Cosmo Films’ growth strategy: Sustainability, innovation, and expansion

In January 2024, Cosmo Films broke ground on its new facility in Auric City, Bidkin, Maharashtra. The new plant is expected to enhance production efficiency and expand the company’s reach in key markets.

Kulbhushan Malik, global business head of Cosmo Films, says,  “This project has infrastructure and operations facilities. The location connects to transportation networks, including highways and proposed rail corridors, improving supply chain efficiency. The Bidkin Industrial Area (BIA) is part of India’s plan to become a global manufacturing hub.”

Innovation and growth
Cosmo Films reports that specialty films accounted for 71% of total volume in December 2024, up from 64% in FY24, with a goal of 75% by FY26. This shift, along with sustainable packaging, is expected to fuel growth.

In 2025, the company invested INR 10-crore in R&D to boost product development, testing, and quality assurance. Malik credits innovation, saying, “Improving our products and adding sustainable solutions drives growth. Our R&D keeps us ahead of customer needs and market trends.”

Sustainability at the fore
Cosmo Films has introduced products to meet the demand for sustainable, high-performance packaging. These include Cosmo Green Graphics, a PVC-free graphics film, and direct thermal printable (DTP) films for noodle and snack packaging.

The company also launched BOPP ultra-high barrier films for food packaging with better seal strength and barrier properties, plus a BOPP film for soap packaging suited to high-speed lines. Additionally, PCR-based BOPP films use post-consumer recycled materials. These aim to cut environmental impact while maintaining performance.

Malik says, “We focus on sustainable BOPP and CPP films as mono-material solutions to simplify recycling and reduce waste. Our films provide gas barrier properties and heat resistance while staying recyclable, using less plastic to lower environmental impact.” He notes this aligns with the global shift to mono-material packaging, reducing multi-layer waste and offering alternatives to traditional films. “The industry wants sustainable options, and our products like Cosmo Green Graphics and BOPP ultra-high barrier films deliver that without sacrificing performance.”

Tackling EPR
As sustainability becomes a central focus for the packaging industry, Cosmo Films is aligning its product development strategy with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines. These guidelines, aimed at reducing packaging waste, push companies to develop recyclable, eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Malik says, “The shift towards recyclable mono-material laminates is accelerating, and we are aligning our solutions with this trend. Our focus is on creating products that are not only sustainable but also meet high-performance standards.”

Cosmo is investing in renewable energy at its manufacturing sites, reducing its carbon footprint in line with global sustainability targets. This investment is part of the company’s broader strategy to meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations for more eco-friendly packaging options.

Expansion plans
Cosmo Films’ new products have seen strong market demand, especially for sustainable packaging, informs Malik. The company collaborates with customers in food packaging, FMCG, and labelling, where high-speed packaging and recyclable materials are increasingly sought.

Malik says, “With the market moving toward sustainability, the Cosmo FIlms products help customers meet those goals while maintaining performance.”

Cosmo Films aims to grow globally, targeting North America for expansion. It plans to boost production in FY26 with new coating, metallising, and lamination lines at its Waluj plant and a new BOPP line. Malik states, “We’re investing in production and R&D to meet rising demand and innovate for the packaging industry’s future.”

The company focuses on specialty films, new products, and sustainability for growth. Cosmo Films aims to prioritise customer needs, regulatory compliance, and high-performance solutions as the industry changes.

Malik signs off, “We’re improving products, processes, and sustainability to keep Cosmo Films a leader in global packaging.”