Recently, Masaki Fujishiro, chairman, Curtetex Corporation, met the members of the Offset Printers Association (OPA), Ludhiana, to discuss the possible collaboration with an existing unit engaged in packaging and paper bag manufacturing at Ludhiana.

Masaki was accompanied with Mari Teramoto, sales and market executive and Shivinder Singh, director, NATSU Enterprises India, the Indian subsidiary of Curetex.

Known for Cure-Tex Yarn, a soft Japanese paper thread made with original manufacturing method, Curetex manufactures original fabric and knitwear products combined with fabric made of 100% Japanese paper and other fibres.

The company uses paper for weaving thread for the manufacturing of various kinds of cloths, such as stalls and socks, cleansing cloths and towels, etc. The company also deals in paper bag, wrapping paper, polyethylene bag ribbon, non-woven fabric bag, gift seal, gift box, and other related items.

The visit to OPA, Ludhiana was arranged by the department of industries and commerce, Punjab. Inderjeet Singh, deputy director, industries, Punjab; Amarjeet Singh, GM, DIC Ludhiana; Mahesh Khanna, GM, DIC, Jalandhar and SS Rekhi, functional manager, DIC Ludhiana, accompanied the delegation.

Parveen Aggarwal, president, OPA, said that it’s a good opportunity, because now we are heading towards green environment and biodegradable material. With the ban on the use of plastic envelopes, paper is the only alternative and there is great potential in paper bag making. He promised that OPA will discuss the proposal at length and will revert with optimistic solution.

Kamal Chopra, general secretary, OPA, thanked Fujishiro for his gesture to select Ludhiana for his proposed project and assured complete support and cooperation.

Fujishiro said the purpose of his visit was to look for a bag-making project using imported machines from Japan either as a 100% Curetex project or as a joint venture with an existing manufacturer. He said that besides the local requirements, his target is to manufacture paper bags required for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the proposed Ludhiana unit.

The company also supplied paper bags for the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Inderjeet Singh, deputy director, Industries, Punjab, said, “We have a strong technological base both in public and private sector and a vibrant entrepreneurial culture that thrives on creativity, nimbleness and good business sense. Industries remain an integral component of the state economy, with capabilities in the entire manufacturing value chain, from R&D and design to marketing and sales. Punjab is building successful partnerships with foreign firms, strengthening domestic capabilities and forging strategic linkages. Our aim is that the industrial work force of Punjab should be cost-competitive, motivated, and highly productive with world -class capabilities in industrial and business management, technology, R&D, production and services, and international market development.