Kamakshi Südpack invests Rs 200 crores in its new flexible packaging manufacturing plant in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Kamakshi Südpack recently inaugurated its new flexible packaging
manufacturing plant at Bavla near Ahmedabad. Germany-based Südpack, a
leading manufacturer of high-performance films for food, non-food, and
medical packaging, has invested in Kamakshi Südpack (earlier known as
Kamakshi Flexiprints Pvt. Ltd.)

The two companies have jointly made a capital expenditure of Rs 200 crore to come up
with the plant. The idea of setting up the plant came up after the two
companies entered into an agreement in July 2019 and the plant was
commissioned in June 2022.

The upcoming plant – panning over 2.25 lakh square feet – has an
installed capacity of 24,000 metric tonne per annum (MTPA) and will
cater to the maturing packaging needs in the Indian market, by
manufacturing a diversified range of flexible packaging products
providing barrier properties, aesthetics and convenience to the users.
The new plant is expected to be fully operationalised by January,
2023.

Speaking on the launch, Mr Harish Goel, Chairman and Managing
Director, Kamakshi Südpack, said, “The plant will boast well-designed
infrastructure which will include modern extrusion, printing, coating,
lamination and bag making capacities. The entire factory is a Green
Building as per the India Green Building Council (IGBC) guidelines and
shall comply with good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and
international regulations and standards of the food industry. We
understand the Indian markets; they bring in the latest technology
complementing each other. We will also foray into the newer product
segments as specialty product offerings.”

The investment into the plant is a further step towards the
international growth strategy of Südpack Group.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tharcisse Carl, Managing Director,
Südpack Group, said, “We see a growing demand for high-quality
barrier, medical and lidding flexible materials in the Indian market
mainly due to the evolving matured packaging needs in the Indian
sub-continent arising from constant demographic changes. Südpack is
highly committed to sustainable development and assumes its
responsibility towards society and the environment as well as its
customers by offering the most efficient and sustainable packaging
solutions.”

“We have found a reliable partner in Kamakshi with shared synergies,
a 360 degree approach, strategy and high standards of quality and
service to our customers,” Mr Carl further went on to say.

Kamakshi already has a packaging manufacturing plant in Changodar
along the outskirts of Ahmedabad, spanning over 45,000 square foot and
an installed capacity to make 3,600 MTPA flexible packaging material.
The ancillary machines for bag-making can manufacture 20 crore pouches
and 10 crore poly bags per month.

At present, Kamakshi caters to segments including FMCG, snack foods,
seeds, agrochemicals, edible oil, dairy products, personal and
homecare products, confectionery, spices and condiments, food grains,
salt, agro products, pharmaceuticals, retail apparel, and courier
sector, among others. This is primarily in the Indian market, in
addition to exporting to Africa.

“FMCG is a major consumer of flexible packaging material. They are
always looking for an optimum packaging solution which reduces their
packaging cost as a percentage of total cost of packaged goods. This
requires continuous improvisation in the existing solutions, and this
is where our JV plant has a major role to play. This will not just
enable us to cater well to the domestic market but also make greater
inroads in the international market. Our exports have now grown to a
significant 40% of the total production and we plan to further expand
this,” Mr Goel further added.