Rexam HTW Launches 500ml Beverage Packaging Cans
These cans will be useful to pack beer, carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.
Rexam HTW, a joint venture between the UK-based Rexam Plc and Hindustan Tin Works Ltd (HTW), one of the leading beverage cans manufacturing companies in India, has launched first ever 500ml steel can for beverage packaging in the country. Kalyan Ganguly, president, United Breweries Ltd, officially unveiled the can which was depicted by a specially modelled 6 feet large can on the occasion.
In order to capture the growing demand of the 500ml can market, the company has decided to invest for this can size in addition to the 330ml cans. Sanjay Bhatia, managing director, Rexam HTW, said, 'We are very excited about the launch of our 500ml can which marks a revolutionary advancement in the history of can making in India and we are proud to be apartner with United Breweries (UB) in this regard.' The new 500ml cans will be useful to pack beer, carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.
'We will be exporting 500ml cans to ASEAN and SAARC markets and seek to attract processed fruits & vegetables, milk and milk products, biscuits and confectionery manufacturers of the country,' Bhatia added. The packaging sector is the 3rd largest business in the country with an expected market size of over Rs 60,000 crore and an annual demand of about 150 million cans.
Rexam HTW also signed a multi-crore supply contract for the supply of 330ml and 500ml cans. On signing the contract, Ganguly said, 'I am pleased to launch the first 500ml can made in India. We look forward to working together to grow the canned beer market in India.'
Atit Bhatia, vice-president for business development, said, 'After an in-depth study on trends and requirement of can packaging business in the country we decided to manufacture and supply the 2 pack sizes in 202 and 206 diameter to the user industry from its Taloja plant. The much awaited 500ml cans are now made in India.'
According to reports, the per capita can consumption in India is about half can per year, compared to 359 in the US. India, China, Europe and Brazil are leading markets for can business in the world. 'We will be supplying 500ml cans to UB Group and look forward to getting orders from our other business partners as well and work closely with the industry to grow the beverage can market in India,' Bhatia added. Further, the venture anticipates that the Indian and Chinese can market will reach 2-7 billion and 20-30 billion cans per annum in the next 10 years.
