In ancient times, the main function of packaging was confined to the containment, like water bag (made of animal skin) used to store water. But today, the key purpose of the packaging is about the protection, transportation and conveyance of goods to the final destination of consumption. The size of the packaging industry in India is approximately of USD 14.7 billion and is expected to grow by 15 percent annually. The reasons that have given substantial impetus to the industry include tremendous rise in the retail sector of the country, improving lifestyle of middle income group and rapid growth in exports that demands for excellent packaging standards to cater to the international market’s needs. These demands are fulfilled by corrugated box packaging industry in India.
Factors contributing to the growth of Indian Corrugated Industry-With the increasing consumption of corrugated boxes all across the country and in overseas from over the last decade, the industry experienced a sudden growth. The production of corrugated box per day per single facer has increased to 2724 from 1387 kgs. Following are the factors leading to the growth of the industry’
a. Process Food Industryb. Electronic Industryc. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Packingd. Consumer Durables
Major sectors likely to influence the Packaging Industry at least for the next decade, are as follows:
a. Electronic Business Processing.b. Convenience Packaging.c. Supply Chain Management.d. Marketabilitye. Other benefits like Labeling, Tamper Evidence, Freshness. f. Environment-Friendly
Corrugated packaging is also termed as convenience packaging. It serves more than beyond the key purpose of preserving and protecting the products. Some of the benefits it provides are as follows:
a. Consumers want expediently packed products that are easy to open.b. For retailers, this form of packaging is utilized as a dispenser, a marketing tool, with easy to display feature. c. Corrugated boxes also serve as shipping container.
Today, the use of good quality corrugated boxes is preferred highly in every sector, whether it’s Pharmaceuticals, electronics or anything else. It is believed that if corrugated boxes cannot stand with the transportation risks, no other form of packaging material can compensate for the products damage. Its capability to present the products an attractive and influencing appearance is its main feature. India is becoming global player in the corrugated packaging scenario, after Pharma and Process Food Industry.