The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India(FSSAI) has granted final authorisation to seventeen recycled PET (r-PET) manufacturing facilities across India. As a result, the country has unlocked an estimated three lakh metric tons (MT) of annual production capacity, significantly strengthening its circular packaging ecosystem. The move marks a critical step toward improving the availability of food-grade recycled plastics for the beverage and packaging industries.
Supporting Recycling Mandates and Supply Chain Stability
Importantly, the approvals come at a time when India is gearing up to meet regulatory requirements mandating 40% recycled content in PET bottles by 2026–27. At the same time, global supplies of virgin PET and polymers remain under pressure due to geopolitical uncertainties, including the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict. Consequently, the newly approved r-PET capacity is expected to ease supply constraints and stabilise the domestic packaging supply chain. With these additions, India’s total FSSAI-authorised capacity for food-grade r-PET now stands at approximately 3 lakh MT per annum.
Key Companies Receive Authorisation
Several leading recyclers have received approvals, including:
*Rungta Eco Extrusions Private Limited
*Dodhia Industries Limited
*Ganesha Ecopet Private Limited
*JB Ecotex Limited
*Alpha Ecoplast Private Limited
*Ribotl Solutions Private Limited
*Dalmia Polypro Industries Private Limited
*Revalyu Recycling Limited
*Srichakra Polyplast Private Limited
These companies will supply food-grade recycled PET for use in beverage bottles and other food-contact packaging applications.
Industry Welcomes Timely Intervention
Industry leaders have welcomed the development, calling it both timely and strategic. Goutham Jain, Director General of the Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat, highlighted that the approvals come at a crucial juncture when global polymer markets face volatility. He further noted that the increased capacity will ensure sufficient availability of r-PET, enabling beverage manufacturers to comply with upcoming regulatory requirements. Additionally, the move aligns with the broader vision of advancing a circular economy in India.
Alignment with Plastic Waste Management Rules
The approvals also support India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, which mandate a phased increase in recycled plastic usage in rigid packaging. Therefore, expanding r-PET capacity is essential for meeting these progressive sustainability targets.
Significant Investments in Recycling Infrastructure
To meet growing demand, India has already established 15–18 food-grade r-PET recycling facilities, with total investments estimated between ₹9,000–10,000 crore. Moreover, these plants use advanced recycling technologies that comply with global safety standards set by the European Food Safety Authority and the Food and Drug Administration. This ensures that recycled PET is safe for food-contact applications.
Policy Support and Regulatory Clarity
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change permitted the use of recycled PET in food-contact materials in September 2021. However, industry growth had slowed due to delays in finalising recycled content guidelines. Now, with these authorisations in place, both regulatory clarity and market confidence are expected to improve significantly.
Addressing Supply Gaps and Market Volatility
According to industry experts, the newly approved plants will not only meet regulatory demand but also create surplus r-PET capacity. As a result, this surplus can help bridge supply gaps caused by disruptions in global polymer markets. In particular, it will reduce dependence on virgin plastics and enhance supply resilience for the packaging industry.
Driving India’s Circular Economy Vision
As reported by thecsruniverse.com, the authorisation of 17 r-PET plants represents a major milestone in India’s sustainability journey. By boosting domestic recycling capacity and enabling compliance with evolving regulations, the initiative accelerates the transition toward a circular plastic economy. At the same time, it supports the beverage industry in adopting more sustainable packaging practices, reinforcing India’s position as a leader in environmentally responsible manufacturing.
