Indian Institute of Packaging opens new centre in Bengaluru, boosting research and innovation in smart packaging

INDIA – The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has inaugurated a state-of-the-art centre in Bengaluru, aimed at advancing education, research, testing, and certification in the packaging sector.

Spread over four acres, the new facility houses advanced laboratories for material testing, chemical analysis, and transport testing, reports The Hindu.

It is designed to serve as a hub for research, training, and technology transfer, integrating artificial intelligence (AI)-based testing, data analytics, and demonstrations in smart packaging.

The IIP, headquartered in Mumbai, already operates regional centres in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Visakhapatnam.

According to institute officials, India’s packaging industry employs over five million people, both directly and indirectly.

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), food processing, and pharmaceutical sectors together account for more than 70% of the country’s total packaging demand.

In September 2025, India Post partnered with the IIP to develop sustainable packaging solutions for its parcel delivery services.

The collaboration, formalized in Mumbai, aims to design eco-friendly packaging that meets postal system requirements while aligning with global sustainability standards.

The opening of the Bengaluru centre reflects India’s growing focus on sustainable and intelligent packaging systems. Similar initiatives are emerging globally.

For instance, Japan’s Toppan Printing has established an innovation hub in Tokyo focusing on barrier coatings and smart packaging sensors, while Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute is advancing recyclable and biodegradable materials using nanotechnology.

In India, too, private players are stepping up innovation. UFlex Ltd has expanded its Noida facility to develop recyclable laminates and digital packaging prototypes, while Huhtamaki India recently introduced its blueloop™ range of mono-material flexible packaging to enhance recyclability.

Experts note that such initiatives are crucial as the Indian packaging market, currently valued at over USD 75 billion, is projected to reach US$125 billion by 2030, driven by sustainability regulations, e-commerce expansion, and digital transformation.

With the Bengaluru centre, the IIP is expected to play a pivotal role in building technical capacity and fostering research collaborations that push India’s packaging industry toward a smarter, more sustainable future.

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