Pakka Limited, formerly known as Yash Pakka Limited, a prominent manufacturer of environmentally-friendly packaging solutions, has unveiled India’s first compostable flexible packaging. This pioneering innovation is the outcome of a partnership with Brawny Bear, a nutrition-focused company known for utilizing the natural sweetness of dates to craft delicious and healthy food products. This development signifies a substantial advancement in India’s packaging industry, which boasts a valuation of over $70 billion.
The flexible packaging segment commands the majority share of India’s packaging market, comprising over 60% of the total market share. It plays an omnipresent role in our daily lives, encompassing a wide range of products, from shampoo sachets to biscuit packets. This versatile packaging format has become an indispensable aspect of modern living due to its convenience, adaptability, and cost-efficiency.
However, as convenience has grown, so too has the concern regarding the environmental impact of conventional flexible packaging, most of which is crafted from non-biodegradable plastics. Given the multi-layered structure and thin composition of flexible packaging, recycling most types of it is an exceedingly challenging task.
Pakka Limited’s venture into the realm of flexible packaging represents a natural progression for a company that has dedicated four decades to producing compostable pulp and paper packaging solutions, as well as molded tableware. With ambitious plans to ramp up production of these eco-friendly packaging solutions over the next three years, the company’s global manufacturing facilities in Ayodhya, India, and Guatemala, America, are poised to become epicenters of innovation and production in this field.
The debut of India’s first compostable flexible packaging coincides with the burgeoning global demand for such sustainable solutions. According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the Indian packaging market is set to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2023 to 2028. While the average per capita consumption of flexible packaging stands at 28 kg worldwide, India currently stands at 11 kg per capita, showcasing an untapped market with enormous growth potential.
The partnership with Brawny Bear, India’s pioneer in date-based food production, perfectly embodies Pakka’s commitment to compostability. Brawny Bear’s range of date-based food offerings encompasses chocolates, chikki, nut butters, milkshake/energy powders, and natural sweeteners.
Pakka’s innovative compostable flexible packaging incorporates a variety of essential attributes that reflect its mission to contribute to a cleaner planet. This packaging boasts food-grade compliance, certified compostability through heat-sealability, excellent barrier properties for enhanced product protection, top-tier quality, lightweight design, and affordability.
Shivaam Tibrewal, Founder of Brawny Bear said, “Brawny Bear’s unwavering mission is to deliver health-conscious consumers with an array of Healthy No Added Sugar Foods that redefine the boundaries of quality and flavor. Simultaneously, we are dedicated to fostering a sustainable business ecosystem that echoes our core values. This vision finds its perfect ally in an exciting new partnership with Pakka that embodies Brawny Bear’s objectives. By joining forces, we are empowered to showcase our offerings in packaging that not only underscores our dedication to well-being but also to the preservation of our environment. We view this partnership as a transformative step towards crafting a planet that thrives on wellness and cleanliness. Our commitment to customers extends beyond just taste and quality – it now encompasses a shared vision for a greener, healthier world.”
Ved Krishna, Strategy Head, Pakka said, “We are so excited and proud to be associated with Brawny Bear chocolates, a company that is truly committed towards sustainability. We have been working on evolving a compostable packaging solution for years and this will be our first launch. I would like to thank the Brawny Bear team for their trust in us and for their desire to contribute towards a healthier and cleaner planet. We wish them all the success.”
Established in 1981 as Yash Papers Limited, Pakka (officially known as Pakka Limited) is a company leading the charge in revolutionizing the Indian packaging industry through its unwavering commitment to sustainability and pioneering innovation. Over the years, the company has transformed into a global leader in compostable packaging solutions. Its core mission is to secure a cleaner planet for future generations by offering compostable and regenerative alternatives to non-compostable multilayer flexible packaging, single-use plastics, and Styrofoam, materials that can take hundreds of years to degrade.
Moreover, at its primary production facility, Pakka generates its own electricity through an 8.5 MW plant powered entirely by biomass-based energy, a sustainable and renewable energy source. The facility relies on locally sourced raw materials and fuel and boasts an impressive 95% recovery rate for the cooking chemicals used in manufacturing. Innovation and research and development are integral to Pakka’s ethos, as the company actively pursues groundbreaking products and processes in areas such as fiber, pulp, paper, biopolymers, molded products, waste management, and beyond.
Pakka’s dedicated team comprises over 450 employees situated across the globe, with a significant portion of the workforce at the Ayodhya manufacturing facility hailing from nearby towns and villages, fostering a strong sense of community and local engagement.
