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UFlex becomes first Indian MNC to secure USFDA approval for recycled PE in food packaging
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Saturday, 15 March, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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UFlex Ltd., India’s largest multinational flexible packaging solutions company, has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian company to receive USFDA approval for its recycling process. This certification allows UFlex to use recycled polyethylene (rPE) in food packaging, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and setting a new benchmark in global packaging innovation.
The company’s super-clean recycling process, which de-inks post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials by over 95%, meets international standards and supports the transition towards a circular economy. This approval not only enhances UFlex’s sustainability efforts but also enables global brands to meet their environmental goals by incorporating high-quality recycled content into their packaging.
To bolster its recycling capabilities, UFlex has announced a ?317 crore (USD 38 million) investment in cutting-edge recycling technologies. As part of this initiative, two new recycling plants will be set up at its Noida facility, with a combined annual capacity of 39,600 metric tons of plastic waste processing. This move will significantly increase the production of rPET and rPE materials for food packaging, aligning with India’s sustainability vision and evolving regulations.
Commenting on this achievement, Jeevaraj Gopal Pillai, whole time director – Sustainability, UFlex Ltd, said, “This milestone reflects our long-standing commitment to sustainable packaging and the Government of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. Our expanded recycling operations will enable brands to meet their EPR commitments while positioning India as a leader in global sustainable innovation.”
He further highlighted UFlex’s pioneering role in recycling, "Decades ago, when recycling was still an emerging concept, we invested in technology to recycle multi-layered plastic waste, which was once deemed impossible. Today, we are proud to be the first Indian company with USFDA approval for food-contact recycling, and we are now pursuing certification for polypropylene (PP) as well. This will make UFlex the only flexible packaging company with the capacity to recycle PET, PE, and PP for food-grade applications."
While India currently lacks specific guidelines for rPE usage in food packaging, UFlex is actively working with FSSAI and BIS to establish safe and sustainable standards. These efforts will help the industry transition toward high-quality recycled content in compliance with India’s EPR regulations.
With recycling plants in India, Poland, Egypt, and Mexico, UFlex remains at the forefront of sustainable flexible packaging solutions, processing post-consumer multi-layered plastic (MLP), multi-layer aseptic packaging (MLAP), and PET waste.
By transforming post-consumer waste into food-safe recycled materials, UFlex is driving innovation, reducing plastic pollution, and reinforcing India’s leadership in global sustainability efforts.
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