Sustainable packaging in India- A domain in rising

1. Introduction

Plastic is one of the major compounds used for packaging purposes all around the world. Due to its versatile application, resistance and durability, it has been a major packaging choice for most industries globally. However, along with providing benefits it comes with a hefty penalty as well. Ironically the desired material properties of plastic (i.e. resistance, durability) are the same reason why it has become such a hazard and issue for the environment. ?Due to these properties, plastic takes a very long time to degrade and once disposed off, it remains in the landscape for several years resulting in its accumulation and degradation of the environment.

Looking at India, its plastic waste generation has increased steadily over the years showcasing how the issue is pertaining even after the government implemented the plastic waste management rules, 2016. It is estimated that around 70% of plastic packaging products get converted into waste materials within a very short span of time putting more stress on the environment. Even though 60% of this plastic packaging waste gets recycled, over 9400 tonnes of this waste still end up in landfills, polluting streams or ground water resources. (Source)

2. How is India responding to the plastic waste issue?

2.1 Revision of plastic waste management amendment rules

Even though India launched plastic waste management rules in the year 2016, looking at the issue still pertaining, it has revised these rules to create Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, 2021, which prohibits identified single-use plastic items which have low utility and high littering potential by 2022. The amended rules prohibit the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities (Source)

2.2 Introduction of Government Schemes

The government of India has launched multiple schemes in the food processing domain to reduce plastic waste produced from this domain. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) aims to modernize infrastructure and enhance supply chain management from farm to retail, boosting the food processing sector. The PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) offers financial, technical, and business assistance for establishing or upgrading micro food processing enterprises (Source). Finally, the Bureau of Indian Standards has recently come up with a handbook on Indian Standards for Sustainable Packaging. This handbook has been brought out to drive India towards new sustainable packaging solutions. The handbook not only provides solutions for the food packaging industry but also for sustainable packaging in consumer products, industrial products, petroleum-related products and textile products as well (Source). All these schemes improve food processing and packaging solutions which as a result will help the government curb the challenges related to plastic packaging waste production.

2.3 International collaborations

India is taking steps towards international collaborations in sustainable packaging solutions in order to overcome the challenges being faced. Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), a national apex body has linkages with the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP), USA; the Institute of Packaging (IOP), UK; Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), USA and the World Packaging Organization (WPO) (Source). ?The Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA) an international organization is set to organize PACKNXT in 2024 in Mumbai, India where the focus will be on Smart Packaging, Sustainability, Authentication & Security, Customer Experience, Connected Packaging (Source). Further, India has become the first Asian country to develop a plastic pact which is a collaboration between WWF India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). It is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and WRAP, and endorsed by the British High Commission in India (Source).

3. How is India fairing in innovations related to sustainable packaging?

Looking at the push by the Indian government and various rules and regulations demoting the use of plastic in packaging, innovations are bound to take place in the sustainable packaging domain.

3.1 Global patent filing trend

When comparing the patent filing trend of India with other countries it immediately becomes evident that India has been pushing to innovate in this domain. Analysis showcases that India is among the top ten countries when it comes to patent filings related to the sustainable packaging domain

3.2 Patent filing trends over the years

The patent filing trend over the years showcases somewhat similarities with the timeline with which the Indian government has come up with its policies. Post plastic waste management rules, 2016, India has seen quite an increment in patents filed in sustainable packaging domain, however, with the revision of the rules in 2021, there has been a drop in patent filings. With stability anticipated in government regulations, the patent filing trend is anticipated to pick up pace in the coming years.

