Photo: R. Balaji

TETRA PACKAGING TAKES OFF: The packaging material manufacturing facility of Tetra Pak at Takwe, near Pune.

PUNE: Chennai is a `strong contender' as a location for Tetra Pak's expansion of its packaging material manufacturing facility.

With the demand for Tetra Pak packages, the multi-layer polyethylene, aluminium and board sheet for packaging liquid foods, on the increase, the wholly owned subsidiary of the Swedish company is set to expand its production facilities.

According to Ashutosh Manohar, Processing Director, Tetra Pak India Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, is a strong contender for its new location for expansion. The expansion is a part of its three-year business programme and is likely to happen within two years.

Tetra Pak officials told a group of journalists on a tour of its manufacturing facility at Takwe near Pune, organised by the company, that the demand for Tetra Pak packages was on the increase particularly in the last two years. Between 2004-05 and 2005-06, the demand doubled and in the coming years was set to grow by about 20 per cent.

The Pune facility would be producing to capacity by the next year and expansion would be inevitable, say officials. Tetra Pak exports its packaging material to over 30 countries, they said.

According to Mr. Gratton, Technical Director, Tetra Pak, in 2004-05 over 400-500 million packages were produced. In 2005-06, this increased to over a billion packs. The company estimates that the growth in the coming years will be about 20 per cent.

According to Mr. Gratton, the entry of large brands into fruit juice range and dairy companies launching UHT (Ultra High Temperature Treated) milk in Tetra Pak packages, resulted in an increase in demand for tetra pak packaging. Companies like Parle introduced triangular packs and Maaza came out in a wedge shaped pack. Dairy companies, especially the cooperatives and some private brands, were introducing UHT milk.

Dairy products in Tetra Pak packages have a shelf life of about four months and juices and beverages six months without refrigeration.

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