Pre-budget expectations: Cosmo First, Jay Wood Industry, ReCircle, and Tetra Pak

Last year, the print and packaging industry welcomed policy decisions like the credit guarantee scheme, the reduction in corporate tax on foreign companies which could attract capital, and the increase in the limit of Mudra loans increased from Rs 10-lakh to Rs 20-lakh.

28 Jan 2025 | By WhatPackaging? Team

There are significant expectations from this year's Budget 2025-26 to flip capital gains tax, increase capital expenditure, and enhance the ease of doing business. Meanwhile, here are the insights specific to the industry experts.

Pankaj Poddar, group CEO, Cosmo First
“The packaging industry in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.46% till 2031. The upcoming Union Budget 2025 can add tailwinds to this growth by considering certain key measures. Extending the sunset for SEZ tax and the PLI scheme to emerging sectors such as packaging and recycling will facilitate exports from India, increase Forex, and promote sustainability and reinvestment. Further, uniformity in corporate tax rates to 15% for all companies will provide extra cash for private capital expenditure. Increasing the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) rate and extending the interest subsidy on exports to packaging, with a 3% lower interest rate, will boost global competitiveness. Capital expenditure support for recycling, including a 20% capital subsidy, will promote sustainability. These measures would significantly propel our industry's growth.”


Jay Deepak Shah, CEO & managing director, Jay Wood Industry
"The Indian green packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.52% from 2024 to 2032—demonstrating the significant potential for growth in sustainable packaging. With increasing industrial activity, urbanisation, and a rising demand for sustainable packaging, SMEs are well-positioned to enhance India's global competitiveness.

At Jay Wood Industry, we are committed to driving this transformation. Our dedication to manufacturing sustainable wooden pallets using responsibly sourced materials and energy-efficient processes underscores the vital role SMEs play in advancing green innovation. We hope that Budget 2025 will introduce incentives for sustainable practices, strengthen SME-friendly policies, and encourage investment in green technologies, further empowering the sector. We are optimistic about the future and ready to lead the shift towards sustainable growth, championing a united movement for a greener and more sustainable future in the industry."


Rahul Nainani, CEO & co-founder, ReCircle
“There is a growing call for deeper investments in waste management to address the mounting challenges of urbanisation and waste generation. The budget must prioritise substantial resource allocations for waste infrastructure, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities, and incentivize corporate participation through public-private partnerships. By strengthening legislation on source segregation, and fostering innovation in recycling technologies, the government can accelerate progress toward achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — from clean water and sanitation to affordable clean energy. 

Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and sustainability commitments have already propelled the sector forward. But this is a critical moment to completely transform India’s waste management ecosystem and become a market leader in circular economy. We look forward to playing an active role in this transformation, working alongside the government to drive impactful change.”


Cassio Simoes, managing director, Tetra Pak South Asia
“We look forward to policy measures that drive sustainability, innovation, and growth in India’s food and beverage industry. A collaborative industry-government approach can build a resilient, future-ready ecosystem that ensures food safety, security, and sustainability. 

Future-ready solutions deserve recognition and support—one such area is aligning GST on products like long-life ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk with basic pouch milk to enhance affordability and nutrition access. Additionally, streamlining clearances for food processing equipment exports, simplifying raw material import regulations, and incentivising sustainable packaging will strengthen India’s global competitiveness.”
 

Latest Poll

What is the point of focus for the packaging industry, currently?

Results

What is the point of focus for the packaging industry, currently?

Margins

 

29.82%

Reverse auctions

 

24.56%

Safety norms

 

21.05%

Wastage

 

24.56%

Total Votes : 57