UFlex India presents new flexible and holographic solutions amid strong financial performance

11 Aug 2022 --- UFlex in India is unveiling a range of flexible packaging and holography solutions for boosted environmental sustainability and standout shelf appeal. The launches come amid a strong financial performance for the quarter and full-year ending March 31, 2022. 

“Our performance in the quarter is reflective of our determined approach to match the fast-paced consumption environment with enhanced production volumes. Across all fronts – be it production or sales volumes, revenue, EBITDA and PAT, new highs have been achieved in Q4 as well as in full FY 21-22,” comments Rajesh Bhatia, Group CFO at UFlex.

“We recently commissioned our new line in Aseptic Liquid Packaging facility at Sanand, Gujarat (India), thereby doubling its capacity to 7 billion packs per annum.”

“What excites me most about the year ahead is the opportunities that will originate from the new Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022 in India and our readiness to embrace them. As a socially responsible organization that has been leading the way in sustainable solutions, we are setting up India’s first U-shaped paper straw line for aseptic carton packs at our Sanand plant, which is already gaining traction from many beverage brands considering the impending ban on single-use plastic.”

Financial results
India’s largest multinational in flexible packaging solutions and a global leader in polymer sciences consolidated EBITDA at 734.4 cr for Q4 FY22, up by 42.2% year-on-year. Meanwhile, consolidated net profit stood at 350.3 cr, up 32.3% year-on-year. The consolidated revenue registered a rise of 52.2% year-on-year, reaching INR 3915.1 Cr in Q4 FY22.Spout pouch for BB Royal Cold-press’ cooking oil.

The growth in revenue was backed by the higher production and sales volumes of packaging films and packaging businesses. The total production volume witnessed a jump of 26.2% year-on-year to reach 160475 metric tons in Q4 FY22. The total sales volume jumped by 20% year-on-year to reach 164079 metric tons in Q4 FY21-22.

For FY 2021-22, the company achieved consolidated revenue of INR 13224.7 cr, rising by 48.3% year-on-year, driven by 29.3% sales volume growth.

The consolidated EBITDA for FY2021-22 registered a growth of 24.8% year-on-year to reach INR 2280 cr. Consolidated net profit rose by 30.3% year-on-year to INR 1098.3 cr for the same period. The EBITDA margin for FY 21-22 remained healthy at 17.2%.Fresnel lens self-adhesive holographic.

New packaging solutions
Among UFlex’s new products is a 3D pouch with registered window metallization for Triveni Engineering’s premium brown sugar. The pack’s structure provides a metallic sheen look while allowing consumers to see the packed content. Owing to its 3D structure, the pack stands up, positioning the product uniquely on retail shelves.

The company also developed a reclosable spout pouch with easy pour functionality for BB Royal Cold-press’ cooking oil. Conventionally, edible oil has been packed in either a regular pouch or a rigid bottle, but these formats often offer limited differentiation on shelves. The new structure offers a viable solution for packaging edible oil and replaces the need for rigid containers. Its 3-ply structure also offers standability.

Meanwhile, it has also released several holography solutions, including a self-adhesive holographic labeling solution to prevent counterfeiting and enhance aesthetics. In response to rising counterfeiting cases, UFlex has integrated Registered Fresnel Lens Technology in the labeling solution to give a premium look by placing two lenses at the middle and bottom of the label.

The Fresnel lens used on the printed area reflects light at multiple angles providing a three-dimensional depth and look to the product. The combination of a Fresnel lens that is reflective from various angles along with vibrant printing produces an effect that is both aesthetically striking and instantly recognizable.

The printing technology combines two major features: the first is the registered holographic substrate, while the second involves doing a precise re-registration printing on the same substrate, making it almost impossible to replicate using a compromised set-up. This application is used across several industry verticals, including FMCG and personal care.

Edited by Joshua Poole