Rahul Kumar

Mamata Machinery introduced its Rectech concept at Anuga Footec 2026—a mono-material polyethylene ecosystem designed to replace non-recyclable multi-layer laminates for the food sector.

Bavarian packaging manufacturer Multivac is leveraging its expertise to standardise production for India's rapidly modernising dairy sector.

Pune-based packaging specialist Nichrome demonstrated its fastest milk pouch packaging machine, capable of reaching speeds of 15000-pph at Anuga Foodtec 2026 in Delhi.

Mumbai-based manufacturer Hilda automation showcased an automatic two-head linear piston filling and sealing machine designed for dairy and beverage applications at Anuga Foodtec 2026 in Delhi.

Advanced aseptic filling and sterilisation technologies are bridging the gap between niche indigenous flavours and mass-market retail, enabling Indian beverage makers to eliminate preservatives while managing large-scale bottle production runs.

A high-level panel at Drink technology Delhi 2026 examines the intersection of sustainability, operational efficiency, and consumer psychology in the race to reach net-zero goals.

India's beverage packaging sector is caught between strong regulatory intent and weak on-ground implementation, with panellists at Drink Technology Delhi warning that meaningful circularity is still three to four years away

NDDB’s chairman and managing director was addressing the delegates at the opening session of Drinktec, Delhi

Vishal Jain, the director at Mahavir Graphics, details how high-end finishes and flexible short-run capabilities are answering the Indian F&B sector's accelerating demand for branding and customer experience differentiation.

Director Lakshay Singhal at LSKB explains how the company's dual-brand strategy and focus on high-performance recyclable materials drove interest at AAHAR 2026, signaling an industry move away from commodity pricing.

During Aahar 2026, Cosmo First showcased its flexible and rigid capabilities through Cosmo Plastech. This included high-performance BOPP films alongside thermoformed and injection-moulded food containers, as well as rigid sheets like PET, PP, HIPS, and rPET.

UFlex unveiled the Ceruflex 500, its next-generation high-speed gravure printing machine, at PlastIndia 2026.

The company showcased innovative functional coatings developed to support India’s transition toward sustainable, high-performance packaging.

Greater Noida-based Surya Global Flexi Films has successfully commissioned the country’s first BOPE line from Bruckner Maschinenbau

BOPP film manufacturer KG Flexx and Brueckner Maschinenbau have concluded another contract. The expansion project of KG Flexx's has its focus on high performance.

With the order of its second Brueckner line, Satyendra Packaging is taking another important step toward fulfilling its mission of making the company a complete plastic packaging production house with setting standards and parameters of quality and services to the utmost level for all packaging products.

Recently, Kumar Labels merged its operations from Indore and Goa and consolidated its facilities in a single new location in Greater Noida. Anuj Bhargava of Kumar Labels explains why

Switzerland’s Amcor and Indiana’s Berry Global are combining into a global packaging juggernaut. The two packaging behemoths will combine in an all-stock transaction, thereby creating a global leader in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions.

In a bid to expand its production capabilities and strengthen its market position, Bengaluru-based Rathna Packaging has made a significant investment in advanced machinery from Windmoeller & Hoelscher. This expansion includes two W&H Optimex II blown film lines and two Alphaflex CI flexo presses. The four machines will be commissioned starting in mid-2025.

Ashok Chaturvedi, founder, chairman, and managing director, UFlex Group, delivered a pivotal keynote address highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in solving the problem of flexible packaging waste, contributing to a cleaner and greener planet, at the world’s largest business summit on flexible films and laminates for packaging and applications.

The CCPA has issued guidelines for preventing and regulating greenwashing and misleading environmental claims.

Read WhatPackaging?'s analysis of what lies ahead for BOPP and BOPET, as we speak with industry leaders and analyse revenues.

Anantshree Chaturvedi met up with Rahul Kumar on the sidelines of Drupa at the UFlex stall. He said, "We have a two-step plan which focuses on providing the best value across all fronts and reinforcing our leadership position through R&D"

In partnership with Uma Polymers, DS Group’s Packaging unit has unveils Project Mogra Kala, a testament to its commitment to sustainability and community development. This pioneering project revolves around the concept of circular economy, where discarded manufacturing waste is given a new lease on life.

