Chemco secured FSSAI approval for food-grade rPET production, strengthening India’s circular packaging ecosystem amid rising recycled-content mandates.
Chemco Group has achieved a major milestone in India’s sustainable packaging industry after receiving authorization from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to manufacture food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) resin intended for direct contact with food products. With this approval, Chemco joins a limited group of manufacturers in India that are officially permitted to produce food-grade recycled PET for use in food and beverage packaging applications.
The authorization represents an important advancement for India’s circular economy ambitions, particularly as the country seeks to increase the adoption of recycled materials in packaging. The move comes at a time when regulatory requirements and sustainability commitments are accelerating demand for high-quality, compliant recycled plastics across industries.
The approval follows the successful commissioning of Chemco’s state-of-the-art bottle-to-bottle recycling facility located in Sanand, Gujarat. Developed with an investment of approximately Rs. 125 crore, the facility has the capacity to process over one billion post-consumer PET bottles annually. Through advanced recycling operations, the plant converts discarded plastic bottles into food-grade recycled PET resin that can be used in the production of new food and beverage packaging, creating a closed-loop recycling system.
The Sanand facility utilizes Starlinger’s advanced bottle-to-bottle recycling technology, which is widely recognized for producing high-quality recycled PET suitable for food-contact applications. The plant has been established in compliance with India’s food packaging regulations and relevant Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) requirements, ensuring that the recycled material meets stringent safety and quality expectations.
Chemco has also incorporated comprehensive quality assurance and food safety measures into its operations. The company stated that its manufacturing processes are supported by sophisticated traceability systems, rigorous quality-control procedures, and internationally recognized food-safety standards. The facility has obtained FSSC 22000 certification, demonstrating adherence to globally accepted food safety management practices. Additionally, its recycling processes are aligned with standards and frameworks recognized by regulatory authorities such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food-contact recycled PET applications.
The timing of the FSSAI authorization is particularly significant as India’s packaging industry prepares for increasingly stringent recycled-content mandates under the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules. According to current regulations, Category I rigid plastic packaging—including PET bottles and containers—must contain 40% recycled content by FY 2026-27. This requirement will increase to 50% in FY 2027-28 and further rise to 60% from FY 2028-29 onward.
These regulatory developments are expected to significantly boost demand for domestically produced food-grade recycled materials. Food, beverage, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are actively seeking dependable suppliers capable of providing compliant recycled content to meet both regulatory obligations and sustainability commitments.
Commenting on the achievement, Vaibhav Saraogi, Director of Chemco Group, emphasized that the approval is a landmark not only for the company but also for the broader development of India’s circular packaging infrastructure. He noted that as demand for recycled content continues to grow, especially within food and beverage packaging, establishing reliable domestic production capabilities backed by strong regulatory compliance, traceability, and quality standards becomes increasingly important. Saraogi added that Chemco’s investment in bottle-to-bottle recycling reflects a long-term commitment to supporting sustainability objectives while ensuring a stable and dependable supply chain for brand owners.
Chemco further highlighted that the Sanand facility has been designed as a fully integrated bottle-to-bottle recycling platform. By combining food-grade rPET resin production with downstream packaging manufacturing operations, the company aims to improve supply-chain efficiency, product consistency, and traceability for customers requiring large-scale recycled-content packaging solutions.
Beyond environmental benefits, the project is expected to contribute to local economic development by creating skilled employment opportunities, strengthening Gujarat’s position as a key manufacturing hub, and supporting India’s broader goals related to waste reduction, resource conservation, and circular manufacturing practices.
With FSSAI approval now in place, Chemco is well positioned to capitalize on the rapidly expanding market for recycled packaging materials in India. As brands prepare to meet stricter recycled-content requirements in the coming years, the company is expected to play an increasingly important role in supplying compliant, food-grade recycled PET solutions that support both regulatory compliance and sustainability goals.
