As sustainability, circular economy goals, and regulatory pressures reshape India’s packaging landscape, glass is steadily reclaiming its relevance as a safe, recyclable, and premium material of choice. In this exclusive interaction with Machine Edge Global, Rajesh Khosla, CEO, AGI Greenpac Limited, shares his perspective on why glass—despite being 100% recyclable—remains underutilized in India, how it compares with other biodegradable alternatives, and the policy ecosystem influencing its adoption. He also offers insights into evolving brand expectations, AGI Greenpac’s recent innovations, and the company’s ₹700 crore investment in sustainable manufacturing, while outlining what it takes to build a successful business in India’s capital-intensive glass packaging sector.
Glass is 1 00% recyclable, yet it remains underutilized in India. What are the key barriers—economic, logistical, or perceptual—holding back wider adoption?
We recognize the immense potential of glass as a truly circular material in India’s packaging landscape. While glass is 100% recyclable, achieving its full utilization requires a concerted effort to address existing challenges.
Despite its infinite recyclability and non-toxic nature, glass packaging adoption in India is largely impacted by a historical reliance on other materials and short-term cost considerations. Businesses often find themselves prioritizing immediate expenses over the substantial long-term benefits that glass offers for both the environment and consumer well-being.
From a logistical standpoint, the infrastructure for collecting, transporting, and recycling glass at a large scale is still evolving across the country. While efforts are underway, a fully streamlined and ubiquitous system is yet to be established. Furthermore, there’s a common misperception that glass is fragile or inherently more expensive. However, ongoing innovations in manufacturing have consistently enhanced its durability and made it more cost-effective over time.
Ultimately, widespread adoption hinges on increased awareness. Educating industries and consumers about the long-term ecological advantages of glass – its ability to be recycled endlessly without quality loss – and its inherent health benefits as an inert material is crucial. By highlighting these critical aspects and the continuous advancements in glass technology, India can truly unlock its vast potential in sustainable packaging.
How can glass packaging be better than other biodegradable alternatives?
While biodegradable packaging is a step in the right direction, many such materials still involve industrial composting and can leave behind residues or micro plastics. Glass, on the other hand, is inert, non-leaching, and poses zero risk of contamination- which is paramount in sensitive applications like food, pharmaceutical and alcohol packaging. Its chemical stability ensures that what you package is exactly what you consume, without any unintended interaction. Additionally, glass can be recycled endlessly without any degradation in quality, making it far more circular and sustainable. Furthermore, glass has a significant environmental advantage: it can be recycled endlessly without any degradation in quality, making it a far more circular and truly sustainable option.
Beyond its inherent purity and recyclability, continuous advancements in lightweight glass technology are enhancing its durability and overall sustainability profile. At AGI Glaspac, along with our dedicated R&D team, we are actively working on pioneering light weighting solutions for glass. These innovations solidify glass’s position as a strategic packaging solution that not only balances aesthetics and functionality but also champions genuine environmental responsibility, offering a long-term, truly circular option for brands and consumers alike.
What policies are currently supporting glass packaging in India and Telangana?
Both India and Telangana are implementing a multi-faceted policy approach to support sustainable packaging, fostering a more favorable environment for various eco-friendly materials.
India is actively promoting glass packaging through a series of national policies aimed at sustainability and circular economy goals. The draft Environment Protection (Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Made from Paper, Glass, and Metal, as Well as Sanitary Products) Rules, 2024 set clear recycling targets for glass packaging, requiring producers, importers, and brand owners to register, report, and meet phased recycling obligations. These new rules complement India’s existing Plastic Waste Management Rules and the broader national effort to promote diverse sustainable packaging alternatives.
In Telangana, there is increasing alignment with national sustainability efforts, along with ongoing discussions around measures to promote eco-friendly packaging alternatives. Beyond regulatory efforts, Telangana is also fostering an environment conducive to advanced manufacturing for sustainable materials. A prime example is the strategic partnership between SGD Pharma and Corning to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical glass tubing facility in the state. This collaboration signifies an industrial commitment to strengthening the ecosystem.
In addition to it, industry events such as CII Telangana Packcon 2024, are playing a crucial role by focusing on innovation and sustainability in packaging.
What policies are currently supporting glass packaging in India and Telangana?
Both India and Telangana are implementing a multi-faceted policy approach to support sustainable packaging, fostering a more favorable environment for various eco-friendly materials.
India is actively promoting glass packaging through a series of national policies aimed at sustainability and circular economy goals. The draft Environment Protection (Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Made from Paper, Glass, and Metal, as Well as Sanitary Products) Rules, 2024 set clear recycling targets for glass packaging, requiring producers, importers, and brand owners to register, report, and meet phased recycling obligations. These new rules complement India’s existing Plastic Waste Management Rules and the broader national effort to promote diverse sustainable packaging alternatives.
