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India Launches National Packaging Innovation Challenge to Boost Sustainable Solutions

Komal Sharma
November
08
/ 2025

India has launched the National Packaging Innovation Challenge, a nationwide initiative designed to promote sustainable packaging solutions and enhance the country’s export competitiveness. The program, introduced by the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), encourages startups and students to develop packaging that is both environmentally responsible and scalable for industry use.

Sustainability and Self-Reliance Focus
The initiative supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) upgrade their packaging standards. Speaking at the launch event in New Delhi, IIP Chairman Sunil Jain emphasized the need for solutions that reduce environmental impact while meeting international quality and trade requirements.

Desk Accessories from Waste Food Packaging by Pearson Lloyd

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Komal Sharma
July
15
/ 2022
Desk Accessories from Waste Food Packaging by Pearson Lloyd

bFRIENDS by Bene is a collection of desktop accessories made from discarded food packaging. Pen pots, trays, and a smart phone stand, are all 3D printed from 100% recycled PLA, a cornstarch-derived bioplastic, that has been diverted from landfill. The collection was designed by London-based Pearson Lloyd and produced by Batch Works. We spoke to Luke Pearson (below, left), co-founder of Pearson Lloyd, to find out more.

Spouted pouches added to Sirane’s range of recyclable plastics

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Grania Jain
July
14
/ 2022
Spouted pouches added to Sirane’s range of recyclable plastics

The RePEat range – which includes stand-up pouches and films – is all made from pure PE, which means it can be recycled in the LDPE recycling stream.

Peter Ralten, chief commercial officer, said: “Our RePEat range has proven to be very popular. Spouted pouches are widely used, and so offering a fully recyclable version has been an important development for us.

“We can supply a range of different sizes and different spout types, and the pouches can be either filled through the spout or top-filled – with the spouts placed in either the corners or the centre of the pouch.

IIT Roorkee develops plant-based plastic packaging material, alternative for single-use plastics

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Komal Sharma
July
14
/ 2022
IIT Roorkee develops plant-based plastic packaging material, alternative for single-use plastics

Researchers at the Department of Paper Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, IIT (Roorkee) have developed a substitute for single-use plastics packaging manufactured by 60 percent plant-based polysaccharides without using chemicals. This substitute for synthetic plastic is fully biodegradable within a week, and it is non-toxic and suitable for different packaging applications.

CEMEX unveils next generation cement packaging

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Grania Jain
July
13
/ 2022
CEMEX unveils next generation cement packaging

The new weatherproof packaging solution meets growing demand from builders for robust packaging solutions, to reduce the potential for damaged bags and wasted product. The new high-strength packaging ensures the integrity of the product is uncompromised and clearly labelled for maximum visibility. This solution also helps to free up additional shed capacity for stockists, as the new all-weather packaging can be stored indoor or outdoor, alongside linked products such as bricks, blocks and sand.

NIH: Exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ found in food packaging can lead to premature births

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Grania Jain
July
13
/ 2022
NIH: Exposure to ‘forever chemicals’ found in food packaging can lead to premature births

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed data from more than 6,000 pregnant women in the United States. Researchers found that the women who had higher traces of phthalates in their urine were more at risk of a premature birth, typically three or more weeks before the due date.

The samples from these women were collected for over 30 years. Researchers noted that despite their findings that high exposure to phthalates could cause premature births, most of the women in the experiment recorded having dramatically high levels of the harmful chemicals. 

Resembling volcanic rock, this hand cream packaging looks even better after squeezing

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Grania Jain
July
12
/ 2022
Resembling volcanic rock, this hand cream packaging looks even better after squeezing

Most of the packaging lining our daily lives has a sell-by date. After a certain amount of squeezing, scraping, pouring, and emptying, even the most well-designed toothpaste tubes and pantry products start to look far from advertised. Designer Han Gao’s recent solution, is to embrace this degradation. Working with Shanghai-based independent fragrance studio Démi Bai, the creative director has recently delivered its rebrand, plus packaging for a new line of fragranced hand cream that embeds the process of using the product into its design story.

CelluComp & DTI Collaboration on fiber-based packaging

Grania Jain
July
12
/ 2022
CelluComp & DTI Collaboration on fiber-based packaging

The packaging, called Curran, is a result of the collaboration between the Danish Technological Institute and Scottish-based CelluComp. The packaging is based on fibres extracted from sugar beet, and the organisations claim it is compostable and biodegradable.

Christian Kemp-Griffin, CEO of CelluComp, explains: “We have developed a method for extracting micron-sized platelets from the sugar beet pulp (a co-product stream from sugar production), which we call Curran. After this process, we produce a product that is in granular form – similar to grated cheese.