Big Bosch
V K Viswanathan, MD, Bosch India, talks about company’s new launches at PackPlus 2009
What are the prospects of Indian Packaging Industry and what role would the packaging machinery sector be playing?
In last five years, there have been some major developments in the packaging industry and we expect this growth to accelerate. In food as well as the non-food packaging segment, India is at a take off stage.
Bosch is the worldwide leader in Packaging Technology producing and marketing modules and systems for food, pharmaceutical, industrial, chemical and cosmetics industries. In India for the Food sector we have Vertical and Horizontal Form Fill Seal Packaging machines which cater to the food, salt, detergents, chemicals, fertilizers and few other industries. For confectionery we have complete line of candy wrapping machines. We also have complete line of solutions of ampoules, vials and syringes for the Pharma sector. Being the manufacturer and provider of packaging machines, we can say that the growth of the packaging industry depends a lot on the innovations in the packaging machines.
Talking of the food, non-food and pharma packaging segments, which is seeing more growth comparatively?
Food segment has lot of prospects as this segment of the industry has started looking for innovations in packaging. In terms of pre-pack food items, many Multinational and Indian companies are getting into new forms of packaging. Similarly in confectionary segment, there are many products opting for new and different styles of pouches .
There is also a remarkable growth in the Pharma segment, following which we have opened a plant in Goa to cater to the Pharma requirement of domestic and global market.
How would you comment on the Indian Packaging Industry?
The Indian scenario is not that different from the global one in terms of the structure of packaging industry. Packaging is a fragmented industry with small players occupying the market, but with advantages like robust technology, reliability, high-speed and versatility Bosch has made a mark in the industry.
When compared to global packaging standards, does India lack in ‘Neat Packaging’?
The Indian packaging industry is in a developing process and many companies today are meeting international standards in terms of neat and clean packaging. New forms of packaging like enclosable and corner sealed pouches are being adopted by the consumers.
High productivity and less wastage is the requirement of Indian customers. How is Bosch meeting these parameters while developing a machine?
The requirement of high productivity and less wastage depends on one parameter – reliability. In the filling and weighing system, Bosch ensures most minimum wastage and break-down and lower changeover time.
Temperature being one of the big issues affecting the Indian packaging segment, what are the essential parameters to be met by the packaging machines?
Bosch has been successfully active in the area of product protection with over 40 years of experience, and supplies well proven and thousands of times tested, reliable systems to protect and preserve oxygen-sensitive foodstuffs. Different technologies are used to match each product.
We also have stringent Factory Acceptance Tests which assures accuracy in environment, depending on the kind of product they are dealing with.
Tell us about the product launches at PackPlus 2009?
We are launching ‘SVI- 2620’ in this Pack Plus Exhibition. In this segment we have an entry level machine TERRA 25 (Speed upto 80 bags per min) and a high end machine SVE (Speed upto 180 bags per min). To bridge the gap between these two machines we introduced SVI 2620.This is a Intermittent Vertical Bagger with various Retrofit options and having an Output -Upto 120 bags per min. It can also offer different and new bag styles. SVI2620 comes with many value added features and many advantages.
SVI series is a combination of the low machine height, format flexibility, vacuum drive, servo drive sealing system. Lower Machine Height will have a straight influence on product drop time and thus resulting in higher speed and efficiencies. This machine also has Retrofitable capabilities for Corner Seal, Doy Style and Zip Pouch bag styles which possible from November 2009 onwards.
The SVI series is the most cost-effective and competitive solution for customers looking to increase their production efficiency. SVI can also handle versatile film material and because of vacuum draw off film feeding even water soluble films can be used. Servo drive for Cross sealing jaws delivers high speed and accurate sealing .
As the provider of high speed packaging and candy wrapping machines, how do you manage to match the quality of operators and the laminates with them?
Every machine that we deliver to the customer is customized according to their needs and specifications. Thus our machines meet the material specifications and requirements.
Being the technology leaders, what kind of latest machineries would Bosch be presenting to the packaging industry in the near future?
Bosch would bring the latest in Confectionary, Food and Pharma segment, that is, a series on new innovative products in coming days. These products would be designed to suit the Indian market requirements.
Bosch in India has BVK2000 which is the fastest candy wrapping machine and plans to introduce BVK 1200 a medium speed candy wrapping machine in 3rd Qrtr. BVK series of machines are proven very cost effective and efficient form fill seal candy wrappers.
We also plan to launch machine in the Horizontal Form Fill Seal Segment which will cater to packing of Biscuits and other fragile products .
Has Bosch experienced the heat of the perceived market slowdown?
Slowdown has affected some of the industry segments, but if we talk of the packaging segment, the heat is more felt in the urban market as compared to the rural market. The rural market is growing with the same pace and we expect a good sum of business in those areas.
