Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I have had the privilege of working in PLASTICS, FLEXIBLE PACKAGING, PLASTIC RECYCLING, EWASTE RECYCLING, LITHIUM BATTERY, ELECTRICAL MOBILITY, RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, AND ALSO the SUSTAINABILITY sector for over 39years, building expertise across specific domains—e.g., sustainability, renewable energy, policy advocacy, corporate strategy, etc. Over the course of my career, I have been actively involved in key areas—such as developing industry roadmaps, facilitating government-industry collaboration, leading large-scale projects, or driving innovation in the sector.

My work has primarily focused on enabling sustainable business practices, shaping regulatory frameworks, or expanding market opportunities, which has given me a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and future trends shaping our industry.

I have devoted my professional career to advancing innovation, policy alignment, and sustainable growth across multiple critical sectors—namely plastics, packaging, recycling, waste-to-wealth, e-waste recycling, lithium batteries, electrical mobility, renewable and sustainable energy, and broader sustainability initiatives.

Over the years, I have worked extensively with industry leaders, government bodies, and international stakeholders to foster responsible industrial practices, enable circular economy models, and create platforms that address both economic growth and environmental stewardship.

In the plastics and packaging sector, my focus has been on promoting advanced recycling technologies, sustainable material alternatives, and compliance with evolving environmental regulations. In e-waste and lithium battery recycling, I have contributed to building ecosystem partnerships, shaping collection and processing models, and aligning these efforts with national and global sustainability goals.

Additionally, my work in renewable and sustainable energy—covering solar, wind, hydrogen, and bioenergy—has been centered on integrating cleaner energy solutions into industrial and mobility applications, ensuring a smooth transition toward carbon neutrality and resource efficiency.

Through platforms such as the Global Sustainability Summit & Expo, I aim to bring together industry, policy, and innovation leaders to collaborate on practical solutions that transform waste into wealth, accelerate the adoption of clean technologies, and pave the way for a resilient, circular, and sustainable future.

 

Q2. What innovations in materials or technology did you see gaining traction and which ones do you believe will shape the next decade?

In the coming decade, I see a wave of transformative innovations reshaping our industries.

In plastics and packaging, the momentum is shifting toward advanced biodegradable materials, chemical recycling, and mono-material packaging designed for full recyclability. Both policy pressure and consumer demand for sustainable solutions drive these developments.

In recycling and waste-to-wealth, AI-enabled sorting systems, robotics, and decentralized recycling hubs are gaining traction, enabling higher recovery rates and more efficient resource utilization.

For e-waste and lithium battery recycling, the breakthroughs lie in second-life battery applications, advanced hydrometallurgical processes, and urban mining technologies that maximize material recovery and reduce environmental impact.

In electrical mobility, solid-state batteries, lightweight composite materials, and energy-efficient power electronics will significantly improve performance, safety, and sustainability.

In renewable and sustainable energy, green hydrogen, floating solar, offshore wind, and integrated energy storage systems will be at the forefront, driving cleaner energy adoption across industries.

Overall, the next decade will be shaped by material circularity, decarbonization technologies, and scalable innovations that integrate sustainability with economic viability.

 

Q3. How is AI transforming demand forecasting, production planning, or quality control in the flexible packaging industry?

AI is creating a significant shift in how the flexible packaging industry operates, particularly in demand forecasting, production planning, and quality control.

In demand forecasting, AI uses real-time market data, customer orders, seasonality, and macroeconomic trends to generate highly accurate sales projections. This reduces overproduction, minimizes waste, and optimizes raw material procurement.

In production planning, AI-powered scheduling tools can analyze machine performance, order priorities, and supply chain constraints to create the most efficient production sequences. This results in reduced downtime, faster changeovers, and better utilization of capacity.

In quality control, AI-enabled vision systems and machine learning models can detect minute defects, color inconsistencies, or structural weaknesses in packaging films at high speeds. This allows for real-time adjustments on production lines, improving yield and reducing rework or scrap.

Overall, AI is enabling the flexible packaging industry to move toward a data-driven, highly responsive, and waste-minimized manufacturing ecosystem, aligning operational efficiency with sustainability goals.

 

Q4. How does the Indian flexible packaging market compare with global peers in terms of penetration, per capita usage, and growth potential?

The Indian flexible packaging market stands out as one of the most dynamic globally, though it differs significantly from mature markets in terms of penetration, per capita usage, and growth trajectory.

