MANTRA expands into global packaging quality assurance market

OMAN/UAE – Surat-based Man-Made Textiles Research Association has begun fielding technical service requests from UAE and Oman companies, seeking supplier verification, factory inspection and quality assurance for packaging products sourced from Gujarat.

The Middle East-based companies are sourcing products including PP woven sacks, BOPP laminated woven bags, non-woven bags and other plastic packaging materials from India.

They are looking for a long-term technical partner capable of independently verifying suppliers and monitoring product quality. 

The companies are reportedly seeking regular procurement support rather than a one-time inspection arrangement, and have requested commercial terms alongside details of inspectors’ qualifications and experience.

Scope Covers Factory Audits and Pre-Shipment Checks

The proposed engagement could cover manufacturing centres including Surat, Sachin, Palsana, Kim, Vapi, Daman, Ahmedabad, Morbi and Rajkot. 

MANTRA may undertake factory and supplier verification, audits, pre-production inspections, raw-material verification, during-production checks and final or pre-shipment inspections.

The proposed scope also includes random sampling, container-loading supervision, photographic and video documentation, detailed inspection reports and sealed sample collection for independent laboratory testing.

Testing Regime Targets Woven and Laminated Bag Performance

For PP woven and BOPP laminated bags, overseas buyers have sought verification of dimensions, tolerances, bag weight, GSM, lamination and coating weight, fabric construction, tape and weaving quality, stitching, printing, colour and registration. 

Testing may also cover tensile and breaking strength, filler or ash content, quantity and packaging, load and drop performance and container-loading conditions. 

One product currently being sourced is a laminated PP woven charcoal bag measuring around 50 by 80 centimetres, weighing approximately 53 grams and using about 65 GSM woven fabric for carrying 10 kilograms of charcoal.

NABL Accreditation Underpins Independent Assessment

MANTRA, a research and technical organisation under the Ministry of Textiles, has established capabilities in scientific testing, research and development and technical evaluation of textile and allied materials. 

Its NABL-accredited laboratory facilities provide an independent basis for quality evaluation and conformity assessment. 

The development signals growing international recognition of Surat and Gujarat as sourcing hubs for man-made textiles, polymers and packaging products, while opening a new technical services avenue for MANTRA in the global Packtech market. 

For overseas buyers, third-party verification reduces procurement risk when sourcing from multiple Indian converters, while Indian packaging manufacturers gain access to documented quality credentials that support export negotiations and long-term supply agreements.

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