Dabur India has signed a facilitation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Tamil Nadu to set up a new consumer goods manufacturing facility in the state, which will be Dabur’s first such unit in South India. The MoU outlines an approved Phase-1 investment of Rs 135-crore, scaling up to Rs 400-crore over five years. This is expected to generate direct employment for around 250 people, besides creating thousands of indirect job opportunities.

"Variants in UV coatings have increased, as they are the preferred choice of converters to create special effects that makes packaging or printing looks very attractive, and functionally more sustainable," says Prashant Atre, managing director, artience’s Toyo Ink ARETS, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

On World Environment Day 2024 on 5 June, Siegwerk announced the inauguration of its solar power park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The solar park will contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions by 1,843 tonnes annually.

Telangana-based Lorven Group recently invested in a Varex ll blown film extrusion machine from W&H. The machine delivers an output of over 900-kg/hr, along with increased efficiency in achieving higher net output.

Davide Garavaglia, president, European Rotogravure Association (ERA) discusses the advantages of gravure presses, their sustainability quotient, and why printers in Asia should join ERA, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

Windmöller & Hölscher (W&H) has unveiled its latest, the Alphaflex CI flexo press, featuring the state-of-the-art Easy-Setup assistance system. This innovation merges W&H's extensive expertise with top-tier quality, performance, and reliability.

Cosmo Films concluded its participation in Drupa 2024 with great success. The company's stall stood out as the centre of attraction that drew visitors and industry professionals to experience the innovations the brand offers.

On 10 May 2024, Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex released a report on the Proposed National Standard for Scientific Estimation of Recycled Content for EPR reporting at an event organised and hosted by the Plastic Packaging Research and Development Centre (PPRDC) in Delhi.

And to maintain the momentum, the industry needs grassroots education on plastics, says Sunil Jain of Rajoo Engineers and the chairman of the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, in a conversation with Rahul Kumar

Dhunseri Poly Films has invested in a BOPET film production line from Brückner Maschinenbau at its new site in Panagarh/ Durgapur.

UFlex featured its advanced machine technology at PlastFocus 2024. The exhibition, which started at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi on 1 February, is on until 5 February.

PlastFocus 2024, the much-anticipated second edition of India’s premier international exhibition in the plastics industry, kicked off on 1 February at Yashoboomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi. Organised by Triune Exhibitors and powered by the Plastic Machinery Manufacturers Association of India (PMMAI), the five-day PlastFocus 2024 is supported by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers and the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India.

Prinova Solutions LLP has installed HP Indigo 6K Brand Protection Plus Digital Press at its facility in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to meet the growing demand in the FMCG sectors

The 10th edition of IndiaCorr Expo and India Folding Carton which is organised by RX India, a part of RX Global is scheduled to transpire from 28 to 30 September at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.

Jaipur-based Harsh Packaging has bought in an HRB 1450 E automatic high-speed flute laminator. The machine was installed at its Vishwakarma Industrial Area, Jaipur premises by HRB’s Indian partner, Ample Graphics.

The 10th edition of IndiaCorr Expo and India Folding Carton which is organised by RX India, a part of RX Global is scheduled to transpire from 28 to 30 September at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.

In a keynote address at the 10th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Summit 2023, Ashok Chaturvedi, founder, chairman, and managing director of UFlex Group, talked about the importance of using technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and enzymatic processing to accelerate flexible packaging innovation.

Surat-based Aakash Polyfilms has recently invested in a new BOPET line from Brückner. Brückner’s unique multi-gap machine direction orienter, high-temperature stretching technology for high film quality to offer Aakash increased uptime at reduced costs.

Amcor, the global packaging solutions provider has inked a deal to acquire India-based flexible packaging company Phoenix Flexibles.

