ago, we would

have imagined that the world will practically be closed for

Professor (Dr.) Ganapati D. Yadav Emeritus Professor of Eminence, and J. C. Bose National Fellow (GoI) Former Vice Chancellor & R.T. Mody Distinguished Professor, and Tata Chemicals Darbari Seth Distinguished Professor of Leadership & Innovation Institute of Chemical Technology Mumbai

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

business. But it happened. Everybody is vulnerable now. In this

connection, the entire world came to know social (physical) distancing, hand sanitisation and ‘keeping the mouth shut’. The personal

protection equipment (PPE) is a common vocabulary. The chemical and allied industries, including pharmaceuticals and drugs, found a

new respect. The damned and banned plastics came to the rescue

in all forms and sizes. The importance of polymer and plastics industry will be more evident since we want to be protected from all viruses, bacteria and unknown microscopic creatures and bugs which are going to be a huge problem for the society at large.

127

We need plastics more now than ever

I think the ban on single-use plastic

face shields, hazmat gowns, gloves,

finding an alternate economically viable

before to remain safe; face masks, medicines, sanitisers, food products, water and what not. Plastics is the saviour of humankind. Plastics, for the public, may be polythene bags which

are littered everywhere, but in the wider sense of the term have been part and parcel of our lives at least for

the past 70 - 80 years. You cannot imagine the world without use of

plastics. Plastic ban was such a policy

decision which did not solve the

problem totally. What is the substitute for plastic and at what cost, and

its convenience to use? In the first place, plastic was introduced to the commoners as a substitute to paper

which was responsible for denudation of forest. A tonne of paper requires about 1.5 tonnes of chemicals and 30 tonnes of water. Glass

processing is done at 1,500 1,600° C,

needing

a

lot

of

energy associated with release of NOx and SOx. Glass is ~ 22 heavier than plastic and susceptible to breakage. Glass is

made

from

all-natural

resources, such as sand, soda

ash, limestone and recycled

glass. However, it is important

to note that we are running out

of the sand which is used to make

glass in the first place. Worldwide,

(SUP) was a knee-jerk reaction without and easily adoptable material. Ban is never as a good idea. Because ban

leads to all sorts of social problems, illegal businesses and corruption by the

law enforcing authorities. It is true we have to reduce waste, be that plastic,

metal or debris, a long-term solution

is needed. Plastic which is already in the environment and use of plastic

in future will require two different

approaches. The history of technology teaches us that if one technology creates a problem, another solves it.

Better technology is the only solution.

Better methods of collection of waste at source and segregation, recycle, reuse,

depolymerisation, mixing with bitumen

collect and dispose such waste need to be protected.

I had suggested to the Government that

no plastic bag, wrapping or container be given free, but should be sold with a refundable deposit of at least Re. 1 Rs. 5 per item depending on the

potential to pollute. Like the newspaper delivery man comes to our doorstep every morning, another plastic collector

will come to your doorstep to collect plastic bags, bottles, cans and the like and refund part of the money after

charging some collection fee (5 - 10%), which could be digitally collected. It will

promote Digital India mission and also

create employment. The municipalities will save money on segregation at source

and

reprocessed

the

or

plastic

can

be

depolymerised

or

whatever form it could be converted

into. Thus, SUP will be a game-

Like the newspaper delivery man comes to our doorstep every morning, another plastic collector will come to your doorstep to collect plastic bags, bottles, cans and the like and refund part of the money after charging some collection fee (5 - 10%), which could be digitally collected. It will promote Digital India mission and also create employment.

changer and not a polluter.

