Ess Dee Aluminium Ltd (EDAL), engaged in producing specialised pharmaceutical packaging, will soon introduce Alu/Alu packaging and child resistant packaging solutions. The Alu/Alu packaging of the company is claimed to be the first of its kind products in the Indian market.

Sudip Dutta, chairman and managing director, EDAL said that the company would also explore export markets in countries like South America, Africa, and Middle East for the new products. "Today pharma industry is growing rapidly. To cater 'ever-increasing clients demand' we have increased our present capacity of 3,600 tons to 9,100 tons in this fiscal year and now increasing it to 18,000 tons in next year. In Goa also we are expanding capacity from 4200 tons to 5800 tons. Because of particular gauge aluminium, we are into great advantage of production", said Debdeep Bhattacharya, President of marketing and sales of the EDAL. The pharmaceutical segment is contributing nearly 95 per cent of total revenue of EDAL.

In the Indian market, products for all solid dosages of packaging are Blister films range, Aluminium foils, Cold formed blisters (Alu Alu), Wrap systems and Vacuum packaging are used for packaging of all solid dosages. However, the pharma industry is now started using Aseptic packaging.

Manufacturing is done in a classified environment under controlled temperature and humidity, conforming to cGMP norms. "Our plants have the capacity to meet all pharma packaging needs with flexibility in volumes and specifications", he added.

EDAL is in the business of cold rolling of aluminium "foil stock" to aluminium foil. These foils can be converted into printers stock through the process of lamination for strip pack and also coating for blister pack. The company has four units located at Daman, Baddi, Goa and Vasai. Its Daman unit has received certification from US FDA for the type III pharma packaging.

As EDAL has some major clients like Cipla, Wockhardt, Ranbaxy, Pfizer, Lupin, and many MNCs. Among the packaging companies, EDAL has stiff market competition from the Bilcare Packaging System. At present the company is exporting to Nigeria, Kenya, Chile, Colombia and Ghana.