The World Mithai & Namkeen Expo from 18 — 20 December at Yashobhoomi at the Dwarka convention centre in Delhi highlighted innovations and advancements in the food and beverage sectors. Unlike its name, the show was not limited to snacks and sweets but had various products, ingredients, and packaging solutions. Aimed at domestic markets, FMCG and QSR chains, the show also addressed brand owners’ and consumers’ likes and concerns.
The three-day event received heavy footfall, as visitors lined up at the registration counters till 4 pm. Apart from some live traditional music, the show featured numerous points of sale (POS) cutouts and decorations encouraging visitors to try the new products. Sweetmakers from Pune, salted snacks (namkeen) makers from Uttar Pradesh, and rasgulla manufacturers from Bengal took part with prominent brands.
Morde’s chocolates. Photo PSAThe FMCG and QSR segments comprised a wider range of products, including paper-based bags, cups, straws, plates, cutlery, caps, and more. Sustainability was a strong theme. The segment that showcased export-grade products expressed concerns about increased oxygen transmission rate (OTR), hampering the shelf life of a product. While multi-layered plastic packaging has gone above and beyond in this aspect, sustainable or alternative packaging is way behind.
Technologies were a highlight. Weigh-checkers with retrofitted form fill and seal machines (FFS) became the center of attention. The show was attended by numerous start-ups in the snacks, sweets, and confectionery sectors looking to invest in cost-effective packaging solutions.
The Noida-based UFlex group, an Indian packaging solutions manufacturer, highlighted its multi-track FFS machines. The company showcased two machine variants suitable for shorter runs and bulk volumes, respectively.
The UFlex Group stand at the show. Photo PSANarsingh Narayan, sales marketing manager of UFlex, told Packaging South Asia that there is a visible growth in the pouching machinery segment. He explained that MT 1000/1200 are specified for volume jobs while MT 400/600 are more in demand among startups and others that require a solution for lower volumes. “Both the machines are cost-effective with minimal wastage or turndown time,” he said.
Faridabad’s VS International, a manufacturer and exporter of vertical form, fill, and seal machines, featured its GT-5S multi-axis servo-driven continuous motion machine. The company has been operating in the Indian packaging market since 2000 under the PackiT brand. It manufactures 4-head weighers, cup fillers, multi-head weighers, stick packs, and sugar fillers along with its Komet range of form fill and seal machines. The company has been supplying FFS machines to FMCG and pharmaceuticals across the country.
Asian Packing Machinery, a VFFS machine manufacturer for small sachets, presented its innovative chutney packaging machine. A sales representative said, “Our machineries are highly appreciated by our clients for their high performance, durability, low maintenance, and less power consumption. Our vision is to be the leading global resource for packaging, and its mission is to improve and promote members’ abilities to succeed in a global marketplace.”
Kap Group’s in-mold label tubs (IML) for ice cream, dairy, FMCG, sweets, bakery, confectionery, oils, and ghee. Photo PSAThe Delhi-based Kap Group was present with its in-mold label tubs (IML) for ice cream, dairy, FMCG, sweets, bakery, confectionery, oils, and ghee. The IML-based provider highlighted its tubs for syrup-based sweets such as rasgulla and gulab jamun.
IML tubs have a growing market in the sweet packaging industry because of their light-weight and tamper-free features. This form of packaging, in many markets, has replaced conventional tin packaging due to its appealing look and user convenience. The marketers at the stand informed us that resealability is a dominating feature in these packs in contrast to the tin cans.
