India's packaging industry set for major transformation from being product-driven to innovation-driven

Suresh Bansal, Founder & CEO of DCGpac, a Pre-Series A funded e-commerce sustainable packaging company, and is already clocking Rs150 crore in FY2024 by helping India’s fastest-growing online sellers move to greener, smarter packaging.

In an interview with the Bizz Buzz he outlines how, the company is now leveraging AI and data-driven insights to optimize packaging design, reduce wastage, and personalize supply-chain solutions at scale — proving that sustainability, technology and scale can go hand in hand

How is the Indian packaging industry evolving?

The Indian packaging industry is undergoing a major transformation from being product-driven to becoming innovation-driven. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed a strong shift towards sustainable, technology-enabled, and design-focused packaging solutions. Today, brands aren’t just looking for protection and logistics efficiency, they want packaging that tells a story of sustainability, smartness, and scalability.

At DCGpac, we’ve seen this evolution firsthand. Customers now expect AI-led customization, eco-friendly materials, and circular economy models that align with theirESG goals. The government’s push toward “Make in India” and the rapid growth of e-commerce have further accelerated demand for modern packaging. I believe the next phase will be about smart packaging ecosystems where data, design, and sustainability converge to drive real business value.

Some of the big players like Amazon etc are involved in last mile logistics, has there been a huge growth in business?

Absolutely, the rise of e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and others has significantly reshaped the last-mile logistics and packaging ecosystem in India. Over the years, I’ve seen packaging evolve from being just a cost centre to a strategic enabler ofcustomer experience and efficiency. With faster delivery cycles and heightened consumerexpectations, there’s been tremendous growth in the demand for reliable, sustainable, and tech-enabled packaging solutions.

At DCGpac, we’ve grown alongside this shift supporting sellers and logistics partners with ready-to-ship, compliant, and eco-friendly packaging. The last-mile boom has also pushed innovation in inventory management, AI-driven demand forecasting, and packaging automation. This sector will only continue to expand as convenience,sustainability, and technology become the pillars of modern commerce.

How does DCGpac stand out in the marketplace?

DCGpac stands out by combining technology, sustainability, and scale in a way that redefines how businesses approach packaging. From the very beginning, my vision was to simplify B2B packaging making it as seamless as buying from an e-commerce platform, but with the reliability enterprises expect. What truly differentiates us is ourAI-driven procurement system, which ensures efficiency, accuracy, and cost optimization for our clients.

We’ve also built one of India’s most robust multi-category packaging ecosystems,catering to everything from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Beyond innovation, our commitment to sustainable and reusable packaging solutions reflects the responsibilitywe feel toward the planet. In short, DCGpac isn’t just a supplier, we’re a strategic partner enabling smarter, greener, and faster packaging for the new-age business world.

What is the growth of e-commerce in the marketplace, especially the growth of companies?

E-commerce in India has seen phenomenal growth, and we’re only scratching the surface. What’s truly driving this expansion is the increasing digital adoption among Tier2 and Tier 3 cities, where consumers now expect the same convenience and quality as metros. For companies, this has meant rethinking logistics, packaging, and customer experience to keep up with rising demand and competition.

From my perspective, having seen the logistics ecosystem evolve over decades, today’s e-commerce companies are scaling faster because of smart automation, efficient supplychains, and sustainable practices. At DCGpac, we’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand our growth parallels the industry’s as more businesses seek tech-enabled, eco-conscious packaging solutions to deliver faster and greener. The next phase of e-commerce will be defined by responsibility, innovation, and reach.

How has DCGpac grown over the years?

DCGpac’s journey has been one of consistent innovation, adaptability, and purpose.What started as a vision to simplify packaging procurement for businesses has evolved into one of India’s leading AI-driven B2B e-commerce platforms, serving over 10,000 customers across industries. Over the years, we’ve expanded from being a packaging supplier to a strategic partner in sustainability and automation, helping businesses reduce waste and optimize their supplychains.

