BASF India, Green Worms, and IPUA launch polyurethane waste recycling facility in Kerala

This initiative establishes a responsible collection and mechanical recycling network for post-industrial footwear polyurethane waste

BASF India has inaugurated a new polyurethane (PU) waste recycling facility in Manjeri, Malappuram district, Kerala. Funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the project was launched in partnership with Green Worms (Serve Rural) and the Indian Polyurethane Association (IPUA), marking a major step forward for the circular economy of PU waste in India.

To tackle traditionally difficult footwear waste, BASF India is leading a new CSR initiative to collect, segregate, recycle, and repurpose post-industrial polyurethane. Supported by IPUA and implemented by Green Worms, the project establishes a structured ecosystem to transform an environmental challenge into a sustainable solution.

This initiative establishes a responsible collection and mechanical recycling network for post-industrial footwear polyurethane waste. By diverting this material from landfills, the project transforms waste into high-utility indoor floor mats for rural schools in Kerala. The initial phase will benefit approximately 4,000 underprivileged students while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihoods for waste collectors and recycling workers.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from Government, BASF India, the Indian Polyurethane Association, Green Worms and prominent stakeholders from the footwear industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Alexander Gerding, Managing Director, BASF India Limited and Head, BASF Group companies, said, “At BASF, we believe that sustainability creates the greatest value when it delivers benefits for both people and the environment. The inauguration of this polyurethane recycling facility marks an important milestone in advancing the collection, mechanical recycling, and repurposing of footwear polyurethane waste in India. Through our collaboration with Green Worms and the Indian Polyurethane Association, waste that would otherwise end up in landfills is transformed into valuable products that support community development. This initiative advances circularity, creates livelihood opportunities, and demonstrates how industry and communities can work together to deliver environmental and social impact.”

Jabir Karat, CEO & co-founder of Green Worms, “At Green Worms, we believe that waste is not merely a challenge to be managed, but a resource that can create value when the right infrastructure, technology, and partnerships are in place. This polyurethane recycling facility represents an important step towards addressing the growing challenge of industrial polyurethane waste in the footwear sector through a practical, scalable, and circular approach. Our collaboration with BASF India and the Indian Polyurethane Association demonstrates how industry partnerships can turn complex waste streams into valuable secondary resources while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. We hope this initiative will serve as a model for expanding polyurethane recycling in India and strengthening the country’s transition towards a more resource-efficient and circular economy.”

Harneet Kochar, Chairman- Indian Polyurethane Association (IPUA), said, “This initiative demonstrates how industry collaboration and technical expertise can help create practical and scalable solutions for polyurethane mechanical waste management. By bringing together stakeholders across the value chain, we can contribute to more sustainable manufacturing practices while advancing circular economy principles within the footwear industry. This will serve as an inspiration and encourage stakeholders from many other applications across the polyurethane industry to engage and innovate. My best wishes and support for the success of this initiative.”