Uflex unveils its cutting-edge innovation ‘Asepto Eye’ for beverages giving a stylish revival to aseptic packaging and making a strong impact.
Speaking to Packaging MEA Editors Ben Daniel and Vikram Fotedar in an exclusive interview, Ashwani Sharma, CEO and president of the Brand Asepto shares the company’s new offerings and the kind of push it will give to aseptic liquid packaging in this competitive global aseptic liquid packaging realm.
PMEA: What is new at the Uflex-Asepto booth?
Ashwani Sharma (AS): Gulfood Manufacturing 2019 has turned out to be extremely satisfying and invigorating for Uflex, and especially for our brand Asepto. We have launched Uflex’s most iconic innovation ‘Asepto Eye’, bestowing new impetus to the global market for aseptic liquid packaging. Asepto Eye is an ‘a la mode packaging innovation’ with lenses offering 3D-effects in the aseptic segment. The striking aesthetic appeal will create a real differentiation at the retail point-of-sale. Asepto Eye packaging is the best way to give a brand an overhaul and attraction quotient.
PMEA: What are the key features of ‘Asepto Eye’?
AS: Asepto Eye’s main feature is its ripple lenses that give an optical illusion to the packaging for flawless printing effect, enabling brands to evolve as phenomenal on retail shelves. In the Asepto Eye, we have additionally showcased masterpieces with single lenses stamped in a way that camouflage with the artwork to become a piece of art at the point of sale. The customised lenses come in different sizes and shapes to complement brands and are easy to modify with customised brand artworks.
PMEA: You are also debuting your new filling machine ‘Asepto Flexpress 10000’ here at GFM. Can you share some details about it?
AS: Sure! Asepto Flexpress 10000 offers a servo-based drive mechanism new filling line, offering advanced integration with PLC, It comes with an operator-friendly HMI (human-machine interface).
PMEA: Which segments are you targeting with the Flexpress 10000?
AS: Uflex is pitching this unique machine for optimum packaging in the dairy, dairy product, juices and alcohol segments. The advantage of Asepto Flexpress 10000 machine is that it offers high flexibility for all-in-one portion packs from 90ml to 200ml. It is a highly flexible machine with low changeover times and has a low TCO (total cost of ownership). It offers high output with minimal machine downtime.
PMEA: What are Asepto’s initiatives towards sustainability within Aseptic Packaging?
AS: Keeping in mind our commitment towards the planet and the changing needs of the consumer packaged goods industry, sustainable packaging is core to Uflex philosophy. We are thus constantly working towards equipping clienteles with our forthcoming launch of revolutionary plastic films range that will be bio-degradable as well as recyclable by nature, making it the only company in the world to do this in a single substrate. In the future, this will help manufacturers who are using multi-layer packaging to pack any product, to make use of this new naturally environment-friendly plastic, innovated by Uflex. It is 100% biodegradable.
PMEA: How is Asepto different from its competitors?
AS: The real differentiation that Asepto brings to the table is its value-added features. Asepto is redefining the contours of aseptic liquid packaging the world over. We are making the most of our in-house holographic and engineering prowess to stir up the monotony that has set in the retail shelves of aseptic packs globally. Be it the Americas, Europe or Asia, the existing liquid carton packs have nothing new or enchanting to offer to consumers.
PMEA: How far has Asepto reached on the road to digitalisation and remote management of its machines?
AS: We are committed to delivering the best results of seamless productivity and performance. We endeavour to assist our customers with real-time interventions to ensure operational continuity. The company has made significant investments to ease technical support to boost efficiency. The advanced approach results in smoother operation, analysing machine errors in no time, a decrease in operational expenses and higher productivity through our strong technical support These are other integral aspects we are focused on.
PMEA: Can you name some Brand(s) who have shifted to Asepto in the MEA region?
AS: Uflex’s Asepto is the first Indian brand of aseptic liquid packaging material. We have been offering various innovative holographic options for our customers in the flexible packaging, and in Aseptic liquid packaging segment, it’s a debut. Fresca is the leading and fastest-growing juice brand in India to have launched its juices in innovative holographic aseptic packs. The company has come up with 200 ml holographic packs in the premium juice category. We knew that the new holographic
packaging Asepto Spark will do wonders, and as for the brand it’s heartening to know that Fresca has received massive orders. The impact is visible and soon many other juice brands like Juiceikaby SMS International. Notably, many leading alcoholic beverage brands have adapted to the holographic effects by Asepto