The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) has announced it will host a landmark national conference titled The Future of Packaging: Innovate. Integrate. Inspire.

Debarshi Dutta Gupta (Managing Director, East India Pharmaceutical Works Ltd.), Prasun Dasgupta (Former Chairman -IIP), Dr. Bidhan Das ( Joint Director & Branch Head, IIP Kolkata centre), and Dipanjan Roy (Member, IIP) graced the announcement press conference.

The two-day event, scheduled for February 26th and 27th, 2026, at the Hotel ITC Sonar in Kolkata, marks a significant moment for an industry currently navigating a global shift toward digitalization and environmental accountability.

Operating for 60 years under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India, the IIP serves as the national apex body for improving packaging standards through research, testing, and consultancy. This conference aims to further that mission by exploring state-of-the-art technologies and integrating sustainability into global supply chains.

The agenda is designed to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the sector:

Digital Transformation: Sessions will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are reshaping the industry, specifically through product authentication and digitalization.

Sustainability: Dedicated discussions will focus on circular economy models, including plastic waste management regulations, EPR compliance, and advanced recycling technologies.

Economic Impact: A specialized panel will examine the “Rising of Eastern & North-Eastern Economy with Packaging as a Pilot,” highlighting the sector’s role as a driver for regional growth.

The event will also feature a Start-up & Research Conclave, providing a platform for the next generation of innovators to interact with industry veterans. High-profile dignitaries expected to attend the inauguration include Shri Rajesh Pandey, IAS (Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of West Bengal), Shri Surendra Gupta, IAS, and Shri P. K. Bharadwaj of NABARD.

The conference will conclude with an award ceremony honoring excellence in packaging innovation, cementing Kolkata’s role as a hub for future-ready industrial design.

For more details, visit: www.iip.in.com

Priyanka Dutta