As India undertakes Operation Sindoor—an assertive, swift-response military operation along its western front—attention is understandably centered on national defense and geopolitical strategy. But, for printing and packaging industry, the conflict is more than a headline. It’s a defining stress test of supply chains, operational resilience, and sectoral readiness in times of national crisis.
As the nation rallies in solidarity, India’s printing and packaging industry must adapt not only to withstand volatility but also to become a reliable backbone for defense, emergency, and essential services during crises.
The printing and packaging industry, often perceived as a support function, is in fact a silent enabler of both economic continuity and defense logistics. As disruptions unfold, printers and packagers are recalibrating to operate in an environment marked by uncertainty, urgency, and strategic shifts.
Here are the few disruptions in the industry:
Supply chains hit: One of the first areas to be impacted has been the import-heavy supply chain of key raw materials like paper pulp, ink solvents, BOPP films and adhesives. Due to heightened security checks, there are port delays at hubs like Mundra and Nhava Sheva. The freight costs are rising due to global risk alerts and there is volatility in pricing, especially for chemical-based inputs. All this means that printing and packaging companies need to squeeze profit margins and face project delays and higher inventory costs from precautionary stockpiling.
Power, fuel, and operational pressures: In states adjacent to the conflict zones—Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan—printing companies, like other SMEs, are facing new operational challenges. Intermittent power supply, fuel price hikes, and logistic slowdowns are becoming the new norm. With diesel generators running longer hours and delivery routes altered due to curfews or movement restrictions, forecasting production and delivery schedules has grown increasingly complex.
Demand disruption in commercial segments: At the same time, commercial printing and FMCG-linked packaging have taken a hit. Print houses dependent on promotional collateral—brochures, banners, POS displays—are experiencing a steep drop in orders.
New opportunities unlocked…
But, all is not gloomy. Infact, there is a new niche upswing in defense & emergency printing. The need for defense-grade printing and emergency packaging has surged, creating opportunities for firms specializing in:
- Secure documentation: manuals, field guides, ID cards, top-secret communications
- Tamper-proof, moisture-resistant packaging for MREs, medical kits, and field supplies
- Specialty printing for camouflage, thermal-sensitive labels, and track-and-trace solutions
Currency volatility leads to local sourcing…
Many industry voices are now calling for accelerated investments in:
- Indigenous paper and board production
- Domestic manufacturing of printing inks and consumables
- Machinery assembly and R&D capabilities in India
What’s Next? A strategic reset
Operation Sindoor has not only highlighted structural vulnerabilities—but also sparked conversations about future-proofing the industry. Key takeaways for printers and converters include:
- Diversify supply chains: Move away from overdependence on China and Europe and look for local solutions.
- Digitize operations: Enable remote access, cloud workflows, and real-time job tracking.
- Invest in resilience: Prioritize sustainable infrastructure, secure printing, and adaptive business models.
As the nation rallies in solidarity, India’s printing and packaging industry must adapt not only to withstand volatility but also to become a reliable backbone for defense, emergency, and essential services during crises.