The city-based Hyderabad Expanded Polystyrene Pvt. Ltd (HEPPL), manufacturers of expanded polystyrene products like shape moulded packaging, insulation sheet, pipe sections etc., is keen on increasing their presence in pharmaceutical packaging and insulation field. Currently, the company is in the process of promoting expanded polystyrene (EPS) based packaging and insulation materials in the pharma biotech industries in a big way.

As the thermal insulation properties of EPS have the ability to give protection against rapid temperature changes, it is normally chemical resistant and very eco-friendly. Due to this, it can be a preferred packaging material in pharma-ceutical and biological preparations, feels Tarun Rungta, General Manager (Marketing) HEPPL Group of Companies.

The company, established in 1993 by a group of entrepreneurs with more than two decades of experience in packaging and related fields, also finds excellent market for its product in clean rooms which are becoming essential for every manufacturing unit in the pharmaceutical / biotech sector. EPS (thermocole) is extensively used for insulating the clean rooms.

HEPPL has a manufacturing facility at Jeedimetla near Hyderabad, with an installed capacity of 200 MT per annum.

Its sister concern, Andhra Expanded Polystyrene Pvt. Limited (AEPPL) started two years back at Medchal in R.R district of A.P.has an installed capacity of 450 MT per annum. The group also runs Rohit Packagings at Balanagar, Hyderabad, which is into the manufacture of corrugated boxes.

Speaking to Chronicle Pharmabiz, Rungta said that the edge, HEPPL Group has over other companies in the same field is their strength in Quality, prompt delivery, and any quantity of the product. The Group companies have a built up area of 35,000 sq ft and adequate storage capacity to stock ample raw material and finished goods. Another advantage is the assurance the company gives when it comes to quality. The company confirms the supply of EPS as per ISI standards. It is also arranging for third party test reports if required.

AEPPL has installed high efficient Korean machinery in its plant. The imported machinery is giving high productivity and better quality, Rungta said.

The company is sourcing its raw materials from two centers in Mumbai and Chennai. However its major supplier is BASF,Germany, whose Indian operations are based at Mumbai. The company is also receiving technical help from BASF, Mr. Rungta added.

"As on today, 20% of our total business goes to pharmaceutical sector. We do not have many direct clients, but through indirect contracts for pipe sections and sheets Insulation , our EPS products are reaching most of the major pharmaceutical companies in the state",he said.

While the utility of EPS pipe sections has been well appreciated, the packaging aspects of EPS are yet to be understood by pharmaceutical industry in its full potential, he informed. Rungta was of the opinion that the way pharma/biotech sectors are being promoted in the state, HEPPL group of companies is to get another 15% additional business from the sectors in the coming years. Indian Immunologicals is one among the customers of the group.

He said that the group companies are planning to set up an in-house ISI testing facility. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) is useful for packing as it has good cushioning properties to absorb shock and avoid breakages in transit. It is also useful in the field of Thermal insulation as it has low thermal conductivity. The products are used for shock protective packaging for extremely sensitive and fragile good in transit. It is ideal for all thermally insulated packaging for hot and cold food and beverages and also for perishable items like pharmaceuticals, vaccines, etc. It is also used in cold storages for insulation, in industrial refrigeration and air conditioning in transport goods vehicle.

Pawan Kumar Tibrewala, Ashok Kumar Rungta and Pradeep Kumar Tibrewala are the directors in the group of companies.