Cilicant - Pioneering Smart Packaging For A Future-Ready Bharat

The vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 underscores India’s ambition to emerge as a fully developed, self-reliant, and inclusive economy. While the engines of this transformation are infrastructure, GDP and sectorial growth, the acceleration lies in its people, purpose and partnerships. Celebrating the Pillars of Viksit Bharat, Outlook acknowledges the new-age leaders redefining India’s growth story. Among the many changemakers shaping this journey, Manish Jain, Founder and Managing Director of Cilicant, stands tall as a trailblazer of innovation, creating impact at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and self-reliance.

When Manish Jain founded Cilicant in 2011, active packaging was an underdeveloped and often misunderstood sector in India. At the time, the country heavily relied on imports for packaging materials that ensured product integrity — especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, food, agriculture, and electronics. Manish saw an opportunity not only to localise production but also to revolutionise an entire industry. His goal was simple yet transformative: build a globally competitive, self-reliant packaging ecosystem in India—one that could meet international standards while serving local needs.

Today, Cilicant is at the forefront of active packaging and desiccant solutions, playing a critical role in preserving product quality, extending shelf life, and ensuring safety — especially across long supply chains in healthcare and food systems.

By designing and manufacturing domestically, Cilicant is not only contributing to the government’s “Make in India” initiative but also supporting India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision. What started as an import-substitute initiative is now a globally recognised player, exporting to markets like the United States, Europe, and the UAE, and enhancing India's image as a trusted manufacturing hub. Under Manish’s leadership, Cilicant is more than a business — it’s a movement. A movement towards building technical excellence, developing human capital, and empowering MSMEs. The company actively upskills local talent, provides technical training, and fosters gender inclusion with nearly 50% women in its workforce.

Cilicant’s smart, sustainable innovation goes far beyond logistics or manufacturing. In pharma, their moisture and oxygen control solutions help protect the efficacy of life-saving drugs during transit and storage. In food, their absorbers maintain the freshness of traditional Indian snacks and sweets — enabling exports without harmful preservatives. For agriculture, ethylene absorbers naturally delay ripening, minimising food loss and waste. Even in textiles and electronics, Cilicant’s solutions prevent moisture damage, safeguarding product value.

These smart, sustainable innovations are key to building a circular economy and reducing India's environmental footprint — crucial pillars of a future-ready and climate-conscious Bharat.

Cilicant’s excellence was recently recognised with the India Pharma Award 2024 for Ancillary Pharma Services – Packaging, cementing its role as a key enabler of India’s pharmaceutical success story. The company is doubling down on R&D, developing next-gen packaging solutions with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient processes, aligning with global climate goals and ESG benchmarks.

Manish Jain’s story is one of visionary leadership rooted in action. As India charts its path to 2047, the role of innovation-driven entrepreneurs like Manish becomes pivotal. His journey reflects the very essence of Viksit Bharat—a country that is skilled, self-reliant, inclusive, and ready to take its rightful place on the world stage.