Advancements and innovations in the flexible packaging industry were the key focus areas at a seminar organized by the Indian Plastics Institute in Ahmedabad on 14 July – which brought together industry stakeholders, experts, and professionals to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest trends in the field.
Jagdish Vishwakarma, minister of multiple departments in the Gujarat state government, was the chief guest at the seminar. Vishwakarma, whose participation underscored the importance and support from the government for the packaging industry, spoke about the importance of plastics in the modern age. The guest of honor, NC Saha, former director of the Indian Institute of Packaging, spoke about the trends in the global and Indian packaging industry.
The keynote address was delivered by Biswajit Basu, who represented Nestle, a leading name in the food and beverage industry. Basu shed light on Nestle’s commitment to addressing sustainability challenges in the packaging sector and emphasized the initiatives the company has undertaken to promote environment-friendly practices.
The seminar was structured into three technical sessions, each focusing on specific aspects of the flexible packaging industry. In the first session, Sachin Laddha and Tarunesh Sharma from Dow Chemicals discussed the innovative solutions offered by the company for the flexible packaging industry. Laddha highlighted Revoloop, a recycled plastics resin developed by Dow, which effectively reduces plastic waste. He explained how Revoloop provides several grades as a single-pellet solution, ready for use in various applications.
Sharma’s presentation focused on Dow’s vacuum metalized PE solutions, such as Innate ST100 resin and Elite AT6900 polyethylene resin. These advanced solutions have been designed to meet the specific needs of the flexible packaging industry, offering enhanced performance and functionality.
The first session also featured experts from Uflex, a prominent packaging company. Sanjay Sabharwal discussed various solutions provided by Uflex for extrusion lamination, a critical process in flexible packaging. He delved into the technical aspects of extrusion lamination and showcased Uflex’s expertise.
R. Balasubramanian, also from Uflex, presented detailed insights into gravure printing technology. He discussed the solutions offered by Uflex in this field, highlighting the company’s capabilities.
The second technical session commenced with Kirti Panchal from Echaar Equipments, who focused on CI flexo printing technology. Panchal shared information about the innovative solutions manufactured by Echaar and their contribution to enhancing the quality and efficiency of flexo printing processes. Panchal talked about the rich history of the Echaar Group in the engineering industry. Echaar Group ventured into the production of CI flexo presses in 2017. The group has a presence in wind turbines, atomic energy, and the defense sector, among others.
Rajesh Sonar of Mamata Machinery provided an overview of Mamata’s success story in the global packaging machinery market. He said a significant portion of Mamata’s machines, about 70%, is exported, showcasing the company’s international reach and reputation. Sonar touched upon the crucial topic of sustainability in relation to extrusion, shedding light on Mamata’s sustainable practices.
Mahesh Thakkar from Prasad Group spoke on automation in the flexible packaging industry, discussing various advancements and technologies. Thakkar highlighted the importance of automation in meeting the growing demands and complexities of the industry.
Subham Shah of Subham Extrusion addressed the topic of co-extrusion technology in the context of flexible packaging. He shared insights into the advancements and benefits of co-extrusion technology, which enables the production of multi-layered films with different properties, enhancing the functionality and versatility of packaging materials.
The final technical session was led by Vikas Deo from Windsor Machines, who introduced the audience to Windsor’s range of multiplayer blown film lines. Deo discussed the different configurations available, such as 3-layer, 5-layer, and 7-layer. He announced Windsor would soon launch a 9-layer blown film line.
Shanish Pandey from SA Automation addressed the audience on trends in converting and printing. He shared insights into the latest developments, technologies, and techniques that are shaping the converting and printing processes in the flexible packaging industry.
Trilochan Pradhan of Chem-Trend Chemicals concluded the session with a presentation on efficiency improvement in flexible packaging. He highlighted the role of innovative chemical solutions in enhancing operational efficiency, reducing waste, and improving overall production processes.
The seminar provided a comprehensive overview of advancements and innovations in the flexible packaging industry. Through presentations and discussions, attendees gained valuable knowledge about the latest technologies, solutions, and practices that drive the industry.
