CII Conference signals towards recognising printing and packaging industry

Despite being informally recognised as the fifth-largest industry segment, the printing and packaging sector in India faces a significant challenge: the absence of formal industry status. Astonishingly, this sector subsumes a myriad of sub-sectors, and generates substantial investment, revenue, and employment, rivalling even established sectors. 

Unverified data making the rounds suggests that the footprint of the printing and packaging industry is even larger than many other mainstream industry segments. Despite this, it remains classified merely as a service sector, lacking the teeth and legitimacy to assert its influence. The industry is nowhere in the scheme of things of governments or policymakers, curtailing its growth prospects significantly. 

In the global context, printing and packaging are integral to the supply chains of diverse industries, including FMCG, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, fashion and textiles, electronics, mobile gadgets, and toys. However, despite its pivotal role, Indian policymakers have been averse to acknowledging its significance formally. 

The CII’s inclusion of printing and packaging in the Manufacturing Conference 2024 marks a significant milestone and is a cause for celebration within the industry. Among the eight key sectors highlighted at the conference, printing and packaging were recognised as a crucial category in India's manufacturing growth story. All of us in the industry have long experienced that we belong to a critical supplier category. The urgency and criticality of our delivery deadlines are no exaggeration – a delay or an error could have severe consequences. 

The conference underscored this vital importance, especially in the context of the government's Viksit Bharat agenda for 2047. The print industry is poised to shoulder a substantial increase in demand, driven by its multiplier effect on various manufacturing volumes. 

Discussions at the conference highlighted a universal truth: the challenges faced by the printing and packaging industry mirror those across the broader manufacturing sector. Issues such as global quality, knowledge and capacity development, skill gaps, innovation, value addition, production costs, environment and recycling are common puzzles that need solving across all sectors.

SN Venkatraman of  ITC Printing and Packaging, and the conference chair commenced by speaking about the exciting growth prospects in the industry and the challenges to be met whilst achieving them. Premiumisation in many categories and eCommerce are other big drivers for packaging consumption. While explaining in length the current landscape of the print industry, Venkatraman stressed the trends that are pointing towards a K-shaped growth for the printing sector.

The speakers at various sessions highlighted Asia's role in the global printing and packaging market, and India’s ascending position, which is nothing short of promising. The EPR framework and recycling guidelines were discussed from the points of view of brand owners,  converters, vendors and suppliers of materials and machines.

Trends such as the consumption of more packaged foods, bigger pack sizes, less packaging per product, brand owners' commitment to meet the targets set for GHG emissions, recyclable contents in packaging, and mono-material challenges were topics that sparked conversation during the sessions. An imminent trend that converters and printers need to address is the supply of mono-material packaging cost-effectively. Flexible packaging was also spoken about. 

Barrier, performance and cost were said to be the triple helix that drives the packaging decisions. Brands are continuously assessing the packaging supply against its ability to be a part of a resilient supply chain. Thus, logistics efficiency along with the reliability of materials supply, standards and processes become critical drivers for our industry. 

The benefits of water-based ink were a discussion point at length with perspectives from brands, converters and ink manufacturers. ‘Paperisation’ of packaging was also discussed. Speakers highlighted how innovations, like code on packs (QR Code), scent on pack, and click on pack are revolutionising consumer engagement and giving an edge to brand owners to form a more personal connection. 

As the printing and packaging sector strides towards a brighter future, this conference served as a pivotal platform in advocating for its rightful place in the echelons of power and policy. It is a clarion call for recognition, resilience, and readiness, paving the way for a future. 

Jose Thomas is the Principal Consultant of Future Schoolz— offering technology and consulting to printing, packaging and allied industries.