The chief guest of the function, Dr Rajat Kumar, IAS Commissioner of Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh, elaborated on the role of packaging in uplifting the economy. While admitting he does not know much about the subject, he emphasised the dire need of every product to have adequate packaging. He said packaging helps every product to raise its value and plays a vital role in attracting the consumer from the shelf.

He was candid while saying that he gets surprised by noting amazing print graphics usage of different hues on various packs whenever he visits a retail food, groceries store or a health and cosmetic store. He explained the various moves the state government is initiating for industries.

Contrary to general belief, he revealed that Andhra Pradesh ranks third at national level in industrial growth. He lauded the programmes taken up by Indian institutes in the fields of training and education and other areas.

Director of the Indian Institute of Packaging, Professor NC Saha, in his welcome address said, “India has emerged as one of the major consumer markets in the Asian region and the Indian packaging industry is growing at an average of 15% per annum.”

While presenting the theme of the exhibition, Chakravarthi AVPS, CEO and managing director of Ecobliss India and chairman of IIP-Hyderabad, said, “Indiapack has always been maintaining its quality despite the presence of various packaging shows. Indiapack 2013 has been planned by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), an autonomous body working under the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India, between 28-31 January 2013 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (E), Mumbai.”

He said Indiapack 2013 will be a unique platform for all the packaging and allied industries as well as for end-user industries across the world. The event is supported by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India, World Packaging Organization, Asian Packaging Federation, many trade associations from India and overseas.

Chakravarthi further said, an attractive packaging is just not enough! The current packaging technologist is now needed to work with different characteristics of packaging material to increase shelf life of products and incorporate strong barrier and high functional properties. Provision of active and intelligent components in packaging is rapidly catching up now a days.

He concluded by stating, “Indiapack 2013 will serve as an important platform for companies providing an end-to-end solution to packaging users from pharmaceuticals, processed and fresh food industry, chemicals, fertilisers, healthcare, confectionery, perfume and toiletries, toys, sports goods and various other industries.”

BK Karna, the regional head of IIP Hyderabad Centre made a presentation on ISPI, the International Summit for Packaging Industry which is to be held during 29th and 30th 2013 at Mumbai. He said speakers that include president of World Packaging Organisation and CEOs of various international companies from more than 20 countries will share their knowledge and discuss the latest developments in packaging across the globe. This is apart from scores of eminent packaging technocrats and CEOs of user community in India. He appealed to all the stake holders of packaging industry to attend this conference and get benefited.

RVS Ramakrishna, chairman, ITW India and also chairman of ISPI 2013 in his key note address stressed the need for automation in packaging and food and pharma sectors to meet the raising demands. He said both these fields are now sunrise sectors and packaging has a major role in uplifting standards and increasing the production efficiencies. He expressed his confidence that ISPI will certainly provide solutions to certain challenges being faced currently. He further said Andhra Pradesh has major potential for packaging and allied industries.