By Prabuddha DasGupta
Q. Plastic packaging is considered essential for success in retail? What are your views? Plastic packaging is versatile. It can be formed into sachets, pouches, bottles, jars and containers, caps etc. It is light weight i.e. product to packaging weight ratio is very favourable and economic. It can be printed and shaped in customer attractive forms. Customer friendly features can be incorporated which add significant value. These are some of the reasons why in my view plastic packaging is essential for success in retail.  Q. Today, close to 50% of packaging of FMCG products is in plastics. How do you foresee this trend in future?Trend is going to increase. FMCG has conveniently used plastics packaging to add value to the consumer and reach them through proper SKU sizes and formats which are possible only through plastics. Price point packs in Re.1 / Rs.2 sachets to an expensive cosmetics jar plastic packaging straddle the entire value chain in the country. Q. Are there any issues that the industry (Plastics and Packaging) need to overcome to meet the growing needs of future?  Virtually all commodity polymers are available in the country. Some speciality polymers and grades that are not available need to be imported. It would be helpful if the government can look into this aspect. Packaging conversion machinery, both indigenous and imported is common in the country and no major gaps exist. Specialised conversion in packaging lines still needs to be imported. For e.g. we need to import BON films in the country or vision checking systems on bottle lines.  Q. What are your views on recent government policies as regards use of plastics in packaging?The government needs to consult all the stakeholders before coming out with policies. These policies should be national in nature and not state or city specific. Also, the current problem is largely due to littering of poly bags. Legislation should be focused towards solving these problems. Q. Do you witness any technology barriers that the Indian Packaging Industry needs to address? I don’t perceive any major technology barriers.However, technology transfers and joint  ventures with international technology leaders goes a long way to bridge the gap.Q. What role have plastics played to be a key enabler to the growth of packaging sector? Plastics have been a key enabler in the growth of packaging sectors. The advantages the plastic industry offer are cost, versatility in formats, lightweight and in the capability of printing possibilities. It is the modern answer to the packaging problems and complexities. In products which need barrier and protection like food, plastics can offer many solutions.  Q. Do you see the Indian plastic processing industry internationally competitive?Yes. Indian plastic processing industry is quite competitive. This is reflected through growing exports in plastic packaging to foreign shores led largely through flexible packaging. Large scale PET/ BOPP manufacturing plant have been set up in Asian and Middle East countries proving their competitiveness.  Q. Relating to technology, can you please highlight the recent advances that you think could play a pivotal role in its use for the FMCG packaging industry? Nanotechnology, newer grade of plastic additive, flexible retort packaging MAP & CAP, aseptic packaging are new developements where FMCG industry can find bulk options and value addition which can play a pivotal role.  Q. How do you compare the Indian plastics packaging industry with the western world?It is quite comparable. Western world largely use rigid plastic packaging whereas developing world prefer flexible packaging. Q. How can we address the growing concern of handling post consumer packaging waste? Through collaborative and effective initiatives in the area of post consumer waste segregation, disposal and through finding out newer and more efficient method of recycling and reuse. Pyrolysis route of mixed laminate post consumer waste, incineration in cement kilns and road making are emerging as efficient disposal routes. Biodegradable and Oxo-biodegradable plastics films could find more application in agricultural firms. |
