Ahmedabad, India based Soparkar & Kothari Technologies (S&K Technologies) has recently invested in a blown film line Varex II with MDO. Along with the machine, the company has also installed a defect detection system, a dehumidifier drier system for taking air off the moisture in the raw materials and a CI Flexo printing machine.

This investment was made at the company’s plant in Ahmedabad, Vibrant city of Gujarat State, on the west side of India. The plant is strategically located to cater export demand from the subcontinent’s biggest ports, which are very close to the plant. The total plant area is 20,000 square meters, of which 10,000 square meters is earmarked for future expansion. The complete plant is designed to meet stringent demands of the hygiene industry, including central air conditioning, epoxy flooring in the production area, positive pressure at all the times inside the plant; a dust-free environment; pest control and air shower and three-layered rapid door entry/exit system.
 
 
Nonwovens Industry: Why did S&K decide now was the time to invest in new capacity?
Shraddha Soparkar, director, Soparkar & Kothari Technologies: While we were studying the market, we could sense a strong need for quality blown films as the Indian market is dominated by monolayer cast film suppliers while the global trend is more towards multi-layered blown line. With this need identification in mind and with a mission to make the best technology available for Indian market, we began our journey to search for the best blown line suppliers in the world. We zeroed in on the Varex II with MDO line as it was matching all the parameters that the market has a demand for.”
 

NWI: How will this new line enhance your business?
 Vidisha Kothari, director, S&K Technologies:  From day one, it was clear that the compay wanted to have the best-in-class technology, processes and systems to meet and exceed the expectations of its customers in terms of product quality and innovative and reliable solutions. As this vision is commonly shared by every member of our team who are involved in the project execution work, they delivered their best and made sure that the Covid pandemic which is the biggest challenge that we all are facing now, doesn’t become an obstacle in the progress of our project.
 
NWI: Do you see a lot of opportunities in the Indian hygiene market?
Deval Soparkar, director, S&K Technologies: India ranks among the lowest in the world as far as consumption of hygiene products (sanitary pads, baby and adult diapers) is concerned but with the rise in disposable income and literacy rate, this sector is expected to have a strong growth momentum for many years to come. This is the reason behind establishing the company.
The company has many firsts under its belt. It is the first hygiene film company in India to be established by female entrepreneurs who, being the wives, daughters and mother themselves, understand the needs of incontinence products better. It is the first company in India to offer integrated hygiene solutions under one roof, including PE perforated topsheet film, PE backsheet film, wrapping and outer pack films.
S&K Technologies is also the first Indian company to have brand new European lines for hygiene film production, with the installed capacity as 6000 MTPA for the first phase. In the second phase, we are planning to set up lines for various types of top sheets. 
 
 
NWI: What are some of the main challenges for film suppliers in the hygiene market?
Kothari: Regarding the challenges of the hygiene film business. If we see the trend in developed markets, there is a strong demand for sustainable and low gsm products which helps in reducing carbon footprints. We see the same pattern in India as well although it is at an initial stage now. But we expect brand owners to be more demanding about this going ahead which will help a lot in reducing carbon emission.”
 
Soparkar: In preparation for this, the company now has the most advanced extrusion technology and it is confident that it will be able to cater to the present and future demands for many years to come. Going ahead, our focus is to become a one-stop solution provider for all hygiene-related products in India. Increased life expectancy, rise in literacy rates, booming middle class segment are all the factors which will drive this industry towards a strong growth trajectory. And we want to be ready to cater to this demand and make our contributions towards “Make in INDIA”  and “Self Reliant INDIA.”