Page 62 - Plastics News November 2025
P. 62
IN THE NEWS
SHAPING A CIRCULAR FUTURE: HOW THE PACKAGING
INDUSTRY IS REINVENTING SUSTAINABILITY IN INDIA
with full conversion expected soon. The compa-
ny is also working with the CII India Plastic Pact
to test material performance and scale circular
packaging responsibly.
Yet, Singh emphasizes that achieving circularity
in food packaging requires more than innovation
it demands alignment between policy, technol-
ogy, and behaviour. “Food packaging relies on
flexible films and advanced recycling technolo-
s conversations around sustainability gies, many of which are still evolving globally,"
mature, the packaging industry stands at she notes. “We believe collective measures, reg-
Athe forefront of innovation and account- ulatory clarity, and policy support are essential
ability. In India, where the scale of consumption to achieve sustainability goals without compro-
meets complex waste systems companies are mising food safety or consumer trust."
rethinking how materials are designed, used,
and recovered. Two leaders in this transforma- Designing the World’s Most Sustainable Carton
tion, PepsiCo India and Tetra Pak South Asia, For Juhi Gupta, Director, Sustainability, Tetra Pak
are showing how business and sustainability South Asia, the mission is clear, “Our North Star
can coexist through design innovation, partner- is to create the world’s most sustainable carton
ships, and circular economy thinking. For Yashi- fully recyclable, made entirely from renewable
ka Singh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Head or recycled materials, and delivering the lowest
of Sustainability at PepsiCo India & South Asia, possible climate impact while protecting food."
the company’s sustainability agenda is deeply
anchored in circularity. “At PepsiCo India, we’ve Tetra Pak’s strategy rests on five pillars of inno-
been reimagining our packaging portfolio to vation packaging design, next-generation mate-
make it not just recyclable, but truly a part of a rials, renewable and recycled content, recycling
circular system," she shares. infrastructure, and reusable value. The company
has reduced the aluminum content in its cartons,
In 2023, Pepsi Black became the first carbonated developed fibre-based barrier layers, and intro-
beverage in India to be sold in 100% rPET bot- duced plant-based renewable materials like pa-
tles, a milestone enabled by regulatory approval perboard and sugarcane-based plastic.
for food-grade recycled content. Beyond bever-
ages, over 50% of PepsiCo India’s films portfolio One of its landmark innovations, the Tetra Brik
has transitioned to recyclable-friendly materials, Aseptic 200 Slim Leaf carton, achieves up to
62 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025
