ElitePlus 2026 puts flexible packaging growth in focus

The 13th ElitePlus Conference on Specialty Films and Flexible Packaging in India brought together technology suppliers, converters and material producers to discuss the next phase of growth for flexible packaging, with recycling, new polymers and high-speed film production emerging as major themes.

Close to three dozen presentations addressed domestic and export opportunities alongside challenges including recyclability, skilled labour shortages, production scale-up and investment in new materials and manufacturing technologies.

Plastic recycling needs major global expansion

Erema Group CEO Manfred Hackl used the event to highlight the scale of the plastics recycling challenge. He estimated that only around 35 million tonnes, or 8% of global plastic waste, is currently recycled.

Hackl argued that recycling volumes will need to rise to at least 250 million tonnes by 2050, while the quality of post-consumer recycled material must become increasingly comparable with virgin polymers if recycled content is to move into more demanding packaging applications.

Erema expands recycling presence in India

Erema currently has approximately 160 recycling-related machines operating in India and is planning to deepen its local presence through the Erema India Foundation with Lindner.

The company is also partnering with Amtec to install equipment locally for training and demonstration, helping Indian recyclers gain greater access to advanced recycling technologies and technical expertise.

Balrampur invests in PLA raw material capacity

Another major announcement came from Balrampur Chini Mills, which is investing in a 60,000-tonne facility to produce raw material for PLA films and packaging applications.

The company is partnering with Polyplex on the flexible-film production component of the project, reflecting growing interest in bio-based polymers as packaging producers explore alternatives to conventional fossil-based films.

PLA infrastructure remains a challenge

Despite growing investment, PLA still faces significant end-of-life limitations in India because a dedicated collection and recycling stream is not yet established at scale.

Industry speakers noted that even small amounts of PLA contamination can create difficulties within conventional plastic recycling streams, highlighting the need to develop waste infrastructure alongside new material capacity.

Brückner pushes biaxial film speeds to 700 m/min

Brückner Maschinenbau also presented new developments in biaxial film production, including 12-metre-wide lines capable of running thin films at speeds of up to 700 metres per minute.

Cosmo First is already operating what Brückner describes as the world’s first 700 m/min BOPP line, while Dhunseri Poly Films has ordered the first 700 m/min BOPET line. Four additional high-speed lines have also been sold to Indian customers.

Flexible films expand beyond traditional packaging

Demand for biaxially oriented films is also growing outside conventional packaging markets. Brückner highlighted applications in electronics and battery manufacturing where films can be produced at thicknesses as low as 1.6 microns.

At the same time, packaging remains an important growth area, including hybrid structures combining paper with very thin BOPP films to reduce plastic use while maintaining barrier and mechanical performance.

India’s middle class supports packaging demand

The conference also highlighted the scale of India’s consumer market, with projections indicating that the country’s middle-class population could reach around 715 million by 2030.

Growth in packaged food, consumer goods, healthcare and e-commerce is expected to support continued demand for flexible films while encouraging domestic producers to invest in larger and more efficient production assets.

Flexible packaging faces simultaneous growth and circularity pressures

The discussions at ElitePlus illustrate the dual challenge facing India’s flexible packaging industry. Producers need to expand capacity rapidly while also improving recyclability, recycled-content quality and material efficiency.

Investments in recycling technology, PLA production and high-speed film lines suggest that the sector is responding through a combination of new materials, greater manufacturing scale and more sophisticated processing technology.