Spotlight on Vandana Tandan of SIG
Vandana Tandan, head of markets India and Bangladesh, SIG Combibloc, speaks to the WhatPackaging? team about how the year (2023) was; what the learnings were; and how the packaging industry should march forward in 2024
04 Jan 2024 | By WhatPackaging? Team
“The packaging industry needs to step up its games to meet the sustainable goals in time”
One good thing from 2023 which you would like to carry forward to 2024?
SIG celebrated its 170th anniversary of ingenuity and innovation. Additionally, we laid the foundation for our first aseptic carton manufacturing plant in India in the city of Ahmedabad. This is a significant stride in expanding our footprint in the South Asian region. We are committed to carrying forward this legacy and bringing food products to consumers globally in a safe, sustainable, and affordable way through collaboration with our partners.
Looking at 2023, what is the one thing that you think the packaging industry should abandon?
The packaging industry needs to step up its games to meet the sustainable goals in time. It is time we abandon the traditional packaging methods and embrace environment-friendly options.
As an organisation, how do you disseminate knowledge; both within and outside the organization?
At SIG, to motivate the employees and provide them with equal opportunities to excel, we conduct regular training sessions and organise workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics. Furthermore, we encourage knowledge and skill-sharing among colleagues to promote collaboration and enhance overall team effectiveness. Upskilling through external training is a valuable and strategic investment for us. We identify areas of improvement and align programs accordingly to help employees excel in their work.
What is your consumers’ topmost priority?
In reference to India, customers’ reluctance to spend has begun to fade in many areas. This change has resulted from rapid urbanisation, coupled with increased spending capacity, a growing consciousness of healthy food, and busy lifestyles. Today’s consumers want healthy and sustainable products, and they are not hesitant to spend extra on them.
Everyone is pushing the sustainability agenda. What does it really mean?
In the packaging industry, reducing the use of single-use plastics, recycling the packages, and using renewable materials hold great relevance to meet the UN sustainability agenda. In addition, clear communication with the consumer about the sustainability goals, responsible sourcing of raw materials from the forest without degradation, and regular audits to stay in line with sustainable goals hold great relevance.