India Beverage Industry Faces Hurdles in Meeting Recycled Plastic Targets for PET Bottles

Concerns Over Feasibility  

Industry bodies such as the Indian Beverage Association and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry have flagged the ambitious targets as unrealistic due to insufficient availability of food-grade recycled PET (rPET) and limited production infrastructure. In a December meeting with the Central Pollution Control Board, representatives proposed reducing the initial recycled content requirement to 15%, with a gradual 5% annual increase.  

Supply Chain Challenges  

India currently has only 18 manufacturers of food-grade rPET, whose combined production capacity falls far short of the projected demand. Additionally, not all manufacturers have obtained Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) certifications, while some critical rPET standards remain in draft form.  

A senior executive from a leading beverage company noted, “To meet the 30% target, we may need to import rPET, significantly raising costs and undermining the objective of boosting domestic recycling.”  

Industry representatives have highlighted that even developed regions like the European Union aim to achieve a 30% recycled content target only by 2030. They argue for a phased approach tailored to India’s current infrastructure and market capacity.  

Risk of Price Increases  

Another concern raised by companies is the potential for rPET manufacturers to hike resin prices once the regulations come into effect. Industry bodies are urging the government to monitor pricing and provide policy support to avoid such scenarios.  

The beverage industry is calling for realistic targets, expansion of domestic recycling infrastructure, and finalization of food-grade rPET standards to ensure sustainable compliance. Addressing these issues promptly is critical to achieving the regulations’ goals without disrupting business operations.