In penetration, flexible packaging in India is still evolving beyond its core segments of food, beverages, personal care, and pharmaceuticals, with increasing adoption in fresh produce, e-commerce, industrial products, and specialty applications. While global markets—particularly in North America and Western Europe—are saturated, India continues to see new category expansion.

In per capita usage, India is still relatively low, estimated at less than 6–8 kg per capita annually, compared to 20–25 kg in China and 35–40 kg in mature Western markets. This gap reflects both lower packaged goods penetration and emerging organized retail and e-commerce channels, indicating untapped potential.

In terms of growth potential, India is among the fastest-growing flexible packaging markets globally, with a projected CAGR of 8–10% over the next 5–7 years, driven by urbanization, rising middle-class consumption, retail modernization, and sustainability-led innovation. While global peers are focusing on recycling targets and premiumization, India’s market still has significant room for volume growth alongside sustainability adoption.

In summary, India’s flexible packaging market is in a high-growth phase with low per capita usage and broadening penetration, positioning it as one of the most attractive emerging markets globally.

 

Q5. How do you see the rise of e-commerce, food delivery, and cold-chain logistics creating new packaging needs or opportunities?

The rapid growth of e-commerce, food delivery, and cold-chain logistics is fundamentally reshaping packaging requirements, creating both challenges and new opportunities for the industry.

In e-commerce, packaging needs to provide durability, tamper-evidence, lightweight design, and cost efficiency. This is driving demand for multi-layer mailer films, bubble pouches, recyclable mono-material laminates, and innovative packaging solutions that enable better tracking and returns management.

In food delivery, the focus is on heat retention, leak-proof performance, hygiene, and single-use reduction. This is fueling innovation in compostable containers, recyclable flexible wraps, and insulated pouches that balance performance with sustainability.

In cold-chain logistics, particularly for frozen foods, dairy, meat, seafood, and pharmaceuticals, packaging must ensure temperature integrity, barrier performance, and extended shelf life. This is creating opportunities for advanced barrier films, vacuum pouches, high-strength shrink wraps, and QR-coded smart labels for real-time monitoring.

Overall, these sectors are pushing the packaging industry toward functional innovation, material efficiency, and sustainable designs, opening doors for specialized converters, recyclability-driven product lines, and technology-enabled solutions.

 

Q6. From your vantage point, were there any players particularly strong in sustainability, smart packaging, or automation-led manufacturing that were reshaping the market?

Yes, we are seeing several players emerge as leaders in sustainability, innovative packaging, and automation-led manufacturing, reshaping the competitive landscape of the flexible packaging industry.

In sustainability, leading converters in India and abroad are investing in 100% recyclable mono-material laminates, biodegradable films, PCR-based (post-consumer recycled) solutions, and closed-loop recycling programs. Global leaders such as Amcor, Huhtamaki, and UFlex are driving large-scale initiatives, while several Indian mid-tier players are developing localized recycling and compostable solutions tailored for regional markets.

In innovative packaging, companies are introducing QR codes, NFC tags, and sensor-enabled labels for traceability, authentication, and customer engagement. These innovations are powerful in pharmaceuticals, premium food products, and cold-chain logistics, where supply chain integrity and product authenticity are critical.

In automation-led manufacturing, major Indian and global converters are upgrading to AI-enabled vision inspection, robotic handling, and Industry 4.0-driven production lines. This results in higher precision, reduced waste, faster changeovers, and improved quality consistency, raising the competitiveness of Indian operations to global standards.

Overall, the combination of sustainable materials, intelligent packaging solutions, and smart manufacturing is redefining industry benchmarks, positioning these forward-looking players as the ones to watch in the next growth cycle.

 

Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management?

 If I were an investor evaluating companies in this space, my critical question to senior management would be:

“How are you aligning your product portfolio, supply chain, and capital investments to meet the dual challenge of rapid market growth and mandatory sustainability compliance over the next 5–10 years?”

This question is essential because it tests:

• Vision: Whether the leadership has a clear roadmap for regulatory compliance, circular economy integration, and carbon reduction.

• Execution Capability: How effectively they can scale innovation, automation, and material transitions without disrupting profitability.

• Resilience: Whether they are prepared for shifting customer preferences, stricter waste management laws, and global sustainability benchmarks.

An investor needs assurance that the company is not just reacting to trends, but proactively positioning itself for a future where sustainability, digitalization, and global competitiveness are non-negotiable.