ITC Expands Sustainable Packaging Offerings To Replace Plastic
On World Environment Day 2023, ITC sustained its Plastic Neutrality status for the 2nd consecutive year by sustainably managing 60,000 MT of plastic waste in FY23, which is more than the amount of packaging utilised.
B Sumant, Executive Director, ITC said “At ITC, we have put in place comprehensive interventions for waste management with a focus on plastics. Our Paperboards, Paper and Packaging Businesses continue to pioneer sustainable packaging solutions that can substitute single-use plastics. Many of our brands and businesses have also innovated to reduce the usage of plastics in line with our commitment to creating a positive environmental footprint.”
ITC's Paperboards, paper and packaging businesses are at the forefront of innovation in packaging solutions which substitute the use of single-use plastics.
It has developed a range of eco-friendly products, including recyclable paperboards named 'FiloPack' and 'FiloServe,' as well as two biodegradable paperboards, 'OmegaBev' and 'OmegaBarr.' These paperboards provide effective alternatives to plastic-coated containers and cups used in deep freeze applications.
Addressing the issue of plastic food containers for delivery, the Paperboards Business has introduced the IndoBowl, a paperboard-based product that replaces traditional plastic containers. Additionally, it has developed high-strength, multi-layered paper products as a substitute for single-use plastic cutlery and the 'WrapWell' food wrapping paper that is designed to be food-grade, eco-friendly, oil and grease resistant, and microwave-safe.
ITC’s Packaging business spans both Fibre-based and Plastic laminate offerings. The business is accelerating the development of Recyclable laminates with reduced plastic usage, which are more circular by design. The business is working on next-generation Coatings and New Laminate structures and has launched innovative products like Bio-seal, Germfree for Tea envelopes, and QSR segments, which offer sustainability-driven alternatives in the cartons and flexible packaging market. The business has won three prestigious World Packaging Organisation awards (WPO) selected by an international jury, for developing sustainable packaging for beverages and Ice-cream segments.
