From cell phones and computers to water bottles and bags, plastic has moulded society in many ways that makes life both easier and convenient. However, this ease of living has come at a huge environmental cost. Plastic waste is unavoidable and dangerous. Recently a Supreme court bench has questioned the the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the role of its state affiliates about their ability to manage the plastic waste generated in cities and towns. The apex court has asked CPCB to inform the court within four weeks. The Supreme court did not hesitate to admit that, “We are all sitting on a time bomb waiting to explode.” The court has also issued notices to municipal bodies of Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Agra, Jaipur and Faridabad, seeking their response.

India is the world’s largest milk producing nation and also the biggest consumer of the commodity. Although, homogenization offers great advantages compared with the more widespread distribution of raw milk in India, an alternative to this method is Ultra High Temperature or UHT sterilization and aseptic packaging. Finland's Elecster which manufactures and markets UHT milk sterilizers and aseptic pouch filling machines is in partnership with Pune based Parakh Agro and Chennai based ISF Industries.

Amongst other stories in this newsletter, Maharishi Labels of Ahmedabad, one of the biggest label manufacturers in India with a fleet of six narrow-web flexo label presses is now all set to enter the litho-laminated and monocarton segment. Oystar Hassia's success story in the filling and sealing machines segment has been magnetic. Printpack stories continue where this time we have stories of Weifang Century and Galaxy Propac. Honeywell had invited Nobel laureate Prof. David Gross to India as part of its initiative to promote science and engineering in India.

The Titan ER610 compact slitter rewinder has recently been installed at Plastic Connections at California in US. DuPont is asking the industry to vote on the past packaging breakthroughs that have had the most impact on people’s lives. You can vote by clicking on the link in the story.

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