Industry body Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat expressed appreciation for the recent approval by FSSAI of final authorizations for 17 recycled PET manufacturing plants in India. This decision is expected to enhance the country’s packaging supply chain significantly.
The granted authorizations will enable the unlocking of approximately 3 lakh tonnes per annum of food-grade r-PET capacity, aligning with the government’s target of achieving 40% recycled content by 2026-27. These approved facilities will collectively have the capacity to produce 3 lakh metric tonnes of r-PET annually, catering to the food-contact packaging needs of India’s beverage and bottling sector.
The move by FSSAI is seen as timely, especially with the ongoing global challenges faced by virgin PET markets due to geopolitical tensions such as the Iran-Israel conflict. Additionally, this initiative resonates with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering a circular economy in the country, as highlighted by Goutham Jain, Director General of APR Bharat.
The Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016 have mandated a gradual increase in the use of recycled content in rigid plastic packaging, aiming for 60% by 2028-29 and beyond. In line with this directive, 15-18 food-grade r-PET recycling facilities have been established nationwide, with investments totaling around Rs 9,000-10,000 crore. These facilities have adopted advanced technologies and adhere to stringent standards set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had previously permitted the use of r-PET as a food contact material in September 2021. Furthermore, in June 2025, brands and producers were given the flexibility to compensate for any shortfall in meeting the 30% r-PET target for food contact applications in 2025-26 over the subsequent three years.
