Mumbai, November, 2024: Two of the top event organizers in the world, Media Fusion and Crain Communications, are pleased to announce the co-location of the premiere of two important events: the Plastics Recycling Show India (PRSI) and the UTECH India Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam Expo (UTECH ISPUF). These innovative events, which are scheduled to take place at Hall 4 of the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai from December 4–6, 2024, are intended to establish a new standard for sustainability in the recycling of plastics, foam, and polyurethane.
Several notable industry professionals attended the press conference today at the Jio Convention Center, including Mr. Aniruddha Nakhawa from the Builders Association of India, Mr. Virendra Kumar from Duroflex Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Saurabh Goenka from Pashupati Group, Mr. Nitin Sharma from Sri Ramraghav Ecomills Private Limited, Mr. Gururaj Chawan from Dodhia Group, Mr. Hrudayesh Patel from P.H.Patel Industrial Mfrs (Polymetrix), Mr. Pratik Dalmia from Dalmia Polypro, Mr. Jayant Khadilkar from Jay Elastomers Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Shailendra Singh from the Association of PET Recyclers Bharat, Mr. Santosh Patil from India SI Group, and Mr. Gaurav Vithalani from Speb Adhesive. These professionals contributed their informed opinions, opening the door for a thought-provoking and powerful performance.
The largest platform in the world devoted to PU and foam solutions will be brought to India by the UTECH ISPUF Expo, which will highlight environmentally friendly innovations like bio-polyols, cutting-edge foam technology, and inventive recycling equipment. The event’s emphasis on sustainability fits in well with India’s growing need for environmentally friendly products, which is expected to drive the industry’s value to USD 5.18 billion (about INR 43,000 crores) by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.0%. Additionally, Sleep Expo, the premier mattress event in the Middle East, will be featured at the show as a pavilion with an emphasis on mattress recycling technology, including yarn, textiles, machines, and much more. As the Mattress & Cushioning Partner, Duroflex Pvt. Ltd. is sponsoring the event.
In the meantime, the internationally recognized Plastics Recycling Show brand will make its Indian debut during PRSI 2024. The event intends to provide stakeholders with vital insights into circular economy practices, cutting-edge waste management technologies, and sustainable solutions crucial for the industry’s future, given that the Indian plastics recycling market is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.86% from 9.9 million tons in 2023 to 23.7 million tons by 2032. Ribotl, Srichakra Polyplast, Pashupati Group, and SI Group are supporting the event.
Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion, said “Bringing UTECH and PRS shows together on a single platform highlights our commitment to supporting India’s sustainability objectives. The market’s growth trajectory is fueled by technological advancements, innovation, and the rising demand for energy-efficient solutions across multiple sectors. As the industry increasingly prioritizes environmental sustainability, these events will serve as a global stage to
showcase groundbreaking innovations and foster collaborations that drive the industry towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.”
Alongside the show, there will be a three-day conference with industry professionals talking about market trends, technology developments, and sustainable growth. With 150 major exhibitors and over 10,000 attendees, the event will feature well-known companies exhibiting their most recent sustainable solutions, including Chemie Products Private Limited, AS Enterprises, Duroflex Pvt. Ltd., Speb Adhesives, Jay Elastomers Pvt. Ltd., Meenakshi Polymers Pvt. Ltd., Dalmia Polypro, Dodhia Plastics, Plastics for Change, Leevams Inc., Starlinger & Co GmbH, and NEPRA Resource Management.
Mr. Matthew Barber, Global Events Director, Crain Communications said, “We are elated to bring our globally renowned UTECH and Plastics Recycling Show brands to India, a market poised for transformative growth. This joint initiative reflects our vision of creating influential platforms that drive positive changes in the polyurethane, foam, and plastics recycling sectors. By co-locating these events, we aim to unlock synergies among stakeholders and tap into India’s vast potential. The country’s rapidly expanding automotive, construction, and consumer durables markets are drawing significant international interest, fostering global partnerships and collaborations that will further accelerate the industry’s growth.”
Industry groups like the Architects, Engineers, and Surveyors Association, the Packaging Industry Association of India, the Indian Plastics Institute, the Builders Association of India, and the Association of PET Recyclers Bharat have all strongly supported the events.
