Packaging industry expands through film investment, automation, and sustainable materials

The packaging industry is seeing significant developments in manufacturing capacity, automation, and sustainable materials.

International Packaging Films Limited (IPAK) is expanding its international footprint through a proposed PKR 1.4 billion investment by its subsidiary, Global Packaging Films, into a new metalliser. This move aims to increase the production of value-added metallised packaging films to meet domestic and export demand. IPAK’s collective capacity now exceeds 150,000 tonnes per year across four facilities, with plans to establish a commercial presence in Europe via a new subsidiary in Portugal.

At ProPak India, StarPac India showcased high-speed multitrack powder-packaging solutions, including the MTD 1200 AF8, which can produce up to 1,200 packs per minute for small sachet applications. The company provides end-to-end automation for primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.

Additionally, Pakcellence, a subsidiary of Printmann Offset, is targeting growth in the paper-based gable-top packaging market in India. Driven by consumer health consciousness and government plastic restrictions, the company is developing solutions that reduce plastic use by utilizing up to 85% paper content. Pakcellence maintains a technical partnership with Italy-based Galdi for filling-machine solutions.