Ahead of the 12th Speciality Films & Flexible Packaging Global Business Summit & Exhibition 2025 in Mumbai, Packaging South Asia spoke with Sumant Singhal, CEO of Chiripal Poly Films, about his expectations from the event, sustainability imperatives, and the company’s showcase.
Speaking on the role of the ElitePlus conference, Singhal said that as a company, Chiripal is constantly engaged in innovations, new changing trends both in films and other substrates. “We look forward to the ElitePlus conference as a platform to align with the major trends emerging from brand owners, converters, and regulatory changes, and to contribute solutions that support the shared goals of innovation and sustainability.”
“We look forward to engaging with industry peers, solution providers, and customers to collectively seek answers as to how materials like BOPP, BOPET, CPP, and Al foil can evolve in a circular economy framework. I expect to see stronger engagement on sustainability imperatives—not only in technology but also in policymaking and industry collaboration,” he said.
On the likely highlights of this edition, Singhal said the focus will be on how the industry frames its roadmap for balancing performance-driven films with eco-friendly solutions. He said he anticipates key discussions around recyclability, energy-efficient production, and innovations in bio-alternatives and rPET utilization. “Another highlight will likely be the conversations around digital integration in supply chains for better traceability, which in turn supports sustainability commitments.”
Confirming Chiripal’s participation in the exhibition, he said, “Our showcase will focus on sustainable films—enhanced grades of BOPP, BOPET, and CPP designed to be more recyclable and resource-efficient. We will also highlight our progress in rPET development, emphasizing circularity in packaging, along with high-barrier solutions with reduced environmental impact, and advanced aluminium foil options that are lightweight and recyclable.”
What excites him most is the pace of change in the sector. “As the industry grows and adapts to changing sustainability demands, we are growing alongside it—investing in technology, innovation, and greener practices to remain a reliable partner to our customers.”
Looking at broader market expectations, Singhal noted that the market clearly expects solution providers Chiripal to go beyond product innovation. Customers seek materials that are recyclable within existing infrastructures, solutions that reduce dependency on virgin resources, and collaborations to design packaging with sustainability at its core. “Additionally, supply chain transparency is increasingly being demanded. The expectation is not just ‘performance at the lowest cost,’ but ‘performance with responsibility.’”
Reflecting on growth since the last edition, he was cautiously optimistic. “It’s still a bit early to draw a firm conclusion. While we are seeing encouraging signs of growth, particularly in demand for rPET, it may take a little more time for the market momentum to convert into clear year-on-year growth. What we can say with certainty is that sustainability-driven innovation is gaining traction—and if this trend continues, we expect to see steady growth in the near future.”
