FSSAI authorises 17 rPET plants

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has officially granted final operational clearance to 17 recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) manufacturing units across the country. This regulatory milestone introduces an annual production capacity of 3,00,000-metric tonnes, which will support the nation’s transition toward a circular economy for plastic packaging.

This expansion arrives during a period of global volatility. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have placed pressure on the supply chain for virgin polymers. By authorising these domestic recycling facilities, the regulator has created a buffer, ensuring that the beverage and bottling industries have access to food-grade materials despite international market fluctuations.

The move is also a critical step in aligning with the Plastic Waste Management Rules of 2016. These regulations require rigid plastic packaging to contain 30% recycled material by the 2025–26 fiscal year, with a scheduled increase to 40% the following year. This trajectory continues until a 60% mandate is reached by 2028–29. To prepare for these targets, industry stakeholders have invested between INR 9,000 and INR 10,000-crore into specialised facilities that utilise advanced technologies compliant with both American and European safety standards.

Representatives from the Association of PET Recyclers (APR) Bharat indicated that this authorisation provides the necessary volume to satisfy domestic demand while addressing previous regulatory uncertainties. Although the government previously allowed for some flexibility in meeting immediate targets, the finalisation of these licenses provides the industry with the stability needed to scale sustainable practices. The available surplus of rPET is expected to stabilise costs and reduce the sector's reliance on imported raw materials.

Prominent companies included in this round of authorisations represent a diverse cross-section of the recycling sector, ranging from established industrial groups to specialised green-tech solutions. Collectively, these units represent India’s readiness to integrate high-fidelity, food-safe recycled plastics into the mainstream supply chain.