India marks World Packaging Day

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) has marked the sixth anniversary of the opening of its Hyderabad center with the first-ever World Packaging Day.
 
IIP Hyderabad was inaugurated on March 24, 2006 with World Packaging Organization (WPO) president Keith Pearson attending as chief guest.
 
IIP was formed by government and industry in 1966 with the specific objective of improving packaging standards in India, with the Hyderabad center opened in its 40^th year.

‘We are committed to observe one day as a dedicated day for packaging professionals, which wouldbe known as World Packaging Day’

 
WPO is a non-profit, non-governmental, international federation of national packaging institutes and associations, regional packaging federations and other interested parties including corporations and trade associations. The purposes of the organization is to encourage the development of packaging technology, science, access and engineering; contribute to the development of international trade; and stimulate education and training in packaging.

 
March 24 has been celebrated by IIP as Packaging Day every year since 2006. It was decided to extend the celebrations beyond its national borders and launch World Packaging Day in 2012, an event described by IIP as a ‘fitting tribute to WPO’s mission’.
 
IIP alumni president BK Karna said: ‘We are committed to observe one day as a dedicated day for packaging professionals, which would be known as World Packaging Day under the global acceptance of the international packaging community.’

 
The 5k Pack Walk was performed by around 500 packaging students (pictured, above) and professionals on the day, with support from machinery and material suppliers, as well as the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other dignitaries.
 
Other events to mark the first World Packaging Day included a summit of 250 packaging users and vendors, and a cake (pictured, top) cutting ceremony.