How does Tetra Pak align its global sustainability goals with India’s priorities?
Being a global company, we have a global framework, but we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all. So, we have customised or localised solutions depending on how the regulations unfold in a particular market.
What materials or solutions are available in terms of sustainability in that market?
So, if you look at our global framework, there are five interconnected pillars which are enshrined for sustainability. At the centre of it is creating resilient food systems. The other pillars are driving circularity, decarbonisation of our value chain, preservation of nature and biodiversity, and social sustainability, which cuts across all areas.
We have this demographic dividend, and this youth population is generally conscious of sustainable packaging. How are you catering to it?
Youth today are much more aware. They want to make the right purchase choices, and their choices are driven by sustainability. Today, they are asking brands where the raw materials are coming from and how they are manufacturing the packaging material.
What happens to the packaging material once it is disposed of?
Their purchase decisions are being guided by sustainability. We really think it’s a big opportunity for us to innovate and mainstream sustainability into everything that we do. So, we truly welcome this shift, and our innovations are aligned with the changing trends and more. If you talk about it, the focus is on sustainable packaging. We are looking at renewable, recycled content integrated into our packaging. We are also focusing on responsibly sourced materials.
How do you foresee the future of packaging in terms of sustainability?
We are looking at the 4Rs, which are renewability, recyclability, recycled content, and responsibly sourced material to create carbon-neutral packaging. There are trends happening in packaging. We are also using our packaging for connected packaging, which means that through a QR code, we are able to engage with consumers better. We are able to communicate our sustainability efforts more effectively and also encourage consumer engagement on their role in improving application and how the package can be recycled better.
How do you balance sustainability and cost-effectiveness with safety, which is an extra challenge for food packaging companies like yours?
These three factors are not really siloed for us. They are integrated and interconnected. Safety, as I mentioned, is paramount for cartons. Even if you use alternative materials, renewable materials, or recycled content, they cannot come at the cost of quality. The safety of what is inside the carton, the beverage, needs to be maintained. We conduct extensive research to ensure that there is no impact on the beverage inside the carton. Quality is ensured. Sustainability is a cornerstone of what we do, while cost is something that consumers are paying close attention to, especially in a market like India, which is cost-sensitive. However, we need to ensure that we consider the total cost of ownership when it comes to packaging.
