India hosts global holography conference 2013

The Holography Conference was inaugurated in New Delhi on 8 November by N C Saha, director of the Indian Institute of Packaging. It is an international conference that travels to a new destination every year, and this was the first time that it was held in India.

Global holography conference comes to India

Leading manufacturers of holograms for security, packaging and display from countries such as the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, China, Indonesia, Japan and India attended the conference and the exhibition that ran concurrently. More than 120 delegates from 63 companies from 22 countries participated at the two day event organised by the International Hologram Manufacturers Association and Reconnaissance International. Hologram Manufacturers Association of India also supported it actively. Several Indian and international companies including Uflex, Giriraj Foils, Holostik India, Rasik Foils, BOBST India, Bajaj Holographics, Light Logics, IHMA, Polish Holographics, Maan Machine and Tools, Hologram Manufacturers Association of India (HOMAI), and Polygrama exhibited their products.

Ian Lancaster, Secretary of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association delivered the opening remarks and highlighted the change of name of the conference from Holopack Holoprint to The Holography Conference which was consistent to the changing applications for holograms as not only just a packaging or security media but also an upcoming media in display and nano technology. He praised the Indian hologram industry for its growth and commitment.

Manoj Kochar, President of HoMAI welcomed the delegates and announced that HoMAI is widening its scope and is preparing to broaden its membership to include all authentication technology providers. He also informed the delegates that HoMAI proposes to change its name to Authentication Solution Providers Association (ASPA). Once the necessary approvals are received the association will then welcome all authentication solution providers as its members. Currently, HOMAI is Asia’s only association representing holography. Established in 1998, it consists of India’s leading producers and converters of holograms for anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world.

Saha stressed the growing need for anti-counterfeiting and authentication solutions in the packaging industry. He welcomed collaborations between Indian and foreign companies to realise the benefits of the opportunities that India presents. He also spoke about the need for preparing quality standards for hologram.

There were several interesting presentations at the conference that deliberated on latest trends and technology. The event also highlighted the annual Excellence in Holography Awards organised by International Hologram Manufacturers Association. These awards recognize outstanding achievements and rewards to those who have been at the forefront of the industry, pioneering innovative or new hologram products or techniques, as well as the best use of holograms in a commercial context. Dimes Pastorelli, CEO of Diaures, Diavy and MHT (Machinery Holographic Technology) was awarded the prestigious Brian Monaghan Award for business innovation.