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| Labelexpo India |
If the number of visitors at recent printing and packaging
shows is an indicator of growth in demand, it sure is a time that indicates that
demand is rising, and the shadow of gloom spread by the pandemic seems to have
faded if not disappeared completely. So scary was the impact of Covid-19 that
despite the resilience this industry portrayed, all investments were put on
hold as uncertainty prevailed. Indians are largely brought up such that as a
deliverance of heritage, when anyone questions, “how is business?” Most of the
times the prompt answer is, “Good!” This is expressed so, even though there may
be a slowdown or other challenges in the workplace. However, when an Indian
answers “Very Good” with a broad smile, like we have witnessed at the recent
packaging shows, it surely indicates happier times are back again.
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| Stalwarts with author at Labelexpo India |
The exhibition industry has faced some of the most
challenging times due to the pandemic but when the shows returned, the number
of visitors and participants have been on the rise. Last May 2022, as PrintPack
India drew to a close, reviewing that event , Noel D'Cunha managing editor of
Printweek India wrote, “A feeling of business returning back to normal was
apparent”. Many found that despite two postponements and the scare of Covid, the
Greater Noida event to be busier and more successful than expected. IPAMA, the
organisers of Printpack reported 1,03,412 visitors from 52 countries visited
the show that was showcased by 487 companies. In July 2022 PackPlus in New
Delhi also reported success with 12239 visitors and 153 exhibitors. Labelexpo
Americas in September 2022 saw 362 exhibitors and 13,569 visitors from 77
countries including India. It is surprising that many Indians travelled such
long distance for a label show. Later in November 2022 Labelexpo India also
reported a triumphant return after a hiatus of 4 years, they reported over
12000 visitors, a 22% increase over the
last show with 250 exhibitors.
After being postponed for over a year, Pamex 2023 being
organized in Mumbai from 27th to 30th March 2023 is heading for a massive success.
The last edition of the show witnessed over 35,000 visitors and 375 exhibitors.
The current edition of the show is slated to be 25% larger than the previous
one. It will be spread over 12,000 square meters in 3 halls with 425 exhibitors
and the organisers are expecting over 40,000 visitors. According to Anil Arora
President Print-Packaging.com, the organizer of Pamex, “despite no direct
participation from Chinese exhibitors, the show will be at least 25% larger in
terms of space sold over the last edition. We hope to see a similar growth in
visitor footfalls”. The label, printing and packaging industry is already
optimistic and looking towards a great show with networking opportunities with
not just national but also global peers.
There are diverse estimates of the market size of the
packaging industry in India but a conservative figure hint at close to USD 200
billion growing at around 10%, but this all includes many segments of
packaging. The Indian pressure sensitive label industry is a miniscule portion
of the total packaging industry though it is the largest segment of the overall
labels industry. Labels have now moved into different tangents like wet glue,
shrink sleeves, wrap around, in-mold labels, etc. The global pressure sensitive
label market is estimated at about 50 billion US Dollars. As for the market
size of pressure sensitive labels industry in India, it has been estimated at
very diverse figures. The author’s personal estimate has always been considered
higher, but the author asserts it is more realistic and estimated on strength
of his experience in the Indian market. The finished label market size
according to the author’s personal estimate is between Rupees 4500-5000 Crores
which by current conversion rate amounts to 610 million US Dollar. The figure
translates in less than 1.5% of the global pressure sensitive label market
size, indicating a huge potential for growth. This estimate includes all the
labels in roll form, sheet form, Barcode/EDP labels, plain labels and manually
produced pressure sensitive or self-adhesive labels.
Current trends as witnessed from the moves and actions of the
labels and packaging industry indicate a robust growth in capacities. The increased
demand for packaging has been witnessed with the advent of developments in ecommerce,
tempting more and more consumers to make purchases online from within the
confines of their homes. Innovative and attractive labels and packaging ensure
a greater brand recall without dependence on shop shelves to decide what to buy
and where to buy. There have been challenges due to a dire need for
sustainability, but the good thing is industry is now making efforts for the
betterment of humanity by taking these challenges positively. Now industry is
moving away voluntarily from single use plastics, compostable or
bio-degradable, using materials that are recyclable or reusable and reducing
adverse impact on environment. New investments are being made with such sustainable
measures in mind. Reducing production waste, producing to economies of scale
and managing waste responsibly are
imperatives considered when expansions are being made.
Another change that one has witnessed in the last few
packaging shows is that the Make-in-India effect has become evident and
acceptable not just for consumer products but also for equipment and tooling. It
was interesting to see so many Indian
label press manufacturers offering good acceptable quality equipment that is comparable
to the international presses. All the press manufacturers who exhibited at the
labelexpo India reported sales and some of them multiple sales with information
of them having made numerous installations successfully not only in India but
also around the world. The Make in India concept was not limited to press
manufacturers, there were Indigenous manufacturers of magnetic cylinders,
anilox rolls, tooling, inspection systems, plate mounters and in fact the whole
gamut of requirements of the printing and converting fraternity. The best part
is that the offerings not only perform fairly well but are also affordable and come
within the reach of middle level printers and converters.
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| Hybrid press |
With the middle level printing companies increasing their
capabilities by investing in new India-made modular all-UV and all-Servo
presses with all accessories as in the international brands, there is intense competition.
Such label printers have an advantage as the impact of the capital expense on
input cost is substantially reduced. Thus, there is a need for the top end
printers to further enhance their capabilities by investing in higher end
equipment with hybrid printing presses employing diverse printing technologies
including digital, gravure, screen and offset besides flexo, embellishing and
innovative possibilities, quick changeovers, reduced dependence on manpower, faster
job setup with high-end automated registration controls ensuring minimal setup
waste, lower energy consumption, nonstop continuous production for longer runs,
etc. There is compelling evidence of new demands from print buyers. The industry is in an evolutionary phase, on
one side there is increasing competition due to increasing number of label
printers on the other hand, print buyers big and small are also demanding short runs with digital printing for variable
and personalized labels. It is time when the sustainably endeavors indicate efforts
to cut down on secondary packaging, the need for higher end more embellished
labels with security features are in demand to aid aesthetics that will enhance
brand value. The growing Indian population and increased literate workforce is
ensuring an increase in demand with better labels and packaging. At this time
when the growth is becoming evident, the better equipped and the fittest will excel!
Written By Harveer Sahni, Chairman, Weldon Celloplast Limited
New Delhi March 2023
