ACG Worldwide, one of the world's largest group in manufacturing and marketing of empty hard gelatin capsules, packaging films and machinery, has launched its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant for PVC calendering and PvdC coating films under its packaging banner - ACG-Pharmapack - at Shirwal, near Pune district, Maharashtra.

The new facility, built up as with the largest integrated installed capacity in compliance with global regulatory standards, is facilitated as a one-stop shop for all pharma barrier packaging films. The factory, with an area of 40,682 sqm as against the company's earlier capacity of 21,000 sqm is equipped to produce 18000 metric tonne (MT) PVC calender films, which is again a three fold increase from the earlier capacity of 6000 MT per annum. The company is planning a three fold capacity expansion in the next three years, said Micheal Franklin, chief executive officer, ACG-Pharmapack.

“The new facility will provide the high quality barrier packaging and calendering films, which the Indian companies had to import from foreign nations earlier. The product will be marketed both in domestic and overseas market and we think the cost effectiveness will give us a better position in the market,” he added.

The new facility will be upgraded to another 100 per cent in 2010 and the target is to complete 300 per cent upgradation in next three years, to cater the fast growing needs of the pharma industry. The current facility will offer a range of PVC, PVC/PVdC, PVC/PE/PVdC, CFB, PVC/Aclar, PVC/ PE suppository films with customised barriers as per the requirement of the customer, informed Franklin.

“The launch of new facility is part of our commitment to provide the best technology to the Indian pharma industry. We are looking forward to more such facilities to come up in near future,” said Ajith Singh, chairman, ACG-Worldwide Group. The new facility has been completed with an investment of almost Rs 100 crore. The facility was inaugurated by Hindi film actor Anil Kapoor last week.

ACG Pharmapack, an expert in barrier packaging solutions in the global pharmaceutical industry, also has a range of innovative products including non-halogenated blister films and high barrier for MVTR & OTR and PVC/PE suppository films with options for customisation. The new facility has upgraded coater capacity of 8400 MT, lamination capacity of 7200 MT and slitting capacity of 16000 MT per annum as against the earlier capacity of 4200 MT, 3600 MT and 8400 MT, respectively, per annum.

The manufacturing facility confirms to cGMP at par with class 100,000 guidelines, has DMF registration with US FDA, confirmity to European Committee norms, EMS certification and registration with the State Food and Drug Administration - China and Canada Health Department.

The company will also provide service and technical support from a highly experienced team backed by experts from its global partners Alcan Packaging, Germany and Honeywell, USA
and regulatory support to help its clients to access regulated markets. ACG Pharmapack has signed partnership with Alcan Packaging and Honeywell for technical support. ACG's solid dosage packaging film division has exports to more than 65 countries.

ACG-Worldwide is one of the world's largest group in manufacturing and marketing of empty hard gelatin capsules, packaging films, fluid-bed equipments, capsule-filling machines, blister-packing machines, cartoning machines and end-of-the-line solutions, all aimed at partnering and servicing pharmaceutical manufacturers around the globe.