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“Personalisation in pkg now possible in large scale”
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Monday, 21 October, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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 India’s flexible packaging market is experiencing significant growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing consumer demand for high-quality packaging. The adoption of digital printing, for instance, allows brands to enhance customisation, reduce lead times, and improve efficiency. As companies focus on sustainability and eco-friendly materials, this sector is likely to see innovative solutions that align with global trends. Furthermore, the push for improved branding and product differentiation is encouraging Indian manufacturers to invest in advanced packaging technologies, making the country a key player on the global stage, said Aman Bachhawat, co-founder at Spectalpack, in an email interaction with Nandita Vijayasimha. Excerpts:
What is the future of food packaging in the wake of sustainability focus globally?
In the evolving landscape of food packaging, sustainability has become a key focus. Monomaterials and paper are also gaining traction as sustainable options for flexible packaging. Monomaterials, such as all-PE(polyethylene) or all-PP (polypropylene) pouches, are easier to recycle, supporting the circular economy, which aims to eliminate waste and reuse resources. Paper-based flexible packaging is another sustainable alternative, providing compostable and recyclable solutions for various products.
Furthermore, a huge indirect development in the flexible packaging industry has been digital printing, the key printing technology used by us. The digital printing technology inherently supports sustainability by minimising waste through on-demand production and reducing inventory requirements. The ability to print smaller quantities tailored to specific needs means less surplus packaging is discarded, directly contributing to environmental preservation. Furthermore, innovations like HP Indigo-printed flexible packaging are highly recyclable, with inks that can be de-inked and materials compatible with polyolefin recycling. Digital printing also aligns with sustainable supply chain practices, helping reduce the carbon footprint by enabling localised production without the need for costly tooling. We are committed to embracing these advancements, ensuring that we remain aligned with global trends and continue offering eco-friendly packaging solutions that cater to our clients' sustainability goals.
How much of technology like AI (artificial intelligence) , blockchain, robotics are taking over packaging and supply chain management?
AI is transforming flexible packaging by enhancing predictive analytics helping brand owners take Just-in-time procurement measures. Additionally, quality control using AI and IoT (Internet of Things) supported devices help significantly in identifying defects in packaging. Designing packaging through AI is also something which is picking up, making it easier for small business owners to launch their brands.
While blockchain offers solid traceability that aids in quality assurance and fraud protection, the technology infrastructure is not fully developed yet, limiting its widespread implementation in the sector. Overall, these technologies are driving significant efficiency and innovation in flexible packaging and supply chain management.
Where does India stand in food packaging globally?
India is emerging as a key player in the global flexible packaging market. The adoption of advanced technologies, for instance digital printing, is revolutionising the industry. Brands in India are increasingly investing in high-quality packaging solutions to compete with global standards.
The sheer demand for branding products amongst brand owners has boosted the growth of packaging in India. The expectations of brand owners and quality standards of packaging suppliers have started to meet equilibrium, an advancement long sought-after in a country like India. As a result, Indian brands today are willing to allocate substantial budgets for innovative packaging that meets international quality benchmarks, further positioning India as a competitive force in the global flexible packaging landscape.
?What are India's key strengths in this space? Is India much sought after destination for food packaging outsourcing by global players going by cost and efficient time line deliveries?
India has emerged as a major player in the flexible packaging industry, with several key strengths driving its growth. Flexible packaging in India is expected to see a CAGR of 15.94% between 2023 and 2028, demonstrating the sector's vibrant growth potential.
One of the most significant advantages is the rapid growth of start-ups in the sector. Another strength is the availability of raw materials like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and aluminium, which are abundant and affordable in India.
In terms of technology, India has seen significant advancements in printing technologies and access to state-of-the-art machinery. New techniques like digital printing allow packaging companies to produce high-quality, customisable designs at scale, helping meet the demands of international markets. Another key advantage is India's skilled yet affordable labour force. This labour availability not only keeps production costs low but also ensures a competitive edge in global markets. Further, through its improved production capacity and standards, India is establishing itself as a preferred supplier for global packaging needs.
Do you think going by the packaging sector in food potential to boosting production, employment and economic growth, does the government need to provide schemes on similar lines that of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing?
The government has done great in terms of PLI schemes for certain manufacturing sectors. The flexible packaging sector majorly co-relates to food-related products and the pharmaceutical industry. Because these sectors have benefitted from the PLI schemes, there has been an indirect benefit for the packaging industry – in terms of volume of production. However, the fact remains that the packaging industry is ancillary to these industries benefiting from the PLI scheme. It would be great to see the government pass on certain direct advantages to industries ancillary to those benefitting from the PLI scheme.
This is an age of smart printing technologies. Comment.
Yes, 100%. In today's era, smart printing technologies have revolutionised the flexible packaging industry, offering levels of customisation, efficiency, and security we have never seen before. Being from the printing and packaging industry, we have experienced the brighter side of this after branching out to digital printing. Traditional printing methods typically involved use of cylinders where technological improvements were mainly from the front of efficiency. Today, with digital printing, we are able to take the benefit of software in packaging for consumer goods.
For instance, personalisation in packaging is now possible in large scale. Brands are now using smart printing technologies to create limited editions, personalised packaging, and unique designs tailored to individual consumers. This level of customisation has been shown to boost brand engagement and offer remarkable marketing RoIs.
Additionally, the integration of security features into packaging through smart printing has transformed the way brands protect their products. Technologies such as track-and-trace solutions, invisible inks, and microtext are now easily incorporated into the packaging using modern day technologies.
What are the likely future efforts of the company?
As a person coming from flexible packaging industry, I foresee brand builders advancing rapidly towards the digital printing process. We aim to introduce web to pack in the coming days to ensure seamless order process with immediate availability to see the prototype of the final product. We also believe sustainability is going to be key going forward. We are continuously investing in developing sustainable packaging products and figuring how they can offer the same advantages of current packaging constructions. As a group, we hope to be a one-stop shop for any packaging needs for consumers. We aim to leverage technology and innovation in all our products and processes.
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