Sumant Singhal, Founder Member & CEO of Chiripal Poly Films Limited (CPFL), has over 24 years of leadership experience in the flexible packaging industry. A chartered accountant by qualification, he combines financial acumen and strategic thinking to drive growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, CPFL has expanded its manufacturing capabilities, diversified its portfolio, and strengthened its global presence.

Here, he speaks to ORIENTATE about the company’s global growth ambitions, the opportunities and pressures shaping India’s dynamic biax film market, and his thoughts on the future of flexible packaging.

OR: Sumant, you have been at the helm of CPFL since it began almost 15 years ago. During this time, what milestones/company achievements would you say you are most proud of?

SS: The journey itself has been very fulfilling, but for me, a few milestones stand out. We began in 2012 with BOPP and a clear vision to invest in four film lines. Since then, we have evolved into an integrated packaging solutions business with manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Jammu.

Our backward integration into vPET strengthened supply security and control over raw materials, while forward integration into coating and metallisation expanded our value-added capabilities. The addition of rPET strengthened our presence in circular packaging solutions, while the use of our renewable energy is helping us improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of our operations.

Today, our portfolio spans BOPP, BOPET, CPP, coated and metallised films, aluminium foil, vPET and rPET. Our commitment to quality, safety and sustainability is reflected in certifications covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, environmental and occupational health and safety standards, along with BRCGS, FSSC 22000, FSSAI, ISCC PLUS and GRS among others. We have reached a total production capacity of 575,000 tonnes/year and serve more than 70 countries. However, more than any single number, I value the fact that we have built scale while continuing to invest in quality, innovation, sustainability and customer relationships.

OR: The company has consistently invested in expanding its capacity and capabilities. How does the company’s growth compare to initial expectations when operations began in 2012?

SS: When we started operations in 2012, our vision was to build a globally competitive organisation rather than remain only a BOPP film producer. The pace and breadth of our growth have exceeded what we could have mapped out in the early years. We have expanded not only in capacity, but also across products, technologies and locations. Our investment in rPET further strengthened our commitment to circularity, while our capabilities in coating, metallisation, aluminium foil and speciality solutions enabled us to meet a broader range of customer requirements. This has helped us evolve into a more diversified and resilient business while staying aligned with our original vision.

OR: Your new BOPP film line was commissioned in Jammu (Northern India) early last year. Can you tell us more about this investment and what it will mean for the company’s capabilities?

SS: The Jammu investment is an important part of our multi-location manufacturing strategy. The BOPP line expands our capacity and strengthens our ability to serve customers in Northern India with greater speed and reliability. It also reduces dependence on any one manufacturing location and supports stronger business continuity. Jammu is additionally becoming an important base for our sustainability efforts through our food-grade rPET capability. Together, these investments enhance our product offering, geographic reach and ability to respond to changing customer requirements.

OR: The new location adds to existing production sites in Hyderabad (Southern India) and Ahmedabad (Western India). What advantages does this geographic spread offer the business?

SS: The three locations give us a balanced manufacturing presence across Western, Southern and Northern India, further strengthening our pan-India focus. This proximity helps reduce response times, improve service reliability and provide customers with greater supply flexibility. It also enables us to serve domestic and export markets more efficiently. At the same time, geographic diversification strengthens business continuity by ensuring that production and supply are not concentrated at a single location.

ORIENTATE subscribers can read the full interview in the September 2026 issue. 

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