The global food processing and packaging company, Tetra Pak, is in the news. Its collaboration with NIFTEM supports the Ministry of Food Processing Industries' (MoFPI) goals to add more value, reduce waste, and promote sustainable growth in the sector. It focuses on joint research, skill development, and working with industry to tackle challenges in India's food processing industry.

Dr Harinder Singh Oberoi, director and head of department at NIFTEM-K, said, “Building strong partnerships across the industry is key to addressing these challenges. World Food India 2024 provides a platform for thought leaders and innovators to tackle the evolving global food landscape."

One key result of this partnership is the creation of a Centre of Excellence at NIFTEM-K, supported by Tetra Pak, to lead research and development in food processing technologies. The MoU also includes initiatives like workshops and training to improve skills in food science and management. Students will benefit from internships, placements, and postgraduate fellowships for PhD scholars.

Additionally, a significant project under this partnership is a study on food loss and waste (FLW) in India, focusing on the dairy and fruit sectors. The study will identify areas with the highest losses, assess environmental impacts, and provide data to help shape policy decisions. Also, it will analyse greenhouse gas emissions at different stages of production to offer insights for reducing food waste.

Cassio Simoes, managing director of Tetra Pak South Asia, said " India’s food processing sector offers vast opportunities, with each sub-sector presenting unique growth potential. Our collaboration with NIFTEM-K is a key step in nurturing talent and fostering research to address the evolving challenges."
 
This collaboration shows how academia and industry can work together to create more sustainable and innovative solutions for India's food processing industry. It aims to develop new technologies and improve efficiency in food processing and packaging.