Greater Noida-based Keshoram Manufacturing has invested in a fully automatic BHS Steady S Corrugator Line. The corrugator with a working width of 2,200-mm, runs at 230-m/min and can produce up to 8.5-million sqmt corrugated board per month.

CII – Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) has organized a conference on digital transformation in the printing and packaging industry on 9 June 2023 in Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Attending the show for the first time, Brilliant Polymers announced the launch of two innovative new lines at Interpack 2023, held in Dusseldorf from 4-10 May 2023. The two innovative new lines include Brilliant Max Cure, a new series of fast-curing solvent-free adhesives and a GLYMO-free high-performance solvent-based adhesive suitable for retort applications.

“In the food industry, packaging helps preserve food and prevent waste. It is estimated that 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to food waste,” Dhananjay Salunkhe, managing director, Huhtamaki India tells Rahul Kumar

Kurnal Rawat, creative director, and Ronita Mukerjee, executive director, client services, Landor & Fitch India (L&F India), share their views about packaging, its application, requirement, adaptability, and more with Rahul Kumar

SIG presented a wide range of its products and sustainable solutions at the 49th Dairy Industry Conference organised by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA) in collaboration with Gujarat state. The three-day conference began on 16 March in Gandhinagar.

Britannia has announced that its Treat Croissant business has crossed Rs 100-crore in revenues in this financial year, within a year of its national roll-out across the country. Treat Croissant is manufactured at Britannia’s own manufacturing facility and the recipe has been customised to cater to the Indian palette.

Sustainability is a wide concept, one which involves the proper implementation of the 3 R’s, i.e. Reuse, Recycle and Reduce, in order to build a truly circular economy. Looking at it from a broader frame, sustainability is a concept which if acted upon today, will help save the environment we live in for the future. Pankaj Poddar the Group CEO of Cosmo Films engages with Rahul Kumar of WhatPackaging? magazine.

Britannia Industries, India’s largest bakery foods company, has announced that it is planning to increase the women workforce at its manufacturing plant in Madurai to 70% by the end of 2024. The company currently employs over 1,400 people, of which 65% comprise women. At a national level, Britannia aims to achieve a total diversity ratio of 50% from the current 41% by end of 2024, by increasing the participation of women in its workforce.

SIG will construct its first aseptic carton plant in India, the world’s largest milk market, and one of the largest juices-producing countries globally. The plant will be in Ahmedabad. SIG entered the Indian market in 2018 and has seen a rapid expansion of its business. The plant will supply its growing filler base, which now serves all leading dairy and non-carbonated soft drink players.

Amit Parasrampuria of Bengaluru-based Shivam Industries tells Rahul Kumar, if we can resolve the raw material issues, the quality will improve. Plus it will reduce the wastage borne by Indian corrugators

UFlex exhibited its wide range of printing cylinders, inks, adhesives, coatings, advanced printing, laminating, and slitting machines at PlastIndia 2023, which was held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 1 to 5 February.

During the Plastindia Exhibition 2023, held at Pragati Maidan, Swift Auxi Technik showcased its rotary type vertical injection moulding machine. Bhoomit Panchal, the company’s sales director, briefed Rahul Kumar about its features

Ashok Chaturvedi, chairman and managing director, UFlex, shared his insights to build circularity in multi-layered plastics packaging at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) board meeting, held on 30 November 2022, at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), New York.

Rajkot, Gujarat-based first-generation flexo-gravure packaging printing company, Gopal Printpack Solutions, has established a new plant in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

As the labels and flexibles industry continue on their growth journey, so do Miraclon and its customers, many of whom are at Labelexpo India 2022. The common themes that trade shops and converter customers alike spoke about were driving forward productivity, efficiency and innovation that collectively enable greater value.

As Avery Dennison India turns 25, the company has invested more than Rs 1000-crore India, including more than Rs 250-crore in a new facility in Greater Noida. At the same time, the company continues to evolve in its engagement with sustainable and innovative materials.

Monotech Systems showcased its versatile digital label printing solutions under the brand Jetsci Global at Labelexpo India 2022, held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from 10 to 13 November.

UFlex showcased its wide range of holographic products and solutions and printing cylinders at Labelexpo India 2022, held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from 10 to 13 November.

