ACG Packaging Materials has joined the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network after its Shirwal manufacturing facility was recognised as a Lighthouse site, making the company the first pharmaceutical packaging manufacturer to receive the designation.

The recognition marks ACG’s second Lighthouse site, following the inclusion of its Pithampur capsules manufacturing facility in the network in 2023. The Global Lighthouse Network highlights manufacturing sites that have demonstrated measurable impact through the adoption of advanced digital technologies at scale.

ACG said the Shirwal facility was recognised for an end-to-end transformation programme spanning core manufacturing operations, with a focus on productivity, quality, sustainability and workforce safety. The programme has been enabled through the use of generative AI, machine learning, deep learning, Industrial Internet of Things and digital twin technologies.

Karan Singh, managing director at ACG, said the recognition reflected a long-term approach to manufacturing transformation rather than short-term competition. “ACG has always believed that true leadership in the packaging sector comes from building smarter – not competing harder,” Singh said. “Our Shirwal facility is now our second site to be recognised by the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network, making ACG the world’s first pharmaceutical packaging company to receive this honour.”

Singh added that the company is working to replicate similar operating models across its businesses. He said: “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.”

According to the company, the Shirwal site operates in a highly competitive pharmaceutical packaging market where pricing pressure and commoditisation have increased the need for operational efficiency. The digital transformation programme was designed to improve visibility across manufacturing processes, strengthen day-to-day decision-making and enable faster responses to operational variation.

ACG reported that the programme has delivered measurable improvements, including a 40% reduction in lead times, a 71% reduction in defects and a 31% reduction in energy consumption. The site has also seen a 34% improvement in on-time delivery in full, which the company said has translated into more dependable supply performance for customers.

S R Shivshankar, CEO of ACG Packaging Materials, said the recognition reflected how digital technologies have been embedded into daily operations rather than applied as standalone initiatives. “This recognition reflects the commitment of our teams at Shirwal and their ability to integrate advanced digital technologies into everyday manufacturing operations,” Shivshankar said. “It strengthens our focus on delivering consistent quality, productivity and sustainability for customers worldwide.”

The Global Lighthouse Network is a World Economic Forum initiative, co-founded with McKinsey & Company, that recognises manufacturing sites and value chains demonstrating strong performance across productivity, supply chain resilience, sustainability and workforce development.

Kiva Allgood, head of the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains at the World Economic Forum, said the network reflects changing expectations of industrial performance. “Competitiveness today is no longer defined by efficiency alone, but by the ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed,” Allgood said. “The Global Lighthouse Network showcases how intelligence-led operations are placing resilience and sustainability at the core of industrial performance.”

ACG said it plans to continue scaling similar digital manufacturing frameworks across its global operations.