The world of plastic recycling has witnessed an outstanding alliance between two major players in the recycling industry: Ganesha Ecopet, a division of the largest Indian PET recycler - Ganesha Group, and Sorema, the division of Previero specialised in the construction of plastic recycling plants.
Ganesha Ecopet Co: India's forerunner for sustainability
Ganesha Ecopet, part of the Ganesha Group established 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 MT per annum, giving new life to nearly 9.4 billion bottles every year and diverting 18% of India's PET waste from landfills. It also holds the national record as the largest producer of recycled PET fibre and yarn (rPET), exporting certified products to more than 30 countries worldwide.
With over 30 years of presence, Ganesha Group has become a leader in the recycling industry. Ganesha Ecopet is now pioneering bottle-to-bottle recycling through its new brand "Go Rewise" and is set to revolutionise the use of recycled plastics in packaging solutions, creating sustainable, circular solutions. Ganesha Ecopet offers sustainable packaging and textile solutions with the highest quality, FDA & EFSA approved, premium recycled PET resins for the FMCG and textile industries.
Sorema: Italian excellence in recycling technology
Founded in 1974 in Como, Sorema is the result of a partnership with Previero, founded in 1922, and is now a division of Previero. Sorema's global vision in the production process of recycling plants ranges from material analysis to process optimisation and tailor-made plant and site design, using advanced tools such as 3D scanners. The comprehensive service includes design, production, commissioning, post-sales assistance and long-term customer support. Since 2023, Sorema has been working in partnership with Ambienta SGR to meet future challenges with increased opportunities.
Sorema recycling systems convert post-consumer PET bottles (both selective and deposit systems) into high quality recycled flakes (rPET). In the area of post-consumer, post-industrial or agricultural PE/PP film, they enable the recycling of flakes, turning them into high quality pellets suitable for reuse on extrusion lines for cast, stretch, blown film and other upcycling applications.
The range is completed by recycling systems for post-consumer HDPE/PP containers to produce high quality recycled flakes for common applications such as bottles, sheets and other extruded products. In addition, Sorema introduces innovative recycling systems for converting post-consumer PET trays into high quality recycled flakes suitable for use in thermoforming or fibre production.
In the field of chemical recycling processes, Sorema also develops de-inking systems to remove polymerised inks from the plastic substrate, thus enabling the recycling and reuse of printed packaging in the original production process.
Excellent example of collaboration
In 2022, Ganesha Ecopet entrusted Sorema's extensive experience with the realisation of a PET bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in India. 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 innovative process involves the 100% use of locally collected PET plastic bottles, a Sorema washing system, followed by an extrusion and solidification section of Starlinger.
The outstanding quality of the finished product has won the approval of industry giants such as Coke & PepsiCo and others who use the RPET pellets produced to manufacture 100% rPET bottles.
This collaboration represents a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and is an exemplary model of how technological innovation can lead the plastics recycling industry towards a greener and more responsible future. Ganesha Ecopet and Sorema are redefining standards and demonstrating that sustainability can go hand in hand with operational excellence.
Mr Prashant Khandelwal, Sr. Vice President at Ganesha Ecosphere, stated:
Our aim is not just to recycle plastic, but to create viable options for green supply chain and circular economy solutions in India. We are on a mission to be a brand that truly takes into account the interests of people and planet. Recycling is not only an environmentally responsible choice, it is also a powerful tool to mitigate the effects of climate change. The recycling expertise we have gained from 3 decades in the industry has enabled us to push the boundaries of what is possible in PET recycling in India. We are grateful for Sorema's partnership in washing and decontamination, which has helped us bring new sustainable food-grade packaging solutions to market on a large scale.
Mr. Flavio Previero, President at Sorema Previero, said:
Sorema is pleased to have Ganesha as a valued customer and appreciates the significant contribution of the Ganesha team in the operation of our recycling systems and their commitment to sustainability in India. We acknowledge the progress and goals that Ganesha has set for itself in India over the coming years. One of Sorema's operational objectives in India is to strengthen our presence in this market through local production of some components of our manufacturing process.
