The India Flexibles and Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA) in association with All India Ink manufacturers Association (AIPIMA) organized a conference titled ‘Changing World of Print & Packaging’ at the Orchid Hotel in Mumbai on 31 May. The seminar was attended by more than 100 delegates comprising professionals from packaging firms, material suppliers and brand owners among others.
BB Sen, president, AIPIMA delivered the inaugural address and thanked all the delegates and the organizers. The keynote address was delivered by Suresh Gupta, president, IFCA. Gupta said that there are four main factors influencing the world of packaging at present, what he called change drivers – exports, aspirational Indian customers, regulatory changes and technological changes.
According to Gupta, the exports market offers great opportunity for Indian packaging solutions providers but many of them need to up their game “and get rid of the chalta hai attitude”. He said that the companies will have to be world class in terms of quality to succeed in markets like US and Europe.
Talking about the aspirational Indian consumers, Gupta said that they want quality and innovative at affordable price, convenience, variety, quick satisfaction and is concerned about the environment. So, convertors will need to keep all these things in mind when thinking of a solution, he said.
Packaging industry also needs to brace up for regulatory changes that are expected to unfold in the near future especially things like plastic waste management, new FSSAI regulations and safety at work place. Not only is the regulatory landscape undergoing a change, the technological landscape too is changing. Gupta argued that digital printing technology will have an impact sooner rather than later. He added that substrate and machines will also see an evolution going ahead.
In addition to Gupta’s keynote, the other highlights of the seminar were presentations about inks and coating by officials of some of the biggest companies in the industry.
Anil Rastogi of Uflex talked about new trends in ink and coating technology. He said that regulations with focus on NIAS substances gaining importance, there is a trend of reduction in solvent consumption and customers are looking for ecological products such as high gloss water-based coatings, water-based inks for foils and films, LED inks and coatings and water-based adhesives.
Ashwini Bhardwaj of Hubergroup India touched on the issue of environment, product safety and sustainability. He said that when it comes product safety for printing inks key issues are migration, odor, toxicity, organoleptic properties and direct contact. When it comes to sustainability and environment, key issues are disposal, recyclability, air/solid/water waste management.
