While Tetra Pak follows a global sustainability framework, local realities shape its implementation. Juhi Gupta, Sustainability Director, South Asia Markets, Tetra Pak, says that the company customises solutions depending on how regulations evolve in each market. It considers which materials or sustainability options are available locally and adjusts accordingly.
She outlines five interconnected pillars that drive Tetra Pak’s global framework: creating resilient food systems, enabling circularity, decarbonising the value chain, preserving nature and biodiversity, and embedding social sustainability across operations.
Engaging Young Consumers
Juhi Gupta observes that India’s youth are increasingly conscious of sustainable packaging. Younger consumers now demand to know where raw materials come from and how packaging is produced. They also ask what happens after disposal, and let these concerns influence purchasing decisions.
She sees this shift as an opportunity to innovate. Tetra Pak aims to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations. The company aligns its product innovations with these changing preferences and focuses on using renewable and recycled content, as well as responsibly sourced materials.
Future of Packaging
Looking ahead, Juhi Gupta says the 4Rs—renewability, recyclability, recycled content, and responsibly sourced materials—are key to achieving carbon-neutral packaging. The packaging trends now include connected features such as QR codes, which help brands communicate sustainability practices and engage consumers in responsible disposal.
The aim, she says, is not just better packaging, but smarter and more interactive ones that promote transparency and shared responsibility.
Balancing Priorities
She insists that sustainability, safety, and cost-effectiveness are not standalone concerns, but interconnected. She stresses that safety remains paramount—especially for food cartons. Even when using recycled or renewable materials, quality cannot be compromised.
Juhi Gupta explains that the company invests in research to ensure that packaging does not affect the safety of the beverage inside. In a cost-sensitive market like India, Tetra Pak believes the focus should be on the total cost of ownership, not just unit pricing. Sustainability, she reiterates, remains a cornerstone of its strategy.
