As a nodal agency, Institute of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers of India (IPMMI) acts as technical authority for the packaging machinery industry sector. In conversation with IPF, Mahendra Mehta, President, IPMMI, and CEO, Parle Global Technologies Pvt Ltd, discusses the present status of packaging machinery in India and emerging opportunities for machine builders

 

What is the size of packaging machinery industry in India?

 

According to news report, with a turnover of $ 32 billion and a growth rate of 15-18 percent annually, the Indian packaging industry is expected to reach $73 billion by 2020. These figures show the wide scope of opportunities for Indian packaging machinery industry. India still imports significant packaging equipment which consist mainly of highly automated advanced machines and systems from countries like Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and the US. 

 

Presently, in India about 85 percent of these machinery manufacturing firms are micro, small & medium enterprises (MSMEs). As this industry grows and matures, there will a need to upgrade the technology & performance to match the global standards. Few global companies like Leepack from Korea & Topack from Japan are catering widely to quality & automated driven markets. The driving factor for this industry is the fast-growing Indian population who wants to use well packed & hygienic essential products like food, beverage, milk, vegetable, food grains, and pharma.

 

In terms of competitiveness, where does India stand in the global packaging machinery industry?

 

The per-capita consumption of packaged beverage and food in India is around 8.5 kg per person per year which is still very low compared to other countries like Japan, China & the USA.  Within the next five years, it will increase by another 18-24 percent per cent annually, as the demand for processed food is rising due to growing disposable incomes, urbanisation, and the young population.

 

These figures indicate an immense opportunity to Indian machinery industry & challenge from global packaging machinery industry. The Indian food, beverage, cosmetic & pharma companies strive for high quality packaging with optimum investment which must be used as an USP for Indian packaging machinery manufactures. The need of automatic lines with high efficiency on long run, safety features & good service back-up is the need to stand head to head with global companies.

 

What are key challenges before this industry?

 

The key challenges that the packaging industry is facing today include lack of regulatory clarity in packaging, insufficient consumer awareness of sustainable packaging, and uncertainty about green packaging materials. Whereas, the main challenges faced by packaging machine industry are: lack of sources of credit, high cost of packaging materials, lack of skilled labour, irregular power supply, and an underdeveloped sense of how to market, brand, and distribute.

 

What are the latest trends in packaging machinery industry?

 

With rigid & flexible packaging technologies, the latest trends are into PET packaging, retort packaging and aseptic technology which is the requirement of Indian customers as per the conditions prevailing here. The packaging machinery industry must tap these new trends and invest in new innovations, technology upgradations to cater to these requirements. The ready-to-eat & serve market is the most demanding product where retort packaging & packaging in pre-made bags are in trend.

 

How do you foresee the future of packaging machinery industry?

 

With great emphasis on Make in India, many global packaging machinery companies are interested in technological JVs & get associated with Indian packaging machinery companies to vouch the local support on manufacturing of these machines. Parle & Leepack went into technological JV in 2014 to manufacture cost competitive & quality machines in India. The need of the hour is to innovate & accept the opportunities to fulfill all the new requirements of packaging industry.