Every year Indian Flexible Packaging and Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA) hosts the IFCA Star Awards Ceremony which provides a platform for encouraging the needed creativity and continuous improvement. This is a prestigious award for the flexible packaging and carton packaging industries. The manufacturers of these packaging materials and the end users participate widely and showcase their innovations in this competitive event organized by IFCA This year it was held today, 15^th September 2022, at Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai. A seminar titled ‘Packaging at Crossroads’ was also organized.

The day’s events started with the lighting of the lamp and a welcome address by Chandrasekhar Rajagopalan, president – IFCA. It was followed by a keynote speech by Suresh Gupta, chairman – IFCA, who spoke about sustainability and its importance in today’s world.

Packaging at Crossroads

Following the keynote speech by Suresh Gupta, 3^rd generation managing director of Brilliant Polymers, Gaurav Talwar stepped on the stage to address the gathering on the seminar’s topic ‘Packaging at Crossroads’. He expressed his views on the role of a business in creating value and leaving a positive impact on the people and the planet.

Seshadari Raghvan, vie president, sales, Henkel shared his views on the public’s rising shift towards sustainability. Prashant Sarkar, general manager, Huber, commented on the changing nature of business according to the customers’ needs. Dr. Shilpa from Fuji Films showed a couple of really insightful videos explaining the reason and motive to change the packaging style and system.

The categories for which the awards were bestowed upon the participants included- Innovation, Best Branding, R&D Innovation, Innovation-Enviro, Innovation-Structure, Innovation-Recyclable, Innovation-Adhesives, Innovation-Carton, Innovation-Sustainable Packaging, Innovation-Graphic and Innovation-Inks.

The winners who walked away with awards in various categories included-

UFlex- 18 awards - innovation, best branding, innovation R&D

ITC- 11 awards - innovation-enviro, innovation-structure, innovation-sustainable packaging

GLS Film Industries- 7 awards – innovation, innovation-enviro, innovation- structure

Constantia Flexibles - 6 awards - innovation

Huhtamaki- 4 awards - innovation

Parksons Packaging – 3 awards - innovation, innovation-carton

Huber Group India- 2 awards - innovation

Siegwerk India- 2 awards - innovation inks, innovation

Umax Packaging – 2 awards- best branding, innovation-enviro

Paharpur – 2 awards - innovation-graphic

Rayan Plast- 2 awards - innovation, best branding

Safe Pack – 1 award - innovation

Gopal Print Pack – 1 award - innovation

Atharva Flexi – 1 award- innovation

Packult Studio- 1 award - innovation

TCPL Packaging- 1 award - best branding

Umax Packaging- 1 award - innovation-enviro

3 D Technopack- 1 award - innovation-enviro

Brilliant Polymers- 1 award - innovation- adhesives, innovation

Max Speciality Films- 1 award - innovation

Michelman- 1 award - innovation

Ecoplast- 1 award - innovation-enviro

Edelmann Packaging- 1 award - innovation- recyclable

Printmann Offset- 1 award - innovation

Shakti Plastic Industries- 1 award - innovation

Indo Straits- 1 award - innovation-enviro

Orient Press- 1 award - innovation

Miraclon India- 1 award - innovation

Henkel- 1 award - innovation

Hi-Tech Inks- 1 award - innovation

Fujifilm Sericol India- 1 award - innovation

Print Dynamics- 1 award - innovation

The event culminated with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude towards the eminent guests, speakers, and participants for their valuable time and presence.

The 16th edition of India's biggest and most sought-after trade fair for the food and drink processing suppliers industry- ANUTEC International FoodTec India along with its concurrent trade fairs ANUTEC Ingredients India, PackEx India, Annapoorna- ANUFOOD India and Food Logistics India was organized from 14 – 16 September at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.