Koros targets plastic packaging rise in Russia
cell polypropylene in reaction to the growing popularity of plastic
packaging.
Koros launched the new line, which was made in Italy, at its Polyalt factory near Moscow at the end of October.
The line's capacity should be around 2,000 tonnes of cell polypropylene per year, enabling Koros to almost entirely cover Russia's current market needs for the material.
A V Avramchik, Polyalt's general director, said: "The new manufacture has a lot of competitive advantages. First of all, our factory specialises in manufacturing plate plastics, and second, we have already mastered the rather complicated technology for manufacturing the cell structure of the plates in the other products. Thirdly, existing infrastructure ideally fits this manufacture"
At the moment, the factory manufactures cell polycarbonate under the Sellex brand. Now, as plastic packaging becomes ever more popular among Russian producers, and food makers in particular, Koros wants to use cell polypropylene to help transport glass safely.
The plastic can be used as padding to protect glass bottles during transportation, replacing the traditional use of corrugated board. Cell polypropylene can also be used in advertising and the manufacture of domestic appliances.
It is also possible to print on the plastic, which should help food firms to market their products in an increasingly competitive market.
"The consumer has become more discerning about product choice, and is demanding a more sophisticated presentation," said Euromonitor in a food packaging report on Russia last year, predicting the continued rise of thin-walled plastic containers.
Koros' new plastic will include plates of different colors, density and sizes. It will be produced under the Sellex brand because this is already well-known by consumers.
The company managed to launch cell polycarbonate under the Sellex brand and achieve a 23 per cent market share within its first year.
Now, Koros said it was also planning to install a new production line for cell polycarbonate. It hopes this line can be operational by the end of 2006, allowing the group to make 360 tonnes per month.
