Angshu Mallick, COO, Adani Wilmar, said, “We are taking another step forward to establish strong adherence to environmental sustainability. The new edible oil packaging will be rolled out for 1-litre pouches for the first time ever in the industry, for our Fortune brand of edible oils initially and will successively cover our other sub-brands.”

Currently, Adani Wilmar sources nearly 300 metric tonnes of plastic films for packaging per month and one kilogram of film produces approximately 130 pouches.

The food FMCG company will now source plastic films comprising a new formulation of polyethylene (PE) resins to create a sustainable all-PE laminate solution from its dedicated supplier Vishakha Polyfab (VPPL).

Adani Wilmar will also have a nine-month exclusivity contract with VPPL, during which time, it will hold “sole usage rights” of using and marketing the innovative packaging in the entire edible oil industry. 

 “We are talking about nearly 47 crore litres of oil per annum being packaged sustainably. While no direct benefit is attributed to consumers, the empty pouches can now be resold to scrap dealers and recycled entirely instead of disposing and creating pressure on the environment. The cost of production rises minimally for us to incorporate the chemical that allows the packaging to be recycled. This will not be passed on to consumers and will be absorbed by us totally,” added Mallick.

The novel formulation of polyethylene (PE) resin has been certified by the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), an agency under the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India. The certificate of endorsement states that the co-extruded multilayer film can be recycled. The new recyclable pouch has also passed the company’s internal laboratory tests covering dart impact test, a drop test, and an ink adhesion test.

“It all begins with spreading awareness and adopting technology early. Adani Wilmar has become an enabler and I do hope that more edible oil companies follow this path and show their commitment to the environment,” said Kartikeya Vikram Sarabhai, a renowned environmental educator.

Adani Wilmar’s portfolio comprises cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, rice bran and groundnut oils. In addition to Fortune, other brands such as Aadhar, Kings, Fryola, Raag Gold and Alpha have garnered a healthy market share.

According to the company, every edible oil pouch will carry a prominent, enlarged international symbol for recycling symbolised by curved, folded arrows forming a triangle in the front of every pouch.