Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability in New Delhi

The 3rd Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS), along with an International Exhibition, began on 2nd July at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The four-day event, GCPRS, recognised as India’s premier platform dedicated to plastic recycling and sustainability, was inaugurated by Tejveer Singh, Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Addressing the inaugural function of the 3rd GCPRS, the DCPC Secretary stressed the need for concerted and aligned efforts to tackle the global problem of Plastic Waste.

Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Mr Singh, underlined that people across the world are working on solutions to plastic waste in a fragmented manner, but it is the need of the hour to align with global frameworks such as the UN Global Plastics Treaty.

He said the UN treaty on Plastics aims to create unified, binding approaches to production, usage, and waste management.

Mr Singh also emphasised that we must learn from global best practices and incorporate effective technological practices for plastic waste management.

Stressing the great importance of the circular economy and environmentally friendly practices in the plastic industry, Tejveer Singh said that plastics and plastic recycling are integral parts of the economy, and it should be a modern, technology-driven, high-value industry, not treated as a dirty industry.

Commending the industry for its steps towards biodegradable plastic packaging, Mr Singh called upon Plastic Industries and their R&D arms to find enduring solutions to the genuine concerns about plastic littering, especially smaller packaging, which is not easy to pick up and recycle.

He also called for greater collaboration between industry and academia and assured the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals’ support in catalysing this.

Enumerating the waste collector’s role as a significant stakeholder, Mr Singh appealed for recognition of the contributions of informal waste collectors, who play a vital role in keeping our environment clean.

The Secretary said that as the economy evolves, we must integrate and formalise this workforce into the larger ecosystem.

The Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability is being jointly organised by the All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) and the Chemicals & Petrochemicals Manufacturers Association (CPMA) with the support of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Furthermore, the event is also supported by the departments and ministries like the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).

At the conclave, more than 400 exhibitors representing the latest advancements in plastic recycling technologies, machinery, sustainable materials, and waste management solutions are taking part.

The event is expected to attract over 50,000 business visitors, including policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and sustainability professionals from India and abroad.

Apart from Industries and promoters related to the Plastics and Petrochemicals sector, several government- and private-aligned educational and Research Institutions, such as Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), CSIR – National Physical Laboratory, SIDBI, and School of Packaging SIESSOP, are also participating in the event.

The Conclave on plastic recycling comes at a time when the sector is witnessing robust growth. The Indian recycled plastics market is projected to reach USD 3.81 billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.95 per cent during 2024–2032.

Globally, the waste plastic recycling market is expected to reach USD 80.5 billion by 2033, underlining the increasing importance of sustainable recycling technologies and circular business models.