Pankaj Poddar Calls for Industry Collaboration on Sustainability

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Pankaj Poddar, the Group CEO of Cosmo First Ltd

Established in 1981, Cosmo Films (A Business of Cosmo First Limited) today is a global leader in speciality films for packaging, lamination and labeling applications. Our offerings include biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films, cast polypropylene (CPP) films and biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) films.

Cosmo offers a comprehensive range of speciality films for flexible packaging, lamination, labeling and industrial applications, including films such as high barrier films, velvet lamination films, synthetic paper.

For the last four decades, Cosmo has been at the forefront for enabling a circular economy by offering sustainable flexible and rigid packaging solutions. The products are made from eco-friendly materials that are fully recyclable, thereby reducing waste and promoting reuse. Additionally, Cosmo is also working on offering recycling solutions to customers, helping them close the loop on their packaging materials and minimize their environmental impact.

At the 11th ElitePlus Speciality films and flexible packaging conference, Pankaj Poddar, the Group CEO of Cosmo First Ltd, spoke about the Innovation in Packaging and Beyond. He leads the company’s rapidly expanding consumer business, Zigly, along with its various trade divisions, including Cosmo Films (Labelling & Packaging), Cosmo Plastech, Cosmo Sunshield, and Cosmo Specialty Chemicals. His career spans over 26 years, wherein he was a turnaround specialist, and quick decision-maker with strengths in commercials, analytics, negotiation, team engagement & strategy building, which mirrored in his leadership at Cosmo Films. His guidance has enabled the company to achieve significant milestones, including a ranking of 10th in Fortune’s Next 500 midsize companies and a spot in the top 500 corporate list published by Dun & Bradstreet.

During the presentation, Pankaj said, “In today’s competitive market, businesses must choose between being a commodity player or a specialty player. For those who opt for the commodity route, it is essential to ensure that products are readily available to customers to meet their demands effectively. On the other hand, specialty players should focus on continuous investment in research and development, along with sales strategies, to differentiate themselves. Learning from competitors can provide valuable insights, but it is crucial to avoid direct imitation in order to maintain a unique market position.”

A R&D Laboratory for Food Packaging

Informing about the food packaging lab, he added, “We are proud to offer a dedicated lab for food packaging, designed specifically for brand owners and converters. In our lab, clients can conduct a variety of tests to determine the shelf life of their products, including migration tests and barrier property assessments. We also provide the capability to produce and print pouches, as well as perform both vertical and horizontal heat sealing. This facility serves as a one-stop shop for innovation under one roof. Additionally, we house another laboratory focused on analytical testing related to polymers and chemicals, offering a range of printing options. Our application lab further supports these efforts. Located in Aurangabad, all facilities are readily accessible for brand owners and converters whenever needed.”

Unite for a Greener Tomorrow!

“The necessity for standardization among brand owners and packaging manufacturers to adopt sustainable products is becoming increasingly clear. To effectively promote sustainability, it is crucial that all stakeholders collaborate and commit to utilizing recycled materials. By working together, we can make a significant impact on reducing waste and fostering a circular economy that benefits the environment and society as a whole.” Pankaj Concludes.

Pankaj has received several accolades for his leadership, including the People’s CEO’ award at the NIPM National HR Excellence Award, the “Young Business Leader Award’ at the Dare to Dream Awards by Zee Business in association with SAP in 2018, and the “Platinum Award” for “CEO of HR by HRAI in January 2019. He was also honored with the “Indian CEO of the Year Award” by the Association of Business Communicators of India.