THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JULY 2, 2026

Stressing that plastic waste is a global challenge requiring coordinated international action, Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Tejveer Singh on Thursday called for concerted and aligned efforts to address the growing menace of plastic pollution, while advocating technology-driven recycling, circular economy practices and stronger collaboration among governments, industry and academia.

He was addressing the inaugural session of the 3rd Global Conclave on Plastic Recycling and Sustainability (GCPRS) and the accompanying International Exhibition at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The four-day event, recognised as India's premier platform dedicated to plastic recycling and sustainability, brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and sustainability experts from across India and abroad.

Addressing the gathering, Singh underlined that although countries across the world are working towards solutions for plastic waste, these efforts remain fragmented. He stressed the need to align with global frameworks such as the UN Global Plastics Treaty, which seeks to establish unified and legally binding approaches to plastic production, usage and waste management.

He also emphasised the importance of learning from international best practices and adopting advanced technologies to improve plastic waste management systems.

Highlighting the growing significance of the circular economy, Singh said plastics and plastic recycling are indispensable to the economy and should be viewed as a modern, technology-driven, high-value industry rather than being perceived as a dirty industry.

Commending the industry's initiatives towards biodegradable plastic packaging, he urged plastic manufacturers and their research and development wings to develop long-term solutions to address the challenge of plastic litter, particularly smaller packaging materials that are difficult to collect and recycle.

The Secretary also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between industry and academia and assured that the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals would facilitate such partnerships to accelerate innovation and sustainable solutions.

Recognising the contribution of waste collectors, Singh said the informal workforce plays a critical role in maintaining environmental cleanliness. He called for integrating and formalising waste collectors into the mainstream waste management ecosystem as the economy evolves.

The conclave is 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 under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

The event has also received support from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, 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).

More than 400 exhibitors are showcasing the latest innovations in plastic recycling technologies, machinery, sustainable materials and waste management solutions. The organisers expect the conclave to attract over 50,000 business visitors, including policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and sustainability professionals from India and overseas.

Besides industry participants, several leading government and private educational and research institutions, including the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET), CSIR–National Physical Laboratory, SIDBI, and the School of Packaging SIESSOP, are participating in the event.

The conclave assumes added significance as the plastic recycling industry continues to witness strong growth. The Indian recycled plastics market is projected to reach USD 3.81 billion by 2032, registering a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.95 per cent during 2024–2032. Globally, the waste plastic recycling market is expected to expand to USD 80.5 billion by 2033, reflecting the increasing importance of sustainable recycling technologies and circular economy-based business models.