By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : March 16, 2026 2:47 pm
Unlocks 3 lakh tonne capacities for India’s circular packaging economy to cater to the Government’s mandate of 40% recycled content
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted final authorization to 17 recycled PET (rPET) manufacturing plants, unlocking a combined capacity of approximately 3 lakh tonnes to enhance India’s sustainable packaging supply chain.
The companies that have received the FSSAI authorization include 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 and Srichakra Polyplast Private Limited among others.
Applauding FSSAI on granting final authorizations to these nine units, Goutham Jain, Director General, Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat, said, “The authorization granted by FSSAI to seventeen recycled PET manufacturing plants mark a significant move in the country’s circular packaging economy. The timing could not have been more appropriate when global markets for virgin PET and polymers are facing uncertainty amid geopolitical developments such as the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict. Capacities at these plants will help ensure adequate supply of r-PET in the market, enabling beverage manufacturers to meet the regulatory guideline mandating 40 per cent recycled food-grade plastic content in PET packaging bottles in 2026-27. This move is not only timely but also aligns with the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of building a circular economy.”
It is to be noted that the Plastic waste Management Rules 2016 (as amended from time to time) mandates the use of 30 per cent recycled content in rigid plastic packaging effective from 2025-26 with gradual increase of 10 per cent every year until 60 per cent in 2028-29 and onwards. Aligned with this mandate, 15-18 food-grade rPET recycling facilities were established across the country with a total capacity of approx. 3 lakh MT at an estimated investment of INR. 9,000 - 10,000 crore.
These companies have adopted state-of-art technology and set up their factories adhering to standards approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had, in September 2021 allowed use of r-PET as a food contact material. However, in a draft notification issued on June 3, 2025, MoEFCC allowed brands and producers to carry forward shortfalls in meeting the 30% r-PET target for food contact applications for 2025-26 over the next three years. The delay in issue of final notification has caused uncertainty and impacted the immediate demand significantly for r-PET by beverage and bottling industry.
“With these seventeen recycled PET manufacturing plants receiving final authorizations, there will be surplus r-PET available in the market. This can help fill any gap in the supply of polymers due to the ongoing war and volatility in global markets,” Jain said.