The packaging is an essential component of every industry and the packaging industry in India is one of the leading players in the world. With the coming of environmental concerns like plastic pollution, it is witnessing a huge change in terms of packaging solutions. India is also a hub for investment by world packaging leaders. In this segment for our story on innovative packaging we spoke to STOROpack India to know more about their packaging solutions and here is the exclusive story about their packaging solutions which are aimed at changing the dynamics of the packaging industry in India.
Start of STOROpack-ing
Storopack was established as a family-run company in 1874 and has been operating under the name Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH since 1959 and is located in Metzingen, Germany. The company currently has almost around 2,520 employees working at 66 locations in 18 countries around the world and their products are available in more than 50 countries. They started their operations in 2013 in India. From working with a small 5 member team it has grown up to the organization with 28 people and now they are aiming at stabilizing the business in India.
Pavan Kumar who is Business Unit Manager for India enlighted us about their product range and said that in India the organization has packaging division. While talking about the products they provide, he said that they provide packaging solutions which fit products of any size because it is flexible in nature.
Flexibility is the Key
The packaging industry is currently going through a lot of changes and trends like sustainable packaging, antibacterial packaging and flexible packaging are ruling the industry. While talking about the new trends Pavan Kumar said that “Although we keenly follow the trends, we try to provide innovative solutions which will become trends in themselves like our flexible packaging.”
Storopack has 3 solutions for industries like manufacturing, appliances, information and communications technology, electronics, temperature-sensitive medicines, and foods. These 3 products involve inflatable plastic packaging (AIRplus®), paper packaging (PAPERplus®) and expanded polyurethane foam packaging (FOAMplus®).
All these products are lightweight and save space and they do not need inventory storage because of the flexible nature. While talking about their products, Pavan Kumar said, “Even though the packaging solutions by Storopack are lightweight they can provide protection to heavy products and thus manufacturers and suppliers are perfectly equipped to send and transport components, spare parts, tools, and even entire prototypes with protective packaging solutions from Storopack.”
Packaging is as essential as the product for the consumer and delivering a product without any damage is our aim
Pavan Kumar
Business Unit Manager, STOROpack India
He later added that packaging is the essential component of brand making and unboxing experience. “While unboxing a product packaged with our solution we ensure that the consumer gets the best of the experience and the packaging does not give the feel of scrap”, he added. He also mentioned that their paper cushioning is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Plastics and Innovation
The world is currently very concerned about the plastics in the ocean and so many players in the packaging industry are moving towards greener solutions. Paper packaging provided by Storopack is made of wood from sustainable forests and so does not harm the environment. It helps in filling voids, cushioning from impact shock or blocking and bracing goods against transport damage to the product. The product saves the space, is lightweight and fits every size of the good to be delivered because it is flexible. For this paper, product Storopack gives a machine producing it on lease to its customers.
When asked about the menace of Plastics he replied, "disposing of the plastic is a bigger issue than the usage of plastic and people should be made aware of the importance of sorting their garbage which will help the recycling process.” He further said that India already recycles 70 % of its plastic and our per capita consumption is also very low. However, we were miss-utilizing plastics and thus the government had to ban the plastic he added.
We not only follow all the norms of government regarding plastics but also go beyond it thereby providing 100% recyclable packaging for the plastic packaging, which is already made of 70% air and 30% plastic
Talking about the plastic regulations in India he added that in India they stick by the norm of 50 microns, but worldwide they use thinner plastics so as to reduce the plastic used for the packaging. He also mentioned that Storopack is part of the international alliance named ‘Alliance to end Plastic Waste’. This alliance works towards reducing plastic pollution thereby providing assistance to civil society, NGOs and governments.
Packaging and Food Safety
Pavan Kumar also added to the discussion of safe packaging for food and beverages especially with regard to the recent Corona outbreak which allegedly originated from wet markets of China. He said that currently, for protecting our food products plastics and glass are the best material because they provide a barrier to decay and organic packaging worsens the decay process.
Pavan Kumar who is hopeful about the more inventions so that the environment can be made said, “currently, there is a star product in the industry that is Tapioca Starch Anti-Bacterial packaging and if we research more to add barrier properties, we can definitely help the environment”.
For more details, visit www.storopack.in
