Indian Flexible Packaging and Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA) (Formerly Paper Film & Foil Converters’ Association – PFFCA), the exclusive national body addressing the needs of the flexible packaging and folding board/carton industry has initiated the entries for excellence in design – development – innovation and creativity, flexible and folding board substrates and converted laminates and forms/cartons.

IFCA STAR 2011 instituted by IFCA, Mumbai will start the judging of entries by early January 2012 and awards will be presented in February 2012 on the occasion of coinciding other national/international event of significance.

IFCA endeavours to promote its objectives and strengthen the activities.  Both group of industries have been under terrible stress with the consistently increasing raw material and all adjuncts prices on one hand and reluctance of buyer sources to contribute to the increasing costs. The hardships also are augmented by corresponding increases in respect of operational and finance costs that affects the business growth and development.

These primary packaging materials manufacturing sectors have to direct their efforts to circumvent and obviate the constraints and yet maintain the quality reputation built up over the years. Such efforts are based on RM analysis, process analysis and technology analysis. The industry have directed their concerted efforts to understand better the “Market and Consumer Requirements”, “Market Expectations” “Statutory Requirements”, and other related factors.

Emphasis will be on “Innovations and Creativity”. The industry took the challenge and has moved on and therefore the need is to encourage and support such efforts - the genesis of “PFFCA Star Awards” in 2005 and if one goes by the successive number and quality of entries they speak volumes of what the industry can do and achieve. “The March will be on”.

The awards will be presented on the following mentioned categories: carton/pouch – newer forms/innovations and creativity – new applications, structural and graphic design for improved aesthetics, enviro products, product development (Basic Substrates), pack enhancement.

The applicants are informed to submit the form before December 10, 2011 and for further details contact the chief executive “IFCA (PFFCA)” PV Narayana on phone : 022 65880160 or email : pffca01@gmail.com , pvniyer@hotmail.com