India's packaging sector evolving rapidly, poised to lead Asia's sustainable shift: Chakravarthi
Hyderabad, June 15 (UNI) Hyderabad-based global packaging expert Chakravarthi AVPS, Chairman and Managing Director of Ecobliss India and Global Ambassador of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), said that India's packaging sector is evolving rapidly and holds the potential to lead Asia's transition toward sustainable food systems.
Delivering the keynote address at an international roundtable organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, Chakravarthi emphasised that 'India's food waste problem has a packaging fix.'
He urged policymakers and industry leaders to reframe packaging not as a cost burden but as a value-preserving investment, pointing out that the country loses up to 30 percent of its food post-harvest due to inadequate packaging, handling, and cold-chain infrastructure.
Highlighting India's advancements in sustainable packaging, he showcased innovations such as active and intelligent packaging for dairy and perishable products, eco-friendly materials derived from banana fibre, areca leaf, and sugarcane bagasse, state-led traceability pilots for horticulture and seafood exports, the rise of green-tech packaging startups, and the expansion of cold-chain and research infrastructure.
Chakravarthi's remarks were widely appreciated by stakeholders from over 15 participating nations.
The roundtable featured several distinguished speakers, including Ms Luciana Pellegrino, President of the WPO; Ali Badernah, Divisional Chief, UNIDO; and Eelke Westra, Programme Manager at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
The session was moderated by Dr Johannes Bergmair, General Secretary of the WPO. The panel collectively emphasised the crucial role of packaging in ensuring food safety, reducing losses, and achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
A significant outcome of the session was the release of a joint research paper, titled 'Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox: Balancing Food Loss Reduction with Save Food Packaging.' Co-authored by UNIDO, WPO, and WUR, the report presents a methodology-driven roadmap for reducing food waste through smart, sustainable packaging practices.
The global forum reinforced India's rising influence and thought leadership in the field of sustainable packaging, positioning the nation at the forefront of resilient and eco-friendly food system development across Asia, a statement said on Sunday.
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