Since plastics have such a negative

connotation,

let

me brief the readers about

various

technologies

used

for plastic recycle, per se, or

through

depolymerisation

to

remove the myths about plastic

pollution. Many of you might

be practising them. However, for the sake of putting the

issue in a proper perspective, I

would

like

to

provide

over 50 billion tonnes of sand is used

some background information briefly

produced by every river in the world.

for road making etc. are well practiced,

be solved.

heavier than plastic and so has a

list of solutions is long. Last year, the Government of Maharashtra banned

Technology Solutions for Plastic Pollution

non-woven polypropylene (PP) bags which are 100% recyclable. PP is used

In the case of plastic recycling, some

for face masks, surgical masks N95 and

of

must be adopted. Once the plastic

every year. That is twice the amount So, glass is no good. Glass is much much of

larger

food

carbon

packaging

footprint.

materials

All

are

100 per cent recyclable, so whether you choose to buy a plastic bottle, can

or glass, all of these can be recycled.

Furthermore, the solution in terms

of paper or glass as substitute to paper is to assume that you throw

it after use, and it will not cause

pollution. Nature will take care of it.

Short sightedness!

128

but not fully implemented and the

hazmat

importing

dresses. from

China.

Ban

grave

health

on

Now

abroad, SUP

they

are

should

be

including

lifted temporarily to deal with the and

the

crisis

protocol

India

for

is

such

facing waste

disposal must be in place. Those who

as

to

the

how

plastic

pollution

well-known

can

technologies

is segregated, it is easy to reprocess, chemically or physically or combination thereof. Chemolysis and thermolysis To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

FIRST TIME

I can vouch,

Manish has a personal

equation with each one of you,

and his conversations with you would

be mostly about what he and POLYMERS

Communiqué could do to serve your brand better.

In this rare conversation, yes rare, because it was tough to get him to agree to the interview and second,

it’s not often that a publisher is interviewed; I, Ruby Thapar,

introduces you to the man behind POLYMERS Communiqué.

122

Manish Chawla Publisher POLYMERS Communiqué Mumbai

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

POLYMERS Communiqué

Leadership Today With an Eye on Tomorrow

Ruby: The pandemic caught all of us unawares and has demanded change. How have you managed to stay agile during the last few months?

Manish: We stretched to meet the changing needs...just like the plastics industry, suppleness is an attribute inculcated in POLYMERS Communiqué (PC) as well. The past

couple of months have been tough. As an organisation, we were very used to working in a huddle. Work From Home came as a big change. Kudos to my entire team...we learnt quickly and kept the show going on.

When we conceived PC, the mission was to be that platform where the industry can come together. With no precedence to managing a challenge of this enormity, I knew that the only way we could all emerge was by sticking together and hand-holding each other.

By the April - May, 2020 issue, we had gone completely digital. We focussed the last two editions on ‘Business Beyond COVID-19’ that featured interactions with over 60 captains of the industry. These 60 interviews are perhaps the most elaborate congregation of pearls of wisdom, which can become a guide for the industry to

navigate the current pandemic and possibly become a reference for the future as

well. As our commitment to the industry, we sent both these issues complimentary to every person on our database, irrespective of them being a subscriber or not.

Ruby Thapar Ruby Thapar, is an independent reputation, branding, crisis and sustainability strategist and an executive & communication coach. She brings experience as a builder of coalitions within organisations and with external stakeholders to drive change agendas and as a facilitator of strategic ideation sessions. In her last role, she was the Director, Corporate Affairs at Dow Chemical International Pvt. Ltd. She has also worked with the likes of the Aditya Birla Group and Vedanta Resources with a stint in academia and the development sector.

Currently also serves as an Independent Director on the board of an NGO and is Adjunct Consultant, CSR & Sustainability at The Conference Board.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

123

Like they say don’t waste a good crisis, we took

knowledge warehouse for connoisseurs of the

I must confess that PC’s presence in the digital

right from the first issue, every word of wisdom

on the pandemic as an opportunity. Pre-pandemic, space had left a lot to be desired. In the last

5 months...we changed that 360°and launched the weekly e-bulletin, the mobile app, our social media

platforms and the digital gallery to bring to the industry a complete ensemble of print and digital platforms for reading and advertising.

R: Can you tell us more about PC’s digital avatars ?

