International food packaging conference convened at Anna University

Organised in collaboration with the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), USA, the two-day event brought together around 250 participants, including academicians, researchers, industry professionals and students, to discuss emerging challenges and innovations shaping the future of food packaging.

The Department of Printing and Packaging Technology is a long-established centre of excellence offering BE, ME, MSc (by Research) and PhD programmes in Printing and Packaging Technology. With strong industry links and a consistent record of placements in leading companies, the department focuses on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary exposure and industry–academia collaboration.

The conference was held under the leadership of K Vipinendran, head of department. The inaugural session opened with a welcome address by [Prof K Senthil Vadivu who outlined the objectives of MTIFP 2026. R Baskaran, director, Centre for International Relations, Anna University, delivered the presidential address, emphasising the importance of international collaboration and interdisciplinary research.

Sanu Jacob, president, AFSTI Chennai Chapter, highlighted the role of food packaging in ensuring safety, sustainability and consumer confidence, while Kyle Dunno, department chair at RIT, USA, shared insights into global academic–industry partnerships in packaging education and research.

The first day’s technical sessions focused on sustainable materials and regulatory compliance. Rajeshwar S Matche, principal chief scientist at CSIR–CFTRI, delivered a lecture on bioplastics, biodegradation and life-cycle assessment. Muthusamy Mathiyazhagan, former deputy general manager at HCL Technologies, addressed global food contact regulations and the need for compliance alignment.

S Anandkumar, associate professor at National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur, spoke on nano and 3D printing applications in food packaging. Student and researcher paper presentations provided a platform for academic exchange.

Day two centred on smart packaging, security, automation and circular economy practices. Ganesan A R, professor at IIT Madras, presented on holographic labelling for anti-counterfeiting. Usha Antony, professor and dean at Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, discussed intelligent indicators and sensor-based systems.

Gamidi Kartheek of Tamil Nadu Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing addressed simulation-driven automation in packaging, while Harish Kumar R K from the Indian Institute of Packaging spoke on recycled PET in circular food packaging. Kiran Manickam, an alumnus of CEG and RIT, delivered a session on ultra-high temperature processing and aseptic packaging for dairy applications.

The conference also featured a Package Design Competition guided by Jeetendra, The Print Specialist, encouraging participants to integrate creativity, material selection and functional design.

The valedictory session included addresses from K Anbarasu, deputy general manager at Aavin, and R Pon Kumar, deputy director at the Indian Institute of Packaging, Chennai.

MTIFP 2026 highlighted the interconnected roles of materials science, printing technologies, processing methods and regulatory frameworks in modern food packaging. The conference reinforced the department’s commitment to advancing sustainable and globally relevant packaging solutions through meaningful industry–academia collaboration.