Paper Packaging to Quadruple by 2030, Forecasts Prof. Chopra at SkillTech Expo
December 6, 2025
ETT News / Chandigarh
The SkillTech Industrial Expo witnessed a packed gathering on Friday as Prof. Kamal Mohan Chopra, former Chairman of the World Print & Communication Forum (WPCF), delivered a data-backed keynote on the current landscape and future trajectory of India’s printing and packaging industry.
Speaking on “The Present Status of the Indian Printing and Packaging Industry”, Prof. Chopra said the sector is on course for an 11% CAGR, expected to touch ₹12.53 lakh crore (US$ 143 billion) by 2029.
Held at the New Grain Market, the expo drew more than 5,000 participants from Haryana’s industrial belt, with stalls featuring advanced machinery, automation systems and sustainable packaging solutions.
Prof. Chopra highlighted that India’s packaging industry—now the fifth-largest segment of the economy—has expanded to ₹7.36 lakh crore (US$ 84 billion) in 2024, driven by rising urban consumption and FMCG growth.
Paper packaging alone, he noted, stands at ₹1.67 lakh crore (US$ 19.07 billion) as of August 2024 and is projected to rise to ₹4.07 lakh crore by 2030, clocking a rapid 19.48% CAGR amid plastic restrictions and sustainability mandates.
Paper packaging alone, he noted, stands at ₹1.67 lakh crore (US$ 19.07 billion) as of August 2024 and is projected to rise to ₹4.07 lakh crore by 2030, clocking a rapid 19.48% CAGR amid plastic restrictions and sustainability mandates.
The professor underlined that commercial printing is currently valued at US$ 36.5 billion (2025) and is set to reach US$ 46.7 billion by 2034, growing at 2.8% CAGR, boosted by e-commerce demand for customized labels and brochures.
Offset packaging, meanwhile, is estimated at US$ 8.94 billion in 2024 and expected to hit US$ 13.01 billion by 2032 at a 5.5% CAGR, supported by advances in mid-web presses, RFID technology and smart supply chain systems.
Addressing structural bottlenecks, Prof. Chopra pointed to India’s per-capita paper consumption of 15 kg, significantly below the global average of 57 kg. He warned of fibre shortages and import pressures, calling for backward integration, technological upgrades and AI-enabled mills.
He also praised government Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which have generated US$ 19 billion in investments and 1.15 million jobs by March 2025, providing indirect momentum to label converters, pharma packagers and allied sectors.
An interactive Q&A followed, with local manufacturers raising queries on automation trends, flexible packaging for food and beverages, and barrier-coated paperboards designed to fight counterfeiting.
“SkillTech is becoming a platform for Haryana’s youth to harness this 7–8% annual demand surge, with national production capacity projected to reach 32 million tonnes by 2030,” Prof. Chopra said, referencing his long association with OPA and his recent felicitation by IPAMA.
Expo convener Bobby Dhingra described Prof. Chopra’s address as a landmark moment for the region. “His insights prepare Haryana to lead in consumer packaging, which is expected to grow from US$ 59.4 billion in 2025 to US$ 103.4 billion by 2035, recording a 5.7% CAGR,” he said.
Prof. Chopra concluded by emphasising the sector’s collective strength: “From Karnal’s granaries to global shelves, the Indian printing industry is scripting a story that is sustainable, scalable and self-reliant.”
The SkillTech Industrial Expo will continue till December 7, featuring multiple masterclasses and technical sessions.
Printing Industry Packaging Growth SkillTech Expo Kamal Chopra Haryana Manufacturing Paper Packaging Commercial Printing Offset Packaging
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