4 Days - 4 Sectors! The Future Growth Engines in the Indian Chemicals, Materials & Food Industry

Business Wire, June 11, 2008

Key Focus of "Accelerating Growth in Chemicals, Materials & Foods"

A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange

MUMBAI, India -- The Chemicals, Materials & Foods practice of Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, is for the first time, organizing a four day Executive MindXchange titled, "Accelerating Growth in Chemicals, Materials & Foods," which will focus on four emerging markets such as Functional Foods, Flexible Packaging, Performance/Specialty Chemicals and Carbon Credits. This premium conference is scheduled to be held from June 23-26, 2008 at the Leela, Mumbai from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Each day endeavors to be power-packed with the industry's best gathering under one roof, for in-depth discussions and debates on key issues governing each sector.

Today, while the changing business models, outsourcing opportunities and the pressure of REACH is foremost on the chemical manufacturer's mind, the Food & Beverage industry is competing to gain the first mover's advantage in the rapidly evolving functional foods segment. On the other hand, with the packaging of products becoming significant with consumers' prioritization of appearance; flexible packaging is now the fastest growing type in the world. And, the industry at large and the renewable energy sector in particular across South and Southeast Asia are looking to capitalize on the financial instrument, 'Carbon Credits.'

These developments present tremendous opportunity and growth potential for Indian industry participants. Frost & Sullivan, as a global growth consulting company, is looking towards providing solutions to these "business redefining" issues at this summit. This conclave will witness senior level participation from CxOs, VPs, Directors, Business Heads, covering key functional areas such as business strategy and alliance management, business developments, R&D, product development, product management and supply chain management.

According to Mamta Wadhwa - Sr. Director, Chemicals, Materials and Foods Practice, Frost & Sullivan, South Asia and Middle East: "India today is no longer isolated from the world. Growth in industries such as foods, performance chemicals, packaging is happening due to rise in domestic demand as well as increased opportunity due to globalization. Performance Chemicals industry constitutes only 20 percent of the total chemical industry in India, but the market is growing at more than 15 percent y-o-y as compared to the growth of the chemical industry, which is pegged at 10 to 11 percent. Similarly, the Rs.10,000 Crore flexible packaging industry is growing at 17 percent y-o-y. Flexible packaging industry is also driven by the high growth of the Foods and Beverages sector, which in turn is driven by increased consumerism, urbanization and exposure to international product formats due to the retail boom. These industries today are dynamic and rapidly evolving, and the Summit aims to capture and share knowledge about the key challenges that are affecting market participants."

Monday, the 23rd of June, will focus on Functional Foods. It will see industry players such as Pepsico, Danisco, Marico, GSK Consumer, amongst others, take center stage to address, 'Opportunities and Future Trends in Health Snacks, Digestive Health Products and Kids Nutrition,' 'Novel Ingredients that are expected to Revolutionize the Indian Industry,' 'R&D and Innovation Driven Business Dynamics - Key Success Factors and Case Studies,' 'Marketing Functional Foods: Product Differentiation by Packaging,' 'Functional Foods: Regulatory concerns in Claims, Labeling and Manufacturing,' to name a few.

Day II, 24th June, 2008, will focus solely on the Flexible Packaging sector. Besides touching upon the current and future scenario of Flexible Packaging in India, its role in market promotion, this MindXchange will also take into account 'Consumers Perspective - Impact of Flexible Packaging on Demand, Rationale and Trends' and cover 'Emerging Trends in Plastic Film Manufacturing,' 'Emerging Technologies and Technological Requirements,' 'Innovative Polymers for Emerging Demand in Flexible Packaging,' amongst other issues. These would be addressed by key industry players like Britannia, Reliance Industries, Windmoller and Holscher (India), Nichrome India, The Paper Products Ltd. and Marico Ltd.

The highlight for day III, 25th June, 2008, which will focus on Specialty/Performance Chemicals, will be the CEO Round Table. This will see high-profiled industry luminaries from Jubilant, Dow, Danisco, Arkema, Dorf Ketal, Croda come together to discuss 'Global Growth Opportunities and Challenges for the Indian Chemicals Industry.' Tata Chemicals Ltd. will also be present and will cover 'Nanotechnology and its Implications for Specialty/Performance Chemicals.' Besides this, companies such as Asian Paints, Procter & Gamble and others will also make their presence felt by speaking on usage trends of specialty chemicals in key end-use industries, including emerging opportunities.