India can emerge as a global leader in circular plastics with stronger recycling ecosystem, says Aliaxis
India has the potential to become a global leader in the circular plastics economy by strengthening waste collection, recycling infrastructure and recycled-content regulations, according to Ayanish Sen, Chief Procurement Officer at Aliaxis (formerly Manjushree Technopack).
Speaking at the 11th Injection, Blow Moulding & PET International Summit & Exhibition organized by ElitePlus in Mumbai, Sen said recent geopolitical events have highlighted the need for resilient supply chains and greater investment in circular economy practices.
He noted that disruptions in global crude oil markets have impacted the availability of petrochemical products, warning that future supply chain challenges could be driven by shortages of recycled plastics rather than virgin raw materials. Companies investing in recycled-content capabilities today, he said, will be better prepared for future market uncertainties.
Sen highlighted India’s progressive recycled-content regulations as a key advantage. He said the country’s mandates, which started at 30% recycled plastic content and are scheduled to increase to 60% by 2029, position India among the global leaders in promoting sustainable plastics.
He encouraged businesses to stay ahead of regulatory requirements by integrating sustainability into product development and packaging design. Industries such as consumer goods, beverages, cosmetics and alcoholic drinks are increasingly adopting recyclable packaging, mono-material structures and higher levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics.
Despite significant growth in recycling capacity, Sen pointed out that India’s recycling ecosystem still faces challenges in waste collection, segregation, aggregation and sorting. Limited collection infrastructure and inconsistent quality of post-consumer waste continue to affect the supply of high-quality recycled resin.
To strengthen the circular plastics value chain, he called for mandatory source segregation of waste, expanded public collection systems, formalized waste management practices, digital traceability across the recycling chain and standardized quality specifications for recyclable materials.
Sen concluded that collaboration among policymakers, brands, recyclers and consumers will be essential to accelerate India’s transition toward a circular plastics economy and establish the country as a global leader in sustainable plastics.