Q. Please tell us about your current role. What are your key focus areas and responsibilities?
A. As Business Manager of BUSS ChemTech’s Chemical Recycling technology, I am responsible for the coordination of the company’s sales & marketing activities, technology development, as well as key client and strategic supplier relationships. My focus is on creating an offering that is considered to be the industry leader among chemical recycling technologies.

Q. In your opinion, what do you consider to be the greatest development in the plastics recycling industry in recent years?
A. The interest in “advanced” recycling methods has been enormous, and the acceptance of these technologies as a necessary addition to traditional mechanical recycling has reached a critical mass. This has resulted in widespread investment across a number of promising technologies. These and new investments are key to ensuring rapid growth of recycling capacity to meet regulatory and societal sustainability goals.

Q. What special opportunities and challenges do you see in the Indian plastics recycling market compared to other regions?
A. The size of India’s informal economy is a source of great strength as well as a great challenge. On the one hand, the country does not need to wait for a time and capital-intensive development of waste collection and sorting infrastructure as exists in other countries or regions. Current capacity should be fairly straightforward to scale up as the relevant regulations come into effect and demand for recycled content develops. On the other hand, the infomal market makes it hard to implement consistent rules and standards across the industry.

Q. How is the Indian government's policy and regulatory framework impacting the plastics recycling industry?
A. The Plastic Waste Management Rules that were passed in 2016 and amended several times since, provide a solid framework to combat plastic pollution. The regulation and its amendments include EPR policy, phased bans of single use plastic, mandatory segregation of waste at the source, labeling requirements, as well as promotion of reduction, reuse and recycling efforts. While a good start, better enforcement of the regulations, the development of clear guidelines for stakeholders, and better coordination between stakeholders and the “local urban bodies” are necessary.

Q. How do you see the sector developing in the next five to ten years?
A. I expect the rapid expansion of numerous initiatives already active (funded by governmental, NGO and private sector sources) as well as new ones to come online. In addition, I expect the investment in machinery – for both traditional mechanical and “advanced” recycling methods – to begin in earnest.

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. I’ll discuss how advanced recycling methods are necessary, complimentary technologies, rather than competitive alternatives to mechanical recycling. In addition, I will discuss what feedstocks are appropriate for which method, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each. Lastly, I will review the current gaps in achieving plastic circularity and possible solutions.