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ENVIRONMENT NEWS
“Through our partnership with IIMCIP, the Na- program will receive more than $2,200 and a
tional Innovation Challenge will identify high- complimentary display stall at PlastIndia 2026,
potential startups across plastics, materials, where they will have access to thousands of
recycling, sustainability and circular economy,” visitors and some 2,000 fellow exhibitors from
PlastIndia Foundation President Ravish Kamath around the world.
says. “Winning startups will benefit from exclu-
sive mentorship from IIM Calcutta, strengthening “This challenge aims to accelerate innovation
their ability to scale and commercialize transfor- and foster meaningful industry and startup col-
mational ideas.” laboration,” says Alok Tibrewala, chair of the na-
tional executive council of PlastIndia 2026. “Our
Officially titled Bharat Next Challenge: PlastIndia goal is to give young entrepreneurs the visibility,
Foundation Startup Search 2026, the program access and credibility needed to reimagine In-
organizers are seeking to discover and promote dia’s plastics ecosystem,”
ideas that reimagine plastics for a greener, more
circular future. The initiative will be highlighted The PlastIndia Foundation says the challenge is
at the PlastIndia 2026 event in February in New open to all Indians above the age of 16. Appli-
Delhi, which the foundation calls one of the larg- cants must submit a 1,000-word proposal and
est international plastics exhibitions in the world. a two-minute video describing their idea and its
potential impact. A selected panel will evaluate
“The government is committed to strengthening submissions, shortlist the top 50 ideas then se-
India’s deep-tech ecosystem, enhancing ease lect the 10 winners who will make a presentation
of doing business, reducing compliance burden at PlastIndia 2026.
and fostering entrepreneurship,” Goyal says. “I
hope this initiative will enable the plastics indus- “We believe the future of India’s growth will be
try to take a decisive leap towards 100 percent defined by breakthrough ideas that integrate
reuse and recycling, aligned with India’s sustain- sustainability with world-class innovation,” sIIM-
ability goals and rising global demand for circu- CIP Chair Ajay Jain says. “Through the Bharat
lar products.” Next Challenge, we aim to empower startups
with the mentorship, platforms and partnerships
Its organizers say the competition welcomes in- needed to convert bold ideas into impact at
novation across the plastics value chain, including scale, strengthening India’s leadership in circu-
life-saving medical devices, next-generation ma- lar and sustainable technologies and contribut-
terials, green chemistry, recycling tech, sustain- ing meaningfully to the nation’s journey towards
able packaging, manufacturing breakthroughs Viksit Bharat 2047.
and policy innovations.
Source - https://www.recyclingtoday.com
Startup companies selected to be part of the
December 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 25
