At the Indian Institute of Packaging’s International Summit for the Packaging Industry 2026, the DS Group’s exceptional participation stood out for the intent it brought to the platform. In a forum shaped by discussions on sustainability, material transitions, and regulatory direction, the Group’s engagement reflected a clear emphasis on capability building across the packaging ecosystem.
Rather than speaking about business trends or technology, the Noida-based DS Group focused on strengthening the link and creating a meaningful bridge between the industry and academic institutions. The linkage is seen as a foundation for the long-term development of the industry.
The institution of the DS Excellence Awards recognized the top three students, including one woman scholar, for their academic performance in packaging studies. Each award, carrying a cash prize of Rs. 50,000, is intended not only as recognition but as concrete encouragement at a formative stage of professional development. The awards were presented during the inaugural ceremony by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in the presence of DS Group’s Executive Vice President, JD Desai.
Early alignment of expertise with industry challenges
The rationale for instituting these awards is grounded in a practical industry need. As packaging evolves—with increasing focus on recyclability, barrier efficiency, reduction of material footprint, and circularity—the gap between academic learning and industrial application becomes more visible. The DS Group’s view is that early alignment of academic orientation with real-world challenges is essential for building a workforce that can contribute meaningfully right from the outset.
By recognizing students at this stage, the initiative aligns and encourages their deeper engagement with the applied aspects of packaging rather than purely theoretical outcomes. The inclusion of a dedicated award for a woman student consciously improves representation in a domain where diversity can directly influence the quality of problem-solving and innovation.
MOU with IIP for biodegradable laminates
Alongside talent development, the DS Group also advanced its sustainability focus through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIP for the development of biodegradable laminates. The MoU was signed by RK Mishra, IRS (Director, IIP), and CK Sharma, representing the DS Group.
The collaboration is expected to explore alternatives to conventional multi-layer structures, with attention to functional performance, process compatibility, and environmental impact. Being one of the three MoUs signed at the summit, it reflected a selective and focused approach to industry collaboration.
The DS Group’s idea is not to project its size or scale, but to actively demonstrate intent. The group understands that building resource capability and encouraging relevance in learning are the foundations for knowledge-based skills in research and application development. To achieve sustainable outcomes, It believes in the need for industry to invest and engage with academic institutions right in our vicinity.
The initiative and intent indicate a longer-term view in an industry often driven by daily operational priorities. A perspective where progress is defined not only by innovation in materials and processes, but also by the strength of the ecosystem and the human landscape that supports it.
