Ess Dee to launch anti-counterfeit packaging

Ess Dee Aluminium Ltd; an end-to-end pharmaceutical packaging solutions provider, today announced its entry into the anti-counterfeit packaging segment. The company presented its anti-counterfeit technologies to counter the growing menace of spurious drugs in India and abroad. These include products such as aluminium strip pack foil; aluminium blister pack foil; PVC film; PVDC coated PVC film; cold form Alu Alu / tropicalized laminate; child resistant laminates; laminates for oral re hydration salts, cough lozenges, antacids anti TB kits.

Ess Dee's technology involves the incorporation of various images on the printed foil having a three dimensional/reflective effect. In case of blister and strip packs, a company logo is printed in three dimensional effects on lid foil. Others have a holographic effect through direct printing on lid foil.

These products have been indigenously developed in the company's state-of-the-art R&D centre in Daman. Ess Dee's investments in these technologies will be to the tune of Rs 100 crore over the next few years.

The products are primarily targeted toward fast moving and well known brands which are easily manufactured, are available over the counter (OTC products), are supplied to government institutions and are products for exports.

Mr. Sudip Dutta, Chairman and Managing Director, Ess Dee Aluminium, said, "The move will facilitate top line growth of pharma customers whose major brands loose 30-35% revenue to counterfeiting- this will automatically have a positive impact on our volumes and revenue."

"Making these laminates available locally will also promote/expand usage for domestic products. This should translate into significant revenues for Ess Dee Aluminium," Mr. Dutta informed.

Mr. Dutta also added, "This move will also embolden the pharma companies to launch high end researched molecules-potential blockbusters, with protection from the threat of spurious and anti counterfeit elements."

Ess Dee's present customers have demonstrated great interest in the products and work will now commence on. Ess Dee caters to number of elite customers including top Indian pharma companies and multinationals. Ess Dee will customize these products according to its customers' needs.

Other packaging technologies that Ess Dee recently launched in its portfolio are Alu Alu, Child resistant, tropical and ORS laminates.

About ESS DEE Aluminium Limited (EDAL)

ESS DEE Aluminium is one of India's leading players in providing primary packaging solutions to the pharmaceutical industry. The company's products include aluminium foil for strip packs, lid foil, thermoforming PVC and PVC/PVdC films for blister packs. EDAL has three manufacturing facilities "� two in Daman and one in Goa. Daman houses the most recent state-of-the-art EDAL plant that caters to the specialized aluminium foil based laminate requirements of the pharmaceutical industry (alu alu, tropical, child resistant laminates) and those of the food & FMCG industries (confectionery, chocolate, frozen desserts, contraceptives, beverages, etc). The company's 100% subsidiary, Flex Art Foil Pvt. Ltd, also has facilities in Daman, Goa, Vasai (Maharashtra) and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh). EDAL is augmenting its aluminium foil rolling capacity, which, post expansion, would double the company's installed capacity to 18000 MTPA (metric tonnes per annum) from the current 9100 MTPA. EDAL has made major investments in enhancing its R&D capabilities and is presently working on optimum packaging and anti counterfeit/anti spurious packaging solutions.