The revolutionary shift in India’s packaging industry.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced new guidelines mandating the use of at least 30% recycled PET (r-PET) in all newly manufactured PET bottles used for food and beverage packaging. This mandate gives a nationwide shift toward a sustainable circular economy, reducing dependence on virgin plastic, lowering carbon emissions, and stimulating demand for food-grade recycled materials.
What is Recycled PET (r-PET) and Why It Matters
Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (r-PET) is derived from post-consumer PET bottles that have been collected, cleaned, and reprocessed into high-quality, food-grade-compliant plastic. Recycled PET (r-PET) is suitable for packaging water, beverages, and other edible products.
Key Guidelines of FSSAI’s New r-PET Regulation
- Mandatory usage of 30% recycled PET (r-PET): All newly manufactured PET bottles for food or beverage products in India must incorporate a minimum of 30% r-PET content.
- Food-Grade Compliance: Only recycled PET (r-PET) that meets required food-grade safety standards, as defined by FSSAI regulations, may be used.
- Consumer Awareness through Labeling: FSSAI has introduced a new, redefined, dedicated logo to indicate the use of r-PET in packaging, empowering informed consumer choices.
- Industry-Wide Adoption
The regulation has received broad support from major industry stakeholders, including the Association of PET Recyclers (Bharat), who have committed to facilitating widespread compliance.
Why did they introduce the 30% r-PET mandate? Is it Driving India’s Circular Economy?
It aligns seamlessly with India’s broader goals under EPR norms and carbon neutrality commitments. It promotes:
- Plastic Waste Reduction
- Closed-Loop Recycling
- Lower Manufacturing Energy Use
- Growth for Recyclers & Aggregators
What the 30% r-PET Mandate Means for Stakeholders?
- Manufacturers must integrate at least 30% r-PET in all new plastic bottle production.
- Recyclers & Aggregators: Demand for clean, food-grade PET waste will surge, opening great opportunities for small as well as big recyclers to grow.
- Brands & FMCG Companies: Sustainable packaging is no longer optional; it’s a legal and environmental necessity.
- Consumers: Will see more eco-conscious products and can contribute by segregating and returning PET bottles effectively.
RACE Eco Chain Ltd.’s Contribution to This Effort
RACE Eco Chain Ltd. facilitates connections across the waste management supply chain, linking suppliers to recyclers, through a well-established network of 300+ verified suppliers and more than 80+ recyclers. This framework enables businesses to consistently and efficiently source and recycle materials such as PET plastic, biomass briquettes, and other recyclable waste. RACE Eco Chain, in association with India’s largest PET recycler Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd., is also setting up washing lines across India for the manufacturing of high-quality rPET flakes. Supported by its digital platform, the RACE App, the company promotes streamlined sourcing and efficient reuse through a verified supplier ecosystem, aligned with the broader objectives of a circular economy.
Conclusion
The FSSAI’s 30% r-PET directive is not only a regulatory development but also a strategic approach to lead the recycling sector across the globe. Brands that embrace this change will not only ensure compliance but also enhance their brand’s value, meet consumer expectations, and contribute meaningfully to India’s environmental goals.
At RACE Eco Chain LTD., we are committed to building the digital and logistical infrastructure necessary to enable transparent, scalable, and certified r-PET supply chains.