Q. Please tell us about your current role. What are your key focus areas and responsibilities?
A. As Managing Director of Allied Solutions (I) Pvt. Ltd., I oversee our strategic vision within the plastic processing industry while fostering key business partnerships across Indian and neighboring markets. I'm also a partner in Genesis Nutech LLP and serve as President of SPE India. My responsibilities include chairing the Publication Committee for Plastindia Foundation and as Editor of Insights Magazine. My technical focus centers on advancing plastic recycling technologies, particularly in PET recycling, PCR supply chain development, and sustainable processing methods. I actively work to bridge industry knowledge gaps through conferences and workshops while promoting innovation in plastic pipes and recycling systems.

Q. In your opinion, what do you consider to be the greatest development in the plastics recycling industry in recent years?
A. The integration of advanced sorting technologies with artificial intelligence has revolutionised plastics recycling. These systems can now identify and separate multiple polymer types with unprecedented accuracy, significantly improving recycled material quality. Equally important is the development of chemical recycling processes that complement mechanical recycling, allowing us to process previously unrecyclable plastics into virgin-quality materials. The industry's shift toward circular economy principles has also driven brand owners to incorporate recycled content commitments into their sustainability goals. This market pull, combined with technological innovation, has created economic viability for recycling operations that previously struggled to compete with virgin materials.

Q. What special opportunities and challenges do you see in the Indian plastics recycling market compared to other regions?
A. India presents unique opportunities through its established informal recycling sector, which already recovers significant material volumes. Formalising and upgrading these operations could rapidly scale our recycling infrastructure. Our growing manufacturing base also creates domestic demand for recycled materials. However, we face challenges including inconsistent waste segregation, limited extended producer responsibility implementation, and fragmented collection systems. Unlike Europe or North America, our recycling infrastructure requires development alongside basic waste management systems. The diversity of regional regulations across states creates compliance complexities. Nevertheless, India's entrepreneurial spirit and engineering talent position us to develop innovative, locally-appropriate recycling solutions that could eventually become models for other developing economies.

Q. How is the Indian government's policy and regulatory framework impacting the plastics recycling industry?
A. The Plastic Waste Management Rules and subsequent amendments have created a foundational framework for our industry, particularly through extended producer responsibility (EPR) mandates. These regulations have stimulated investment in recycling infrastructure and formalised previously informal operations. The ban on single-use plastics has accelerated innovation in alternatives and recycling systems. However, implementation varies significantly across states, creating regulatory uncertainty. The government's focus on "Swachh Bharat" (Clean India) has improved waste collection, but we need more consistent policies regarding recycled content requirements, tax incentives for recycling technologies, and standardised quality parameters for recycled materials. The recent emphasis on circular economy principles in policy discussions signals positive momentum toward more comprehensive support.

Q. How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?
A. The plastics recycling sector in India will undergo significant consolidation as EPR implementation matures, with larger, more technologically advanced facilities replacing smaller operations. We'll see increased vertical integration as brand owners secure recycled material supply chains through direct investment or partnerships. Chemical recycling will complement mechanical processes, particularly for difficult-to-recycle plastics. Digital technologies will enable material traceability throughout the value chain, addressing quality and transparency concerns. The sector will professionalise with standardised practices and certification systems. India has the potential to become a global recycling hub, leveraging our engineering expertise and lower operating costs. However, this transformation requires continued policy support and significant capital investment in advanced processing technologies.

Q. You will be speaking at the Recycling and Compounding Expo in India. Could you give us a preview of what you will be talking about?
A. My presentation will explore how industry associations like SPE and Plastindia Foundation can accelerate plastics recycling advancement through collaborative approaches. I'll discuss creating knowledge-sharing platforms that bridge gaps between recyclers, brand owners, and technology providers. Industry associations are uniquely positioned to develop standardised testing protocols and quality parameters for recycled materials, addressing market confidence issues. Additionally, I'll outline how associations can effectively advocate for consistent policy frameworks while simultaneously promoting self-regulation through industry-wide commitments. Finally, I'll propose a roadmap for developing specialised training programs to address the sector's growing technical workforce needs.