M: POLYMERS Communiqué (PC), completes 6 years this year and me personally, 23 years of building content for the plastics industry. We have already come a long way with our print edition. Like I

mentioned earlier, since April this year, a slew of

polymer industry. This bibliotheca has within it, captured in POLYMERS Communiqué. Every single interaction with the captains of this industry in full

text. Thought leadership ideas that could define,

refine and change the fortunes of businesses

are all encapsulated into this very sophisticated interface at www.mypc.co.in.

Then

we

have

the

Weekly

e-Bulletin:

A

pioneering platform that is taking giant strides by the week. We have over 40,000 users across the

globe

accessing

this

sharp

aggregation

of important happenings from around the world, in addition to snippets from the doyens of the industry on a weekly basis.

new sections was and will continue to be added. I

The 3rd platform is our Mobile App: For the ones

positioning and redefine the content framework

download the POLYMERS Communiqué mobile

believe, this will bring an orbital change in content for the discerning reader!

On our ‘Digital Transformation’ journey, we now

have an exclusive dedicated team in place and the

industry will witness digitisation of another level

who prefer quality content on the move, do app. It is yet another unique platform, the first

in India, to bring to the handhelds of the astute professionals

information

and allied industries.

from

the

polymer

along with the finesse we have always offered at

We are excited with the launch of all these 3

our digital initiatives:

unique in their own way and offers our audience

POLYMERS Communiqué. Let me briefly outline

The first is the Digital Gallery: This is a virtual

library that offers perhaps the most elaborate

products. I believe all these 3 platforms are the choice to consume data the way they like

it, in snippets or in long form or both. Our industry deserves every bit of this!

I must say here that the polymers industry is a fantastic industry, great people to work with; and

for me, a big part of my circle, even personal, is

Many a global company are surprised that PC, a magazine of this stature is being produced in India... they mention that there is no

the gen-next provide a fine mix to take the industry forward.

R: How does PC keep itself relevant for its customers?

M: Quality of content! This is our motto from day zero. We were, in fact, ridiculed by many to start

parallel to this globally. I take

a publication at a time when others were exiting

this feedback with immense

that reaffirmed our belief in the importance

pride, Jai Hind! We will always try and keep the Indian flag flying high. PC is truly ‘Made in India’ for the world.

124

drawn from here. The current generation and

the business. We restudied the market need and

of content. Looking back, I am glad we took this bold step!

To know more, please subscribe to

Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

ADVERTORIAL

With its New Sustainable Production Facility

Calco to Touch 25,000 MTPA Capacity With a vision to be synonymous with

engineering plastics, Calco Poly Technik is India’s

leading providers of highperformance polymers

with Calco Group having experience in polymer

solutions of over 20 years.

C

alco Poly Technik Pvt. Ltd.’s Engineering Plastic division started with an

initial capacity of 8,000 MT/annum in the year 2012. With increasing thrust

on ‘Make in India’, we have taken the commitment to manufacture not

just to cater to India’s demand, but are also looking forward to expand business globally with our new state-of-the-art ‘sustainable’ manufacturing facility that we commissioned in January, 2020.

It is one-of-its-kind, with captive solar energy consumption coupled with waste and process water recycling. Our thrust on sustainability goes beyond the

environment; it includes people working in the facility as well. Our production facility has the most advanced dust collector systems installed for clear air inside and outside the plant. As regards minimising our energy carbon footprint,

we are going to consume almost 10% of our total energy requirements through captive solar plant.

Having said that, it is one of the most efficient production facilities with capacity

to handle over 4,000 MT at any given point of time. Total installed capacity, once completed, will have over 25,000 MT per annum production capacity

spread across 1,00,000 sq. ft.; producing truly global products with indigenous technologies for global consumers.

To add to this infrastructure is 10,000 sq. ft. of modern polymer science laboratory which will boast of all polymer tests like mechanical / rheological / electrical / flammability with imported equipment like FTIR / DSC / TGA / weatherometer /

capillary rheometer along with pilot twin screw plant for material development in close co-ordination with our customers.

Our brand like CiLON for polyamide 6/66 solutions in automotive have made a strong presence with innovative solutions like paint replacement and electric vehicle flame retardant components.

Our ZiLITE for PBT applications help produce almost 5 crore LED bulbs every month.

