FSSAI accords final permit to 17 recycled PET making plants

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has granted final authorization to 17 recycled PET (rPET) manufacturing plants, unlocking an estimated combined capacity of around 3 lakh tonnes. This move is expected to significantly strengthen India’s sustainable packaging ecosystem and support the transition towards a circular economy.

Among the companies receiving approvals are 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.

Welcoming the development, Goutham Jain, Director General of Association of PET Recyclers Bharat, said the approvals mark a major step forward for India’s circular packaging economy. He noted that the timing is crucial, as global markets for virgin PET and polymers remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions such as the Iran–Israel conflict.

The added capacity is expected to ensure adequate rPET supply, helping beverage companies meet the mandate of 40% recycled content in PET bottles by 2026–27, aligned with the vision of Narendra Modi.

Under the Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016, the use of recycled content in rigid plastic packaging will rise from 30% in 2025–26 to 60% by 2028–29. To support this, around 15–18 food-grade rPET facilities have been set up nationwide with an estimated investment of Rs 9,000–10,000 crore, using technologies compliant with global standards such as those of the European Food Safety Authority and the US Food and Drug Administration.

While the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change had permitted the use of rPET in food-contact materials in 2021, delays in final policy notifications have impacted demand. However, Jain emphasized that the newly authorized plants could create surplus supply, helping offset any polymer shortages amid ongoing global uncertainties.