NEW DELHI: A greenfield recycling plant, worth INR 220 crore, will be set up in in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s home turf Gorakhpur. A joint venture between DPIPL, SLMG Beverages, and Coca-Cola India, it aims to produce 36,000 MT of recycled PET flakes and 24,000 MT of PET granules annually, addressing India’s plastic waste challenge.
The joint venture combines the expertise of three major stakeholders: DPIPL, a leader in plastic recycling; SLMG Beverages, a long-time bottling partner of Coca-Cola which announced that Bihar will get its first Coca-Cola plant in Nawanagar, Buxar three months ago and Coca-Cola India, which brings its global sustainability commitment through the “World Without Waste” initiative.
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The facility is designed to integrate advanced technology sourced from global leaders, including Sorema, Tomra Sorting, and Erema. This high-tech approach will ensure precision and efficiency, enabling the plant to meet international standards for quality and sustainability.
Alongside, an in-house laboratory will maintain strict quality control, testing both raw materials and the finished products to meet regulatory requirements such as those set by FSSAI and the US FDA.
The project not only promises environmental benefits but also socio-economic impacts. It is expected to create direct employment for 150 people while indirectly supporting over 20,000 informal workers, including waste pickers and aggregators. By engaging more than 50 local micro-entrepreneurs, the initiative will contribute to community livelihoods, ensuring that the benefits of the project reach the grassroots level.
India generates 1.4 million tonnes of PET waste annually, with an impressive 90% recycling rate, significantly higher than that of developed nations. However, most recycled PET in India is converted into fibre for low-value applications. This facility aims to change that narrative by producing high-quality rPET products suitable for diverse industries, including food-grade packaging and apparel manufacturing.
Scheduled for commissioning in FY 2025-26, the facility will operate on a state-of-the-art, automated model that prioritizes energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices. Spanning over 15 acres, the land for the plant is currently being finalized, with parameters such as environmental suitability under consideration.
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The initiative aligns with the government’s Plastic Waste Management Rules, which mandate increased use of recycled materials in packaging. By FY 2026-27, these regulations will require up to 40% recycled content in certain categories. This plant is expected to play a critical role in helping industries meet these targets while advancing the nation’s sustainability goals.