Hyderabad’s Chakravarthi AVPS spotlights India’s leadership in sustainable packaging to combat food loss across Asia.

At a pivotal international roundtable hosted in Bangkok by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Hyderabad-based global packaging expert Mr. Chakravarthi AVPS delivered a compelling call to action. As Chairman & Managing Director of Ecobliss India and the Global Ambassador of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO), Mr. Chakravarthi addressed a distinguished audience on the vital role of packaging in ensuring food security across Asia.

The high-level forum, themed “Accelerating Sustainable Industrial Development of the Food Packaging Industry in Asia”, brought together country representatives from over 15 Asian nations. The event was held in partnership with WPO and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Netherlands—an institution globally revered for its work in life sciences and agricultural innovation.

Mr. Chakravarthi’s keynote struck a resonant chord: “India’s food waste problem has a packaging fix.” He highlighted a critical issue—India loses nearly 30% of its food post-harvest due to inadequate packaging, poor handling practices, and an underdeveloped cold-chain infrastructure. “We must rethink packaging not as an expense,” he urged, “but as a value-preserving necessity.”

The address spotlighted India's rising influence in the global sustainable packaging movement. Mr. Chakravarthi showcased a range of homegrown innovations—from banana fibre composites and sugarcane bagasse containers to areca leaf-based alternatives—drawing international attention for their environmental relevance and scalability. He also outlined emerging trends such as the rise of active and intelligent packaging in India's dairy and perishables sector, traceability pilots in horticulture and seafood exports, and the growth of green-tech packaging startups.

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

The roundtable underscored the broader role of packaging as a catalyst for sustainable development. Distinguished speakers included Mrs. Luciana Pellegrino, President of WPO; Mr. Ali Badernah, Divisional Chief at UNIDO; and Mr. Eelke Westra, Programme Manager at WUR. The session was moderated by Dr. Johannes Bergmair, General Secretary of WPO. Collectively, they reinforced that packaging must be viewed as integral to food preservation, consumer safety, and achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

One of the forum’s most significant outcomes was the release of a joint research paper titled “Navigating the Food Loss and Waste Paradox: Balancing Food Loss Reduction with Save Food Packaging.” Co-authored by UNIDO, WPO, and WUR, the publication outlines a methodology-driven roadmap for countries seeking to reduce food waste through smart and sustainable packaging strategies.

For India, the roundtable marks more than just a speaking opportunity—it affirms the country’s growing stature as a knowledge leader in sustainable packaging. As Mr. Chakravarthi’s address made clear, India is not only innovating at scale but also shaping global discourse on how packaging can help build resilient food systems across the developing world.

With actionable insights, scalable eco-innovations, and a commitment to regional collaboration, India is increasingly positioned as a beacon of sustainable industrial development in Asia.