“Every problem is an opportunity in disguise” is a famous quote by John Adams, leader of American Revolution and the second US President. The same is being witnessed by the flexible packaging industry amid lockdown.
During the current lockdown with demand for essential items going up, there is a huge shift in buying pattern of consumer. Consumers prefer to purchase edible oil in flexible pouches over other SKUs like jars or tins as pouches are easy to carry and transport.
Moreover, as there is uncertainty over future, consumer is highly cautious on expenditure and does not want to spend majority chunk on edible oil by buying a 5 litre or 15 litre SKU. This has resulted in an increase in demand of edible oil pouches by three times. At the same time, there has been limited demand for edible oil which is bulk packed in tins or HDPE jars.
In our factories, the manufacture of barrier films has gone up by about three times in recent times. Montage has a market share of 40% in barrier films production in the country, used in the manufacture of flexible pouches for edible oil.
Due to lockdown restrictions in production, travel and transport, we are facing severe limitation in sourcing of raw materials. However, by operating out of multiple factories in the country, with all the safety protocols and screening measures in place, we are ensuring timely delivery of flexible packaging material to our edible oil clients, so that the common man gets his essentials on time.
Following Covid-19 episode, with more than a month of social distancing, there is a huge behavioural change in preference of people towards packaged edible oils, over loosely sold oils. This behavioural shift is also being seen in non-urban locations. Even after Covid-19 is eliminated from the earth in the near future, demand for packed oils is expected to substantially rise in metros, cities and small towns. Sealed packed products demonstrate hygiene, purity and safety and help in preventing adulteration of oils.
Also, as we are moving towards a circular economy, there is more focus towards sustainable packaging of edible oils in the country. This is giving rise to more innovation in the area of biodegradable packaging. Innovation with respect to introduction of anti-counterfeit packaging will help in the reduction of adulteration in oils. Innovation is also making the flexible packs tougher and puncture-resistant during transportation and storage, in increasing the oil shelf life, enhancing microbial safety and making packs aesthetically superior.
Some of the innovations include -
Biodegradable Barrier Films – These films are 100% biodegradable, as soon as they come in contact with the soil. Using Pepzyme technology, the film gets fully converted into bio-mass.
Poly//Poly Sustainable Packaging - Technologies are available which successfully convert BON/poly laminate into eco-friendly poly/poly laminates with equivalent functions.
Recyclable Barrier Films - At the centre of circular economy, innovative recyclable barrier poly films are also available.
Anti-counterfeit Customised Embossed Holography: Taking up the challenge of eradicating the duplicity of the products, anti-counterfeiting technologies are available for packaging of edible oils. Some of the packaging techniques such as authentic quality seal, holography, customised holography can help consumer distinguish the original from duplicate.
Innovation in gloss nylon technologies makes the edible oil packet strong, puncture- resistant and aesthetically very appealing. Some of the available technologies include -
9-layer Co-extruded Nylon Film: This comes up with the advantage of adding 2-layer nylon in between the layers for edible oil packaging. Due to 2-layer nylon in between, barrier films have excellent mechanical properties with good puncture-resistant properties.
High clarity Nylon Film: Nylon barrier film with high clarity and high gloss which imparts clear and good visibility of products.
EB Coated High Gloss Nylon Film: E-BEAM is a unique technology which enables a pack to get a superior gloss that gives high quality aesthetics.
(The author is director, Montage Group)