PETpla.net Insider 04 / 2020

BOTTLE MAKING 19 PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 No. 04/20 www.petpla.net Glass is history - liquor in PET by Michael Maruschke Glass is history in the Indian-made Indian liquor market. In contrast to many other countries, it has abandoned the heavy packaging for spirits and liquors and changed over to PET completely. We got fi rst-hand information from IFB Agro, the pioneer and leading manufacturer of clear and fruit fl avoured liquor in West Bengal. IFB Agro Industries Limited April 2019 We met: Mr Debasis Ghosh, Business Head-IMIL Division The company is part of an indus- trial conglomerate, which also includes machine tools and home appliances. IFB Agro itself is divided into three divisions: Distillery, IMIL (Indian Made Indian Liquor) and Marine food & feed. The Distillery division started produc- ing grain based extra neutral alcohol (ENA) in 1986; alcoholic beverage bottling activities began years ago. The company today has a market share of about 31% in West Bengal IMIL segment; it also supplies base ENA to other liquor manufacturers. Highly regulated market The Indian-made Indian liquor and alcoholic beverage market is highly regulated in West Bengal. There are two of fi cially recognised kinds of liq- uors: IMIL and IMFL (Indian Made For- eign Liquor). As alcohol tax is a major source of income for the state govern- ment, the liquor market is highly regu- lated. IMIL can only be sold in the state where it was produced; tax is collected by the local authorities. Alcohol content is regulated at 11.4% to 22.8% v/v. Product label, production processes and working hours are also regulated by the State Excise Authority. Only shift working is allowed in presence of State excise of fi cer. Within these constraints, IFB Agro is in a position to produce about 15 million bottles per month. In total, the company has six bottling units, including three tie-up operation units. Bottles are supplied from the dif- ferent nearby PET blowing factory. “Unique” bottle design Glass bottles predominated in the IMIL market until about fi ve years ago, when liquor manufacturers and bottle suppliers tried to convince the authori- ties of the value of PET as a packag- ing option. After a lengthy process, the government duly approved the use of PET bottles with an aluminium closure system, which all companies had to follow. The switch from glass to PET achieved a signi fi cant weight reduc- tion and further bottle development has followed. Another 20% weight reduction was achieved by changing the 18 g PET bottle with aluminium cap on 28mm neck to a 14.4 g PET bottle with 25mm neck. IFB Agro’s switchover from glass to PET and subsequent bottle development was achieved in close cooperation with Magpet. IFB Agro currently fi lls its main Captain, Dil Se, Joy and Hero clear and fruit fl avoured liquor brands in 180ml, 300ml, 375ml and 600ml PET bottles size. www.ifbagro.in Debasis Ghosh with his product range Tour Sponsors: June 2-5, 2020, Mexico City at the Krones booth No. 2800 German Technology