Tetra Pak pioneers recycled polymer packaging in India

Tetra Pak has become the first food and beverage packaging company in India to introduce cartons with 5% certified recycled polymers, aligning with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022, effective April 2025.

Tetra Pak has introduced packaging materials with certified recycled polymers in India, becoming the first company in the country’s food and beverage packaging sector to do so. The new packaging, which includes 5% certified recycled polymers, aligns with the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change’s Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2022, set to take effect on April 1, 2025. These rules aim to reduce plastic waste and encourage the use of recycled materials in packaging.

The Swedish multinational confirmed that its packaging is certified by ISCC PLUS (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), a globally recognized system that ensures high standards of environmental responsibility. “We are proud to be the first carton packaging producer to bring packaging material with 5% certified recycled polymers to India. This recycled content is sourced locally, and the packaging material is produced at our ISCC PLUS-certified factory in Chakan, Pune,” said Cassio Simões, Managing Director of Tetra Pak South Asia.

Simões also praised the Indian government for its proactive approach, describing it as an opportunity for the food and beverage industry to collaborate in advancing circular solutions. The recycled polymers in Tetra Pak’s packaging are produced using chemical recycling technology, which enables the use of both recycled and non-recycled materials. This process ensures the traceability of recycled content across the supply chain, meeting global food contact regulations. The chemically recycled plastics match the quality of virgin polymers, making them safe for food and beverage packaging.

Tetra Pak’s move supports global efforts to boost recycling rates and strengthen the market for recycled materials, encouraging the growth of recycling infrastructure. “The transition to mainstream adoption of materials like plant-based and recycled polymers is still a work in progress. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that all our packaging is made from renewable or recycled polymers, eliminating reliance on fossil feedstock,” Simões added.