We observed that serious Indian buying teams were doing their work, looking at technology by day and eating mostly vegetarian Italian food in the evenings at the Altstadt. Of course one could have survived just by ingesting the nuts, chocolates, cookies, and beverages being decorated, filled, packed and being put on pallettes by robots at the various stands to demonstrate the innovations in machinery for producing packaging, confectionery and bakery goods.
Sixty-five per cent of visitors were experts with the authority to make decisions on their company’s behalf. The proportion of visitors attending from outside Germany increased to 62 per cent. Altogether, 121 countries were represented. Attendees arriving from European countries (62 per cent) were in the majority but those from Asian nations (20 per cent), and the Indian subcontinent in particular, also formed a large contingent. Visitors from South and Central America, for example, similarly made their presence strongly felt.
Ehrhard Rustler, president of interpack pionted out the significant growth in interest in complete lines and process technologies. The first-time inclusion of stand-alone solutions for packaging production on the list of exhibits was also very well received by trade visitors. Apprently, 97 per cent of the visitors surveyed gave interpack 2008 top marks.
And 78 per cent – of visitors were interested in process technologies and machinery for packaging as well as packaging production.
The second largest segment — packaging materials and packaging – also drew plenty of attention. This segment was a main attraction for 50 per cent of visitors. Machinery and process technology for confectionery and bakery goods were on the agenda for 14 per cent of visitors.
We were somewhat relieved that interpack is not as crowded as drupa although there is as much distance to be covered if you are doing all the halls and that too in a much smaller time. In fact for first time visitors interpack is impossible to cover completely since the intensity of business contact is higher. Packaging visitors are more focused on their own products and technologies.
The two special presentations in Hall 7A “Bioplastics in Packaging” and the “INNOVATIONPARC PACKAGING” were a success. The concept based on competence centers with various links in the value chain thematically grouped also triggered lively and fruitful exchanges between exhibitors and visitors. The partner organisations involved, the EHI, ProCarton and PDA, were also delighted with the concept and its execution. High praise was expressed by the 45 participating companies, many of them first-time exhibitors. Their contacts originated from every link in the value chain spanning design agencies to branded goods manufacturers. Chairs and standing room in the forum were constantly filled to capacity when the talks on offer were underway. In fact we found that some first time visitors who came to Hall7A were not likely to see much of anything else at the show.
At the “Bioplastics in Packaging” presentations by 40 participating companies there was considerable interest in sustainable plastic materials as a complement to established materials. The next edition of interpack in Düsseldorf will take place on 12 to 18 May 2011.
Schott announces Indian joint venture
On April 24, at its press conference on the opening day of the Interpack exhibition Schott AG based in Mainz and Kaisha Manufacturers based in Mumbai announced their new 50:50 joint venture to manufacture primary pharmaceutical glass packaging for the Indian market. Schott and Kaisha have worked together for many years with Schott supplying pharmaceutical glass tubing to Kaisha for conversion to primary pharmaceutical packaging products. Kaisha is considered a quality leader in the Indian market with a 2007 turnover of more than Rs. 70 crore (Euro 11 million).
The pharmaceutical packaging market in India is growing between 10 to 15 per cent annually, and is particularly strong in the premium quality segments. Moreover, the Indian pharmaceutical industry has the highest number of US Food and Drug Administration approved plants outside the United States. “With this double-digit million Euro investment, Schott continues on its course to growth and quality leadership. Additionally, we are securing our access to a very promising market,” says Professor Udo Ungeheur, Chairman of the Board of ManAGement of Schott AG.
The joint venture will support Indian pharmaceutical companies in upgrading products for international markets by supplying pharmaceutical packaging at an international quality level from a local production site. Schott Kaisha will build production capacity for StandardLine ampoules and vials to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2009 with operations in both Mumbai and Daman. “The joint venture combines Kaisha’s local market expertise and access to customers with the technological know-how of Schott,” explains Kairus Dadachanchji, Managing Director of Schott Kaisa. The joint venture expects fast growth in manufacturing capacity and employee strength. “Over the next 15 to 18 months, our Indian customers and market will begin to experience the positive effects of this cooperation,” Dadachandji says.
Schott’s unique coating technology development for use with pharmaceutical applications was also presented at Interpack. This will be covered cover in our Special Interpack Review Issue of May-June 2008 as well. Schott Pharmaceutical Packaging has 11 production sites around the world and is part of the Schott group that develops specials materials, components, and systems for the household appliances, pharmaceutical, solar energy, automotive, electronics and optics industries. The entire group is owned by Schott AG, whose sole shareholder is the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (Foundation).
