SmartSolve is thrilled to welcome Vidhu Nagpal, our new Director of Flexible Packaging! With a strong background in polymer science, sustainability, and consumer packaged goods (CPG), Vidhu brings a wealth of expertise to our team. Get to know more about his journey, goals, and vision for the future of flexible packaging at SmartSolve.
Q&A with Vidhu
Can you tell us about your background prior to working at SmartSolve?
Vidhu: “I hold a doctorate in Polymer Science from Virginia Tech, following my chemical engineering education in India. My career started with launching a technology company immediately after graduate school. I then joined PPG Industries in R&D roles, developing innovative polymers and coatings for the optical industry. Later, I transitioned to the CPG world with KraftHeinz, where I led the packaging division, focusing on innovation and sustainability in both rigid and flexible packaging solutions.”
How do you see synergies between SmartSolve and the CPG companies you’ve worked with?
Vidhu: “Throughout my career in the CPG industry, I was always looking for innovative technologies to advance sustainability goals. Now, I’m excited to be on the other side—working directly with brands to help them integrate SmartSolve’s zero-waste, water-soluble packaging solutions. I see a huge opportunity to drive meaningful environmental change by partnering with companies that are serious about reducing packaging waste.”
What are your key responsibilities as the Director of Flexible Packaging at SmartSolve?
Vidhu: “My primary role is to drive sales and business growth by expanding the adoption of our heat-sealable, water-soluble roll stock for pouch applications. My responsibilities fall into three key areas:
- Brand Collaboration: I will work closely with brands to help transition their flexible packaging solutions to SmartSolve’s sustainable materials.
- Industry Expansion: I will leverage my network within the CPG and converter space to grow our customer base and drive market penetration.
- Technology Advancement: I will collaborate with our R&D team to improve SmartSolve’s barrier technologies and enhance the performance of our packaging solutions.
By combining my technical expertise, industry connections, and market-driven strategies, I hope to accelerate SmartSolve’s impact in the flexible packaging industry.”
What excites you most about this role at SmartSolve?
Vidhu: “I’m particularly excited about the potential for SmartSolve’s water-soluble, zero-waste packaging solutions to engage consumers in environmental stewardship. As sustainability continues to gain traction, I envision a future where consumers actively seek out and demand packaging solutions that align with their environmental values. I want SmartSolve to become a household name for sustainable packaging solutions.”
What are some goals you hope to achieve while working with SmartSolve?
Vidhu: “I have two primary objectives:
- Environmental Impact: I want to help significantly reduce landfill waste by promoting and implementing SmartSolve’s zero-waste, water-soluble packaging solutions.
- Commercial Success: My goal is to establish SmartSolve as a leader in sustainable packaging by driving widespread adoption of our technologies.
By focusing on these goals, I believe we can create both a sustainable future and a successful business model.”
Which part of SmartSolve’s vision, mission, or values resonates with you most?
Vidhu: “I deeply resonate with SmartSolve’s vision: to making packaging no longer trash. This is a crucial issue, especially in developing countries where landfill overflows are a major problem due to a lack of recycling and composting infrastructure. I see SmartSolve’s dissolvable paper technology as a game-changer that tackles waste at its source.”
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Vidhu: “Outside of work, I enjoy reading, going on nature walks, listening to Bollywood music, and traveling around the world. Recently, I’ve taken up pickleball, and I think it might become my go-to sport!”
We’re excited to have Vidhu on board and look forward to seeing the impact he makes at SmartSolve!
Marketing Manager