In Telangana, there is increasing alignment with national sustainability efforts, along with ongoing discussions around measures to promote eco-friendly packaging alternatives. Beyond regulatory efforts, Telangana is also fostering an environment conducive to advanced manufacturing for sustainable materials. A prime example is the strategic partnership between SGD Pharma and Corning to establish a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical glass tubing facility in the state. This collaboration signifies an industrial commitment to strengthening the ecosystem.
In addition to it, industry events such as CII Telangana Packcon 2024, are playing a crucial role by focusing on innovation and sustainability in packaging.
Additionally, collaborations between brands, policymakers, and recyclers will be essential in driving consumer education and industry-wide awareness, reinforcing the advantages of glass over single-use alternatives.
If one wants to begin a startup in this field, what suggestions and advice would you give for a successful company?
Launching a successful startup in India’s glass packaging sector requires a highly strategic and well-capitalized approach. First and foremost, a deep understanding of the glass manufacturing process is crucial; this is a capital-intensive business, demanding significant investment in specialized machinery, from furnaces to quality control systems, with initial CAPEX potentially running into hundreds of crores. Beyond the financial outlay, comprehensive knowledge of regulatory compliance is paramount.
Operational excellence, including efficient raw material sourcing, energy-efficient production, and a robust logistics network capable of handling the unique challenges of transporting glass, will be key to cost control and seamless distribution. Finally, integrating sustainability and innovation as core pillars from day one, by prioritizing the use of recycled cullet and continuously investing in R&D for light weighting technologies, will not only align with growing environmental mandates but also provide a competitive edge in the market.
At AGI Glaspac, we believe our commitment to premium solutions, continuous R&D, and strong industry collaborations are fundamental drivers of innovation and market leadership, setting a high standard within the sector.
How has the demand for recyclable and non-toxic packaging evolved from brands in recent years?
Brands are increasingly shifting toward sustainable packaging models, driven by evolving consumer preferences, regulatory mandates, and environmental impact concerns. Globally, the push to reduce non-recyclable materials has prompted FMCG and pharmaceutical companies to seek alternatives like glass. The. At the same time, consumers are prioritizing non-toxic, recyclable options, reinforcing the industry’s move toward eco-friendly solutions. In response, AGI Glaspac continues to innovate next-generation packaging solutions, ensuring alignment with market demands and sustainability compliance.
What are some of AGI’s recent products or material innovations in response to these shifting expectations?
Our company has pioneered several key innovations tailored to changing market expectations:
– Lightweight glass technology, enhancing efficiency and recyclability.
– Premium closures using sustainable materials, reducing environmental footprint.
– Advanced waste management processes, ensuring a circular economic approach.
These innovations position AGI Greenpac as one of the leaders in sustainable packaging.
Are there specific use cases where glass is making a comeback over plastic due to regulatory or consumer pressure?
Glass is experiencing a significant resurgence across several industries, driven by both regulatory mandates and evolving consumer expectations. In sectors such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and premium cosmetics, we are witnessing a clear shift back to glass packaging. This trend is propelled by stricter regulations on single-use plastics and the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, which are encouraging brands to adopt sustainable, recyclable materials. Consumers are also increasingly seeking packaging that is not only safe and non-reactive but also environmentally responsible and visually appealing.
At AGI Glaspac, our investments in advanced manufacturing and design, including the ability to offer a wide range of glass containers in various colors have positioned us to meet these new demands and support our clients’ sustainability goals. Moreover, glass packaging offers unique advantages that plastic simply cannot match. Its ability to be reused multiple times, its inert nature that preserves product integrity, and its premium feel are highly valued in today’s marketplace. Our collaborations with leading brands in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors underscore this shift, as more companies recognize the long-term benefits of glass for both branding and sustainability. At AGI Glaspac, we remain committed to driving innovation and operational excellence, ensuring that our glass solutions not only meet but exceed the expectations of our partners and the communities we serve.
AGI recently invested ₹700 crore in a new facility in Madhya Pradesh. Can you explain the sustainability elements integrated into this plant and how it reflects a shift in manufacturing priorities? Opinion on Hyderabad location.
Our ₹700 crore investment in a new facility in Madhya Pradesh marks a significant step toward sustainable and eco-efficient manufacturing. The plant integrates advanced technologies to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, adopts closed-loop recycling systems to repurpose waste and support a circular economy, and operates on a zero-waste model that aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals- highlighting a strategic shift in manufacturing priorities.
While this new facility represents forward-looking growth, our Hyderabad plant continues to be a cornerstone of AGI Greenpac’s operations. With its advanced industrial ecosystem, reliable infrastructure, and strategic access to key markets in southern and western India, Hyderabad remains integral to ensuring operational excellence and supporting the company’s long-term growth vision.