Packaging Industry in India

COVID-19 impact on packaging

The economic impact of COVID-19 resulted in severe income drops for many Indian consumers, with a dramatic decline in discretionary spending. This situation led to downtrading across the board.

Flavoured milk drinks continue to record dynamic growth in India during the pandemic

Flavoured milk drinks continued to record a strong growth rate in 2020 as this product area continued to improve its penetration across the country. While the strong growth rate registered by flavoured milk in 2020 was partially due to the increase in at-home dairy consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was also testament to the deepening penetration of flavoured milk drinks in the second- and third-tier cities of India.

PET bottles benefit from their suitability for larger pack sizes during the pandemic, and beyond

PET bottles were performing better than many other soft drinks pack types during the pandemic in 2020. This was driven by heightened consumer demand for larger pack sizes.

Metal beverage cans an emerging pack type in a number of categories

While glass bottles are still the most popular pack type for beer in India, they recorded a steep decline in 2020. Metal beverage cans, gaining share in beer in recent years, declined in 2020, but at a slower rate than glass bottles.

Mini sizes enjoying rising popularity in beauty and personal care

Large pack sizes remained popular in certain beauty and personal care categories over the review period, with the trend more marked in mass brands, as price-sensitive consumers sought out value-for-money products. However, prior to the pandemic, smaller pack sizes were continuing to benefit from changing lifestyles and preferences, with demand driven by several factors, which have moved beyond carry-on luggage requirements.

Hindustan Unilever pledges to make 100% of its plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025

Sustainability and environmental concerns have already been helping drive change within the home care industry, with central and state governments in India having been taking steps to ban single-use plastic. According to Euromonitor International’s Lifestyle Survey, over two in five (41%) respondents agree that they are worried about climate change, nearly one in two (48%) consider recyclable packaging, while two in five (43%) consider biodegradable packaging is sustainable or better for the environment.