The Indian Institute of Packaging successfully concluded the two weeks Global Residential Training Program on Packaging Technology. The main objective of this training program was to disseminate information about the latest trends in packaging, packaging materials, its innovations and their applications in various sectors. The training program was organized for the benefit of the participants to highlight the role of packaging in the promotion of business growth, merchandising and its impact on the overall economic development of the nation. 14 delegates from six APF member countries like China, Sri Lanka, Thaliand, Singapore, Bangladesh and India had traveled to India to attend this program. In addition to theoretical class room sessions, visits to reputed packaging industries in and around Mumbai were also organized to provide the delegates with a first hand knowledge about the operational aspects of the various packaging materials.
Packaging is considered to be one of the largest and the most diverse manufacturing sectors in the world with a value of more than US$550 mln and an employment for around 5 million people with more than 100,000 companies engaged in this sector worldwide. The Asia Pacific region has become the 3rd largest packaging market and the average annual growth rate is about over 5-6 %. In the global scenario, the packaging sector ranks 9th among the top 10 industries in the developed nations.
Mr. Saha, Director, IIP stated “The Indian Packaging industry has been growing at the rate of 10 – 12% with an annual turnover of USD $13 billion or Rs. 650 billion and is expected to reach to Rs. 850 billion or USD 18.5 billion by 2015. The plastic packaging industry is still growing at the rate of 20-25% despite the negative publicity that the industry draws due to its impact on the environment. This is mainly because of its easy availability, high barrier properties for food products to enhanced shelf life, printability, convenience features and most importantly cost effectiveness. Almost 40% of packaging materials are consumed for processed food products and about 18% for beverages, 5% for pharmaceuticals, 3% for cosmetics and the balance for other products. India being the second largest country in Asia next to China, in terms of population and geographical area, the 4th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity. The country has seen a rapid growth in the IT industry, largest player in software and BPO services. The country has got a huge potential for the consumption of packaging materials due to the large base of population.” This trend has resulted to an increase in the consumption of packaging materials. But consequently the society at large is now concerned about the difficulties faced by the nations about collection, segregation and disposal of packaging solid waste. Hence a great challenge lies ahead for all the global packaging professionals to develop an effective mechanism and system for the disposal of packaging solid waste and to reduce the carbon foot print in order to contribute to a healthy environment and a sustainable society.
