Tetra Pak will showcase a range of processing, packaging and service innovations at drinktec India 2025 Mumbai, taking place from 13-15 November, focusing on operational efficiency, sustainability, and flexibility for beverage manufacturers.
In an interaction with Packaging South Asia and IndiFoodBev Magazine, Saurabh Sinha, marketing director at Tetra Pak, outlined the company’s expectations and key themes for the event.
Sinha said drinktec India serves as a key platform that reflects the evolving priorities of the beverage industry, where manufacturers are seeking to balance cost efficiency with innovation. He said the company intends to demonstrate how integrated solutions can help producers reduce the total cost of ownership while adapting to fast-changing consumer preferences.
He noted the growing role of startups and new-age brands in shaping the industry. “India’s innovation ecosystem is thriving, with entrepreneurs reimagining everything from low-sugar and protein-rich drinks to sustainable packaging,” Sinha said. “At drinktec, we look forward to engaging with this dynamic community and showcasing how Tetra Pak’s flexible, scalable solutions can help both established players and emerging startups bring the next generation of beverage ideas to life.”
According to Sinha, there is significant potential in the value-added dairy segment, including lactose-free and high-protein milk beverages, low-sugar formulations, and hydration products with functional benefits. He said these categories are seeing growing consumer interest, and Tetra Pak is co-developing solutions with its customers to address this demand.
Focus on efficiency and sustainability
Sinha observed that beverage producers are navigating multiple challenges, including higher input costs, stricter sustainability requirements, and changing consumer expectations. As a result, technologies that improve resource efficiency and enable portfolio diversification are expected to draw attention at drinktec.
“This year, drinktec will highlight how packaging, equipment, and services can serve as enablers of innovation while supporting sustainability goals,” Sinha said.
Among Tetra Pak’s key showcases will be the made-in-India Horizontal Filter for Sugar Syrup, designed and manufactured locally to support the Make in India initiative.
Other technologies include a low-energy juice production line, the Tetra Pak E3 Speed Hyper—the world’s fastest filling machine for aseptic cartons—a portfolio of new packaging formats, and automation and digital solutions.
Another highlight will be India’s first beverage carton containing 5% certified recycled polymers, produced at Tetra Pak’s ISCC PLUS-certified Chakan facility. Sinha described this as a step towards advancing locally relevant, sustainable innovation.
Evolving market expectations
Sinha said that customer expectations have become more holistic, with beverage companies now seeking partners that offer integrated solutions rather than standalone equipment. “Customers aren’t just looking for equipment—they are seeking strategic partners who can deliver end-to-end solutions, sustainability, and innovation,” he said.
He added that the conversation has moved from “cost per unit” to “value per litre,” reflecting a broader shift towards long-term value creation. Flexibility, digital integration, and responsiveness to local market needs have become key priorities.
“Beverage companies want solutions that can pivot quickly between product types and formats without compromising consistency or efficiency,” Sinha said. “At Tetra Pak, we are focused on building flexible, scalable, and locally relevant systems that combine our global expertise with the agility of local manufacturing and service capabilities.”
Tetra Pak’s participation at drinktec India 2025 will center on highlighting how its technologies can help beverage producers address efficiency, sustainability, and innovation objectives in a competitive and rapidly changing market.
