Page 51 - Plastics News March 2026
P. 51
BUSINESS NEWS
Currently, the company operates 42,000 metric mentation, and traceability systems are increas-
tonnes (MT) of rPET capacity and 12,000 MT of ing operational expenditure. However, as sup-
polyolefin capacity, aligned with FSSAI, EFSA, ply chains formalise and scale improves, better
and US FDA standards. feedstock quality and long-term offtake agree-
ments are expected to stabilise margins.
Industry Outlook
Strategic Direction
Over the next three to five years, the sector is
expected to undergo significant restructuring. For Srichakra Polyplast, growth is no longer
Industry experts anticipate: measured solely by processing volume. The
company is positioning itself as a supplier of cer-
♦ Tighter regulatory oversight and formalised tified, traceable, food-contact-compliant recy-
supply chains
cled polymers at scale. Strengthening sourcing
♦ Greater adoption of automation and AI-as- networks, enhancing pre-segregation practices,
sisted sorting technologies and building proximity-based partnerships re-
main central to its strategy.
♦ Increased focus on higher-value applications,
including food-grade and FMCG packaging As India sharpens its regulatory framework and
global brands push for higher sustainability
Lower-grade plastics are likely to continue serv- benchmarks, the country’s recycling sector ap-
ing infrastructure and construction applications.
pears poised for a quality-led transformation—
Margin Pressures and Structural Costs one where compliance and credibility take prec-
edence over sheer output.
While compliance brings growth opportunities, Source - https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
it also introduces structural costs. Investments
in advanced sorting, decontamination, docu-
INDIA’S NEXT PHASE OF PLASTIC RECYCLING WILL SHIFT FROM VOLUME-
DRIVEN OUTPUT TO FOOD-CONTACT-COMPLIANT, GLOBAL-STANDARD POLYMERS:
RAVINDRA P V, SRICHAKRA POLYPLAST
iopolymers, materials derived from re- Net-Zero commitments and seeks to decouple
newable sources such as plant starch, material consumption from fossil reserves.
Bsugarcane, and microbial fermentation,
are no longer futuristic alternatives. Materials like Yet, despite the environmental imperative and
PLA (Polylactic Acid) and PBAT have achieved strong global momentum, India finds itself in a
commercial viability globally for decades, offer- paradoxical position. We possess abundant bio-
ing biodegradable and lower-carbon substitutes mass and a large, growing market, but lack the
for fossil-fuel plastics. Their relevance is espe- industrial infrastructure necessary to convert it
cially critical for India, as the country pursues its into a valuable product at scale.
March 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 51