The manufacturer of holographic labels and security hologram sticker printing service provider, Holostik India, launched a range of anti-counterfeiting products at Labelexpo India 2022, being held at India Expo Mart from 10 to 13 November.

Avery Dennison has invested more than Rs 1000-crore India, including more than Rs 250-crore in a new facility in Greater Noida. Pankaj Bhardwaj, vice-president of marketing, label and packaging materials, Asia Pacific, Avery Dennison, spoke to Rahul Kumar about the company’s evolving engagement with sustainable and innovative materials, and its future plans for India.

The 9th Speciality Film and Flexible Packaging Global Summit by ElitePlus Business Services held on 5-6 September at Mumbai was a power-packed return of the physical conferences after the pandemic, as it attracted over 1,600 delegates representing 680 companies from 18 countries.

Prahlad Singh Patel, minister of state for food processing industries inaugurated the 14th edition of FICCI Foodworld India at The Lalit, Mumbai. Excerpts from his inaugural address.

Rahul Nene spoke to Rahul Kumar about the company’s long-term commitment during the 17th CII Sustainability Summit held in New Delhi. A special WhatPackaging? report

With expansion of its own green energy sources at the company headquarters in Würzburg, Koenig & Bauer is continuing the implementation of its sustainability initiative. The target set within the framework of the corporate strategy, Exceeding Print, is for the group’s production facilities to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2030. The massive investments in photovoltaic arrays will allow Koenig & Bauer to cover a proportion of its power requirements on the basis of sustainable on-site generation. Besides contributing to climate protection, this also aims to boost the level of energy autonomy. The first array is already in use, and more photovoltaic and solar thermal installations are set to follow in the months to come.

Rahul Kumar talks to Rahul Nene of Huhtamaki in the sidelines of the 17th CII Sustainability Summit held on 21 September in New Delhi.

Rahul Nene of Huhtamaki India spoke about the company’s commitment to sustainability at the 17th CII Sustainability Summit held on 21 September in New Delhi.

Britannia has said that its leading health brand NutriChoice has surpassed Rs 1,000-crore in revenues. NutriChoice has registered revenue growth of 20% over the last two years, growing faster than the biscuit category. It dominates the health cookie segment with over 70% share of the category. Most recently, the brand introduced a range of specialised products infused with the power of five seeds and five herbs.

Dabur India has announced the expansion of its Réal portfolio with the launch of Réal Health Peanut Butter range. It includes natural and chocolate peanut butter variants, marking Dabur’s entry into the peanut butter market and offering consumers a healthier anytime snacking option.

UFlex has announced that it has signed Creduce, the country’s fastest-growing carbon credits consultancy, as its consulting partner to achieve end-to-end carbon neutrality. The scope would encompass an analysis on carbon footprint and neutrality, creating and formalising carbon and plastic credit balances on an internationally accepted and recognised platform as a part of sustainable development goal, carving out sustainability roadmap and more.

Signalling a strong confidence in the growth of Indian Packaging Industry and its long-term commitment toward the Indian market and to serve the customer base in a better way, Avery Dennison has inaugurated a world-class manufacturing facility in Greater Noida.

Dettol has introduced a powder-to-liquid handwash solution in the value segment. Hand hygiene is the most effective, efficient solution to protect against any kind of infection. Dettol is bringing in its most affordable solution with this format allowing its consumers to practice best hygiene practices at the best price.

Ashok Jaipuria of Cosmo Films in conversation with Rahul Kumar

Since its establishment in 1979, Ashok Jaipuria, the promoter, chairman and managing director of Cosmo Films, has turned the company into a USD 300-million business, producing 2,00,000 tonnes of BOPP and CPP films a year. Jaipuria narrates the journey with Rahul Kumar

India’s per capita beverage consumption levels are far below the world average. Thus, there’s a lot of headroom for aseptic liquid packaging to grow. The Covid-19, meanwhile, added a much-needed boost, Vandana Tandan, country manager, SIG India, tells Rahul Kumar