It seems like the subcontinent’s own regional market has become too small for Indian manufacturers of oriented film, whether it be BOPP or BOPET, and Polyplex (Gautam Budh Nagar / India; www.polyplex.com) is not the only company poised to becoming a leading global BOPET film manufacturer – for most recent coverage, see Plasteurope.com of 08.12.2010. Indian competitor Uflex (Noida; www.flexfilm.com) also is in the midst of expanding its own capacities, with an initial focus on the Mediterranean and NAFTA regions.

Also known under the brandname “Flexfilm”, Uflex had commissioned a new 36,000 t/y BOPP film plant with a width of up to 8.7 m in 6th of October City, near the Egyptian capital Cairo, in October last year. In December this year, the site is to receive another 30,000 t/y BOPET as well as a 12,000 t/y CPP line. What’s more, Uflex also plans to add capacity to metallise 10,000 t/y of film. The new capacities likely are earmarked for the nearby European markets, serving Uflex’s numerous offices.

In July 2009, Uflex had commissioned a 26,400 t/y BOPET line in Altamira / Mexico and the Indian company is planning to add a line of a similar size at the site in June this year. In addition, Uflex has been running a facility producing 60,000 t/y of BOPET and 6,000 t/y of metallisation in the United Arab Emirates since 2005. In India, the burgeoning player operates three BOPET lines churning out 60,000 t/y of product, including two BOPP lines (40,000 t/y), a 6,000 t/y cast film line as well as four metallising lines for 25,000 t/y of film. Uflex is planning to raise these capacities as well.

All in all, by the end of this year, Uflex likely will command some 205,000 t/y of BOPET, 76,000 t/y of BOPP, 18,000 t/y of CPP as well as 40,000 t/y of metallisation, making it one of the leading global companies in the field. The company’s strategic goal is to exceed USD 1 bn in sales by financial 2012/2013 (31 March), 60% of which is to be generated outside of India.