MUMBAI, INDIA — Flexible packaging firm Amcor Ltd. is rapidly expanding its presence in the Asian market. The company's top official in the region said it will soon announce plans for a new plant.
“We are planning to set-up a greenfield plant in a Southeast Asian country. We are working on location and investment and would likely to make announcement by December this year,” said Ralf Wunderlich, president & managing director, Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, in an interview with Plastics News at the Speciality Film & Flexible Packaging Conference in Mumbai.
The move is part of company's growth strategy. Melbourne, Australia-based Amcor recorded sales of nearly $10 billion last year, with about 30 percent coming from emerging markets.
In another part of its emerging market strategy, Amcor in May signed an agreement to buy an Indonesian flexible packaging business, Jakarta-based Bella Prima Packaging Ltd., for $25.2 million. Bella Prima has two plants and about 1,000 employees, and specializes in shrink sleeve, labels and lids.
Ralf said Amcor expects to complete that deal in 2014.
Amcor also is expanding capacity at its two Indian plants.
“Growth has become softer in India in about last couple of years but we have decided to expand capacities of our two plants in Haridawar and Baroda,” Ralf said. Capacity in Haridwar will grow about 30 percent, while Baroda will be doubled.
“We have observed the push is coming back in this market and doubling of Baroda plant capacity would be in line with growth prospects in near future,” he said.
Amcor wants a larger stake in the Indian packaged food industry, which is projected to reach $30 billion by 2015.
Amcor generates more than $100 million in sales in India. The company plans to introduce products there with an emphasis on sustainability and product safety.