Chakravarthi AVPS delivers keynote at UNIDO Global Meet in Bangkok

The event, themed Accelerating Sustainable Industrial Development of the Food Packaging Industry in Asia, was hosted in collaboration with WPO and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands, a globally reputed centre for life sciences and agricultural innovation.

Speaking to a global audience who were country representatives from 15+ Asian nations, Chakravarthi called for a shift in the perception of packaging, from an avoidable expense to a critical tool in reducing food loss.

“India loses up to 30% of its food post-harvest due to inadequate packaging, handling, and cold-chain infrastructure. We must rethink packaging not as an expense but as a value-preserving necessity,” he said.

From Banana Fibre to Bagasse (both natural fibres that can be used to create composite materials), Indian Packaging ideas won global attention. In his address, Chakravarthi showcased India’s growing leadership in sustainable packaging. Key highlights included Rapid adoption of active and intelligent packaging in dairy and perishables, eco-innovations using banana fibre, areca leaf, and sugarcane bagasse, state-led traceability pilots for horticulture and seafood exports, emerging green-tech packaging startups across the country and expansion of cold-chain networks and R&D centres

“India’s packaging industry is evolving rapidly and holds immense potential to lead sustainable transformation across Asia,” he stated.

The UNIDO roundtable reinforces the central role of packaging in food security.  The distinguished speakers at the meeting included Luciana Pellegrino, president, WPO; Ali Badernah, divisional chief, UNIDO; Eelke Westra, programme manager, WUR.  The session was moderated by Johannes Bergmair, general secretary, WPO.

Together, they emphasised that packaging is not just aesthetic—it is critical to food preservation, consumer safety, and meeting global sustainable development goals (SDGs).