The PackMach Asia Roadshow, organized on 1 November at the Hilton Mumbai International Airport, brought together leading voices from across India’s packaging value chain for a focused discussion on innovation, automation, and sustainability.
A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion on smart packaging, featuring Amit Kale of Reliance Retail, Darshan Vartak of WPPG Group Company, and Harshad Tambe of Ajanta Pharma. The session was moderated by Sanjay Ghoshal, head of packaging at Diageo India, and explored how intelligent and connected packaging technologies are transforming manufacturing, supply chain efficiency, product authentication, and consumer engagement.
The Mumbai roadshow saw strong participation from automation and flexible packaging companies. Representatives from across the packaging ecosystem—machine manufacturers, converters, component suppliers, and end users—shared insights on how collaborative platforms like PackMach Asia are enabling industry-wide growth.
Now in its fourth year, PackMach Asia has rapidly emerged as a key industry platform, co-organized by Messe Muenchen India and the Institute of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers of India (IPMMI). A flagship trade fair, PackMach Asia Expo 2025, will take place from 13 to 15 November 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, serving as a comprehensive showcase for packaging machinery, processing solutions, and automation technologies. The show will be co-located with drinktec India.
Organizers said the show focuses on delivering value to exhibitors through high-quality visitor engagement and curated networking. The event’s buyer-seller lounge, reverse meetings, executive networking spaces, and live podcasts aim to connect decision-makers and promote business partnerships.
The organizers announced that each year, around 500 senior professionals—ranging from managing directors to vice-presidents—are hosted by the show, with travel and accommodation arranged to ensure meaningful participation. A few exhibitor stalls are still open for companies looking to join the upcoming edition, while visitor registration remains ongoing.
During the event, new IPMMI members were felicitated, highlighting the association’s efforts to expand collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the sector. The panel discussion underscored that smart packaging is evolving beyond traditional active and intelligent functions to include technologies such as IoT, RFID, NFC, and AI-driven analytics—making packaging an enabler of traceability, transparency, and brand trust.
Speakers agreed that while cost and scalability remain key challenges, innovation in smart packaging offers significant opportunities for Indian manufacturers to enhance operational efficiency, improve consumer experience, and advance sustainability goals.
