Tetra Pak’s longstanding role in India: pioneering innovation and local impact

Tetra Pak’s journey in India began 37 years ago, long before ‘Make In India’ became a national mantra. Since 1987, the company has played a pivotal role in transforming the Indian food and beverage landscape, offering solutions in food processing, packaging, recipe formulation, marketing, and sustainability.

From its early days, Tetra Pak adapted its global expertise to suit the unique needs of the Indian market. The company’s focus on local innovation has led to the development of packaging formats and food processing solutions that address both consumer preferences and regional challenges.

Investing in local manufacturing and employment

Tetra Pak’s investment in local manufacturing has been a cornerstone of its operations in India. The company’s state-of-the-art facility at Chakan, Pune, is its largest and most advanced manufacturing site outside Sweden. This facility is home to over 1,500 employees and serves as a hub for food processing equipment, packaging materials, a recipe formulation centre, a renovation centre, a technical training academy, a regional distribution center for spare parts, and several global hubs such as Finance and Global Information Management.


Tetra Pak’s local manufacturing capabilities have not only catered to the growing demand in India, but have also played a key role in meeting the supply chain needs of various other countries in the region.

What’s more impressive is that over 85% of Tetra Pak’s equipment sold in India is made in the country The company sources 75% of materials locally, including stainless steel pipes, control panels, and fabricated items. Many of these components were successfully developed as import substitutes, contributing to the growth of India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Tetra Pak’s commitment to local sourcing doesn’t stop at its own facilities. Over the past three years, the company has added more than 300 local suppliers, many of whom are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Through collaborations, Tetra Pak has helped these suppliers meet international standards, ensuring quality checks, and providing training on manufacturing processes and safety norms.

A global footprint with a local touch
Tetra Pak’s local impact extends beyond India’s borders. Today, the company exports food processing equipment to over 50 countries, including those in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

The expansion of its local manufacturing and supply chains not only supports India’s ‘Make In India’ initiative, but also enhances the company’s ability to meet global demand for innovative, high quality, sustainable food processing, packaging solutions.

Innovation starts here: a vision for the future

Tetra Pak’s commitment to India goes beyond manufacturing — it’s about shaping the future of food and beverage industries through innovation.

Recently, Tetra Pak hosted their flagship ‘Innovation Starts Here’ event, bringing together over 100 decision-makers from leading food and beverage companies across South Asia.

At this event, Tetra Pak demonstrated its cutting-edge technologies and sustainable solutions that are designed to improve quality, productivity, profitability, and environmental performance.

The event featured interactive booths showcasing innovations that are setting the stage for the next wave of food industry advancements:

The Design for Sustainability zone highlighted innovations like cartons with 90% renewable content, tethered caps, and certified recycled polymers, underlining Tetra Pak’s commitment to a circular economy. A live Q&A with Jignesh Shah, Founder of Deluxe Recycling, shed light on recycling challenges and solutions. The station also featured One-Step Technology, which reduces carbon footprint of food processing by 38%, alongside other sustainability-driven innovations like in-line blending that help brands reach Net Zero goals.

The Connect for the Future station demonstrated how Tetra Pak is advancing Industry 4.0 through automation and digitalisation, showcasing tools like Asset Health Monitoring and Performance Analytics to improve efficiency, product quality, and reduce costs, all while enhancing agility.

In the Solutions 2.0 zone, Tetra Pak presented innovations for emerging food and beverage trends. These included fermented de-sugared juice lines, high-protein dairy drinks, and technologies for incorporating large chunks into ice cream, offering both indulgence and consistency. The Tetra Pak® Robot Filler also stood out, providing semi-automated filling with artisan patterns for ice cream tubs.

At the Taste the Future station, attendees sampled products created from these innovations, including juices with reduced sugar, alongside insights on FSSAI new nutritional labelling requirements. Tetra Pak also showcased a range of beverages developed at its Product Development & Innovation Center in Chakan, offering tailored solutions for evolving consumer preferences.

Through hands-on demonstrations and live product testing, the event showcased how Tetra Pak’s local innovations are not just improving business outcomes but also reshaping the food landscape for the better.

Tetra Pak: A Proud Contributor to India's Growth

Tetra Pak’s long-standing presence in India, combined with its focus on innovation and sustainability, exemplifies how global companies can make a lasting impact in local markets. By aligning itself with India’s growth story, Tetra Pak continues to foster economic development, empower local communities, and support the ‘Make In India’ movement.

Through its continued investment in local manufacturing, supply chains, and innovation, Tetra Pak remains a proud contributor to India’s progress, proving that with the right blend of global expertise and local commitment, innovation truly starts here.