This brand also is synonymous with other electrical industries like MCB / MCCB. With our vision to be India’s most preferred global plastics solution provider, we are aiming to introduce more indigenous technical compounds like PEEK / PPS / POM / PC / ASA, which are only available with global

through

producers imports,

and

make

our

with

engineering

brand synonymous plastics.

l August l August POLYMERS POLYMERS Communiqué Communiqué - September - September 2020 2020

131

NEW LIFE

Demystifying the New Normal - Macro Factors

Learning to Live With COVID-19 We shall examine some key macro issues of the ‘new normal’ that will, sooner or later, have great micro level impact, down to the last MSME.

I

n the earlier issue of POLYMERS Communiqué, June - July, 2020 (Part I), we saw how the world will change post

COVID-19, what ‘the new normal’ may look like - changing

consumer behaviour, volatile job market, widespread fear psychosis and their impact on societies and businesses. Focussing on directions is what we all need to work on to protect us from negatives of the ‘new normal’ and, at the same time, hunt for new

opportunities. This is a bottom-up approach. How the lowermost customers’ choice - to do or not, to buy or

Shailesh Sheth Corporate Strategy Advisor Management & Manufacturing Technology, Mumbai

132

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

not, to agree or not, will reshape geo political

do not want to spend on apologising for their

been experienced before. COVID-19 has caused a

will

currents of the future, a direct connect that has never

health crisis, a socio-political crisis and, of course, an economic crisis. So really, we need to offer

a holistic and comprehensive response to rebuild a broken world, a great collaborative reset. The turbulence that this process is bound to create, dismantling old institutions and creating new ones, will impact policies which in turn will

mean a yo-yo effect on business and trade. In this part of the article, we shall examine some key macro issues of the ‘new normal’ that will, sooner or later, have great micro level impact, down to the last MSME.

colonial past. Thus, cross-border financial help dwindle

down

drastically.

Contributions

to IMF and World Bank would be made with sharper linkage to where and how they are

spent. Countries with laws that overlook ill-gotten wealth being stashed away in their banks will be obliged to change their laws. Above all, tax

payers will become vociferous in asking for more efficient, simpler and less porous tax collection system as well as greater transparency and accountability on how these funds are spent.

Measures that will substantially result into an inward-looking financial system, a key element of the new economic patriotism.

New Economic Patriotism

New Globalisation III

The biggest disruption in the ‘new normal’ will be

Nicholas Eberstadt of The National Bureau of Asian

of it. As more of middle-income countries aspire

stand decisively to shape the coming global order,

in employment opportunities, or rather, the lack

to push up demand and tax collection through enhanced rate of employment and more of low-income countries aspire to improve their

people’s living standards, there will be louder and

louder

voices

demanding

employment

opportunities. Alas, the inescapable conclusion from Part I analysis is that there will not be so many jobs going even if the global economy is

back on its growth path. This expectation is resulting

into

new

phenomena,

which

may

require swimming against the current. Every head

of state is trying to find easier ways of doing that, the rise of economic patriotism. Protectionist measures abound, countries after countries are

putting up firewalls against imports, greater scrutiny of foreign direct investment proposals, restrictive

immigration

laws,

massive

subsidy

schemes like Germany’s Kurzarbeit Programme (state paying wages cut by employers), prioritising

Government purchases from domestic sources and our own being ‘Vocal for Local’ clarion call.

Research has put forth that, “As for questions that

says, “Businesses

pandemic bring a brutal end to the second age

demonstrate

we have been calling ‘globalisation’. Will COVID-19 of globalisation that began in 1945, just as world war heralded the cataclysmic death of the first

What does New Globalisation III mean for Indian

demonstrating

shall now be Globalisation III.

“tax payers’ money should be spent on

the tax payers”.

