During an interview with The Packman, Pavan Kumar, director, Storopack India, delves into the company’s sustainability efforts, innovative approaches to stay competitive, and upcoming projects focused on product range expansion and market expansion.
Manash Das: Storopack is known as a global leader in protective packaging solutions. What sets your company apart from competitors in the industry?
Pavan Kumar: We are a team of highly skilled professionals, proud members of a 150-year-old family-run business. Our unwavering commitment to our customers and our dedication to providing eco-friendly, cutting-edge custom packaging solutions that offer comprehensive protection for their products exemplify our mission to contribute to a more sustainable future. It is the passion and resilience of our team, combined with our innovative product range, that truly distinguishes us from the competition.
Beyond our talented team and exceptional products, Storopack is synonymous with trustworthiness as a company. We are known for our transparency and our unwavering commitment to delivering on our promises, fostering a healthy competitive environment within the market.
Manash Das: How does Storopack work closely with its customers to develop tailored protective packaging solutions?
Pavan Kumar: Effective consulting involves crafting customized solutions. In the Storopack approach, we seamlessly blend thorough consultation, technical proficiency, and innovation to create precisely tailored answers for our clients. Our process entails a thorough examination of current packaging and production methods, along with an assessment of the prevailing cost landscape. With this foundation, we ensure ergonomic operations, exceptional cost-effectiveness, and protective packaging and technical molded components that seamlessly integrate into a variety of workflows.
We have the flexibility to utilize elements from our extensive product portfolio or create entirely bespoke solutions tailored to each customer’s needs. Leveraging our global network of sites, we manufacture in close proximity to our clients, ensuring timely delivery, and maintain a constant presence to provide hands-on support with our technical expertise. Depending on specific needs, our customers can tap into the full spectrum of our Storopack process or select individual components as required.
Manash Das: How does Storopack approach sustainability in its operations and product offerings?
Pavan Kumar: Sustainability is the core of our product development, reflecting our deep concern for the planet’s future. Our long-term vision prioritizes leaving a better legacy for future generations, driving us to create eco-friendly products that excel in every aspect, including end-of-life considerations. Storopack’s commitment to sustainability is evident across its product range, which includes recycled options and reusable items, reducing our organization’s carbon footprint. We have set an organizational goal to ‘Source at least 50% of our raw materials from recycled or renewable resources by 2025.’ Our product lines, AIRplus, PAPERplus, and FOAMplus, are produced just-in-time at the end-consumer location, reducing the need to ship bulky air-filled products, and resulting in a greener solution. Additionally, all our products are lightweight, helping organizations further reduce their carbon footprint.
Manash Das: How is Storopack leveraging innovation to stay ahead in the market and meet the evolving needs of customers?
Pavan Kumar: Innovation is a cornerstone of our values, and a quick look at Storopack’s product range underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation. We led the way by introducing 100% recycled film for air pillows and pioneered the creation of the first 100% kitchen compostable air pillows, which are 97% compostable in a natural environment within 12 months of disposal.
Additionally, we were the first company to deliver top-quality paper bubble. Our paper bubble is meticulously structured, not merely embossed, ensuring it retains its shape consistently and offers superior protective packaging compared to conventional plastic bubble and other wrapping solutions on the market.
Manash Das: What are some of the major trends that Storopack anticipates in the protective packaging industry in the coming years?
Pavan Kumar: India’s growth story has experienced rapid acceleration in the past eight years, and this trend is mirrored in the packaging market. Manufacturers across industries are recognizing the importance of enhancing their packaging to command premium prices. Packaging is no longer viewed solely as a functional product; it has become an integral part of brand-building efforts.
Both established industrial product manufacturers and emerging startups are eager to adopt top-notch protective packaging solutions, and this trend is just beginning. In India, we are consistently achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15%, which is double the market’s growth rate, pegged at 7% CAGR. This growth is primarily attributed to the increasing demand for our PAPERplus product line, which offers solutions for various protective packaging challenges, including surface protection, cushioning, void filling, and block and brace. This surge in demand aligns with shifting market sentiments away from single-use plastics (SUP) in packaging.
Manash Das: Could you provide insights into Storopack’s upcoming initiatives aimed at broadening its market reach?
Pavan Kumar: Storopack GmbH has significant plans for its Indian operations. The company has invested in India to establish it as a manufacturing hub for Southeast Asia. This investment highlights India’s crucial role in Storopack’s global landscape and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives.
