Back in April, a quality control order on tin plates was issued by the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard), and this will have a huge effect on the nation’s metal packaging industry which has a worth of over Rs. 5,000 crores.
The BIS order will apply to the Cold Reduced Electrolytic Tinplate product that is an important element used in packaging for liquids including milk powder, baby food, coffee, mango pulp, and other edibles and non-edibles.
This order is likely to affect this part of the packaging industry adversely for some time. The industry employs a significant number of people, so the MCMA (Metal Container Manufacturers Association) realizes that there is a need to get this order revised urgently to protect member companies.
According to MCMA’s president Sanjay Bhatia, tin is not a piece that is of mass consumption, rather it is a mere industrial product and as such, the BIS order should have another revision.
Is the Future of the Indian Metal Packaging Industry at Stake?
This industry sector absorbs approximately 550,000 tons of tin mill products and around 60% are prime and 40% non-prime. This total consists of around 325,000 tons from various countries including Korea, Japan, Brazil, Venezuela, The USA, and European countries. All the partners that India imports the product from our following strict global quality control rules and guidelines. The volumes that India imports are not large enough to have their partners panic about the BIS ruling.
The key requirement of prime material is for the packaging of edible products like fruits, vegetables, processed food, edible oil, and dairy products. Non-prime materials are used for non-edible products including industrial oil, aluminium laminate foil, and the packaging for paints.
The quality control order from BIS brings a non-tariff blockade that is aimed at protecting domestic producers, but the products available in India are not sufficient to meet industry standards, both in terms of volume and grades.
For some packaging applications, the metal industry needs a continuous flow of annealed material, and high levels of accuracy concerning products such as scroll tinplate sheets and battery jackets, which the producers will not be allowed to supply. This concern has led to the MCMA approaching the Steel Ministry, Ministry of Medium, Commerce Ministry, Small Enterprises, and even the Prime Minister’s Office, to demand an immediate revision of the BIS order.
Who is the Bureau of Indian Standard?
The Bureau of Indian Standard or BIS as it is known is the national standards body of the Indian Government. Established in 1986 they are responsible for coordinating standardization, conformity assessment, and quality assurance activities in India. The BIS sets the standards for a huge range of services and products, including the metal packaging industry.
The Metal Packaging Standards Committee (MPSC) is the body responsible for developing standards for metal packaging products, such as aluminium, foil containers, aluminium beverage cans, drums, and barrels. In addition to setting standards, the BIS also provides official certification and labelling services for metal packaging products. The BIS plays a vital role in ensuring the quality of products in India is safe. The body also encourages the industry to increase the recycling of products and advertises the many benefits of recycled packaging to the country. MPSC is there to support suppliers of packaging but also to increase both sustainability practices and suitable production processes too.
What are the Different Types of Metal Packaging
Metal packaging is available in many different types and styles and is mainly either called steel packaging or aluminium. The most common types are tin cans, which are used to store food and perishable items. Metal cans are made from thin sheets of steel that are rolled into a cylinder shape and then sealed at the edges. Other popular types are aluminium cans, which are most frequently used to store beverages, such as energy drinks, soda, etc. These types of metal cans are made from a thicker sheet of metal that is also formed into a cylinder shape and riveted at the seams. Metal bottles are used to store liquids too, such as beer or sodas. Metal jars are made for the packaging industry also and are used to store things like peanut butter, jelly, and other similar foodstuffs. Finally, metal drums are used to store huge quantities of liquids and dry goods, such as pet food, cereals, and grains. The drums come in a wide variety of sizes, which ranges from ten to sixty gallons.
Metal packaging is classed as a sustainable packaging type and has multiple benefits to consumers, including the high volume of used aluminium beverage cans that are recyclable. Metal packaging is also an excellent packaging material to keep food products contamination free.
Finally, metal drums are used to store large quantities of liquids or dry goods. These containers have a tight-fitting lid and two handles on opposite sides. Metal drums come in a variety of sizes, ranging from ten gallons to fifty-five gallons.
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