Millennials all

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

in

countries

adjusting and

companies? First, don’t get caught in the crossfire.

different results;

or folded up quickly; lease assets outside India

damage that has

Set up organisational structures that can be started

rather than own them; balance foreign exchange exposure and be prepared to overcome trade

barriers. Managing global supply chains will be

repair the

been done in

the past.”

the most difficult part of the job, so pick your future

CEOs

who

have

solid

supply

chain

expertise. Last but not the least, don’t think

Globalisation III is a distant concept. It will impact you on the double. Also open up new opportunities, if you are perceptive enough.

New Social Contract

more important than livelihoods, as potential for

demands

that they are

listening, learning,

that, in these difficult times,

from

will have to

globalisation (1870 - 1914)?” Thus, the new normal

As the world of business and trade inexorably

teeth

Robert Moritz

the first concerns the scope and character of what

These fast-evolving measures get

PwC Chairman,

moves towards drastic change, as lives become future of jobs becomes more and more foggy, To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

133

CHANGING NORMALS

Plastic Economy and Circularity in the Next Normal

The new plastics economy is a vision of a circular

economy for plastics, where plastics never becomes a waste. It offers a root cause solution to plastic

pollution with profound

economic, environmental and societal benefits.

T

he new normal is now old. What the world is going through in 2020 has been greater than what anyone has faced or seen. Yet one tries to be

Dr. Sameer Joshi CEO Knoesis Pune

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

resilient and embrace today for a better tomorrow; a tomorrow of our

hopes, aspirations and actions. People, communities and organisations are facing the new challenge of navigating to a little unknown future, relying on their experimental, working and proved knowledge of the ‘old normal’, while devising strategies to ensure a future more exciting in the ‘next normal’.

135

Reduced Footprint...Enhanced Productivity

Introducing

environmental and societal benefits. For plastics packaging, specifically, the world recognises a

Design

Raw Materials

circular economy as defined by six characteristics: NN

Residual Waste

plastic

Manufacture

Recycling

Elimination of problematic or unnecessary packaging

through

redesign,

innovation and new delivery models is a priority.

Circular Economy

Plastics

bring

many

benefits.

At

the same time, there are some problematic items on the market that need to be

eliminated to achieve a circular economy, and sometimes, plastic packaging can be avoided

Consumption

altogether while maintaining the utility.

Maintenance

Reuse/Refurbishment

NN

reducing the need for single-use packaging.

While improving recycling is crucial, we cannot

(Source: Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation)

recycle our way out of the plastic issues

we currently face. Wherever relevant, reuse

Recognising Circular Economy

business models should be explored as a

The plastics industry has to move on making more

preferred ‘inner loop’, reducing the need for

commitments to circularity.

single-use plastic packaging.

The new plastics economy is a vision of a circular economy

for

plastics,

where

plastics

Reuse models are applied where relevant,

To know more, please subscribe to

never

Polymers Communiqué at

becomes a waste. It offers a root cause solution

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

to plastic pollution with profound economic,

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POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

INSIGHT

Business Related Research A Thrust Area

The commodity businesses are facing

stringent competition and profitability is reducing to an extent such that industries are compelled to go

in for new products as well as search for new applications.

Early Days In earlier post-independence days, the Government initiated many national research centres (National laboratories) and institutes like IITs

to encourage R&D activities and, to some extent, it yielded successful Prashant Trivedi Vice President Sangir Plastics Pvt. Ltd. Vapi

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

results; though most of them were of academic interest and not of

commercial interest. It was also seen that the expertise was being pulled out of this, and were taken by international research and commercial firms to further extend the work to benefit their industry and country.

137

It was not that none of the Indian industries took advantage of these facilities which were

In today’s

scenario, with

support of the Department

of Science and

Technology, many private sector organisations

established; but were very few, on hand counts.

The research expenses done by private sector

and

products

suitable

for

and requirements.

