Uflex develops specialized satellite thermal radiation insulation film for ISRO

Uflex Ltd, leading manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging material, has developed specialized satellite thermal radiation insulation film for the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), in what is seen as an important step for indigenization and self-reliance of products required for India’s space programme.

ISRO had approached Uflex, a NOIDA-based company listed on the bourses, in September 2017 with a requirement of specialized films for passive thermal control of spacecraft components. Within six months, the company provided solution as per specifications required to ISRO, a company official said.

Also, the company’s aseptic liquid packaging brand Asepto has commenced production of its global innovation, Asepto holographic packaging at Sanand in Gujarat, in August, prompting Fresco, a juice brand, becoming the first company to embrace this packaging for its 200 ml juice packs, Ashwani K Sharma, President & CEO, Uflex Ltd, told BusinessLine.

“We are now in talks with various leading brands in dairying, juice-making and alcoholic beverages for this packaging to make their products stand out on the shelf. We currently have orders to provide 600 million packs per annum and are also looking at new possibilities in similar packaging in coconut products, ORS and flavoured milk,” he said.

Asepto is eyeing the Rs.2,500 crore Indian market in this segment, dominated so far up to 90 per cent of the market share by the multinational drink box brand Tetra Pak. But now new players have entered this field in India, China and other countries. “We have nearly 150 patents of our own,” he added.

The Indian market in liquid packaging is about 10 billion packs per annum with the average price being Rs.2.50 per pack, Sharma said. This market is expected to double in size by 2020. Uflex hopes to run its Sanand facility at its full capacity of seven billion packs per annum in the next three to four years.

Asepto provides holographic, multi-lens and embossing effects that have never been seen before on brick packs. It comes in two variants, Spark and Premium.

Uflex, the first Indian manufacturer of aseptic liquid packaging material, had made an initial investment of Rs.580 crore for developing a state-of-the-art facility, its third in India, in the industrial hub of Sanand near Ahmedabad which commenced production in end-2017. It is spread over 21 acres on the 72 acre land parcel that Uflex had bought at Sanand.