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Extrusion International 2/2016
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Flexible packaging is a growing market in Asia. Michael Fischer, CEO Asia
Pacific at Windmöller & Hölscher, talks about the importance of the Asian
market, the trends in the industry and the innovations shown at
Chinaplas 2016.
Michael Fischer
Mr. Fischer, Chinaplas 2016 is coming up – how is the market for
flexible packaging in Asia-Pacific developing?
Rising expectation on quality, productivity and sustainability gave
a boost to the already growing market of flexible packaging. More
and more rigid packaging solutions like glass bottles are being re-
placed by flexible ones, always considering environmental friendly
raw materials to be used. PVC products were replaced by PP and
HDPE. These developments fueled the growing importance of the
flexible packaging market.
Which technological trends where especially important
during the last years?
There are a few important developments, especially driven by bet-
ter priceperformanceratios and increasing functionality. Nowa-
days, 3 and even 5 layer polyolefin structures gained in importance
compared to mono extrusion in the past. New raw materials have
been developed allowing the down gauging process, by adding
different functional layers. At the same time, the overall thickness
was reduced, without having lost the technical properties of the
packaging material needed. W&H recognized these developments
early on and reacted with the design of machines and products
strictly according to market needs. With success: The market for
W&H in Asia Pacific has grown to a substantial size, especially dur-
ing the past five years.
What do you think will be the most relevant trends in the flexible
packaging market in Asia in the next few years?
I
mproving price-performance ratio as well as flexibility while at the
same time offering new functionalities – these goals will continue
to be the drivers for upcoming developments. In extrusion, we can
clearly see that the machine widths are getting wider: What once
used to be 1600 mm has become at least 2200 mm. 5 layer poly-
olefin products with additional functional layers will continue to
replace 3 layer products. When we focus on the final application
Trends and developments
in the Asian Flexible
Packaging Market
www.wuh-group.comwe surely can say that breathable film extruded in blown film
technology with inline MDO continues to grow fast in Asia. Ad-
ditionally, the trend of down gauging whilst maintaining un-
changed properties keep producers occupied with optimizing
their production. Here W&H offers a great experience, because
our machines are developed in close relationship with raw ma-
terial suppliers as well as customers to safeguard the processing
of various new materials and to keep the flexibility to react
quickly on changing conditions.
How did W&H develop its offer in the Asian Pacific
market during the last years?
In addition to the innovations and developments of our ma-
chines, that we offerour clients worldwide, we have especially
focused on customer care and service in the Asian market during
the last years. To serve our customers in the Asian Pacific region,
we build a strong service team with highest qualification in the
region. With approx. 30 mechanics and electricians W&H has
started to roll out his service platform in China, Thailand and Aus-
tralia. They are supported by remote diagnostic centers in India,
Germany and the US, to attend service calls 24/7.
Which innovations will W&H show at Chinaplas?
We will be focusing on our AQUAREX - upside down water
quench - process technology, which is very successful in China.
Our new innovation is the latest AQUACAGE. This calibration
basket is able to adjust to a flexible film size between 750 and
1250 mm. W&H will also participate at a seminar to speak about
barrier film production on occasion of Nippon Goshei's barrier
film seminar, which will take place on 26.4.2016 during Chi-
naplas this year. Benchmarking innovations are also to be ex-
pected during forthcoming DRUPA and K shows in Düsseldorf,
Germany in May/June and October, later mthis year.