Mr. Shailendra Singh, Founder & CEO, Sustainmantra, said: Sustainability / Circularity is the singular stand-out global megatrend & as part of this trend, Waste Management is one of the largest emerging business opportunities in India, with a market size estimated at approx., Rs 1 Lakh crores. Growing consumer awareness: increased and tighter regulations, especially for plastic packaging waste, has brought the issue of plastic packaging pollution, squarely in the
spotlight globally, whilst also highlighting the challenges in this field, particularly related to collection, sorting and recycling of plastic packaging. Plastic Waste management Regulations have provided a fiscal incentive to recyclers, however, more needs to be done in terms of subsidies for this sector, to enable cutting-edge technology and machinery to be deployed. Over the past 4-5 years several start-ups have emerged as well as incentivised established organisations to consider recycling as a business opportunity, as well as attracting some capital from impact investors. This is just the beginning and as this sector develops more capital will be needed and will be invested.
Mr. Deepak V. Mehta, Founder & Managing Partner, Leevams, said “The Indian plastics recycling industry stands at a transformative juncture, driven by evolving regulations like the updated Plastic Waste Management (PWM) rules and EPR notifications. These changes have sparked significant advancements, particularly in the PET bottle recycling segment, where we anticipate 15-20 new plants to be operational by 2025 to meet the mandated 30% recycled PET (rPET) content in products. This will align supply with the surging demand, ensuring a steady annual increase in recycled content. However, challenges in polyolefin recycling persist, mainly due to the scarcity of quality feedstock and the complexities of waste segregation, particularly with multilayer packaging (MLP). The establishment of robust Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) across India will be crucial to address these issues. Despite these challenges, the industry is currently growing at an estimated 15% and is set to accelerate post-2025, driven by increased participation from both domestic and international stakeholders. As dedicated exhibitions and conferences emerge, it’s clear that we are merely at the tip of the iceberg — the future of recycling in India is poised for exponential growth, creating immense opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
With regard to the foam and PU industry, Mr. Anuraag Purie, AS Enterprises, said “The Indian foam and polyurethane industry is witnessing a robust growth trajectory, with projections indicating a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching an estimated market size of USD 6.76 billion by 2032 up from USD 3.74 billion in 2023. This expansion is largely driven by increasing demand across sectors like automotive, construction, and consumer goods. In particular, the rising adoption of flexible polyurethane foam for applications such as bedding, furniture, and automotive seating underscores the industry’s focus on comfort, durability, and versatility. Additionally, government initiatives like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the reduction in Basic Customs Duty from 7.5% to 5% on raw materials such as methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) are enhancing the industry’s growth potential by lowering input costs and encouraging higher production outputs. Sustainability remains at the forefront, with a strong push towards using eco-friendly materials and adopting energy-efficient manufacturing processes. This growing interest, coupled with supportive policies, positions the industry for substantial advancements in the years to come.”
Mr. Aniruddha Nakhawa, the Builders Association of India, said “The market is expected to reach a value of USD 7.9 billion, with a growth rate of 3.6%. The polyurethane foam market is also on a growth trajectory, projected to reach USD 6.7 billion, with an estimated growth rate of 6.3%. Key drivers include urbanization, rising demand for foam-based furniture, building, and automotive industries, as well as government energy efficiency regulations. The Builders’Association of India plays a key role in advocating for high industry standards, collaboration, and the adoption of quality polyurethane foam products for various applications in the
construction sector.
Mr. Pratik Dalmia, Dalmia Polypro, said “India has a long history of informal recycling, but in recent years, the focus has shifted towards sustainability and the circular economy. The recycling industry is growing, especially in the context of post-consumer plastic waste, where efforts are focused on transforming materials like PET bottles into high-quality applications.
Currently, around 1.5 to 1.8 million tons of virgin plastic is used for rigid packaging annually, and 25-30% of it is intended to be recycled. As the industry evolves, MSMEs are making substantial investments in infrastructure to keep pace with India’s rising consumption and waste generation. This growth in recycling capacity is essential to meet the increasing demand for sustainable materials. India is well-positioned on the global map, with a strong commitment to recycling. By April, the country will begin using 30% recycled content in packaging, a noteworthy milestone in advancing sustainability efforts.
Mr. V.S. Shankar, Duroflex, said, India has a 60-year-old company, Duroflex has established itself as India’s second-largest manufacturer and seller of polyurethane foam, with a Pan-India network of 250+ distributors, 5,000+ retailers, and 6,000+ carpenters. Despite industry challenges, including price fluctuations of raw materials like TDA and polyol, dependence on imports, and competition from unorganized sector players, we remain committed to delivering innovative
comfort solutions. With the Indian economy booming, the demand for polyurethane foam is growing at a CAGR of 6-8%, and we’re poised to leverage our expertise to meet this rising demand, investing in R&D and sustainability to ensure a brighter future for our customers, partners, and the community.
