FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal – July 2019

(^22) FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal July 2019 http://www.industrysourcing.com
packaging
course, we have to improve the technology to be able to stay on top of the market. We
complement this with after-sales service. We have more people. We’ve opened our
own office in Japan and soon we will have our office in Vietnam. These are to be able
to respond quickly to the needs of the customer so that they do not need to wait for
48 hours and can just place a call to have a local assistant guide them or address their
concerns.
When is this unit in Vietnam going to be operational?
Kao: I think by 2020 we’ll have a new office in Vietnam with at least one after-
sales service engineer.
How does Chang Woen respond to ASEAN customers’ demand and
requirements in terms of after-sales technical services?
Mr Kao: We are looking to get more people, although of course that will depend
on sales and how fast the business is growing. In Japan, for instance, we’ve established
a warehouse and a factory. If business growth in Southeast Asia continues on its
positive trajectory, we might even set up a hub in the region, maybe in Thailand or
Vietnam.
Mr Swaters: I think in this business it is important to know that when you do not
have good after-sales, you will not survive. Simply because this market is changing.
For the recycler, the market is changing every month, every year as new developments
emerge or are adopted, so you need the company beside you to develop new systems.
Otherwise you cannot work together for a long time.
Mr Kao: One time, Indorama observed the levels are getting thinner. We
anticipated problems at the washing line stage. So, they asked me to do some surveys
and figure out another solution. This tells us how important after-sales service is.
For Indorama, what targets have you achieved in terms of PET recycling?
Mr Swaters: We are now able to make pellets for bottle-to-bottle recycling.
There was a set of one line five years ago that’s running on capacity now. We’ve also
received a big request for these pellets to use for duplication.
How does Chang Woen technology apply to your existing washing line?
Mr Swaters: It’s running pretty well. Every washing line in every country will
always have small, minor problems as regards the setup. It is because the market in
every country is different so you cannot copy a line used in one country for use in
another. In many instances we need to customise the washing line to suit the country
and company. This requires a lot of cooperation between the company and the
equipment manufacturer.
What factors are driving this rising demand for use of recycled materials
in more industries, especially food packaging?
Mr Kao: The top reasons for the increase in recycling activities, especially among
big brands, are concerns about carbon dioxide emissions, trend for closed loop or
sustainability, consumer consciousness and pursuit of what is good for the Earth.
Recycling a tonne of plastic bottles saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Using recycled
materials enables industry players to adopt sustainable practices.
Also, consumers are more conscious nowadays. Many believe products with
recycled materials such as packaging have a positive impact on the environment. A
growing number of consumers feel more positive about a product or manufacturer that
uses recycled plastic in their packaging, with more than 80% willing to adopt a brand
if the packaging is more eco-friendly.
Access code
FPA0057