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SIG has officially inaugurated its first production facility for aseptic carton packs in India.

This €90 million investment, which took 20 months to complete, is strategically located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and represents a significant expansion of SIG's operations in one of the fastest-growing markets globally.

The new plant boasts an initial production capacity of up to 4 billion aseptic carton packs annually, designed to meet stringent environmental standards.

This facility is expected to create over 300 jobs in the local economy and will primarily serve SIG’s expanding base of fillers, which cater to leading dairy and non-carbonated soft drink producers in India.

The opening ceremony was attended by Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Helene Budliger Artieda, along with a delegation from Switzerland, underscoring the importance of this development for both SIG and the broader Indian-Swiss economic partnership.

She said: “India and Switzerland unite a friendship for more than 75 years. It is great to see how successfully SIG...is developing in India and it is a great honour for me to have the privilege of opening the new state-of-the-art packaging plant in Ahmedabad."

"This new plant reflects the fruitful partnership between India and Switzerland. It’s inspiring to see Swiss engineering at the heart of India’s food and beverage industry.”

India, recognised as the world's largest milk market and a significant juice producer, presents substantial growth opportunities for aseptic packaging solutions. Currently, less than 10% of India's milk consumption is packaged, coupled with a limited cold chain infrastructure.

Aseptic cartons offer a viable solution, allowing for the long-term storage of nutritious products without the need for preservatives or energy-intensive refrigeration.

The establishment of this plant is poised to enhance SIG's operational efficiency, providing shorter delivery lead times and improved responsiveness to market demands.

Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG, noted the company's commitment to leveraging India's growth potential: "We are proud to support our Indian partners with high-quality packaging solutions and fast, flexible filling technology".

Since entering the Indian market in 2018, SIG has experienced robust double-digit revenue growth, indicating a strong demand for its packaging solutions.

The company has also announced plans for an additional €50 million investment to establish a local extrusion line, expected to be operational by 2027. This initiative aims to further enhance SIG's capacity to meet increasing customer demands effectively.

Abdelghany Eladib, president and general manager for India, Middle East and Africa at SIG, added: "Manufacturing the packages within the country will help us cater to the surging demand of customers and consumers more efficiently".

This sentiment is echoed by Vandana Tandan, head of market India and Bangladesh at SIG, who pointed out the remarkable growth in India's beverage processing industry, presenting significant opportunities for innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.

With this strategic investment, SIG solidifies its position as a key player in India's packaging sector, aligning its operations with the growing needs of the food and beverage industry.

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