Emphasis on safety at the flexible packaging seminar

During his presentation, Sameer Mehendale of Modelez India presented case studies on the challenges faced by them during packaging development of a few of its product. He said, “We were contented selling gems in a ball shaped packaging for many years. But when Mondelez took over, according to the international design standard, the package could cause a choking hazard to kids. This came as a shock to us.”

 

Mehendale said, “Such challenges occur in the product development stage itself but the industry needs to go ahead and overcome them.”

 

Dr Corbett Wallace, business director for packaging, IMEA region, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, said, “Flexible packaging is the need of the hour. We have seen that the goods earlier sold for loose are now sold with attractive packaging. All produces like vegetables and fruits are also now packed and sold."

 

Jayachandran Nair, business manager - flexible packaging, Henkel Adhesive Technologies India, stated, “Henkel’s adhesive business command 50% market share in the packed retail products.” Stressing on food safety, he added, “It is important that the entire value chain, right from the adhesive suppliers to the converters are aligned to good manufacturing practices.”

 

Claudia Hoelscher, regional manager, product safety, IMEA, Europe, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, said, “The adhesives that are in direct contact of the food should be taken care especially. Communication between all the points of the supply chain is a must as it helps to comply and stay safe and ensures that our packaging is food grade.”

 

Dr  Jorg Peter Langhammer, VP, Siegwerk Group, in his presentation on the usage of inks and packaging material, spoke at length about the various regulations one has to comply in different countries. He said, “If we look at history, all the rules and regulations have been established post a scandal in the particular region.

 

Whereas Dr Ralph Detsch, director of technology, flexible packaging, Siegwerk Group discussed the formulations of safe inks used in flexible packaging. 

 

The seminar tried to stress on the compliance of the laws and regulations throughout the supply chain so that everybody in the supply chain may benefit from playing safe.