Interpack: German packaging firms eye India as growth hub

India’s packaging and converting industry continues to attract strong interest from German manufacturers, with several companies looking to deepen partnerships, technology transfers, and local investments in the country, according to a report published in the official Interpack News newspaper.

The report highlighted how India’s rapidly expanding packaging market, manufacturing ambitions, and sustainability targets are creating new opportunities for European technology suppliers and solution providers.

The interview, conducted by the Interpack editorial team with Shatrughna Sinha, consul general of India in Munich, highlighted how India’s rapidly expanding packaging market, manufacturing ambitions, and sustainability targets are creating new opportunities for European technology suppliers and solution providers.

As reported in Interpack News, Indian packaging companies are increasingly seeking automation, sustainable materials, and smart manufacturing solutions to remain globally competitive. German firms, meanwhile, view India as one of the most promising long-term growth markets for packaging machinery, flexible packaging, and industrial processing technologies. Sinha noted that India’s economic growth and industrial expansion are strengthening the country’s position as a global manufacturing destination. “India today is developing into one of the world’s largest and most dynamic consumer markets,” he said.

Discussing sustainability and packaging innovation, Sinha emphasised that recyclable packaging and circular economy practices will become central to future collaborations between Indian and German companies. “Sustainable development and resource efficiency are becoming key pillars of industrial cooperation,” he stated.

The interview also highlighted India’s growing food processing, pharmaceutical, and FMCG sectors as strong demand drivers for advanced packaging technologies. According to Sinha, the expansion of these industries is accelerating investments in automation, converting technologies, and smart manufacturing systems.

Interpack News reported that several German companies are already strengthening their India operations through local partnerships, application centres, and customer support infrastructure. Sinha observed that the relationship between the two countries is evolving beyond trade into long-term industrial collaboration. “The cooperation between India and Germany is no longer limited to exports and imports. It is increasingly based on innovation, technology transfer, and joint development,” Sinha said.

The report additionally stressed the importance of skill development and technical training for the future of manufacturing. Industry stakeholders believe that closer engagement between machinery suppliers, converters, and educational institutions will help support India’s industrial growth trajectory.

Digitalisation was another major theme discussed in the interview. Indian converters are increasingly adopting automation tools, data-driven workflows, and intelligent manufacturing systems to improve productivity and reduce waste across operations.

Sinha also highlighted India’s growing appeal as a strategic investment destination for international companies. “India is not only a market for the future, but also a trusted manufacturing and innovation partner for global industry,” he said.

The interview concluded with a strong message on collaboration across the packaging value chain. As reported in Interpack News, German companies see significant long-term potential in partnering with Indian businesses to build sustainable and future-ready packaging ecosystems.