Noel D'Cunha

CDSCO's proposal follows investigations into counterfeit medicines and could bring India's pharmaceutical print and packaging supply chain under formal regulatory oversight for the first time

Colgate-Palmolive India posted a strong rebound in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, with revenue rising 9% year-on-year to INR 1,583 crore

The growth was fuelled by a nearly 30% rise in cigarette sales and 15% growth in the FMCG-Others business

India’s packaging boom is masking deep inefficiencies in design, validation and sustainability, and the industry must shift from habit to science

Comexi will present application-led sustainable packaging solutions at Interpack 2026, focusing on reducing emissions while improving production efficiency.

BW Packaging will showcase integrated packaging solutions at Interpack 2026, bringing together multiple machine brands under a single platform.

Minebea Intec will highlight application-specific solutions at Interpack 2026, targeting manufacturers seeking efficiency, compliance and process reliability.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG will highlight integrated packaging production systems at Interpack 2026, targeting growth segments such as pharma, food and cosmetics.

Hugo Beck will introduce a new paper-based sleeve wrapping system at Interpack 2026, targeting transport packaging applications seeking alternatives to plastic and corrugated formats.

Bobst will use Interpack 2026 to demonstrate collaborative packaging solutions across labels, flexible packaging, cartons and corrugated

Sidel will present complete line solutions and new automation systems at Interpack 2026, focusing on managing growing production complexity

Manish Joshi, regional commercial director, Asia at Ball Beverage Packaging India, outlines how rising beverage demand, sustainability economics, and advanced manufacturing are shaping Ball’s long-term India strategy, with Sri City and Taloja emerging as anchors for capacity, innovation, and circular packaging

With new laboratories, expanded testing infrastructure and a stronger focus on education, certification and incubation, the Indian Institute of Packaging is building the systems required to help Indian packaging meet international regulatory expectations and perform reliably across global supply chains. Shekar Amberkar, deputy director and head of the International Packaging Centre at the Indian Institute of Packaging in conversation with the WhatPackaging? team

Harald Jasper of Actega tells Noel D’Cunha how Ecoleaf redefines metallisation with on-demand, waste-free finesse

Ball invests USD 60-million in Sri City plant to boost aluminium can production

Noel D'Cunha summarises key insights from a Q&A session with Priyesh Dalmia, co-founder of Spectalpack, detailing the company's founding vision, technological approach, engagement with brands, business growth strategy, and commitment to sustainability in the flexible packaging industry

The CEO of Archroma Packaging Technologies, Sameer Singla, in conversation with Noel D’Cunha speaks about India’s potential to lead the global packaging transformation, the science behind bio-based chemistry, and why collaboration between policymakers, brands, converters and chemical innovators will decide the pace of sustainable change

IPMMI has established multiple partnerships through its Envision initiative, complemented by workshops, roadshows and faculty training programmes at Somaiya Institute.

With brands now mandated to incorporate 30% recycled content in packaging, rising to 60% by 2028, the pressure for high-quality sorted materials has intensified.

Trio’s foray into robotics includes a five-axis robot developed with Tata, priced competitively against imports.

The platform, which has propelled OfBusiness to a USD 5-billion valuation, aims to address critical pain points for small and medium enterprises in the sector.

India's packaging industry stands at an inflection point, with global automation leader Omron positioning smart technologies as the catalyst needed to bridge the country's glaring gap in packaged food consumption.

Festo's predictive maintenance solutions can reduce unplanned downtime by up to 20%, potentially saving mid-sized plants INR 5- to INR 10-lakh monthly in lost production.

Aseem Kaushik, managing director of L’Oreal India, outlines a strategy built on deeper distribution, inclusive leadership, local innovation and sustainable ambition. At Envision 2025, he unpacks how India’s beauty market is evolving — and how the company is shifting its lens from presence to purpose.

The technology provides real-time inventory tracking, eliminating discrepancies between recorded and physical stock levels. Early adopters have reported 30% reductions in consumable waste alongside improved accountability.

The session opened with Gupta confronting the scepticism facing his industry: "When I say health food, what's the first reaction? 'Fake hoga. Waise hi hota hai.'" This candid admission set the tone for a talk exploring how to build trust while breaking through self-imposed limitations.

Naik outlined Buffett’s "moat" strategy of creating competitive advantages that rivals cannot replicate.

