Inter FoodTech, Snack&Bake Tec, Pac MechEx draws visitors to a three-day event

Prismtec aims to expand its clientele

Mumbai-based Prismtec displayed their pneumatic cap sealing machine with a servo motor, one of the very few Indian machine suppliers to sell a mechanical-based capping machine. There is no pneumatic pressure required. Also on display was the six-head filling machine with a jacked hopper and a vertical stirrer to heat the product during filling, for which Primstec has received a lot of enquiries. “I think India is the next hub for packaging machines. People were buying from European customers. But now India is developing insanely. And I would say even though multi-national companies have having good amount of trust in Indian people. And India is growing. We invest a lot of amount in new development every year,” says Nilansh Shah, business development manager of Prismtec.

Shrink packaging remains a key focus for Amar Packaging

Amar Packaging launched the eye drop packaging, capping, and filling systems. When asked which product vertical is the most sought-after for investments, Arvind Rajbhar, chief executive of Amar Packaging, shared that it was shrink packaging. He said, “We have been specialists in shrink-wrapping machines for the last 30-40 years.” Rajbhar shared that the company is capable of making machines for any type of shrink packaging, water packaging, box packaging, carton packaging, and R&D. Sharing his views on the key trends being observed, Rajbhar said, “Bromoethylene vacuum packaging and vacuum packaging with nitrogen flushing are the future.”
Rajbhar shared that Indian companies are doing well globally, and Indian machines are sought after globally as the machines are robust, the quality is good, and the prices are very competitive. He mentioned that a client from Saudi Arabia bought one of their machines; the same machine from other suppliers in Saudi Arabia cost three times more. The client liked the quality, price, and durability of the machines. An order for three sets of machines was made. 

Ace Technologies displays a top-line inspection system 

Mumbai-based Ace Technologies displayed KPM Technologies’ vision-based inspection system that employs artificial intelligence technology for process control and final product inspection to accelerate quality testing of bakery and other food products. For example, in tortillas, the machine scans for burn marks, anomalies like foreign objects, folds, diameter, and many other parameters. Even the small toppings and the number of sesame seeds on each bun can be counted with the help of these machines. Global fast food chains like McDonald’s and other pizza manufacturers have deployed the inspection machines in their production lines. 
“Ace technologies have a brand in their market and have been providing top-quality services for over 25 years now to global manufacturers like Haldirams, Coca-Cola, Pepsi,” says Harshad Kamble, Assistant Manager of Ace Technologies.

Hilda Automation displays vertical filling machine line 

Navi Mumbai-based Hilda Automation displayed its three-head spout pouch rinsing, filling, and capping machine, majorly used for filling viscous, semi-viscous products like sauces. It operates at a maximum speed of around 30 to 300-BPM. Hilda boasts of providing top-quality services that match international standards. Their clientele, which ranges from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics and the food and beverage industry, is a testament to the quality of manufacturing.  “Our sole purpose of exhibiting at Inter FoodTech is to maximize our clientele and export to many other countries. Like right now, we export our machines to South Africa but we want to crack the American and European markets,” says Chirag Kenny, sales engineer at Hilda Automation. 

 Spehretech Packaging showcases liquid nitrogen doser

Spheretech Packaging India showcased its liquid nitrogen doser, used for dosing solids and liquids into rigid containers. If the container is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), it helps to reduce the grammage and increase the shelf life.
When asked how the feedback has been for the nitrogen dosing system, Suresh Sethuraman, head of business development at Spheretech Packaging India, shared, “Till now, it is 10 out of 10.” The customers have been happy with the machine. Sethuraman said, “Plastic is expensive, and even a slight reduction can help save money.”
When asked about which product vertical is the most sought after for investments, Sethuraman stated, “For us, every machine is a bingo for everything.” Sharing insights on the key trends being observed in the packaging industry, Sethuraman mentioned that processors prefer to use less plastic and more paper and cartons. Adding further on how India can emerge as a key player in the packaging industry globally, Sethuraman views affordability, good service, and in-house manufacturing of spare parts as the key.

Mamata Machinery launches VFFS machine

Mamta Machinery launched a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machine, a high-speed machine with continuous motion capabilities. Sharing further details of the machine, Nitin M Kattukar, manager of business development at Mamta Machinery, said, “It is a servo-based machine and can achieve speeds of 120 packs per minute or 20 gram chips.” When asked about the feedback on the machine, Kattukar mentioned that the company supplied the machine to Hershey India, and the company is happy with the machine. When asked about which product vertical is the most sought after for investments, Kattukar said, “Horizontal form fill and seal machines are the most sought after; there are no suppliers in the market other than foreign suppliers.”
Sharing insights on key trends being observed in the packaging industry, he said that packaging has now become more attractive than before, and stand-up pouches are now more sellable in the market. Commenting on how Mamta is faring against western counterparts, Kattukar mentioned that the strength of the company lies in good service and supplying spare parts in a timely manner.   The company is working towards entering into the manufacturing of the liquid filling, dry products, and solid products machine space.

Magic Special Purpose Machineries displays swing sleeve applicator

Mumbai-based Magic Special Purpose Machineries displayed its 400 BPM swing sleeve applicator, a huge improvement from their previous capacity of 100 BPM. The company’s biggest investment is in automation to reduce manual intervention, as it becomes harder to keep the hygiene standards with 500 people working on one plant.  “Before, Taiwan, China, Europe were the main players, and India was at 6%. Now, India is almost crossing 17-18% of the world trade. So, it will really catch up very soon. Government support can help the industry go a long way, as currently we face challenges, even to display our products in the overseas market,” says Sanjeev Iyer, director of Magic Special Purpose Machineries.

Bricspac hopes to expand pan-India 

Mumbai-based Birscpac, a five-year-old company, boasts of providing complete solutions under one roof, starting from dispatch to primary packaging, secondary packaging, conveyor, be it truck loaders, and end-of-line solutions. On display was their automated case packer and their scissor lift. The company aims to provide good-quality solutions at a low price so that it benefits the small-scale industry. “Our USP is that when customers come to us, we don’t want them to run to multiple suppliers. Under one roof, you can get all the solutions right from packaging, loading, to unloading. We have different units in India for the different operations and have recently opened our biggest factory in Nashik,” says Rahul Gupta, business head-engineering, Bricspac

Gupta noted rapid changes in the industry after COVID. He says, “Even the small clients are completely switching to the automations. So, that is the biggest advantage. We are focusing on R&D to drastically improve the efficiency of our packaging lines.”