Tetra Pak, a global leader in food processing and packaging, has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K), Kundli, to drive innovation in India’s food processing sector. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the World Food India 2024 event, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
This collaboration is aligned with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries’ (MoFPI) goals of promoting sustainable growth, reducing food wastage, and modernizing the industry through value addition. Tetra Pak and NIFTEM-K aim to create impactful solutions for the Indian food industry by fostering research, innovation, and skill development.
Commitment to Innovation and Sustainability
Cassio Simões, Managing Director of Tetra Pak South Asia, emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying, “We are committed to driving innovation and building a sustainable future for the food processing industry. India offers vast opportunities, and this collaboration is a key step towards nurturing talent and fostering research to address industry challenges.”
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director and Head of Department at NIFTEM-K, added, “As the food industry evolves, food security, sustainability, and innovation become paramount. Our MoU with Tetra Pak is a testament to the power of collaboration, aiming to push the boundaries of research, entrepreneurship, and build a stronger food processing ecosystem in India and beyond.”
Key Areas of Collaboration
The MoU emphasizes four key areas of collaboration: Research and Development, focusing on joint innovation projects with shared ownership of patents, technology, and publications; the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at NIFTEM-K, supported by Tetra Pak, to lead research and development initiatives; Capacity Building through workshops, training, and seminars aimed at enhancing skills in food science, technology, and management; and providing students with internships, placements, and postgraduate fellowships, including PhD funding by Tetra Pak.
Study on Food Loss and Waste in India
One of the significant projects under this partnership is a study focused on food loss and waste (FLW) within India’s dairy and fruit value chains. The study aims to identify FLW hotspots, assess the environmental impact of these losses, and offer data-driven insights to inform policy decisions. The research will also analyze greenhouse gas emissions linked to food loss across various stages of production and post-harvest processes.
The collaboration between Tetra Pak and NIFTEM-K is set to bring transformative benefits to India’s food processing and packaging industries. By leveraging joint expertise, the partnership will drive the development of innovative technologies and sustainable solutions that address the country’s unique challenges.
Tetra Pak is a global leader in food processing and packaging, working in over 160 countries to provide safe, nutritious food. With over 24,000 employees, the company is committed to making food accessible everywhere while ensuring sustainability.
NIFTEM is a premier engineering institute supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in food technology and management, and is a hub for research on food safety, processing innovation, and waste management.