Mahadevan Iyer, president of IPMMI and CEO of IMA PG India, set the tone with his keynote address to 146 participants from 117 companies nationwide.

With India’s fresh produce sector demanding smarter logistics and higher quality packaging, Ahmedabad’s Astron Packaging has built a mammoth corrugation plant in Pune. Noel D’Cunha sits down with Niraj Darji to explore how this investment signals a sharp strategic shift and what it reveals about the future of corrugation in India

Mehul Shah, founder and managing director of Encube, charts how India’s pharmaceutical sector can scale from a USD 60-billion industry to USD 450-billion through precision, digitalisation, and sustainable growth.

Panellists Puru Gupta, Mahendra Mehta, Anthony D’Souza, and Nikhil Naik share candid lessons in leadership, failure, and inspiration as Sanjay Ghoshal of Diageo India anchors the closing panel of Envision 2025 with practical insights for India’s packaging machinery manufacturers.

From gold-foiled tea sachets to NFC-enabled whisky bottles, the INR 4,000-crore premium label market is growing at a 10.7% annual clip (Mordor Intelligence 2024). During the CMPL show, WhatPackaging? caught up with Nirav Shah, managing director at Letra Graphics, who says, "Today, the premium label market is blending regulatory savvy, export ambition, and sensory marketing into packaging that sells before the product is even touched."

Printmann Offset strengthens its pharma packaging dominance by acquiring a controlling stake in Hyderabad-based HSOP, marking a strategic leap into southern India’s burgeoning market.

Pidilite Industries is exploring new partnerships and acquisitions, with reports suggesting it may be vying to acquire Akzo Nobel India. The move comes as Akzo Nobel NV plans to divest its Indian operations in a deal valued at Rs 13,107-crore.

TCPL Packaging (TCPL) has entered into an exclusive manufacturing partnership with VentIt (VENTiT), a company renowned for its innovative ventilated pizza boxes.

Canpac Trends has completed the acquisition of the packaging business of Saptagiri Packagings. This move aims to enhance Canpac's market position and broaden its product offerings within the packaging industry.

DCGpac is a B2B packaging solutions provider, and its CEO, Suresh Bansal, says it is committed to customer-centric innovation. On 21 November, the company celebrated its twentieth anniversary. Bansal reveals the success recipe and how his company aims to meet the packaging needs of businesses across sectors while expanding its warehousing capabilities to enhance supply chain efficiency. Read on....

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has reclassified packaged drinking and mineral water as a ‘high-risk food’ category, marking a significant shift in regulatory oversight. In real terms this means, packaged drinking water and mineral water manufacturers will have their businesses audited by a FSSAI recognised food safety auditing agency every year.

A panel discussion themed First impression, last impression — Packaging innovation in the age of customer care at Drink Technology in India saw experts who shared their perspectives on the role of packaging in branding, sustainability, and its future in the Indian market.

In a consumer-driven market, packaging is no longer just a means of containing products; it plays a pivotal role in branding, sustainability, and consumer engagement. Therefore, is there a need for companies to adapt their packaging strategies in response to evolving consumer preferences?

In an era where consumer demands are rapidly evolving, the packaging industry finds itself at a crossroads. Traditional methods are giving way to innovative technologies aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Packaging professionals gather at the PackMach Asia Expo 2024 to discuss the relationship between technology and efficiency.

Bobst Master RS 6003 has become the first rotogravure press in the world to receive Pantone validation. During Drupa 2024, Bobst had shared the news about the Pantone validation to the attendees at its stand.

Omnia Technologies has announced a joint venture with Economy Process Solutions, a provider of vacuum systems and process equipment in India. This collaboration aims to provide processing and packaging equipment to companies in the beverage and pharmaceutical sectors across India.

James Purnell took charge as the CEO of Flint Global on 30 September 2024.

Stora Enso, headquartered in Helsinki, is planning to enhance its balance sheet and reduce its debt by divesting a portion of its forest assets.

Valco Melton, the manufacturer of adhesive application equipment, showcased its new inspection systems tailored for the corrugated industry at the IndiaCorr show.

The Flint Group manufactures and sells various coatings for various applications – including matt, gloss, barrier, and more. Noel D’cunha talks to Upal Roy, managing director of India and Middle East group for the Flint Group about the latest in coatings

Mumbai-based Inkspired MetalPrint, a part of steel specialist Zarhak Steels, has ordered the Koenig & Bauer (K&B) MetalStar 4 metal printing line during Drupa.

