Indian Packaging Summit 2026: ITW Signode highlights transit packaging shift towards cost-efficient sustainability

At the first Indian Packaging Summit, Sachin Gupta, head - product management and marketing (APAC), ITW Signode, outlined how sustainability in transit packaging is being driven by a mix of regulation, market pressure and operational strategy, with cost and change management emerging as key barriers. Gupta said sustainability has moved from discussion to strategy. “Over the last decade, sustainability has shifted from a nice-to-have to a boardroom priority,” he said, adding that organisations are increasingly aligning it with long-term competitiveness.

He identified two sets of drivers. “Government policies, legal frameworks and market pressures are external drivers,” he said. “But internal factors like organisational vision, culture and brand positioning are equally important.”

Gupta stressed that sustainability must be viewed beyond environmental impact. “It is not only ecological sustainability, but also economic and social sustainability,” he said, linking it to broader industrial development.

He pointed to practical constraints. “The biggest challenge is lack of effective options,” he said. “Even when alternatives exist, cost becomes a barrier, and implementation requires significant change management across the supply chain.” A key theme of the session was material substitution. Gupta highlighted efforts to reduce wood usage. “We have several use cases where we have eliminated or reduced wood in packaging,” he said, citing concerns around availability, safety and environmental impact.

On transit protection, he said packaging must ensure product integrity. “The objective is that the product reaches the customer in as-manufactured condition,” he said. He highlighted solutions such as dunnage airbags to prevent movement during transport across road, rail and sea. Gupta also addressed plastic reduction. “Stretch film is widely used, but alternatives are emerging,” he said, referring to adhesive-based systems that eliminate film usage. “These solutions ensure load stability without additional wrapping.”

He noted that in certain applications, industries are moving away from films entirely. “Options like cam buckles and cohesive systems are replacing traditional wrapping methods,” he said.

On cushioning, Gupta said cost-performance balance remains critical. “EPS continues to be widely used because of its cost and flexibility,” he said, while pointing to alternatives. “Air-based cushioning solutions can reduce material usage significantly by replacing bulk material with air.”

Energy efficiency was another focus area. “We are seeing a shift from pneumatic systems to battery-operated tools,” he said, noting that lifecycle analysis supports the transition as a more sustainable option.

Gupta also highlighted returnable packaging systems. “Replacing one-time use with reusable systems creates both cost and sustainability benefits,” he said. Examples included steel or plastic bases replacing wooden pallets and returnable racks in automotive logistics.

He pointed to changes in bulk transportation. “We are redesigning systems to reduce dependence on virgin materials,” he said, adding that increasing recycled content is a priority. On operations, Gupta said sustainability efforts extend beyond products. “Around 40% of our plants are powered by green energy,” he said, adding that water conservation initiatives are also being implemented. He also underlined the importance of validation. “Transit testing ensures that packaging solutions perform under real-world conditions,” he said, linking it to reduced damage and waste.

Summing up, Gupta said, “Sustainability in transit packaging is not just about materials, but about systems, processes and partnerships,” noting that successful adoption depends on aligning cost, performance and supply chain readiness.