Pack.Nxt 2024 emphasised innovation, sustainability in packaging

The second edition of Pack.Nxt 2024 concluded on 17 December 2024 in Mumbai, the conference brought together industry pioneers, policymakers, and sustainability advocates to explore the theme Smart, Circular, Sustainable. The event served as a platform for insightful discussions, networking, and knowledge sharing, addressing the latest trends and challenges in the packaging industry.

The conference commenced with a keynote address by Dr NC Saha, former director of the Indian Institute of Packaging, and founder chairman of the Foundation for Innovative Packaging and Sustainability highlighting innovative packaging strategies leading to a sustainable environment. He talked about the four major types of packaging materials, post-consumption plastic waste management and the shift from harmful materials to sustainable ones and its effect and impact on future generations.

The chief guest, Dr Vivek Saxena, PCCF cum member secretary of Haryana State Biodiversity Board & PCCF (Budget, Planning & Project Formulation), former country director of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and former deputy director general of Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change emphasised the role of packaging in promoting environmental conservation, ease of use for consumers, intelligent designing and role of R&D in sustainable packaging. He talked about reducing the use of PET bottles impacting the shortage of drinking sources with a growing population. He emphasised the affordability and economic aspects of sustainable packaging materials.

The Sustainable, Intelligent & Active Track at the conference explored the integration of sustainable practices and technological innovations in packaging. It focused on how packaging can evolve to support environmental responsibility, with advancements like smart labels and digital solutions. The Packaging Recycling Track addressed key challenges in packaging design, material sourcing, and recycling. It emphasised the importance of using recyclable materials and adopting extended producer responsibility (EPR) to manage the entire lifecycle of packaging. Both tracks provided valuable insights into sustainable packaging, innovation, and circular economy practices, highlighting the need for responsible design and material sourcing in the packaging industry.

After the first session, Poonam Tomar, head of market development, PE primary packaging, at Exxon Mobil shared insights into sustainable packaging innovations by presenting a case study on ExxonMobil Monomaterial Solutions.
The event featured a case study presentation on CocoPallet, powered by Superpacks, presented by Michiel Vos, the founder of CocoPallet, and Uday Bapu, the CEO of Superpacks. The session highlighted the innovative use of sustainable materials in packaging, offering valuable perspectives on eco-friendly solutions within the industry.

The conference concluded with the Sustainable Packaging Challenge, judged by Prof Dr NC Saha; Vishal Poojara, Asia Pacific sourcing manager Flexibles & AMEA Packaging sustainability leader at Mondelez International; Vaibhav Kulkarni, head of quality at Marico India; Samson Ponselvan JK, VP and head -EHS & ESG at Viyash Life Sciences; and Janavi Papriwal, associate partner at Circulate Capital. Innovators including Trupti Arabatti, the founder and CEO of Earthworks Biomat; Rahul Dubey, general manager (R&D) at UFlex; Nishant Dugar, EPR head for India at ReCircle; and Anubhav Agarwal, Director of Ecovate Ventures, presented groundbreaking ideas. Among them, Dubey’s innovative solution earned him the winning spot in the challenge.