Avery Dennison, a leading provider of materials science and digital identification solutions, introduced a new program AD InsightX. On 9 May 2024, brands and consumers gathered to collaborate and brainstorm to build an ecosystem at Avery Dennison's Innovation and Knowledge Centre (ADIKC) in Ranjangaon.

Team Messe Dusseldorf kicked off its Drupa 2024 India Yatra in Mumbai on 13 December 2023 with a late evening event at the JW Marrriot, Juhu, which saw close to 50 participants comprising CEOs of the print companies and media.

Ahmedabad-based packaging specialist, Canpac has established Altpac, a division focussed on sustainable packaging, to offer eco-friendly packaging, within the eCommerce and retail domains.

The Labelexpo from 11-14 September in Brussels (Belgium) will showcase a host of technologies for the rapidly evolving labels and packaging segment. Noel D’Cunha provides a snapshot of what to expect.

Harveer Sahni, chairman at Weldon Celloplast will moderate a power-packed panel of labels and packaging converters, and material and equipment manufacturers during the two-day LMAI Conference 2023.

Label and packaging converters are set to attend the LMAI Conference in Jaipur in 2023, where they will delve into the realms of science, sustainability, connected products, and imagination. Pawandeep Sahni, managing director for India and Subcontinent at Omet India, has disclosed that he will reveal three secrets to aid label companies in achieving success in their businesses.

The LMAI Conference 2023 is set to open on 20 July 2023 at Hotel Leela in Jaipur. During the event, Alexander Uwe, the product manager for digital labelling solutions at Gallus, will showcase the company's newest advancements in process technology and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into new label presses.

In mid-2022, Domino Digital Printing Solutions announced that it had registered substantial investment by label converters into adding variable data printing (VDP) to its label manufacturing demand. The company had reported growth in the number of K600i printers installed worldwide.

Small to medium businesses must embrace new technology to remain competitive. In this context, Flint’s speaker at the LMAI Conference 2023, Dr Marc Heylen, will rationalise how Flint will deal with the topic of market pull and technology push innovations fueled by regulations, sustainability, and simplification.

The LMAI Conference 2023 is scheduled to take place at the Hotel Leela in Jaipur. The event will span over three days, starting with a welcome meeting on the evening of 20 July 2023, followed by two days of conference activities. The conference will culminate with a grand gala dinner on 22 July.

The Karnataka Offset Printers Association (KOPA) hosted its silver jubilee celebration in Bengaluru in March. In the afternoon, KOPA hosted a panel discussion with the top CEOs of the print and packaging industry.

As Gallus prepares to commemorate its remarkable 100-year journey, the company's commitment to evolution and excellence shines through its continuous pursuit of manufacturing presses.

In this interaction, Tejas and Ankit Tanna of Printmann Group discuss the potential of packaging with WhatPackaging? Will the Group’s clear strategy for all four businesses (cartons, labels, leaflets and foils) yield the desired results?

Ahmedabad-based Canpac Trends has acquired fellow Kolkata-based Manisha Creations’ packaging business to bolster its new East India plant further. In the July 2021 edition, PrintWeek had broken the news of Kolkata being Canpac’s next frontier, where the company has invested in a site and a slew of machinery, including equipment from KBA, Bobst, DGM and several other brands.

Global specialty packaging specialist, EPL, is investing in a DuPont Cyrel Fast thermal system.

Headquartered in Mumbai, TCPL is considered one of the 1,000 fastest-growing companies in the Asian- Pacific region with plants in Silvassa, Haridwar, Guwahati and Goa. On Friday (2 December) the group notched up a 16% record high backed by a healthy business outlook. As per business pundits, in Q2FY23, the company's consolidated revenues grew by 43 per cent YoY to Rs 361.7 crore on the back of higher volumes and better realisations.

Vinsak’s digital label finishing that can print QR codes, high-build varnish and digital cold foil on display at the Labelexpo India stand will be installed at UFlex’s Noida plant.

HP announced the first sale of its kit at the Labelexpo India 2022 to Sonipat-based Wonderpac. The Indigo 6K on display will be installed at Wonderpac, soon after the show closes.