RX India has released the conference agenda for the 20th edition of PackPlus 2026, an exhibition for the packaging, converting, and supply chain industry, to be held from 20–22 August 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Built around the theme ‘Packaging as the Engine of Growth for the Indian Economy,’ the conference will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to discuss standards, sustainability, and innovation in the sector.
Packaging is currently the fifth-largest sector of the Indian economy and a significant driver of growth across agriculture, retail, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and supply chain. Valued at USD 101.12 billion in 2025, the Indian packaging industry is projected to reach USD 169.73 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.73%. Against this backdrop, the PackPlus 2026 conference will examine how the industry can convert this momentum into a lasting competitive advantage for Indian manufacturing.
The conference will begin with an inauguration and lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome address from RX India. The inaugural panel discussion, “Packaging Standards – Compliance Goes from Obligation to Differentiator,” will examine Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms for packaging materials, the role of standardization in enhancing global competitiveness, the impact of foreign direct investment, and the increasing use of recycled materials in paper and pulp-based packaging.
The second session, ‛Pushing the Physical Barriers of Packaging – Flexible Packaging is the Future’, will focus on India’s flexible packaging market, valued at USD 18 billion in 2025 and expected to grow significantly over the coming years. Industry experts will discuss AI integration, smart packaging technologies, material innovation, and the challenge of reducing packaging material while maintaining product safety, protection and print quality.
Following lunch, the panel discussion, ‛Thinking Beyond the Bin – Can Sustainable Packaging Replace Plastics?’, will explore the realities of sustainable packaging, addressing green packaging versus greenwashing, returnable and minimalistic packaging designs, q-commerce-led reuse models, and the industry’s shift away from single-use plastics.
The conference will conclude with ‛AI-Powered Smart Packaging – The Future of Intelligent Packaging’, which will look at how artificial intelligence is transforming the packaging ecosystem through RFID and QR code-enabled traceability, product authentication, defect detection, shelf-life prediction, personalized consumer engagement, and end-to-end process optimization.
Umang Gupta, country head, RX India, said, “The packaging sector today is an integral part of any product used by the Indian consumer or across industrial sectors like manufacturing, FMCG, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. The changing policy framework, guidelines, and packaging technology are rapidly shaping the economics of the packaging sector. PackPlus has been the industry’s flagship event, where policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators have come together to shape industry standards, sustainability, and the future of India’s packaging ecosystem. This year’s PackPlus event and conclave will integrate these emerging industry trends with high-value sourcing needs that will enable participants to modernise and streamline their packaging infrastructure, driving growth for their business.”
The PackPlus 2026 conference will be one of the key highlights on the opening day of the exhibition. PackPlus 2026, taking place from 20–22 August 2026, is expected to bring together 250+ exhibitors and 15,000+ industry professionals from across the packaging value chain, including FMCG, e-commerce, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics and modern retail. Visitors will also see 500+ live machinery demonstrations and discover the latest innovations in packaging, printing, converting and supply chain solutions from Indian and international companies.