TNA Solutions, a global player in the food processing and packaging segments, recently launched the TNA ropac 5, which it claims to be the fastest VFFS and case packer system in the market and a great solution for food manufacturers looking to automate their case packing operations.
In a conversation with Packaging South Asia Palani Karai, general manager of TNA MENA, talked about the company’s offerings and innovations while Aviraj Phadke, regional sales manager of the India division, discussed the development of the snack-based industry in India.
The tna auto-splice 3 (patent pending), an automatic splicing solution is a great addition to the company’s flagship product, the tna robag. Retrofittable into existing tna robag 3ci and tna robag 3e machines, it joins a new film to an expiring film roll without interruption to the packaging line. Combined, this pair can help increase uptime by 5% and reduce operator time and effort. Karai says one of TNA’s customers in Australia — Majans, a leading snack brand — achieved a 140% throughput increase in just 12 months with the tna ropac 5.
Phadke talked about a prominent trend in the Indian market being the strategic establishment of manufacturing and packaging facilities by snack brands every 500 to 750 kilometers, to minimize logistics costs. He said, “This step is crucial in the snack industry, where products often consist of approximately 80% air and only 20% the actual product. When transportation distances exceed 750 kilometers, profitability tends to diminish, making it essential for large snack manufacturers to maintain a network of localized production facilities across India
The tna ropac 5 case-packing system for flexible bags capable of up to 200 bags per minute“Another significant trend is the gradual shift from the unorganized sector to the organized sector,” Karai highlights. “Despite the presence of numerous large players, a substantial portion of the snack food industry remains unorganized, with traditional snacks often produced at home and sold in local shops. However, there is a noticeable transition towards packaged foods, which is expected to drive growth in packaging and processing lines over the next 5 to 10 years. Consumers are increasingly favoring packaged goods over loose products from shops, indicating a shift in purchasing behavior.”
Additionally, there is a growing demand for global snack products such as tortilla chips, fruit chips, vacuum chips, and kettle-style chips, all of which are gaining traction in the Indian market. A further shift is aligned with the broader global trend towards health and wellness.
According to GlobalData’s consumer survey, 81% of global consumers are concerned about their physical fitness and health, which drives the demand for healthier snack options. Manufacturers are responding to this trend by developing products that cater to health-conscious consumers, ensuring that the industry continues to evolve in line with consumer preferences.
Growth and expansion continue to be a top priority for TNA Solutions with Asia rapidly emerging as a market with significant potential, particularly in the confectionery sector. Karai says the company is always exploring acquisition opportunities that align with its growth strategies, and Asia presents a promising option. Karai emphasized “We see significant growth potential in India. The country’s growth not only presents opportunities within the local market but also positions India as a strategic hub to support snack brands abroad, given the cost-effective operations available here.”
He claims, “Our overall business is performing significantly well, mostly because TNA is the only global single-source solutions provider capable of delivering equipment for the entire potato snack production line. This unique capability is especially valuable for smaller and emerging brands, who increasingly rely on us to optimize productivity across their entire production process, as well as, for large organizations that want to ensure standard high-quality solutions to be provided anywhere around the globe.”
Phadke elaborates on the subject, saying India is a cost-sensitive market, but the company’s on-ground experience shows that brands value a partner who can provide high performance, production efficiency, and, most importantly, reliability.
“We see significant potential for growth in our processing capabilities, particularly in full lines. This year, we participated in Anuga FoodTec India with a special focus on french fries processing. We see a shift towards greater automation in production lines, which enhances reliability and reduces the likelihood of manual errors. Although labor costs in India are lower compared to other countries, the cost of errors in manual processes can still be substantial. Hence, adopting automation is a crucial trend for improving accuracy and efficiency,” he adds.
