Asian Packaging Conference 2019 in New Delhi focuses on reshaping the future of print and packaging in Asia

The first day of SHIFT 019: Asian Packaging Conference 2019 opened with a welcome address and day’s agenda announced by Paul Callaghan, Chairman of Packaging & Print Innovation Asia. Sponsored by Association of Print Technologies, drupa, Pack Print International, APLS (Association Label Printers & Suppliers), IPAMA and All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP), the conference in New Delhi marked its 17th edition.

SHIFT is Asia’s premiere labels and packaging conference. Past editions of the conference have been held in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. For the first time, SHIFT this year came to India giving a spotlight on the country’s gradually growing packaging market.

‘Investing for Sustainability & Financial Return’ was the theme of Asian Packaging Conference 2019 aiming to address two of the most susceptible issues in the industry—Sustainability and ROI (Return on Investment). The first deals with environmental and legislation changes to achieve sustainability with plastics and substrates, freeing solvent-based products. Secondly, the conference will focus on investing in new technologies, making instant return with new investments and dealing with price sensitivity. Around 20 international speakers were lined up to present at the conference covering issues faced by print and packaging business owners and new trends.

In the first session of SHIFT 019, Hayato Kashiwagi, Key Account Manager for Asia, DIC, talked on the topic ‘Trends in Sustainable and Innovative Packaging’. He narrated how the future of sustainable packaging is gaining pace, referring to EU’s successful prohibition on disposable plastics. “By 2021, we will move to another level in sustainable and innovative packaging as there will be a new revolution in recycling PET and OPS materials, replacement of solvent by water-based products. Our corporate commitment is on treasuring box of sustainability” he asserted.

Having More On Your Plate: Flexo Plates Like You’ve Never Seen Before”— this was the topic for speaker Supachai Theravithayangkura, Technical Director – Asia Pacific, Flint Group. His talk centered around the increasing importance and significance of thermal plates, mentioning that flat top dot (FTD) flexo plates are here to stay and time has come for this newest technology.

Highlighting the prowess of HP Indigo 2000 press, which is a best digital fit for flexible packaging, opening a realm of possibilities for flexible packaging converters, Umesh Kagade, Segment Manager – Label & Packaging, HP Indigo Graphics Solution Business (India), talked about the changing market demands and customised campaigns. “Millennial population is the main target for companies playing with innovative packaging,” he said, picking up the instance of Coke that tailor-made graphics on millions of bottles for millions of users. Then it resulted in 400 percent jump in sale.

‘What owners want’ is one of the important key factors every packaging company must aware of. This is what Lindsay Nutley – Director of Marketing, QLM Label Makers Group, echoed in the session ‘Find your WOW – What Owners Want!’ He mentioned the importance of marketing a product in a generic way by developing partnership with marketers, partners and designers. They use different approaches—some in forms of seasonal gifts on festivals like New Year, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc to connect with their customers.

In his talk on the future prospects of digital printing, Klaus Nielsen, General Manager of Xeikon Asia, indicated ‘digital’ as future of the printing technologies. He pointed out the fact that there were 50 manufacturers at drupa 2016 presenting new highly innovative digital printing technologies. “Digital has four basic advantages—short-run production, cost-effectiveness, transformative and innovative,” he mentioned, citing a case study of a US-based Accu Label, which is an industry leader in fruit labels and produce stickers, using Xeikon press for high volume label production.

Followed up next, K Panthala Selvan, Managing Director, Pressman Solutions & Idealliance South Asia, talked on the topic ‘Sustainability Through Standardisation of Pressroom’. “Pressroom is the most important stage in the production process. If any raw material is found to be sub-standard it should be rejected in the pressroom,” he mentioned, adding that they regularly conduct training programmes for their customers on any doubt about machines and technologies.

On the topic ‘Shaping Packaging with Productive, Sustainable and State-of-the-Art Machinery, Alfred Ulli – Marketing & Sales Director of Web Fed Solutions, BOBST MEX SA, said every one of us in the industry should be anticipating of sustainable future. He further mentioned adoption of productive and sustainable in-line concepts and technologies as well as end-to-end ready to deploy solutions for automation.

