DS Group certified Water Positive by GRIHA
The achievement follows a rigorous, two-and-a-half-year water assessment across the group's various business units in 30 locations across India, which include the mouth freshener division, food and beverage, hospitality, and agriculture.
09 Oct 2025 | 434 Views | By Prabhat Prakash
The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a leading FMCG conglomerate and multi-business corporation, has achieved a major milestone in its sustainability journey by being certified Water Positive by Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA).
This adds to the company's LEED Zero Carbon Certification, achieved in June 2023, which highlights DS Group's dedication to reducing carbon emissions. The group has been expanding its ‘green’ initiatives, including energy, water and material conservation, recycling, waste management, and enhancing green footprint.
The company's vision towards sustainability dates back to 2001. Since 2001, through a joint-venture with Canpac, DS Group has been producing eco-friendly, lightweight, corrosion-free and bio-degradable packaging in India. Hence, a second plant at Bonda, Assam, was commissioned in 2007 to manufacture multi-layered flexible packaging.
DS Group was among India’s first FMCG firms to adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials at scale. “We apply the 7R framework — rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, replace, and recover,” said Sanjay Gupta of DS Group. This eco-thinking is now embedded throughout the company’s packaging lifecycle.
Adding to its sustainable packaging initiatives, to balance lightweight design with durability, the company has turned to innovative substrates, including FSC-certified paperboards and hybrid film layers.
Rajiv Kumar, vice chairman, DS Group, emphasised the necessity of water stewardship in the global context, citing projections that global water demand will exceed supply by 40% by 2030. He stated that the Group's actions ensure efficiency, conservation, and replenishment that resonates strongly with the global dialogue shaping up for COP30, where water security and climate resilience are expected to take centre stage. Kumar reinforced the company's long-term commitment, stating, “We view sustainability not as a project but as a permanent responsibility.”
The interventions implemented during this period created a significant water storage potential of 66-lakh kilolitres. This reflects the DS Group’s deep commitment to sustainable business practices and responsible water stewardship throughout its value chain.
Sanjay Seth, VP and CEO of GRIHA Council, and senior director, TERI, hailed the accomplishment, noting that "Water stewardship is central to building climate-resilient and sustainable businesses." He confirmed that by achieving this certification, the DS Group has set a strong benchmark for industry leadership, demonstrating that sustainability, productivity, and profitability can successfully coexist.
The Group's water positivity effort is sustained by a shared responsibility across its ecosystem, involving employees driving conservation, suppliers adopting water-efficient practices, and customers being encouraged toward responsible consumption. This latest certification aligns with DS Group's broader sustainability journey, integrating measurable outcomes across water, livelihood, agriculture, and energy efficiency.