Our growth has been both organic and technology-led with the integration of AI, smartwarehousing, and a strong focus on customer experience. From India to the UAE and the UK, our presence now reflects a truly global mindset. Every milestone we’ve achieved is areflection of our team’s passion and our unwavering commitment to building a smarter, greener packaging ecosystem.

Will tariffs hinder your growth story?

Tariffs are always a factor in global trade, but for DCGpac, we view them as an opportunity to innovate rather than a barrier. Our business model is rooted in smart sourcing, local manufacturing partnerships, and technology-led efficiency which allowsus to stay resilient even when tariff structures shift.

We’ve strategically diversified our supplier base and built strong domestic capabilities to minimise dependency on imports, ensuring consistent pricing and supply for ourcustomers. Moreover, as India pushes for ‘Make in India’ and sustainable manufacturing, we see tariffs aligning with our long-term vision of creating a self-reliant, green packaging ecosystem. In the end, our focus remains on delivering value, scalability, and sustainability no matter how the global trade landscape evolves.

How eco friendly are your products and are they easily recyclable?

At DCGpac, sustainability isn’t just a product feature, it’s our core business philosophy. Nearly all our products are made from eco-friendly, recyclable, and reusable materials, designed to reduce environmental impact without compromising quality or performance.

From corrugated boxes and paper-based tapes to our innovative RePac reusable packaging, every product is built to support a circular economy.

We also invest heavily in R&D to enhance material recovery and recyclability, ensuringour packaging aligns with both global sustainability standards and India’s evolving green regulations. By combining technology, responsible sourcing, and smart design, DCGpac is leading the transition toward a carbon-light packaging ecosystem, one where every box shipped contributes to a cleaner planet and a more conscious supply chain.

Is your company volume driven or value driven?

At DCGpac, we’ve always believed that sustainable growth lies at the intersection of volume and value. While our scale allows us to efficiently serve thousands of businesses across India and abroad, our true focus remains on creating long-term value through innovation, technology, and customer trust.

We are not just moving packaging materials, we’re building intelligent, AI-driven procurement ecosystems that help our partners optimize costs, reduce waste, and operate sustainably. This value-first mindset ensures that every product and service we deliver contributes to our customers’ success.

So, while volumes keep us strong, it’s the value we create through reliability, smart design, and sustainability that defines DCGpac’s identity and continues to fuel our journey toward becoming India’s most trusted packaging and commerce platform.

What are the major technologies you employ for increase in margins?

At DCGpac, technology isn’t just an enabler it’s at the core of how we drive efficiency and profitability. We’ve integrated AI and data analytics across our operations to optimizeprocurement, pricing, and inventory management. This helps us predict demand patterns, minimize wastage, and improve cost accuracy directly boosting margins.

Our AI-first platform, DCGpac 3.0, uses intelligent automation to streamline order processing, while smart warehousing systems enhance productivity and reduce turnaround times. We’re also leveraging IoT and machine learning tools to track performance across our logistics and packaging network, ensuring transparency and precision.

In short, our focus is on tech-driven scalability using innovation to deliver more valueper transaction while maintaining the sustainability and reliability that our customers expect from DCGpac.

Do you see a more future profitable company and also in the industry?

Absolutely the future looks incredibly promising, both for DCGpac and the packaging industry at large. As e-commerce, D2C brands, and organized retail continue to expand, packaging has evolved from a cost factor to a value driver. Businesses now recognize the strategic importance of sustainable, smart, and efficient packaging and that’s where DCGpac is strongly positioned.

With our AI-driven solutions, reusable packaging models, and deep supply chainintegration, we’re building a business that is both scalable and future-ready. I see the next decade as a phase of consolidation and innovation where technology, sustainability, and customer-centricity will define profitability. For DCGpac, the goal isn’t just growthin numbers, but to lead this transformation responsibly and profitably, setting new benchmarks for the industry.