Indian

conditions

Some Experiences

and other industries were also low budget and did

During my experience in the plastics / polymer

seventies, with globalisation, many multinational

many such products which were innovated and

prospects as well as to take benefit of the aware

opportunities

manpower in comparison was very low and

domestic waste water treatment plant, bio-gas

not help researchers to show their calibre. In mid-

processing industries, I had been involved with

companies came to India with good business

developed looking at the potential business

and skilled manpower. The cost of equivalent

requirements. Few to mention were all plastics

the output expected from them was much higher.

plant and insulated tanks for high altitude. We had

suitable

for

the

Indian

market

also worked very cautiously for automotive fuel

have started their

With this, many research centres started looking

directed

focussing more on the potential international

On similar lines, there was development of CNG/

encouraged these activities as it had brought

shell giving the benefit of being lightweight as

own application research work

that are being

commercialised.

at the business opportunities nationally, but

tanks (on- and off-road vehicles).

business. The administration at that time also

LPG gas cylinders made of HDPE liner with FRP

in good revenue to our economic status.

well as anti-explosion.

By

The research work done for development of

mid-eighties,

many

Indian

entrepreneurs

thought of pursuing business-related research projects

primarily

requirements

and

looking

later

for

at

India-centric

global

needs.

Research was mainly encouraged in local medicinal sciences

and

developments

of

equipment

wood fibre composites and also use of recycled To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

Your feedback matters...

Do let us know what you feel about this issue of POLYMERS Communiqué Send us your thoughts at feedback@polymerscommunique.com Thank you, in advance.

138

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

DEFINING PARAMETER

In corporate life, it has been observed that building a trustful organisation leads to better teamwork,

productivity and overall organisation performance. If you can’t have trust within your organisation, you cannot earn trust of your customers.

Trust

The Foundation of Successful Organisations

T

he basis of durable and efficient relationships is ‘trust’. Trust is not something unidirectional, and has many aspects to it. Relationships are built and

cemented by trust and that makes trust the most important single element

Rakesh Shah RS Coaching and Consulting New Delhi

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

in the relationship between leaders and the people they lead. I had earlier written that, “Good leaders are followed chiefly because people trust and respect them,

rather than the skills they possess. Leadership is about behaviour first, skills second.” We can see that in our daily lives and businesses, the skill sets possessed

139

by the leaders are different from his team

often they will do unexpectedly well, even take

members. For example, the Chairman of a

risks for their leader. People will not follow a

to run a machine on the shop floor. But he is

circumstance, mainly involving fear. They may

plastics processing company may not be skilled

trusted completely by the workmen / women

who run them, to run the company successfully, enabling the workforce to pin their futures or livelihood to the company. Similarly, the leader

has complete trust in the people he leads to

play their roles perfectly towards meeting the organisational goals. This relationship is the basis

of success and growth of any business or organisation. It was aptly summed up by Michelle Ortega in saying, “Trust is the best medium to

grow success. It creates an environment in which people feel free to be authentic, passionate, committed, and willing to share all they have to offer.”

Leadership and Productivity People will follow a leader they trust and

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

leader they do not trust except in certain

have a fear of reprimand, humiliation, punishment, even loss of job, and the resultant financial insecurity. When they are committed to the leader with trust, the performance of the group becomes

very high. And, therefore, trust is a major driver of performance. When trust is broken, there will

be an immediate and adverse impact on the organisational performance.

Open and honest communication is a key to earning trust and enhancing productivity. As Stephen R. Covey said, “Trust is the glue of life.

“Good leaders are followed

chiefly because

people trust and

respect them,

rather than the

skills they possess.

Leadership is

about behaviour

first, skills second.”

It’s the most essential ingredient in effective To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

141

NEW THINKING

The

Plastic Paradox

Plastic products help save lives and reduce burden on the environment. Making necessary behavioural changes and

creating needed infrastructure to manage the waste is unwittingly overlooked. This, in nutshell, is the ‘Plastic Paradox’.

