LNJ GreenPET, Sumitomo Corporation join forces for r-PET project in India

INDIA – LNJ GreenPET, a division of India’s LNJ Bhilwara Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation to advance the recycled polyethylene terephthalate (r-PET) sector in India. 

The agreement, announced in early September 2025, focuses on developing a sustainable r-PET value chain through commercial development, raw material sourcing, and marketing strategies. 

The partnership aims to address the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging solutions in both domestic and international markets.

The collaboration includes a comprehensive market study to analyze India’s r-PET landscape, covering market sizing, customer segmentation, technical assessments, supply chain benchmarking, and regulatory feasibility. 

According to the companies, these insights will guide LNJ GreenPET as it prepares for commercial production, set to begin in 2026. 

In the pre-production phase, Sumitomo will source r-PET flakes from Southeast Asia and other global regions to support the project’s early stages. 

The partnership will also prioritize pre-marketing efforts and the establishment of sales channels to engage customers worldwide.

Riju Jhunjhunwala, chairman of LNJ Bhilwara Group, emphasized the partnership’s role in advancing India’s circular economy, stating, “This MoU with Sumitomo Corporation is a significant step towards strengthening India’s circular economy ecosystem.” 

He highlighted the goal of creating a robust r-PET value chain to meet global demand for sustainable packaging. 

Sumitomo’s Green Chemical SBU general manager, Yutaka Takamura, noted that the collaboration combines Sumitomo’s global expertise with LNJ GreenPET’s local knowledge to deliver innovative solutions for plastic waste reduction.

In a related development, a report by a market research firm projects the global r-PET market to grow from US$13.1 billion in 2025 to US$23.8 billion by 2032, driven by increasing demand for sustainable packaging and stricter regulations on single-use plastics. 

India’s role in this growth is significant, with initiatives like the Plastic Waste Management Rules mandating 30% recycled PET in packaging by April 2025, rising to 60% by 2029. 

This regulatory push supports LNJ GreenPET’s efforts to expand recycling capabilities.

The partnership leverages advanced technologies to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. 

By combining local and global expertise, LNJ GreenPET and Sumitomo aim to create a scalable model for r-PET production, contributing to India’s sustainability goals and addressing the global challenge of plastic pollution.

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