Kunal Issar, Business Head at Modern Packaging UK Ltd, is helping shape the future of flexible packaging through a strong focus on growth, innovation, sustainability, and customer service. Based in Pershore, Worcestershire, Modern Packaging is a flexible packaging manufacturer specialising in printed multi-layer laminates and mono films, primarily serving the food industry.
Kunal Issar | Business Head | Modern Packaging UK Ltd
In his leadership role, Issar oversees the overall business, with responsibility for revenue growth, profitability, business efficiency, sales and marketing strategy, cost and margin management, long-term raw material contracts, and strategic investments.
EliteX proudly features Kunal Issar in this edition, recognizing a distinguished journey of leadership, innovation, and meaningful impact.
Issar’s career in packaging began more than 14 years ago. He was initially attracted to the industry because packaging brings together manufacturing, innovation, and everyday life. He began his professional journey with Uflex in India as a trainee, where he developed a strong foundation in flexible packaging. Over 9.5 years, he earned five promotions and gained experience across African and European markets. His career later took him to the UK, where he joined Modern Packaging and gradually moved into a broader leadership position. His continued interest in the industry comes from its fast-changing nature. Customer expectations, sustainability requirements, legislation, materials, and technology continue to evolve, creating new challenges as well as opportunities.
Stay curious, understand the business from the ground up, and embrace every challenge.
At Modern Packaging, Issar focuses on creating value through both products and service. The company is a flexographic converter that manufactures printed multi-layer laminates and mono films, mainly for food applications. Its approach is strongly connected to recyclability, customer needs, service, and flexibility. Issar recognises that supply chains can become unpredictable, making responsiveness an important part of a packaging company’s success. Modern Packaging therefore works to respond quickly, provide flexible turnaround times, and find practical solutions when customers need support.
The packaging industry is currently facing a number of pressures, and Issar believes that the geopolitical situation is having an even greater impact than COVID-19. Packaging is closely connected to oil and raw material markets, while global shipping disruptions continue to put pressure on costs, availability, and supply chains. These conditions require packaging businesses to remain alert and adaptable. For Issar, understanding market changes and preparing for different possibilities are important parts of responsible business leadership.
Modern Packaging responds to changing customer and market demands by working closely with its customers. The company uses forecasts, historical trends, and emerging market insights to plan effectively. This approach helps the business improve cost efficiency while maintaining reliable supply. Issar believes that strong customer relationships are essential because understanding customer needs allows the company to provide better and more timely solutions. His leadership approach places customers at the centre while also keeping commercial and operational performance in focus.
Innovation is another major part of Issar’s approach. He sees innovation as a key driver of growth and encourages the business to explore new materials, processes, and ways of working. The goal is not innovation for its own sake, but practical improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and customer value. He also encourages his team to challenge the status quo and search for smarter ways to solve problems. This creates an environment where employees can contribute ideas and look for better approaches to everyday challenges.
Strong customer partnerships are the foundation of sustainable growth.
Sustainability has become increasingly important across the packaging industry, driven by both regulations and changing consumer expectations. At Modern Packaging, Issar and his team are focusing on recyclable structures and the use of recycled materials, including post-consumer recycled films where suitable. The company is also working with customers to reduce material gauge and improve the overall environmental impact of packaging. His approach shows that sustainability and commercial performance can work together when businesses focus on practical improvements and long-term value.
The company’s growth demonstrates the impact of this approach. One of Issar’s achievements that he is particularly proud of is that in 2025, Modern delivered 22% business growth against a UK flexible packaging market growing at approximately 2–4% annually, significantly outperforming the underlying market. He sees this achievement as a reflection of the team’s hard work, strong customer focus, and progress in the market. For him, business performance is closely connected to people, relationships, and the ability to respond effectively to changing conditions.
Issar also places strong importance on teamwork. Modern Packaging encourages open communication, collaboration, and ownership across the business. Employees are encouraged to share their ideas and question existing ways of working. Looking ahead, he believes sustainability will remain the biggest driver of change in packaging, particularly through recyclable mono-material structures, higher recycled content, and reduced material usage. He also sees food-grade PCR content in LDPE films as an area that could become a game changer for the industry.
For Issar, effective leadership requires adaptability, decisiveness, customer focus, and the ability to bring people together. Continuous learning and a willingness to embrace change are equally important in an industry that is constantly developing. His advice to young professionals is simple: stay curious, spend time on the production floor to understand the business from the ground level, and do not be afraid to take on challenges.
His priorities for the coming years reflect a clear and balanced vision. Modern Packaging aims to achieve sustainable growth, strengthen customer partnerships, invest in people and technology, and continue improving service and operational efficiency. The company wants to be recognised as a reliable and innovative packaging partner. Issar’s own journey has reinforced his belief that success comes from staying close to customers, building a strong team, and remaining willing to adapt. As the packaging industry moves towards a more sustainable and innovative future, he believes those that combine innovation and sustainability with commercial focus will be best positioned to lead the way.
Innovation and sustainability will shape the next chapter of packaging.