Huhtamaki India joins UNEP roundtable to develop solutions against plastic waste

The roundtable focused on pollution control and sustainable development, bringing together representatives from the government, industry, civil society, and academia to discuss practical strategies to reduce plastic pollution.

Ruturaj Kamthekar, vice president of strategic business development, marketing, and product sustainability, flexible packaging, represented Huhtamaki at the discussion. During the session, Kamthekar presented the importance of flexible packaging in increasing the availability and affordability of FMCG items, as an economic facilitator, particularly in emerging markets. In addition, he advocated for the implementation of existing circular solutions.

He stated, “We’ve made meaningful investments in developing recyclable flexible packaging. What we need now is a stronger legislative push for the adoption of recyclable packaging in India, followed by the adoption of the same by players across the value chain. These solutions are available at scale and at affordable prices.”

Furthermore, the report released by Huhtamaki India emphasised that better infrastructure, collection methods, and precise recyclability requirements are required to keep more material in circulation and reduce the impact on the environment.

Additionally, in January 2025, Huhtamaki India, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), convened a Think Circle to launch the Design for Recycling Guidance for Films and Flexible Packaging. The recommendations aimed to guide organisations transitioning to recyclable flexible packaging, promoting a circular approach across the sector.