3.3 Technologies in focus

Looking at the technologies being explored by the Indian market in the sustainable packaging domain some of the key areas which are becoming a hot spot are –

• Water soluble packaging - This solution focuses on developing a packaging material which on normal use retains its strength and can store items within it but upon discarding and coming in contact with water it is fully dissolvable without leaving any toxic traces behind. Such packaging solutions are being aimed at replacing single-use plastic packaging.
• 3-D printed packaging - This solution makes use of 3D printing technology for creating packaging solutions. Sustainable materials are used as raw materials which are used in precise form to reduce material wastage and create various packaging forms based upon required application. The sustainable material used for creating packaging shapes when discarded upon use does not cause any harm to the environment and decomposes easily.
• Agro-waste-based packaging – This solution uses agriculture-produced waste such as cow dung, stems, leaves, seedpods, fruit pulp, bagasse etc. as raw material from which packaging solutions are made. These materials being organic in nature when discarded in the environment enriches it.
• Aqua/sea waste-based packaging – Such a packaging solution uses waste produced by the marine industry such as fish skin, nets, seaweed etc. as raw material.?

4. What are the present and future pathways of this trend?

4.1 Startups - a force to be reckoned

Major packaging companies in India have taken significant steps to reduce the use of plastic in their packaging solutions. For example – In 2022, ITC launched the Filo series which uses sustainable packaging boards as a single plastic substitution offering (Source). Nestle, another major brand involved in the packaging domain, is working with partners and associations to scale up the collection, sorting and recycling of packaging waste. One such project is ‘Project Hilldaari’ which is based on solid and plastic waste management at select tourist cities of India (Mussoorie, Munnar, Dalhousie etc.) (Source1, Source2).

However, when it comes to innovation in sustainable packaging, Indian startups have recently shown quite interesting and varied solutions related to this domain. Here are some of these solutions –

• Gaukriti – This startup has been using cow dung to create paper. The startup has also recently published a patent where they are going to use cow dung for creating packaging solutions. As per the solution, cow dung is used along a binding agent (Litsea glutinosa, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba etc.)? to create packaging material. The inside portion of the packaging is coated with powder form of an organic waste (such as Azadirachta indica etc.) to protect the storing item present inside the package. (Source, Patent no. IN202311007813A)
• Agrigenium Innovations Pvt. Ltd – This Bengaluru-based startup is using agro-waste such as straw, leaves, stems and other residues of major food crops to create bioproducts. The startup also has a patent on the same. The patent discusses using agricultural residues (such as rice straw, wheat straw, coconut coir etc.) and a natural binder (such as wheat gluten, soyprotein etc.) and mixing them to create a biodegradable packaging solution. (Source, Patent no. IN378950A1)
• Nanosentrix Pvt Ltd – This Bengaluru-based startup is using waste plant biomass as raw materials to create packaging solutions. The developed packaging solutions comprise cleaning, drying and grinding the raw material and mixing it with degradable biopolymer and additives. The obtained mixture is extruded to produce degradable pellets. These pellets are then subjected to injection moulding to produce biodegradable packaging solutions. The same has been patented by them. (Patent no. IN202341027258A)

4.2 Consumer’s take

Looking at how major companies and startups have been innovating in this domain, the government’s push is not the only factor which has driven growth in this domain. Consumers have also been vocal about the need for sustainable packaging solutions. Global surveys have shown that around 79% of consumers are changing their purchase preferences based on sustainability. Out of this 65% are willing to purchase alternative non-plastic products or packaging than plastics (Source). Coming to India, surveys indicate that more than 75% of consumers in India are willing to pay for sustainable packaging products (Source) while they are willing to pay more than 20% premium for such sustainable products (Source).

These surveys are a clear indication of the market existence for sustainable packaging products which can be tapped by the industry. This also indicates a strong future development in this domain.

5. Conclusion

Based on the recent government policies, collaborations and push to increase innovation along with consumer surveys and their willingness to pay extra and buy sustainable packaging products all are indications towards how this domain will be rising in coming years.

Innovation in this domain is picking up as indicated by patent filings and ranking. Also, the recent patent filings by startups in this domain are a clear indication of a surge to be reckoned in the coming time. All these indications finally fall in line with the larger goal set by India to go net zero in 2070 which will inevitably lead to innovation developments not only in sustainable packaging but also in other environmentally friendly solutions being developed in other areas.