The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted final approval for 17 recycled PET (r-PET) manufacturing plants, representing a key milestone in advancing the nation’s circular packaging economy. These plants, together, will produce 300,000 metric tonnes of high-quality, food-grade r-PET annually, a significant step toward India’s goal of incorporating 40% recycled content in packaging by 2026-27.
This move is fully aligned with the Plastic Waste Management Rules and comes at a critical time, given the global supply chain challenges impacting virgin PET production due to geopolitical factors. These newly authorized plants are set to play a crucial role in supplying r-PET for food-contact packaging, especially for the beverage and bottling industries. The initiative reflects the Indian government’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles, as championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
With investments projected between Rs 9,000-10,000 crore, the new facilities will address the growing demand for premium r-PET while meeting stringent international safety standards, including those from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This approval also supports the phased implementation of the Plastic Waste Management Rules, which set a target of 30% recycled content in rigid plastic packaging by 2025-26, with a goal of reaching 60% by 2028-29.
In parallel,
RACE 2026: Recycling and Compounding Expo India (www.raceexpos.com) – Plastics, E-Waste, Rubber & Textiles, scheduled to be held from May 6–8, 2026, at Hall 4, Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), NESCO, Mumbai, will serve as a key platform to accelerate India’s recycling efforts. Organized by Polymerupdate, Asia’s largest and fastest-growing petrochemical market intelligence company, and supported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the expo will bring together global experts, innovators, and industry leaders to showcase the latest advancements in polymer recycling and sustainable technologies. This event highlights the alignment with India’s vision of a circular economy, with the growth of the r-PET sector playing a crucial role in reducing plastic waste.
