Women to Watch: Meenakshi Sapru

Meenakshi Sapru began her career in 1995 with Bennett and Coleman in the production department, becoming the first woman in the history of the Times of India group to work in the newspaper production department. She played a key role in introducing color printing to the Times of India newspaper and in launching the Bombay Times. 

Over her 26-year career, she has worked with organizations such as Bennett and Coleman, Yabasu Graphics, Xerox Corporation, and Hewlett Packard, drawing on her background in printing engineering and marketing. At Huhtamaki, Sapru has led sustainable initiatives like the Cup Collective and drove a 130% growth rate in Huhtamaki in India through a major business turnaround.

Sapru launched fiber lids for premium brands in India and led the first Cup Collective, which supports a circular economy. This project, in collaboration with major Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), focuses on creating compostable products. She has also worked with regional pollution control boards to develop legislative frameworks for alternatives to Single-Use Plastics (SUP) in India. Her contributions were recognized when Huhtamaki was awarded "Supplier of the Year" by Herbalife.

Being a leader in a male-dominated industry, she said, “Success should not be gender-biased. As the industry evolves, diversity in the workplace has become critical. Women leaders are known to be more collaborative, empathetic, and inclusive, which can lead to a more engaged and productive workplace.” She added, “Female leaders bring structural and cultural differences to the table, which drive effective solutions. This creative standpoint and unique sense of awareness allows them to study and uncover the finer details that may go unmissed otherwise.”

Sapru has a strong interest in the evolving trends of the packaging industry. The initiatives she led have set a new standard in India. Her leadership has advanced Huhtamaki's sustainability goals and influenced industry standards, showing how focused efforts and practical practices can drive change.

(In this series, WhatPackaging? highlights the women who set new standards in our industry every day.)