Avery Dennison and Indian Institute of Packaging Sign MoU to Launch Management Development Programme

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY), a global leader in materials science and digital identification solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to jointly launch a specialised Management Development Programme (MDP) for India’s packaging industry. The agreement was formalised at IIP’s Mumbai campus, marking a significant step toward deepening industry–academia collaboration and strengthening professional capability within the sector.

The MoU was signed by Mr. R. K. Mishra (IRS), Director, IIP & Additional DGFT Mumbai, on behalf of the Indian Institute of Packaging, and Mr. Saurabh Agrawal, Vice President & General Manager, South Asia, Avery Dennison, representing the company. The partnership aims to create a structured learning platform designed to address the evolving leadership and operational needs of India’s fast-growing packaging ecosystem.

Tailored Programme for Mid-Level Packaging Professionals

Under the agreement, Avery Dennison and IIP will jointly roll out a three-day intensive Management Development Programme, specifically curated for mid-level packaging professionals working across diverse industry segments. These include food and beverages, home and personal care, wine and spirits, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, agrochemicals, solar, batteries, automobiles, appliances, and allied sectors.

The programme will be conducted across IIP’s Mumbai campus and Avery Dennison’s Pune facility, blending academic instruction with hands-on industry exposure. Participants will benefit from sessions led by senior industry leaders, experienced academicians, and thought leaders from the packaging domain, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience rooted in both theory and practice.

Representatives from both organisations expressed confidence that the initiative will help bridge the gap between academic training and real-world industry requirements, while also contributing to long-term capability building and sectoral growth.

"This MOU marks a significant milestone for the Packaging industry in India, as this is the first time an industry leader is joining hands with a revered academic institution to augment industry’s packaging talent. This aligns with our ongoing efforts to contribute meaningfully to the Indian ecosystem,”
said Saurabh Agarwal, Vice President and General Manager, South Asia, Avery Dennison.

“The MoU is aimed at bringing capacity building to a new level for the packaging industry leadership with a focus on leveraging the emerging opportunities as well as fulfilling the societal obligations of sustainable development,"
said RK Mishra, Director, IIP.

Preparing Talent for a Rapidly Evolving Packaging Landscape

The Management Development Programme is designed to support packaging professionals as they navigate a rapidly changing external environment shaped by artificial intelligence, sustainability imperatives, regulatory compliance, and fast-evolving consumer behaviour. By offering exposure to real-world applications, emerging technologies, and practitioner-led insights, the programme seeks to prepare participants for future leadership roles within their organisations.

The first batch is scheduled to commence in March 2026, with a cohort of 20 high-potential candidates selected from across the industry. The initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for career acceleration among mid-level professionals while strengthening leadership pipelines within India’s packaging sector.

Reinforcing Commitment to Packaging Education and Development

This collaboration further reinforces Avery Dennison’s commitment to advancing packaging education and professional development in India, supporting the broader goal of building a skilled, future-ready workforce aligned with global best practices.

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. It manufactures Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries it serves, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. Avery Dennison designs and develops labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — Avery Dennison employs approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Its reported sales in 2024 were $8.8 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

About Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP)

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) is India’s premier institution dedicated to packaging science, education, and research. Established under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, IIP offers postgraduate programmes, industry training, consultancy, and testing services. It is widely regarded as the country’s most prestigious packaging institute, with a strong alumni network comprising many of India’s leading packaging professionals.