WEF Welcomes ACG Shirwal as First Pharma Packaging Site in Global Lighthouse Network

The designation of ACG’s Shirwal manufacturing facility as a global lighthouse by the World Economic Forum (WEF) marks a significant milestone in the pharmaceutical supply chain,¹ as it is the first time a pharmaceutical packaging company has been admitted into the Global Lighthouse Network. This recognition highlights a shift toward using smart manufacturing to improve the safety, sustainability, and affordability of medicines on a global scale. The designation marks the second accolade of this type for ACG, following the 2023 recognition of its Pithampur capsules manufacturing facility, reflecting the organization's sixty-year history as an integrated provider of oral dosage products and services, including barrier packaging and manufacturing machinery.

Karan Singh, managing director of ACG, stated in a press release,¹ “ACG has always believed that true leadership in the packaging sector comes from building smarter – not competing harder. Our Shirwal facility is now our second site to be recognised by the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network, making ACG the world’s first pharmaceutical packaging company to receive this honour.” He added that “this achievement reflects the structures and frameworks we are putting in place across the Group. All ACG business entities are converging to optimise packaging so that medicines are safer, more sustainable, and more affordable. Repetition is the test of proof – in line with our ‘Make it Better’ commitment, we are replicating this Lighthouse excellence across our facilities and pioneering Sustainability Lighthouses for responsible, resilient manufacturing from India.”

How Does Digital Integration in Packaging Enhance Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience?

In light of an increasing competitive and commoditized pharmaceutical packaging market, the digital transformation at the Shirwal facility was designed to improve productivity and quality while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.¹ The site integrates advanced technologies such as generative AI machine learning, deep learning, the industrial internet of things, and digital twin models.¹ By utilizing AI and these connected technologies, the facility has gained greater visibility into end-to-end manufacturing operations, which allows for more consistent responses to variations in production processes.

The operational impact of these digital initiatives is substantial, resulting in a 71% reduction in defects and a 40% reduction in lead times.¹ Furthermore, the facility recorded a 34% improvement in on-time delivery in full, as well as a 31% reduction in energy consumption. “This recognition reflects the commitment of our teams at Shirwal and their ability to integrate advanced digital technologies into everyday manufacturing operations. It strengthens our focus on delivering consistent quality, productivity and sustainability for customers worldwide,” claimed S R Shivshankar, CEO of ACG Packaging Materials, in an ACG press release.¹

Why Is the Adoption of Intelligence-Led Manufacturing Critical for the Future of Global Health?

The Global Lighthouse Network, a WEF initiative co-founded with McKinsey & Company, recognizes production sites that lead the way in productivity, sustainability, and customer centricity.¹ By driving technology-led transformation across the value chain, manufacturers can develop new business models and connected services that address modern industrial challenges. Balajikasiram Sundararajan, Chief Digital Officer of ACG Group, said in a press release,¹ “through our Build the Future programme, ACG is driving technology-led transformation across the manufacturing value chain, enabling smart manufacturing, connected products and services, and new business models. This prestigious Global Lighthouse recognition inspires us to continue scaling innovation across our businesses.”

As the industry moves continues to evolve, competitiveness is being redefined by a firm’s ability to predict and react to market trends. Kiva Allgood, head of the centre for advanced manufacturing and supply chains at the WEF, noted in the press release,¹ “competitiveness today is no longer defined by efficiency alone, but by the ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed. The Global Lighthouse Network showcases how intelligence-led operations are placing resilience and sustainability at the core of industrial performance.” For pharmaceutical companies operating across 138 countries, such advancements in packaging and production are essential for solving major health challenges and ensuring the reliable delivery of high-quality treatments.

How Else Is ACG Making Innovative Moves in 2026?

ACG recently announced their SuperPod system, marking an important advancement in cold-form blister technology.² It addresses long-standing manufacturing limitations by enabling cavities to be up to 39% smaller while preventing aluminum rupture. This reduction optimizes material consumption and lowers logistics costs across the product lifecycle. Specialized multi-layer laminates now allow for deep-draw formations that can triple the number of blisters produced per shot, significantly increasing overall production capacity. Dr. Akbar Ali, general manager and head of development and technology at ACG Packaging Materials, commented in a press release,² “the technology effectively makes cold-form blisters lighter by reducing material usage per dosage. We see significant opportunities, particularly for high-count formats such as 20-count vitamins and B-complex capsules, where traditional cold-form blisters become impractically large.” Jochen Scheil, Vice President of Global Sales and Business Development, added in a press release.² “the launch of SuperPod™ encourages the industry to rethink decades-old design conventions and embrace smaller, smarter, and more sustainable blister formats.” These intelligence-led formats ensure that primary packaging remains an efficient and sustainable component of modern drug delivery.

References

1. ACG. ACG Packaging Materials Joins World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network as World’s First Pharmaceutical Packaging Company. Press Release. Feb 5, 2026.
2. ACG. ACG Packaging Materials Launches SuperPod™. Press Release. Jan 21, 2026.