T

he ‘once-in-a-century’ global health crisis, COVID-19, has mercilessly demolished human arrogance in

dealing with nature. A recent research paper hinted

at biodiversity loss as a possible contributor to the series

of epidemics and current pandemic. Pathogens causing these

highly

virulent

diseases

like

SARS,

MERS,

Bird

Flu, Swine Flu, AIDS, Ebola and now COVID-19 have

zoonotic (birds, animals etc.) origin. Rapidly shrinking space between these host zoonotic organisms and human

beings make the transition possible. This often happens

with multiple in vivo mutations through intermediate S. K. Ray Hon. Secretary & Member of Executive Committee Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (ICPE) Mumbai

142

hosts. Virologists across the world are seized with the challenges of finding exact pathways the viruses follow, but To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

Reach the Peak of Your Operation’s Potential with an EDI® EPC™ Die System for Extrusion Coating & Laminating Improve Production Output EPC™ dies feature optimized lip lands, designed to create uniform flow orientation and reduce die swell. By adding an optional Autoflex™ VI-RE automatic lip adjustment system, processors can reduce gauge variation and further increase product yield.

Save Material Costs The EPC™ die allows producers to quickly adjust the product width by moving the internal deckle blade system to open or restrict flow to the ends of the die. By adjusting individual components within the deckle blade assembly, edge beads can be reduced to minuscule amount.

EDI® Deckle Maintenance Cart

Improve Efficiency & Safety During Maintenance The deckle system can be quickly retracted to simplify the clean-out of gels and carbonized polymer build-up in the die lip or rapidly removed for die maintenance events. Optional EDI® Deckle Maintenance Carts, customdesigned to fit each system, ensure maintenance work is performed at a safe height and reduce potential damage to critical deckle parts.

CENTRE STAGE

HR should focus

on business results that enrich the

company’s value to

customers, investors

and employees, and

work in cohesion, as

business partners, to

achieve the company’s strategic objectives.

The New Mandate for HR

Living as the Nucleus of the Organisation and Helping Each Department to Function Better

O

ne of the most indispensable ingredients of a business is its employees.

The HR management team usually gives out suggestions to strategically

manage people as business resources. When businesses fail to adapt

to changes, it is only a matter of time before revenue, innovation and longterm economic viability begin to suffer. It makes sense, then, that organisations must adapt to a changing work environment, which includes new ways of doing business, understanding changes in creating a desirable employee culture and Dr. Naveen Malhotra Senior HR Professional Ahmedabad

144

sharpening skill sets throughout the company. HR should live as the nucleus of

an organisation so as to have business sustainability. HR leaders know their people, they know the deck of skills within the organisation, and they understand the soft and hard skills it takes to innovate and create business sustainability.

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

personal

engagement and productivity should

marketing assess its staffing needs for

of good organisations being eroded,

must ensure a positive employer brand.

source the right talent. If the in-house

Unfortunately,

this

is

my

experience that I have seen culture

employees leaving, sense of unrest among

employees

and

economic

viability being questioned by internal and external stakeholders.

The best way to ensure business sustainability

and

preparedness

for

change is to develop a talent centered,

people-first strategy, with HR at the helm.

Unfortunately,

happens,

when

what

often

businesses

either

innovates or undergoes financial crisis without allowing HR to set the pace,

is that employees leave, people feel a sense of unrest, culture comes to a driving halt, and even the best talent doubt their place in the changing

work environment. What instead is required is a culture where individuals

feel trained and ready to tackle change.

Where they know that new skill sets will be properly taught, where they can take ownership of their education and

growth, and where career opportunities are limitless. Employees want to work

for an organisation that helps them be better and provides a clear path to achievement. You can help transform

change from scary to exciting, and help

your people bring the best of them to work each day. First, make talent a top

priority. Markets may change, client and

consumer expectations may change,

but talent is what allows organisations to weather that storm.

that enrich the company’s value to customers, investors and employees, and work in cohesion, as business

partners, to achieve the company’s strategic objectives.

As a mandate, HR leaders should create that

engagement establish

company

and

increase

and

employee

productivity,

relationships

between

employees

and

the

beyond

just their tenure at the organisation.

Because HR has so much to do, improving

existing

In this context, human resource (HR) has a new mandate - help each function

become more productive, agile and responsive by empowering them with relevant tools and skill sets.

Chief

Human

Officers

(CHROs) should reposition themselves as ‘change agents’ who can enable various departments to manage the

employee lifecycle effectively, leading

to enhanced business outcomes. Often, HR leaders are focused on attracting new talent by designing programmes

to keep compensation up-to-date with current market trends, and focusing on training and recruiting programmes.

