Outlook and Emerging Trends in Flexible Packaging Industry

The latest evolution in the packaging industry, Flexible Packaging has gained
popularity worldwide for its benefits over rigid packaging. With benefits such
as functional convenience in handling & transportation, cost effectiveness and
brand protection from counterfeiting, flexible packaging industry worldwide
is led by a strong growth.

Today, the flexible packaging industry globally is estimated to be nearly USD
160 billion and is growing at steady pace of 7 - 7.5% annually. The developed
world regions of North America, Western Europe and Japan, which boast
higher incomes per head, constitute the biggest markets for flexible
packaging, accounting to about 70% of the share of the worlds total market.
In developed nations the growth of the flexible packaging sector is estimated
to be growing at a rate of about 2.5 - 3.5% whereas, in developing countries
this growth is in the range of 8 - 12% annually. India in fact, historically is
growing at 15-18% p.a.

A recent study by Pira International elucidated that while innovation will be
the key driving the growth of the flexible packaging industry, the Asia Pacific
region forecasted to lead global luxury packaging market growth with a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1 percent in the period to 2015.

With constant technological evolutions and a stiff competition to keep up to
the demands of the consumers, many international players are not able to
sustain themselves. The competition from Asian Countries particularly from
India and China is making it hard, even for some of the biggest players.

As far as India is concerned, there are still few companies in the organized
sector in Flexible Packaging segment. The small units in India face the heat of
stiff competition from the biggest players and fail to keep up to the
competition in terms of by deployment state-of-the-art latest technology and
focus on providing innovative to meet customers needs.

With growing economic prosperity and higher incomes per head, the demand
of packaging is significantly high in the developing countries. India alone has
the potential to grow at a rate 20 25% annually.

In a bid to keep up to the changing consumer demands, FMCG companies,
retails chains are constantly revamping the packaging designs to woo
customers. Manufactures, too, are continuously focusing on deployment of
newer innovative, state-of-the-art technologies and attainment of operational
excellence for productivity and efficiency improvements.

Some of the recent flexible packaging innovations by Uflex in plastic film
segment, include Green PET Film, rPET Film, Special Heat-sealable PET Film,
Liquid Packaging PET Film, Direct Emboss able PET Film, Antistatic Twistable
PET Film, Extrusion coatable BOPP Film, Retortable CPP Film. The company
has also introduced new concepts in the packaging products segment which
include Eco-friendly flexi tube for cosmetic & paste, Slider Zipper with
diaphragm, 3D Bags, WPP Bags, Non-plastic laminates for mouth freshener
industry. Many of these pioneering concepts have been well-acclaimed in
India and abroad.

Going forward, Uflex plans to be one of the leading companies in the world in
the flexible packaging space. In order to achieve this goal, Uflex, follows the
strategy of Growth with Innovation and runs its business with Social and
Environmental responsibility.