Date:08/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/08/stories/2006040804971600.htm

Business

Alpla's Himachal unit on stream

Special Correspondent

The Baddi plant will produce bottles

Proposal to double capacity

To set up four more units in the next three years

NEW DELHI: Global plastic packaging solution major Alpla Group on Friday announced its foray into the Indian market through a 74: 26 joint venture with Yodeva Plastics Pvt Ltd with the commissioning of the first facility at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh and commitment to double its bottle production to ten lakh a day by this year-end apart from setting up four more units in the next three years.

Austria-based $2 billion group made an initial investment of $5 million (about Rs. 20 crore) in the facility at Baddi and would invest a similar amount to set up more facilities, Alpla CEO, Guenther Lehner, informed media persons.

While this is the seventh facility established by the group in Asia and one is on the anvil for China, he said his company would consider India for establishing a technical centre it had in mind for Asia, given the opportunities available which the group through its joint venture Alpla India Pvt. Ltd (AIPL) proposed to tap. "India is a preferred location to set up technical centres but we will look at the feasibility", he said.

"Alpla is recognised as a green company under the laws of Himachal Pradesh. Its plants do not generate by-products, wastes and emissions and are 100 per cent pollution-free," AIPL Managing Director, Vagish Dixit, said.