Mumbai consolidates its global leadership in green innovation for films and flexible packaging with the 12th Global Summit recording unprecedented numbers
The 12th Global Summit on Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging, which concluded on 4th September in Mumbai, has confirmed India as the global epicentre of sustainable packaging innovation. The event, which attracted over 2,200 delegates from 26 countries, placed sustainability at the heart of industrial discourse.
Circular economy and green technologies centre stage
Supported by India's Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, the Summit highlighted how India is spearheading the transition towards a circular economy in packaging through:
- Advanced EPR policies (Extended Producer Responsibility)
- Incentives for recycled content in new productions
- Investment in chemical recycling technologies
The event hosted prominent keynote speakers including the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, PepsiCo and McKinsey & Company, who outlined concrete roadmaps for sector decarbonisation.
Strategic rigid-flexible convergence
One of the most significant developments was the convergence between rigid and flexible packaging from a sustainability perspective. As highlighted in the thematic panels, brand owners are adopting multi-format strategies that view both solutions as complementary for optimising environmental impact.
Material-driven innovations
Among the breakthrough technologies presented:
- Next-generation mono-materials to facilitate recycling
- Bio-based coatings and barriers to reduce traditional plastic usage
- Advanced rPET solutions for the circular economy
- Traceability technologies for transparent supply chains
The Indian market as a global laboratory
With India emerging as one of the world's largest markets for flexible packaging, innovations developed in the subcontinent are influencing global strategies. The country is becoming a testing ground for technologies that will subsequently be adopted worldwide.
Focus on emerging sectors
Sessions explored innovative applications in:
- Sustainable e-commerce with optimised packaging
- Pharmaceutical sector with eco-compatible barrier solutions
- Electric automotive and packaging for EV components
- Solar photovoltaic with specialised materials
The next edition promises to be even more focused on net-zero technologies and circular materials, confirming Mumbai as the global capital of green innovation in packaging.
