Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Ministry of Industry is encouraging the use of non-plastic packaging as a strategic solution for the food and beverage (F&B) industry, in order to increase efficiency and strengthen competitiveness amidst dynamic challenges.Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said on Friday that his office has begun promoting the use of non-plastic packaging, particularly paper- or paperboard-based packaging.According to him, this type of packaging is considered quite competitive and accounts for a significant portion, around 28 percent of total packaging in the F&B industry.One of the strategic steps supported by the ministry is the use of paper-based aseptic packaging as an alternative to conventional packaging and as a substitute for plastic.”Paper packaging is widely used for products such as milk and beverages. We are aiming to stimulate the development of alternative packaging materials through a business matching scheme between producers and users,” he remarked.Meanwhile, the ministry's Acting Director General of Agro Industry, Putu Juli Ardika, conveyed that the use of paper-based aseptic packaging is in line with government policy to encourage more environmentally friendly industrial practices.This commitment and support was demonstrated through a workshop and visit at PT Lami Packaging Indonesia with members of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Association (GAPMMI) some time ago.Adhi S. Lukman, Chairman of GAPMMI, stated that the workshop was important to identify alternative solutions for the food and beverage industry to keep growing.”In anticipating various industry challenges, we need two important aspects: procurement and the manufacturing division. The manufacturing division must also improve efficiency to remain competitive, while procurement needs to expand sourcing. This visit is part of the effort to find alternative packaging sources,” Lukman remarked.In addition, the ministry's Director of the Beverage, Tobacco Products, and Refreshment Materials Industry, Merrijantij Punguan Pintaria, said that the price of aseptic paper packaging is not directly comparable to plastic packaging.However, when assessed comprehensively the results may be similar because paper-based aseptic packaging does not require a cold chain or refrigeration for storage, and its paper raw materials are relatively stable.The national demand for aseptic packaging is estimated at around 8.3 billion packages per year, with approximately 4.8 billion coming from the milk and dairy product segment, and the remainder from tea and coffee-based beverages.Furthermore, some products come from plant-based sources such as coconut milk, oat milk, and mung bean milk.