Further, in the next session, Tim Klappe of MPS Systems BV, talked impressively about the impact & benefits of digital workflows and IOT on label printing. Likewise, Steve Smith, Principal Consultant for Kodak Flexcel Solutions, explained that the need of hour for packaging and label printing players is their capability to convert from gravure to flexo process printing for thin films and higher productivity benefits. In the similar tone, Giuseppe Sauli of UTECO dug up the ongoing flexographic printing trends in the industry.

Advancement in technologies formed key points of discussions at the conference. In this respect, David Jones, Managing Director, Alphasonics Advanced Ultrasonic Cleaning System, pointed out ‘advanced ultrasonics as an investment for sustainability and financial returns. As the last speaker on the first day of the conference, Anuj Sahni, General Manager Sales & Marketing, Windmöller & Hölscher India Pvt Ltd, shared some solutions such as EASY-COL for increased productivity and sustainability in CI flexo.

Second day of the conference was opened with a prolific session in which Permilla Jonsson, Senior Director, Global Community & Membership Development, Association for Print Technologies, shared a future success formula for the industry fellows. She narrated how their association helps OEMs gain acceleration in business. “We help commercial printers and OEMs exploit new segments, other than where they are currently into,” she said, adding that packaging, textile and large-format graphics are three dynamic areas where commercial printers can penetrate.

In the next session, Gururaj Kirsur, Territory Manager – South Asia, DuPont Advanced Printing, on the topic ‘Improving ROI with New Flexo Plate’ talked about the new development in thermal plate making. He mentioned that thermal plates are designed to reduce press downtime and the investment will be future proof. Followed up next was a thought-provoking session on the growing prospect and popularity of textile printing. Andy Yarrow, President – Asia Pacific, Kornit Digital Asia Pacific Ltd, observed the fact that India is a huge market with many leading commercial printers diversifying business into textile printing, catching vibrancy in personalised T-shirts and decorated apparel printing.

Gururaj Kirsur, Territory Manager – South Asia, DuPont Advanced Printing, in his talk explained how improvement in process would pave a pathway to profitability. “It’s not just the technology but the process that makes your business,” he mentioned, adding that it’s vital to detect defects in prints prior to print process. In the next session, Markus Amendt, International Sales Manager, Maschinenfabrik Kaspar Walter GmbH, presented an overview of technology trends and innovation potential in rotogravure cylinder manufacturing.

Interacting with the audience, Amit Banga, Managing Director and Saurabh Jain, CEO, SB Packaging Pvt Ltd, what we must look in a supplier, beyond sale. Both the speakers talked about the company’s commitment towards delivering totally green packaging solutions that are meant for mankind and environment. Doctor Blades are designed to optimise quality and productivity for flexo and gravure machines. On this topic, Tom Orbien – Technical Sales Manager Asia Pacific, Prime Blade, explained the productive performance of Doctor Blades. In the subsequent session, talking about the way to transform visuals as great enabler for presentation super skill, Steve Dawson, Director at Coach, explained how the misuse of Powerpoint distracts the audience and detracts from your message.

Closure of the conference had an Afternoon Panel Discussion for an open floor Q&A session set for interaction among industry experts, brand owners and members, followed by Awards Dinner Presentation. SHIFT 019: Asian Packaging Conference 2019 had the pride in hosting thought-leaders and experts from around the world, presenting issues and trends in print and packaging.

Display Area 

A designated Display Area at the SHIFT 019: Asian Packaging Conference 2019 hosted an array of stalls for a league of leading companies such as Konica Minolta, HP, Korrnit Digital, Baldwin, Memjet, DIC, Xeikon, Sun Chemical, MPS, Alphasonics, Kodak, IST Metz, among others. Konica Minolta at its stall showcased a stunning range of graphic samples sprinted on MGI and KM-1. Similarly, HP presented flexible packaging applications churned on HP Indigo 2000 press. Kornit Digital was another crowd puller at the Display Area showcasing T-shirts printed on the company’s flagship DTG printers such as Atlas, Storm HD6 and Avalanche POLY PRO.