Printpack India is near: after a shift from March to May caused by Covid pandemic, the most important fair for packaging and printing in India will open its gates on 26 May, starting a a 5-days event until 30 May, at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, India. The event will showcase products like In-Press, Post-Press, Finishing, Converting, Digital & Signage and Packaging Machines, Packaging Materials, Printing & Publishing, Paper and Paper Products, Logistics & Transportation Industries and allied Products.
Organised by IPAMA, Indian Printing Packaging and Allied Machinery Manufacturers’ Association, Printpack India will be a very important event, showcasing the full growing strenght of the indian packaging market. Here some data (source: IPAMA).
RIGID & FLEXIBLE PACKAGING IN INDIA
The Packaging Industry in India is expected to register a CAGR of approximately 26.7% during the period (2022-2027)
The rigid packaging industry that comprises of Drums and Containers made from Metal, Plastics, Fiber Board and Composite materials are growing at about 15% PA. Within the industry The Corrugated packaging industry under rigid, is however finding itself at the crossroads. Increasing prices of kraft paper, non-availability of international standard papers at affordable prices, resistance of corrugated box user industry to offer sustainable prices, increasing competition, non-viability of automatic plants are proving to be hurdles in the growth path.
Flexible packaging is growing with 30% in India The food processing sector is one of the biggest users of flexible packaging, accounting for more than 50 percent of total demand.
World over, flexography has become the predominant medium for package printing. The use of “flexo” has also been growing in India. Several sophisticated CI flexo presses have been installed , As India slowly adapts to the global trend flexible bulk packaging industry that includes woven sacks, leno bags, wrapping fabric, and flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC) is growing at over 20% with FIBC containers expected to grow three fold in the next 5 years
- Today, plastics are the material of choice in packaging for the sectors such as FMCG, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals etc. Plastic per capita consumption has increased to 11 Kg.
- The growth in the packaging industry in India is mainly driven by the Food {India is the world’s 2nd largest producer of food next to China} and the Pharmaceutical {Indian pharmaceutical industry ranks 4th in terms of volume}.
- The food-processing sector is the largest user of flexible packaging, accounting for more than 50 percent of the total demand
The key reasons for growth are, flexible packages are found aesthetically attractive, cost-effective and sturdy. Consumer prefers convenient packaging. Besides this, other factors are also contributing for its growth like;
- Rapid Urbanization, Growing Single unit family
- Increase in health Consciousness.
- Indian Economy experiencing good growth prospect
- Changing food habits
- Increase in Rural demand for small packets.
- Organised retail and boom in e-commerce.
India’s per capita annual packaging expenditure was USD 30 in 2018, which is significantly lower than the top 20 market average of USD 347.6. The low per capita expenditure offers a huge business opportunity for packaging companies. The challenges the industry is facing today include a lack of clarity in food packaging regulations, consumers’ opinions on sustainable packaging, and stress on eco-friendly packaging materials.
