The third edition of Respackat Mumbai’s Lalit Hotel on 13 and 14 June delved into the themes of innovative materials and sustainable technologies. Organized by the FIPS and supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the two-day conference was attended by stakeholders from across the packaging value chain, featuring three dozen speakers and more than 300 delegates.

Day 1: Business Day

The first day was designated as the ‘business day,’ where speakers discussed a variety of topics, including design, materials, smart packaging, and consumer insights. NC Saha, chairman of FIPS and former director of the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), set the tone for the business session and welcomed the delegates and speakers.

A highlight of day one was a talk by Ashutosh Pandey of Ernst & Young (E&Y), who provided insights into the global flexible packaging industry. He said the flexible packaging industry is witnessing an annual growth rate of 5.1%, with the Asia-Pacific region standing out as a key driver. “eCommerce is a major growth driver in this sector. This trend has multiplied since the Covid-19 pandemic,” Pandey said. A key challenge is recyclability and a fragmented marketplace, he said.

Nilesh Pinto of Bobst India image: PSA

Another interesting session on the first day focused on cellulose-based packaging. This session featured participants PN Sridhar of ITC, Rachel Jacob of Suprabha Protective Products, Ramjee Subramanian of Pakka, and Abiali Jani of Jani Sales. Ramesh Kejriwal of Parkson Packaging chaired the session.

Kejriwal remarked, “There has been a paradigm shift in the global packaging industry. There is a clear consumer demand for eco-friendly options, especially among the new generation, who are currently extremely conscious of the environment.” He added, “One of the most significant trends in recyclable and biodegradable packaging is that companies are increasingly adopting cellulose-based, paper-based packaging because they have better recyclability and don't contribute to long-term pollution.”

In another session on smart packaging, sustainable printing, and labeling, Nilesh Pinto of Bobst India spoke about gravure printing and recent developments in the technology. His presentation covered topics such as external color gamut, water-based ink printing, and Bobst Smartgravure. Pinto also discussed the Bobst OneECG. “We brought ECG to gravure. We are one of the first companies in the world to have brought ECG on gravure in flexible packaging. The benefits of ECG include faster changeover, lesser ink consumption, and 100% repeatability of jobs. So, 100% repeatability is not a gimmick; it is something that we have tested and proven,” he said.

Day 2: Technical Day

The next day of the conference was designated as the ‘technical day,’ focusing on topics such as statutory regulations, sustainable conversion technologies, multilayered tube packaging, sustainable technologies for flexible packaging, bio-polymers, and recycling.

Hariharan S of EPL talked about trends in sustainable laminated tubes. He highlighted the growing demand for environment-friendly packaging solutions and discussed the innovations EPL is implementing to meet this demand.

Venkatesh Rajagopalan of UFlex delivered a talk on flexitubes, brand needs, and sustainable solutions. He shed light on UFlex’s approach to sustainability in tube packaging. “We have paper-based tubes. What we do is introduce virgin kraft paper that reduces the plastic in the tube by 45% on the sealing weight,” Rajagopalan explained.

Respack highlighted the latest trends and innovations in the packaging industry, with a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly solutions. The event provided a platform to industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to share their insights and collaborate on shaping the future of packaging.