Source: Pakka

February 2026 : In a significant move to disrupt the sustainable packaging industry, Pakka has recently announced the appointment of Dr. Yogesh Sonavane as its new Innovation Lead. The appointment signals Pakka’s commitment to taking packaging to new heights by merging deep science with high-performance, eco-friendly materials.

Dr. Sonavane, a PhD in Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics from the Max Planck Institute, brings a rare combination of molecular modeling expertise and entrepreneurial grit to the team. His mission at Pakka focuses on utilizing AI-driven simulations and advanced cellulose solutions to create packaging that is not only biodegradable but outperforms traditional plastics.

A prolific innovator, Dr. Sonavane holds multiple groundbreaking patents, including a revolutionary process for producing biodegradable cellulose fiber-based composites and a two-step fermentation process for obtaining gluconic acid. His work is centered on Molecular Dynamics Simulation, a technique that allows him to "test" materials at an atomic level before they ever hit the manufacturing floor, drastically reducing development time and waste.

Before joining Pakka, Dr. Sonavane served as the Founder and CEO of BIOPLANTIC GmbH in Germany. His impressive trajectory includes serving as Chief Scientific Officer at BIOWEG UG, where he spearheaded the use of bacterial cellulose to replace microplastics in cosmetics.

His career is a map of global scientific excellence, with senior research roles at the University of Split in Croatia, Aalto University in Finland, and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden.

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