Beyond

attracting

employee

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

the given campaign, and accordingly talent pool is available to execute the campaign,

then

identify

resources

dispersed throughout the organisation, and assign them to that campaign. In

case the company lacks the requisite talent, then outsource; in both the

Resources

talent,

HR

departments can help keep recruiting

scenarios, HR empowers marketing with the right resources and in time.

Let’s take up another example of sales people working in the field. They often travel for work, and operate in an

extremely demanding, target-oriented environment; thus, taking out time

to learn new skills can become a challenge. HR can address this by online

learning model. Thus, HR can make sales people more productive and responsive to the emerging business needs.

and hiring costs down by focusing on

The third example, that is, people

providing programmes that encourage

work with their gut instinct. They

keeping current talent productive and

analytics.

both, personal and professional growth.

lack data-driven insights required to

HR departments should operate as

to

a

business

within

a

business.

HR

departments must have a vision or strategy that defines where they are

headed, a set of goals, objectives, outcomes or deliverables that focus the priorities for the work and investments

essential to carry out this vision, and an organisation structure that allows

HR to accomplish these goals. HR

should be structurally aligned with the

HR should focus on business results

initiatives

always be given top priority. They

organisation structure of the business.

Persisting with the traditional model of each department working in silos, and

HR restricting itself to a corporate-level mandate, will not be effective any more.

A work culture should be fostered

where HR as well as other departments work in cohesion as business partners,

to achieve the company’s strategic objectives.

For

instance,

marketing

often works on specific, time-bound campaigns,

pooling

in

various

individuals from within the organisation to build dedicated teams. HR can assist

Most

of

the

supervisor’s

make informed decisions in relation talent

competence

management, mapping,

attrition,

performance

measurement and clearly outlining the key result areas (KRAs) and requisite competencies

for

each

role,

thus

highlighting the significant potential

for HR to empower other departments and

averting

unconscious

the

biases

decision making.

probability creeping

of

into

Let’s take another example of HR and finance; when it comes down to it, HR and finance aren’t as different as they might seem. Consider hiring a

new employee; while HR wants a team member who will fit well with the

company as a whole ultimately saving

the company money, since they won’t

have to consistently replace employees, the finance department also has some

say in things like the salary that can be To know more, please subscribe to Polymers Communiqué at

subscriptions@polymerscommunique.com

145

It’s time to pause, it’s time to re-energise, it’s time for PUZZZmania! Some are easy, some are tough, some are answered and some are not, and some are just fun, so please don’t shun, till all are done so that you have won; thanks a ton!

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

147

Events Plast Eurasia Istanbul 2020

12th Die & Mould India International Exhibition

Plastec West

ArabPlast

2nd - 5th December, 2020

28th April - 1st May, 2021

10th - 12th August, 2021

15th – 18th November, 2021

Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, Istanbul

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA

Interplastica

NPE 2021

T-PLAS 2021

PLASTINDIA

26th - 29th January, 2021

17th - 21st May, 2021

17th - 21st February, 2022

DWTC, Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE

Expocentre, Krasnaya Presnya, Moscow, Russia

Orlando, Florida, USA

22nd - 25th September, 2021

IPLEX’20

Indoplas

27th Fakuma

Plastfocus 2022

5th - 7th March, 2021

2nd - 5th June, 2021

12th - 16th October, 2021

5th - 9th March, 2022

Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India

Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany

India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, India

CHINAPLAS 2021

7th Plastasia 2021

VietnamPlas

Propack Africa 2022

13th – 16th April, 2021

2nd - 5th July, 2021

13th - 16th October, 2021

8th - 11th March, 2022

Adlux Exhibition Centre Kochi, India

Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, PR China

148

Jakarta International Expo (JI Expo), Kemayoran, Jakarta, Indonesia

BITEC - Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Bangkok, Thailand

BIEC, Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, Bangalore, India

Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa

POLYMERS Communiqué l August - September 2020

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