Chiripal Poly Films embarks on expansion spree

Chiripal Poly Films has embarked on an expansion spree and will add new production lines at its existing plant in the next two years.

Chiripal Poly Films factory in Ahmedabad, India
A coating line for speciality applications is expected to become operational by September 2016, a second polyester line is to be commissioned by December 2016 and a third BOPP line will follow in the first quarter of 2017. 
 
The company also intends to start production of polyester chips by December 2016 with an annual capacity of 200,000 tons per annum. Further, it is also evaluating the possibility of putting up a research and development center for flexible packaging. 
 
Installation of a three-layer BOPP film line with a production capacity of 38,000 tons per annum marked the company’s foray into the flexible packaging industry in 2012. Chiripal Poly Films installed its five-layer BOPP line of similar capacity in December 2013, thus increasing its production capacity within a year of its start. This was followed by the installation of a polyester line with an annual capacity of 36,000 tons per annum. The company also houses three 2.85m-wide high capacity metallizers with a capacity of 10,000 tons per annum. 
 
Sumant Singhal, chief executive officer at Chiripal Poly Films, said: ‘There is no justification for present existence other than its expansion and in order to increase and accelerate our expansion, we strive to innovate and focus on product development. Our focus remains at speciality products, innovation and optimising cost. Our expansion is driven by the growth potential in the sector and a strong continued demand.’
 
Today, Chiripal Poly Films has a worldwide presence and exports to over 48 countries, accounting for almost 35 to 40 percent of its production capacity. Bijay Sahu, vice president of marketing at the company, said: ‘The focus on export markets and penetration for value added products has been the prime objective of the company. We have already established ourselves as a quality manufacturer and believe deeply in developing and offering new products to the market.’
 
Some of the new products from the company include: antifog film targeted at fresh vegetable, fruit and meat packaging; low co-efficient of friction (COF), low haze, low seal initiation temperature film (SIT 85 degrees C), antiskid film and high COF for pet food packaging, transparent and cavitated white label films for roll-fed wraparound labels; cold seal lamination film; and high barrier and crack resistant extrusion lamination film. 
 
Indicating the market trends in India, Sahu states that the BOPP industry in India is growing at 10-12 percent year-on-year and flexible packaging at 15-20 percent. ‘Pressure-sensitive labels are also growing at a healthy rate of 12-15 percent,’ said Sahu.