India, May 17 -- Specialty Polyfilms, a company with a rich legacy spanning over three decades, is making waves in the packaging industry with its innovative ideas and a strong emphasis on Sustainability and Health-safety. Recently, the company made a notable impact at IFFA 2025, one of the world's leading trade fairs for meat processing, by showcasing its advanced polyethylene-based Polyethylene based Meat Overwrapping films, which provide a safe and recyclable alternative to those traditional PVC films that contains with harmful plasticizers like Phthalates, BPA, BPS; stabilizers like Mercury, Lead; PFAS or any other chemicals harmful to human health.

In an exclusive interaction at IFFA, Shantanu Deshpande, President of Specialty Polyfilms, shared insights into the company's journey, product innovations, and global strategy.

A legacy of innovation

Specialty Polyfilms has been a significant player in the Polyethylene packaging industry for over three decades. "We have been around for over 30 years. We officially transitioned to the name Specialty Polyfilms in 2000 when we became a private limited company," shared Deshpande. "Our journey started with basic stretch wrapping films and bags, but we quickly realized that to grow, we needed to innovate and add value to our products."

The company achieved a breakthrough in the mid-1990s with the introduction of stretch wrap films, which enabled its expansion from Maharashtra to states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Soon, the company's footprint spread across the country. By 2003, Specialty Polyfilms had ventured into global markets, exporting cling films for household food use to a major UK retailer. Today, the company's products are available in over 25 countries, sold under private labels for leading retailers.

Broadening horizons with product innovation

Specialty Polyfilms has consistently diversified its offerings. Among its standout innovations are industrial application Thermoforming Masking / protective films,, and specialized glass fiber wrap films, developed in collaboration with the U.S.-based glass fiber manufacturer. The portfolio also includes surface protection films for plastic and metal surfaces, used in products such as bathtubs and sanitary ware.

Non-PVC innovation for the HoReCa sector

A significant focus of Specialty Polyfilms has been developing PVC Free Catering films for the food service sector-a segment still largely reliant on PVC films.

"PVC films that contains harmful plasticizers and stabilizers are neither safe for human use nor is recyclable. Our polyethylene-based film is 100% recyclable and free from plasticizers, stabilizers, or chlorine," said Deshpande. "It's safe, sustainable, and performs exceptionally well even in demanding environments like commercial kitchens, where films must adhere to stainless steel and aluminium trays."

This non-PVC innovation extends to fresh meat and produce packaging, making the films suitable for both machine and manual applications.

IFFA - A strategic platform for growth

Specialty Polyfilms' participation in IFFA 2025 was a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the meat packaging sector. "IFFA is an ideal platform for us-it's highly specialized and directly aligned with our market," said Deshpande. "While Europe has largely shifted towards top-seal and skin packaging, many retailers still use overwrap films, especially for in-store wrapping."

Deshpande further emphasized that sustainability is one of the driving forces behind the company's presence at IFFA, particularly in light of upcoming regulatory changes. "We're looking ahead to the packaging regulations coming into effect by 2030, which will mandate that all packaging materials must be recyclable. Since PVC isn't recyclable and our films are, we are positioned to gain a significant advantage as the market shifts."

Key innovations on display

At IFFA 2025, the company showcased its high-permeability non-PVC polyethylene cling Pppppfilms for fresh-cut meat, which are designed to enhance oxygen transmission, preserve meat color, and extend shelf life. "Our films provide controlled water vapor transmission that help retain freshness, even in automated, high-speed packaging environments," Deshpande explained.

He added that the films perform flawlessly on machines such as Ossid, Omori, Digi, Ulma, Fabbri, Ishida and are optimized for low-temperature resilience, withstanding temperatures as low as -20degC. "Unlike PVC, which tend to crack in sub-zero conditions, our films are ideal for cold chains, especially in regions like Siberia, where poultry is processed and shipped across long distances."

Commitment to sustainability

Sustainability has always been central to Specialty Polyfilms' innovations. Deshpande shared that the company is committed to developing recyclable and compostable films in order to reduce plastic waste. "Our polyethylene-based films are 100% recyclable and free from plasticizers, stabilizers, and chlorine," he explained. "We're fully committed to creating safe, sustainable films for human use."

Deshpande further emphasized that Specialty Polyfilms' products are compliant with the latest European food safety standards and international regulations, ensuring that their films are both safe and eco-friendly.

Global strategy and market expansion

Europe is a key market for the company, along with North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Specialty Polyfilms relies on a team of MBA professionals who manage regional strategies and uses trade shows, LinkedIn, and direct outreach to engage new customers.

"We are building a team in the United States because it's one of the largest markets. I have relocated there myself," shared Deshpande. "We are also developing films for fresh produce with micro perforations and boreholes to improve shelf life."

While the company is open to new distributor partnerships, it prefers working directly with end-users initially to ensure technical performance before bringing in distributors for supply efficiency.

Collaborative R&D and customer-centric solutions

Specialty Polyfilms, known for its robust in-house R&D, co-creates solutions with clients, particularly in the meat and dairy sectors.

"We developed a film that cuts and wraps just like PVC but is recyclable with high permeability. We also engineered it with anti-fog properties to ensure that when refrigerated, it doesn't fog up, maintaining a fresh and glossy appearance on display shelves," Deshpande explained. "Our R&D process is collaborative. We engage with customers, run trials, and iterate until we meet their exact needs."

Color-changing films and market shifts

As the market evolves, Specialty Polyfilms is closely monitoring shifts in packaging preferences. The company is developing next-generation innovations such as color-changing films that alert consumers when meat spoils-enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

"It's a simple yet powerful concept-if the meat goes bad, the film changes color. It's an intuitive cue for retailers and consumers," said Deshpande.

Though the European market is shifting toward vacuum packaging and skin films, Deshpande believes that recyclability mandates may renew interest in overwrap alternatives like theirs.

The value of IFFA

Deshpande underscored the importance of participating in global trade fairs like IFFA. "We have participated in IFFA before, and it always gives us good visibility and customer engagement." They received strong interest from visitors at IFFA. "We met prospects from South America, Europe, the U.S., and Australia-all under one roof. Online marketing helps, but exhibitions like IFFA are invaluable. Seeing is believing," Deshpande concluded.

Specialty Polyfilms remains dedicated to expanding its operations in the U.S., co-developing innovative packaging solutions for fresh meat and produce, and promoting sustainable innovation across global markets.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.