India-based flexible packaging solutions provider Uflex has achieved a significant milestone in its global expansion and innovation strategy.

The company announced the commencement of commercial production of polycondensed polyester chips at its Panipat, India facility, effective 31 March 2024.

Additionally, UFlex has commissioned a new 6.5m-wide cast polypropylene (CPP) film line in Russia, boasting an annual production capacity of 18,000 tonnes (t).

This expansion underscores UFlex's commitment to vertical integration.

The Panipat plant, with a capacity of 168,000t per year, will primarily manufacture polycondensed polyester chips, a critical raw material for biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) packaging films.

The facility will not only cater to UFlex's internal packaging film production but also serve third-party customers, furthering the growth and sustainability of India's packaging film industry.

This new plant complements UFlex's existing packaging film facilities in Noida and Dharwad in the country, solidifying its position as a nationwide supplier.

In Russia meanwhile, the new CPP film line joins UFlex's existing production lines, which include a wide BOPET film line (30,000t a year) and a metalliser (8,000t a year).

“Now more than ever, our customers are interested in reliability, speed, and quality in their supply chain, and this expansion will allow us to deliver on those expectations,” said Ashok Chaturvedi, chair and managing director of UFlex.

"We are relying on our vertical integration strategy to meet the ever-increasing demand of the packaging industry and are betting on new capacities, expanded global footprint, and the ability to deliver quality, innovation, and customised solutions that the industry expects from UFlex.”