INDIA – Ganesha Ecopet, a subsidiary of Indian PET recycler Ganesha Ecosphere, has increased its recycling capacity by installing two new Starlinger recoSTAR PET 165 HC iV+ recycling lines at its facility in Warangal, India.
This upgrade has tripled the company’s annual bottle-grade recycled PET (rPET) production, boosting capacity from 14,000 tons to 42,000 tons.
This expansion strengthens Ganesha Ecopet’s position in domestic and international markets, including the US and Europe.
Prior to this, the company had been using Starlinger’s technology since 2022 to produce recycled PET flakes and pellets for food-grade packaging, filament yarns, and fibers.
Sharad Sharma, managing director of Ganesha Ecosphere, highlighted the company’s mission to recycle plastics and offer premium-quality, sustainable solutions for brands.
“Recycling is a powerful way to reduce CO2 emissions and mitigate climate change,” Sharma stated, emphasizing the importance of circular solutions in today’s market.
The growing demand for food-grade recycled PET in India is driven by two major factors. First, the Indian government’s 2022 amendment to the Plastic Waste Management Rules introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), requiring producers to collect and recycle plastic waste systematically.
By 2025, PET bottles must contain 30% post-consumer recycled content, with this target increasing to 60% by 2029.
Additionally, the government has banned several single-use plastic products, a move Prime Minister Modi called a “defining step” in the fight against plastic pollution.
Second, consumer preferences have shifted, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize sustainability in their purchasing decisions.
As a result, brands are increasingly adopting circular and sustainable packaging solutions, with rPET being a preferred option due to its recyclability, lower carbon footprint, and high product quality.
Sharma emphasized that Ganesha Ecosphere offers recycled PET with properties comparable to virgin PET but with added environmental benefits, making it a trusted partner for global FMCG brands like Coca-Cola.
To minimize its environmental impact, Ganesha Ecopet recycles and reuses 95% of the water consumed during its operations and has increased reliance on renewable energy.
With a total production capacity of 42,000 tons of food-grade recycled PET, the company is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for sustainable packaging in India and beyond.
Paul Niedl, commercial head of Starlinger recycling technology, praised Ganesha Ecosphere as a leader in India’s circular plastics economy, noting its investment in cutting-edge technology and its ability to transform post-consumer scrap into high-quality raw materials.
Ganesha Ecopet sources post-consumer PET bottles from over 300 suppliers and aggregators across India, using both online and offline channels to ensure a steady supply.
Sharma expressed gratitude for the partnership with Starlinger, crediting their advanced bottle-to-bottle recycling technology and ongoing support for making Ganesha Ecopet’s growth and circular economy efforts possible.
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