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Sustainability & Innovation drive the future of food packaging at AFST Mumbai conference
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Monday, 17 March, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (I) Mumbai Chapter (AFST[I]) hosted an insightful seminar at the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), bringing together industry leaders and researchers to explore cutting-edge innovations in food packaging. Experts discussed smart packaging, biodegradable materials, regulatory challenges, and shifting consumer demands shaping the industry’s future.
Opening the discussion, Bhushan Yengade, Joint Secretary, AFST(I) Mumbai Chapter, emphasized the importance of balancing technological advancements with environmental responsibility in modern food packaging.
Renowned researcher Professor Keshavan Niranjan (University of Reading, UK) shared his work on transforming agricultural waste into sustainable packaging solutions. He stressed the need for collaboration between scientists and industry leaders to tackle cost-effectiveness and scalability challenges.
Redefining food packaging trends Professor Shalini Arya, President, AFST(I) Mumbai Chapter, spotlighted innovations like active packaging (prolonging shelf life) and intelligent packaging (monitoring food freshness). She also discussed integrating traditional food preservation techniques with modern technology.
Consumer preferences are shifting toward eco-friendly, minimalist designs, noted Poonam V. Prakash, Assistant Director, IIP Mumbai. She underscored IIP’s role in fostering R&D for next-gen packaging solutions.
Unnikannan Gangadharan, director, Hell Energy Pvt. Ltd., highlighted concerns over microplastic contamination in food packaging, calling for stricter regulations and sustainable alternatives.
Further addressing regulatory hurdles, Bhushan Yengade shared insights from market research on using agricultural byproducts like rice husks in packaging. Professor Niranjan urged government backing to drive research and industry adoption.
Discussions also delved into how AI, e-commerce, and circular economy principles are reshaping packaging strategies. Experts predicted that within the next decade, AI-driven quality control, plant-based films, edible packaging, and biodegradable materials will dominate the industry.
The conference concluded with a call for stronger industry-government collaboration, investment in sustainable technologies, and consumer education on responsible packaging disposal.
With sustainability at the forefront, AFST(I) Mumbai’s seminar reinforced the urgency of transforming food packaging into a more eco-friendly and technologically advanced sector.
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