UFlex Continues to Gain Momentum in Quarter Ended Sept. 30, 2022

UFlex Limited continues to be a forerunner in product innovation and R&D to provide customized solutions to brand owners across industries.

In the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2022, UFlex has launched a wide range of advanced solutions across business segments to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

Summary of product innovations by UFlex in the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2022:
• Flexible Packaging: Henna paste pack for Nat Habit (startup in beauty and wellness space)

Organic natural products formulated without preservatives require quality packaging structure to preserve their quality and freshness for long. The absence of preservatives in a product can reduce its shelf life. To address this requirement, the flexible packaging business division of UFlex has developed a special high-barrier packaging format that prevents degradation and preserves the natural properties of such products while increasing their shelf life.

Nat Habit, a startup in the natural beauty and wellness space, required a packaging solution for its natural preservative-free henna paste. UFlex’s flexible packaging business division created a unique stand-up, center-seal pouch with a side gusset. This pouch provides ultra-high barrier against moisture, gases, UV rays, and assures protection to the natural ingredients of the henna paste. It extends the shelf life of the product by preventing it from oxidative degeneration and delays bacterial growth, thus preventing it from contamination.

The unique lacquer coat provides a very organic feel that resonates with the brand positioning. Owing to the packaging solution and the performance of the structure, the brand has witnessed a three-fold demand since its launch.

• Flexible Packaging: MPP and WPP large packaging bags

The flexible packaging business of UFlex has pioneered the art of developing WPP bags. Taking note of this capability, Terasol, a large player in agriculture products, approached the UFlex team to develop a packaging solution with added security features that not just gives a facelift to the pack but also prevents it from security risks during transit.

With extensive research, the UFlex flexible packaging research team developed a packaging structure with MPP/POLY PROPYLENE- (EXTRU) to pack the water-soluble Terasol fertilizer. The packaging structure of a block bottom pouch with a seal of quality via hot foil stamping was well received by the brand. The packaging structure has successfully passed mechanical tests and delivers on the aesthetics requirements of the brand.

• Chemicals business: Patent for Solvent-Free Pigmented White Adhesive
The UFlex chemicals business has been awarded a patent for solvent-free pigmented white adhesive, an innovative, environment-friendly energy saving product. The present disclosure relates to a two-component adhesive composition and the process for its preparation.

The adhesive composition of the present disclosure is solvent-free and works well on existing solvent less lamination machines. It helps reduce the use of white ink, thus significantly reducing white ink’s cost. As a result, consumers get the freedom to have a green and cost-effective adhesive. In addition to the above benefits, the brand’s visual appeal gets significantly enhanced owing to the enhanced opacity on a variety of surfaces. The product is generating demand from customers worldwide. This patent has been sanctioned and licensed under the Patents Act 1970, (Patent number 406417) valid for 20 years w.e.f. March 4, 2022.

• Chemicals business: Flexseal Ecocoat
With an increase in on-the-go consumption, the need for packaging structures and containers for instant consumption is gaining momentum. However, since the conventional formats suffered from shortcomings such as non-compatibility with the temperature of food and beverage, the need for a solution that supports such structures was long felt by large beverage brands.

Taking note of the gap, the UFlex chemicals business division has developed Flexseal Ecocoat, an eco-friendly aqueous dispersion application coating specially designed for the inner side of paper cups as a replacement for PE coating. This product offers excellent heat-seal properties. This coating is primarily used on paper-board for paper cups via gravure or an air knife application process. Besides offering added convenience to consumers, it also contributes to sustainability by enabling easy recycling of paper products, post consumption.

• Chemicals business: Flexcure Sheetfed “Bio” Series for Offset Application (with >40% BRC)
Every brand seeks to impart high visual appeal to their products. UFlex consistently develops newer and advanced solutions that allow brands to stand out by offering them a variety of options in printing solutions to enhance the visibility of their products.

The Flexcure Sheetfed “Bio” series represents a new generation of UV inks for offset printing especially designed using high bio-renewable content ingredients. This series provides an environment-friendly alternative to standard UV offset ink. It is a low odor ink series and is well suited for all kinds of paper and board substrates.

• Chemicals business: Flexcure Low Migration “Nutri Series” for aseptic packaging
Flexcure Nutri series represents a new generation radical mechanism designed especially for food packaging, pharmaceutical and hygiene applications demanding low migration and odor. It can be applied to a wide range of plastic materials and other substrates (lacquered aluminum). It is suitable for processing with all in-line types of UV flexo label or packaging printing.

These inks are suitable only for use in the nonfood contact side of food packaging, provided that they are applied using the relevant GMP and as per guidelines mentioned in the TDS.