With smart materials and global standards, this Indian firm is turning active packaging into a strategic tool for pharma and food brands worldwide
When we talk about extending the life of a consumable product, we usually talk about ingredients, not engineering. But in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries, it’s often the unseen element- the active packaging- that can make all the difference. Shelf life isn’t just about what goes into the product. It’s also about what protects it. And in this increasingly vital space, one Indian company is reshaping expectations worldwide.
Meet Cilicant: the Pune-based firm that’s quietly but decisively changing the conversation around active packaging.
Built on Chemistry. Driven by Purpose.
With over two decades of expertise in desiccant chemistry, Manish Jain channels his passion for innovation to uncover new possibilities and solutions in the field. He founded Cilicant in 2011 with the goal of developing smarter, more efficient solutions in active packaging. What began as a focused initiative has since evolved into a full-fledged innovation engine, now positioned at the intersection of packaging science and product integrity.
The company’s mission is clear: to make protection part of the product. Whether it's pharmaceuticals that degrade with the slightest trace of moisture or packaged foods vulnerable to oxidation, Cilicant designs packaging components that actively preserve what's inside. From compact sorbents to high-performance oxygen absorbers, their solutions are engineered to extend shelf life: not as a bonus, but as a baseline expectation.