Amcor’s new Bharuch factory to cater to HUL’s packaging needs
The Australian flexible packaging company Amcor has set up a new flexible packaging plant at Bharuch, Gujarat in order to cater to the packaging requirements of FMCG major Hindustan Unilever’s laundry products in India.
17 Dec 2018 | 39328 Views | By Abhishek Muralidharan
This is Amcor’s seventh site in India. The 8,000 sqm plant has three lines that will run 24 hours a day for the production of flexible packages using flexographic printing technology.
This plant has boosted Amcor’s presence in India, with more than 1,100 of its employees working across seven sites in India, for the production of packages in the industry segments such as food and beverages, home and personal care, and pharmaceutical, among others.
Michael Zacka, president, Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, said, “Across all home-care categories, consumers in India are choosing products with packaging that provide them with the most convenience. The site brings new technology flexographic printing to the India market, and will be a centre of excellence for product development and sustainable packaging solutions.”
The 8,000 sqm plant has three lines that will run 24 hours a day
Amcor’s decision to invest in the Bharuch plant is part of the seven-year agreement it signed with Amcor in 2017.
Henk Sijbring, vice president, packaging procurement, Unilever, described the site opening as a major milestone in the global partnership between Unilever and Amcor.
He said, “The hub model, and the innovative ways of working it enables, is the first of its kind in packaging for Unilever and represents another significant commitment in this long-term partnership. The hub will enhance the capabilities of both companies to further delight consumers with market-leading sustainable and innovative packaging solutions.”
According to Amcor, the initial employment of 50 people is expected to grow to the number of 180 people by December 2019. The Bharuch plant, according to Amcor, is one example of its global environmental program, which sets ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy and water use for the company’s 200 locations around the world. The local Amcor team intends to have the site certified for sending zero waste-to-disposal.
“The customers, suppliers and people of Amcor should see the investment as an evidence of the company’s strong belief in India’s tremendous present and future, and the huge opportunity for Amcor and all our stakeholders,” Zacka added.
Earlier this year, Amcor announced that it will acquire US-based Bemis Company in a USD 6.8-billion deal, expecting to create combined revenues of USD 13-billion and EBITDA of USD 2.2 billion.
Amcor Flexibles India, a subsidiary of Amcor, was incorporated in 2006 with headquarters in Haridwar, India. In 2012, Amcor acquired the Daman-based Uniglobe; Parry Enterprises in 2013, and Packaging India in 2015.