India, July 1 -- Cilicant, India's leading name in active packaging solutions, continues to make remarkable strides in ensuring product safety, shelf life extension, and sustainability across industries. At the recently concluded ProPak Asia 2025, held from 11 to 14 June in Bangkok, Thailand, Manish Jain, Founder and Managing Director of Cilicant, shared the company's inspiring journey, innovations, and vision for the future.
A journey rooted in value creation
Reflecting on the origins of Cilicant, Jain shared how his exposure to manufacturing and product design from an early age laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Cilicant's journey began in 2011. I have been involved in manufacturing and product design since childhood. Later, I realized that whatever I do, I need to take it to a global level and build it on a much larger scale," Jain explained.
Initially venturing into trading, Jain soon realized it didn't align with his vision for meaningful value addition. "Trading is simply about picking material from one place and delivering it to another - there's no real value addition. I am not satisfied unless I contribute something that creates value for the customer," he emphasized.
This desire to innovate and deliver real customer value led to the establishment of Cilicant in 2011. Over the years, the company has evolved into one of India's leading manufacturers of active packaging solutions, serving diverse sectors including pharmaceuticals, food, nutraceuticals, diagnostics, and electronics.
Active Packaging beyond pharmaceuticals
Cilicant made its mark by being among the first Indian companies to manufacture US FDA-compliant desiccants and oxygen absorbers, addressing critical needs in the pharmaceutical industry, where the highest standards of product integrity are non-negotiable.
Leveraging this expertise, the company has expanded into food packaging - a sector with its own set of challenges.
"In food, regular desiccants don't always work. Some food products need a certain amount of moisture - you can't have dry bread or dry sweets. Moisture is crucial for taste and texture," he explained.
Instead, Cilicant focused on controlling oxygen levels within primary packaging to extend shelf life without relying on harmful preservatives.
"Preservatives aren't good for health, and global regulators - including the US FDA and European authorities - are very strict. Using oxygen absorbers with high-barrier films allows us to increase shelf life while meeting regulatory and consumer demands significantly," Jain stated.
Tackling food wastage and supporting sustainability
Cilicant's active packaging solutions do more than just extend shelf life - they actively contribute to tackling food wastage, a critical global concern. By creating a controlled internal environment within the primary packaging, these solutions help maintain the freshness, taste, and nutritional quality of food products.
"When shelf life increases, food wastage reduces. That means food that would otherwise go to waste can feed someone. This not only preserves the resources invested in food production but also reduces packaging material waste. True sustainability starts with reducing food wastage," Jain added.
In fact, studies suggest that nearly 30% of global food production is wasted, much of it due to inadequate packaging and spoilage. Cilicant's solutions are playing a vital role in reversing this trend.
Customized solutions across industries
Cilicant offers a comprehensive portfolio designed to address industry-specific packaging challenges:
"Our business model is not product-oriented but solution-oriented. We customize our active packaging solutions to meet the specific challenges of each product category," Jain remarked.
The growing processed food industry and Indian opportunity
Discussing food industry trends, Jain emphasized the rapid rise in demand for processed and packaged foods, both domestically and internationally.
"India has abundant food, but unfortunately, high wastage too. With proper packaging, locally made products - including highly perishable items - can now be exported worldwide, opening immense opportunities," he said.
As consumer preferences shift toward convenience, Jain believes packaged food is poised to play an even greater role, with active packaging acting as a key enabler.
ProPak Asia 2025: A strategic platform for global growth
Participation in ProPak Asia 2025 underscores Cilicant's aggressive global growth strategy. With distributors in Sri Lanka and increasing interest in Southeast Asia, the company is actively pursuing partnerships in Thailand, Vietnam, and beyond.
"We've been attending this show since the COVID period, and every year we see more growth. It's a great platform to meet buyers, vendors, and machinery suppliers," shared Jain.
The company also maintains a strong presence in over 50 countries, exporting to regions like Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, further establishing itself as a trusted name in active packaging globally.
Regulatory challenges and industry advocacy
Despite global recognition, Jain highlighted a pressing challenge in India - the absence of comprehensive regulations for active packaging. He emphasized the need for proper standards to prevent low-quality, unsafe products from harming consumer trust and the reputation of the entire industry.
"Active packaging isn't just material - it's a functional solution. Countries like Japan, the US, and China already have regulations, but India still lags behind," Jain cautioned.
Through platforms like the Active Packaging Association of India (APAI) - which Cilicant actively supports - Jain advocates for clear standards to prevent substandard, toxic materials from entering the market, ensuring consumer safety and industry credibility.
A promise of quality and customer satisfaction
At the heart of Cilicant's success is its customer-centric philosophy and rigorous quality controls. The company's manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 15378 certified, with strict GMP practices ensuring product safety and reliability.
"I'm not happy unless my customers are happy. It's not about a one-time good sample, but about consistent quality - that's what builds trust," Jain concluded.
With its strong R&D capabilities, expanding global partnerships, and sustainability-focused vision, Cilicant is well-positioned to lead the active packaging revolution-ensuring products stay fresh, consumers remain safe, food waste is reduced, and industries worldwide benefit from smarter, more sustainable packaging-creating a win-win for both businesses and the environment.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.