Abhay Avadhani's Interpack Diary Day 5

If the start of the week was about the "what" of sustainability, day five has been about the "how" of manufacturing stability. As I navigated the halls today, it became clear that for the global processing community, integration is the word of the hour. Being a converter is no longer enough; you have to be a substrate scientist, an ink chemist, and a logistics expert all at once.

One of the standout examples of this integrated approach is the GLS Group. At its stand, the focus wasn't just on the finished laminate, but on the fact that they control the entire supply chain—from BOPET and BOPP film production to the manufacturing of its own inks and adhesives. This "end-to-end" story is particularly resonant for the dairy and beverage sectors.

I spent some time looking at their liquid carton division. Producing aseptic packaging is a game of extreme precision, and GLS is betting big on the global shift toward mono-material laminates that don't sacrifice the high-performance barriers required for long shelf-life products. For a company expanding into North America and Europe, the ability to guarantee a stable supply chain is a massive competitive advantage.

Moving from the high-fidelity world of retail to the rugged world of industrial packaging, Satyendra Packaging made a strong case for Gujarat’s manufacturing prowess. Its display of woven PP bags and FIBCs reminded me that sustainability also means durability. A bag that fails in the supply chain is the ultimate environmental waste.

By combining the structural strength of woven fabric with high-quality rotogravure printing, the company is proving that bulk industrial packaging for the agriculture and construction sectors can, and should carry the same branding weight as retail products. Its focus on UV stabilisation and precise fabric weight (GSM) shows Satyendra is ready for the outdoor storage requirements of the Middle Eastern and European markets.

Amidst the massive displays, I ran into Mayank Patel, director of sales and marketing at Unijet Pneumatics, who was attending as a visitor. His perspective provided a necessary "reality check" for the Indian contingent. “Technology here is a little far away from India,” Patel noted, emphasising that the trip has been a steep learning curve.

What struck him most wasn't just the machinery, but the theatre of the presentation. "The way they showcase products—cutting them in half to show the internal workings or using 3D technologies to display an entire process line—is really awesome," he said.

As the sun sets on Day 5, the diary entry is clear: India is no longer just a capacity player; companies like GLS and Satyendra are showing up with integrated models that challenge the best in the West. Yet, as visitors like Mayank Patel observe, the race to close the technical and aesthetic "finish" gap is where the next three years of innovation will be won.

Stay sealed. Or, as we learned today in the bulk halls, stay high-tensile.