ACCORDING to Supratov CEO, Steve Evans, his company continues to lead the South African market as a one-stop shop for the supply of flexible packaging raw materials.
As the local agent for SRF’s BOPP and PET films, Supratov offers a comprehensive line-up of materials. ‘Our BOPP variants include clear, metallised, white, matte, anti-fog and wraparound films from 12μm to 40μm,’ says Steve. ‘Our PET range includes clear (either corona or chemically treated), metallised, twist and PVDC films from 8μm to 60μm,’ he adds. ‘Recent additions to this already-extensive PET portfolio are coated, high-barrier and velvet-touch matte films.’
Proving local confidence in films supplied by Supratov was a recent report of the use by Durban-based converter, Packaging World, of SRF’s coated PET film (PPM April 2018). ‘This 12μm film – mainly for food applications – has excellent oxygen and vapour barrier properties, making it suitable for products requiring specific protection,’ explains Steve. ‘It also works well with other lamination materials, such as PP and PE.’
Adding extra products and service However, in a move to offer an even better array of products and improved service to the South African market, Supratov recently signed an exclusive agency agreement with Xiamen Changsu, one of the world’s leading producers of nylon, to supply nylon film from 15μm to 30μm for use by local wine and food producers.
This follows a similar agency agreement with Yixing Guanghui to provide the local beverage market with both PVC and PET shrink sleeves.
‘As it was then deemed important to bind all these activities together,’ Steve continues, ‘we’re pleased to announce another key partnership: we’re now the agent for Speciality Adhesives & Coatings, offering both solvent and solvent-free adhesives suitable for food packaging.’
In addition, to fill any possible gaps in the products available to flexible packaging converters, Supratov also maintains stocks of CPP film from 20μm to 60μm and paper grades including CBK, MGBK and polycoated papers.
‘The final piece being added to our jigsaw puzzle – currently in the negotiation stage – is the supply of aluminium foil,’ Steve reports.
He also reveals that a recent investment in Johannesburg has doubled Supratov’s warehouse capacity to over 1 000 tons and this is backed up by facilities in Cato Ridge (KZN).