CII Packaging Conference focuses on sustainable packaging

The event featured a two-day conference that witnessed rich discussions on different aspects of the packaging sector. The concurrent 8-day virtual expo facilitated the display of the latest advancements, innovations and best in line products and solutions.

The CII Packaging Conference was supported by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) and Plastic Machinery Manufacturer Association of India and received an overwhelming response from the industry stakeholders.

Diverse perspectives were shared at the two-day conference by 27 national and international speakers while the concurrent digital exhibition promoted innovation and fostered business.

At the inaugural session, Piruz Khambatta, chairman, CII Packaging Conference and Expo and CMD, Rasna, highlighted the role of Indian packaging in the national economy. He underlined the importance of research on Indian alternatives, such as bamboo, jute, etc and emphasised the need for collaboration between industry and academia to integrate sustainability with packaging.

Piruz Khambatta, chairman, CII Packaging Conference and Expo and CMD, Rasna kickstarting the event

B Thiagarajan, chairman, CII western region and managing director, Blue Star, expressed his belief that packaging and allied services industries will play a key role in establishing India’s future growth and appealed to stakeholders from the sector to strengthen the potential in terms of technology, efficacy, skill and global competitiveness by using digital knowhow. He also apprised about the key role CII has played to serve the industry and support communities in the western region, especially during the pandemic.

Subhash Desai, minister of industries, mining and Marathi language, Maharashtra, focused on the importance of quality packaging against the onslaught of the pandemic. He said the packaging is a key component of any product and in line with this perspective, the Maharashtra government has included the packaging sector and its offerings under the essential services. Desai expressed confidence that the logistics park policy of the state government will benefit the national and international stakeholders involved in packaging

Ajit Singh, chairman, ACG Worldwide quoted the World Packaging Organization while mentioning that the packaging industry has the onus of delivering products that are smart, sustainable and eco-friendly. He drew attention to the shortfalls in the pharma packaging, including the inadequate display of the critical information, suggested alternatives and interventions, including regulatory compliances to ensure the safety of the consumers.

RN Murthy, managing director, Tinplate Company of India (TCIL), mentioned that bringing packaging and sustainability together was a great idea and moving forward, sustainability will remain the only differentiating factor.

The two-day conference comprised 27 national and international speakers

SN Venkataraman, chairman, technical committee for paper packaging products, and executive vice-president, ITC, launched the GreenPro Ecolabelling Standard developed by the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre under his leadership. Venkatraman said the Standard will assist in bridging the gaps and is a part of the CII GreenPro initiative which has been introduced with the support of all stakeholders, including product manufacturers, testing laboratories, consultants, and end-users to promote sustainable paper packaging in the Indian industry.

The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on sustainable packaging moderated by Robin Banerjee, managing director Caprihans India. It featured active participation of the senior industry stakeholders, such as Sudhanshu Vats, managing director and CEO, EPL (erstwhile Essel Propack), Ashutosh Manohar, managing director – South Asia, Tetra Pak India, RN Murthy, managing director, TCIL, Jeevaraj Pillai, president, flexible packaging and new product development, UFlex and Gajanan Khot, director – FEVC, Aqua Chill Systems.

A second day at the conference started with a panel session that provided a practical overview of innovations in plastic packaging and recycling. This session was moderated by Mahendra Patel, chairman and managing director, Mamta Machinery. Panellists including Shirish Divgi, managing director – Asia, Milacron India, Vivek Chinoy, marketing director, Electronics Devices Worldwide – Sigma CapSeal, NLN Raju, chief operating officer, Signode India, Neelam Lalwani, global head – quality, ACG Worldwide, shared intriguing insights on innovations that promoted sustainability through plastic packaging.

The next session of the conference focused on the sustainability quotient of wood-based packaging. The session that was moderated by Prasad Balan Iyer, I/C director, SIES School of Packaging enabled the panellists such as TK Dhamodaran, chair of excellence, Institute of Wood Science and Technology (IWST) and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), DK Rai, director, CHEP India, Andreas Phil, executive vice-president-R&D / technology portfolio, Nefab, Manan Chopra, director, Benz Packaging Solutions to deliberate upon strategies and best practices that promote wood and wooden pallets as an ideal medium for sustainable packaging.

The panel discussion on the sustainability quotient of wood-based packaging

The last session of the conference, which was moderated by Sudip Mall, managing director, Huhtamaki, facilitated the discussion on the role of pulp and paper packaging in ushering inclusive and sustainable growth. Saket Kanoria, MD, TCPL Packaging, Amit Singla, director and head, IIP, Ahmedabad, Scott Farber, director, strategic marketing and communications, Henkel, Pratap Puranik, chairman and managing director, Miinu Group of Industries, Sagar Shejwalkar, head of innovations and product development, Yash Pakka, presented their take on various avenues of pulp and paper-based packaging that adhere to the norms of eco-friendly development.

The concurrent expo showcased innovative offerings and enabled business and operational continuity in a secured manner during the ongoing disruptive times. It further promoted mutually beneficial partnerships across boundaries.