Italian-Indian collaboration for the recycling of PET bottles

Ganesha Ecopet, a division of the largest Indian PET recycler, Ganesha Group, entrusted Sorema, the division of Previero Srl specialized in the construction of plastic recycling plants, with the realization of a PET bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in India. It is a pioneering project, the first of its kind in the country, with a production capacity of 5,000 kg/hour of food-grade recycled PET material. 

This process involves the 100% use of locally collected PET plastic post-consumer bottles, a Sorema washing system, followed by an extrusion and solid stating Starlinger section. The quality of the finished product gained approval from industry giants like Coke & PepsiCo, and others utilizing the produced RPET pellets for 100% rPET bottle manufacturing.

This collaboration represents a joint commitment to environmental sustainability and an exemplary model of how technological innovation can lead the plastic recycling industry towards a greener and more responsible future. The project partners defining new standards, displaying that sustainability can go hand in hand with operational excellence.

“Our goal is not just to recycle plastic but create viable options for green supply chain and circular economy solutions in India. We are on a mission to be a brand that truly accounts the interest of people and planet. Recycling is not just an environmentally responsible choice; it is a powerful tool to mitigate the effects of climate change. The recycling expertise we have harnessed from three decades in the industry enabled us to push the boundaries of what is possible in PET recycling in India. We are grateful for the partnership with Sorema for washing and decontamination that has helped us launch new sustainable food grade packaging solutions at scale”, said Prashant Khandelwal, vice president at Ganesha Ecosphere.

"Sorema is pleased to have Ganesha as a valued customer and appreciates the significant contribution of the Ganesha team in operating our recycling systems and their commitment to sustainability in India. We acknowledge the progress and goals that Ganesha aims to achieve in the coming years in India. Among Sorema's operational objectives in India is the strengthening of our presence in this market through local production of some components of our manufacturing process", commented Flavio Previero, president at Previero-Sorema.

Ganesha Ecopet, part of the Ganesha Group founded in 1994, is a thought leader and the largest player in post-consumer PET waste recycling in India with a total installed capacity of 150,000 Mtpy, giving new life to almost 9.4 billion bottles each year and saving 18% of India’s PET waste going into landfills. Additionally, it holds the national record as the largest producer of recycled PET fibers and yarns (rPET), exporting certified products to more than 30 countries worldwide. Ganesha Ecopet is a pioneer in bottle-to-bottle recycling through its new brand "Go Rewise" for the creation of sustainable and circular solutions. Ganesha Ecopet offers sustainable packaging and textile solutions with highest quality, FDA & EFSA approved. 

Born in 1974 in Como, Sorema is a division of Previero with competences ranging from material analysis to process optimization and tailor-made plant and site design, utilizing advanced tools such as 3D scanners. The comprehensive service includes design, production, commissioning, post-sales assistance, and long-term customer support. Since 2023, Sorema operates in partnership with Ambienta SGR, tackling future challenges with increased opportunities. Sorema recycling systems transform post-consumer PET bottles (both selective and deposit systems) into high-quality recycled flakes (rPET). In the sector of post-consumer, post-industrial or agricultural PE/PP film, they enable the recycling of fluff, turning it into high-quality granules suitable for reuse in extrusion lines for cast, stretch, blown films, and other upcycling applications. The company’s offer is rounded off by recycling systems for post-consumer HDPE/PP containers into high-quality recycled flakes for applications such as bottles, sheets, and other extruded items, as well as innovative recycling systems for transforming post-consumer PET trays into high-quality recycled flakes suitable for use in thermoforming or fiber production. In the field of chemical recycling process, Sorema also develops de-inking systems for removing polymerized inks from plastic substrates.