Lowering Carbon Footprint: The Role of rPET in GHG Reduction

The climate crisis is no longer a distant concern—it is unfolding here and now. Rising global temperatures, floods, droughts, extreme heatwaves, and declining air quality are stark reminders of the urgent need to act. Every sector has a role to play in cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the packaging industry is no exception. One material offering a practical, measurable solution is recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET).

Why Reducing GHG Emissions Matters

Just as a small rise in body temperature can make a person unwell, even a modest increase in global temperatures can have catastrophic consequences for the planet. Decades of unchecked industrial activity have accelerated GHG emissions, pushing us closer to dangerous climate thresholds. Meaningful change demands collective action—industries, governments, and consumers must all commit to lowering emissions.

rPET: A Proven Path to Lower Emissions

Within the PET value chain lies a powerful opportunity to decouple growth from carbon intensity. By choosing recycled over virgin PET, manufacturers can deliver the same product performance with a fraction of the environmental cost.

Research also quantifies this advantage:

  • Producing 1 kg of virgin PET emits approx. 2.15 kg CO₂ equivalent
  • Producing 1 kg of rPET emits just 0.45 kg CO₂ equivalent

That’s a 60% reduction in GHG emissions—a compelling case for adopting rPET at scale. For businesses under growing pressure to cut their carbon footprint, rPET is not simply an option; it is a necessity.

rPET and the Circular Economy

Beyond its emissions benefits, rPET plays a pivotal role in advancing the circular economy. Instead of the traditional “take–make–dispose” model, the circular economy aims to keep resources in continuous use. rPET helps realise this vision by:

  • Reducing fossil fuel reliance – Every tonne of rPET used avoids the need for virgin plastic derived from petroleum.
  • Minimising waste – PET bottles and containers are diverted from landfills and oceans, reducing pollution.
  • Saving energy – Producing rPET requires significantly less energy than virgin PET, compounding the emissions benefit.

This closed-loop approach not only reduces environmental harm but also drives efficiency and long-term resilience for industries.

Unlocking rPET’s Full Potential

The outlook for rPET is promising, yet scaling its adoption requires overcoming several barriers:

  • Infrastructure expansion – Stronger systems for collecting, sorting, and processing PET waste are essential.
  • Design for recyclability – Packaging must be engineered to simplify recycling and maximise recovery rates.
  • Production capacity – Investment in advanced recycling technologies is critical to meet future demand.
  • Consumer engagement – Educating the public about recycling’s role ensures higher collection rates.
  • Market commitment – Brands and policymakers must sustain demand through clear targets, incentives, and accountability.

Addressing these challenges will be key to unlocking the full environmental and economic benefits of rPET.

Collaboration is the Key

No single stakeholder can drive this transition alone. Progress relies on collaboration across the value chain—from consumers and recyclers to manufacturers, brand owners, and regulators. Together, we can transform rPET from a niche material into the industry standard for sustainable packaging.

Conclusion

rPET represents one of the most effective, immediate solutions for reducing GHG emissions within the packaging sector. Its benefits extend beyond carbon savings, supporting a circular economy that conserves resources and reduces waste. By embracing rPET today, industries not only reduce their environmental footprint but also future-proof their businesses against tightening sustainability regulations and rising consumer expectations.

At Chemco, we are committed to helping businesses transition towards low-carbon, sustainable packaging solutions powered by rPET.

Contact Chemco to explore our rPET capabilities and discover tailored solutions that align with your sustainability goals.

Why Recyclable Plastics Offer Superior Sustainability Over Biodegradables

Sustainability has become a critical focus for both businesses and consumers, yet there remains widespread confusion between recyclable and biodegradable plastics. Many assume that biodegradable plastics are the more environmentally friendly option; however, recyclable plastics offer significantly greater long-term sustainability benefits and play a crucial role in fostering a circular economy.

The Case for Recyclable Plastics

Recyclable plastics are designed to be collected, processed, and repurposed into new products—dramatically reducing plastic waste and mitigating environmental harm. PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), the primary material used in Chemco’s PET preforms, is one of the most widely recycled polymers worldwide due to its excellent mechanical strength, clarity, and food-grade safety compliance. Its capacity to be efficiently reprocessed into high-performance rPET (Recycled PET) makes it an ideal solution for sustainable packaging in industries such as beverages, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food packaging.
Recycling plastics offers substantial environmental advantages. For example, producing rPET reduces carbon emissions by approximately 79% compared to producing virgin PET—an enormous benefit in efforts to combat climate change.
As regulatory frameworks evolve, the adoption of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content is becoming a standard. Global brands are increasingly incorporating rPET into their packaging lines to meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets and align with growing environmental expectations.

Clarifying the Misconceptions of Biodegradable Plastics

While “biodegradable” sounds inherently eco-friendly, the term is often misunderstood. Biodegradable plastics typically require industrial composting facilities with tightly controlled conditions—specific temperature, humidity, and microbial activity—to break down effectively. These conditions are rarely met in typical disposal scenarios.
If not correctly processed, biodegradable plastics may fail to decompose completely and instead fragment into microplastics, leading to persistent environmental pollution. This poses risks to soil, waterways, and marine life, and can contribute to long-term ecological damage.
Additionally, many biodegradable plastics are single-use and non-recyclable, meaning they cannot be integrated into existing recycling streams. This leads to contamination in recycling systems and undermines efforts to promote efficient mechanical recycling.

Recyclability: The Definitive Sustainable Solution

Recycling remains the most scalable, commercially viable, and environmentally responsible strategy for managing plastic waste. Unlike biodegradable alternatives, recyclable plastics such as PET can be reprocessed multiple times without compromising their structural integrity, ensuring superior lifecycle performance. Moreover, with only about 9% of global plastic waste currently being recycled, the potential for improvement through better recycling infrastructure and consumer participation is vast.
Governments and industry leaders are actively investing in advanced recycling technologies and infrastructure, reinforcing a global shift toward a closed-loop system that prioritizes material recovery and reuse. By enabling plastics to retain value through multiple life cycles, recyclable materials are key to reducing landfill reliance and decreasing carbon footprints.
The path to reducing plastic waste does not lie in the elimination of plastics, but in their responsible design, use, and reprocessing. By embracing recyclable plastics, industries can drive resource efficiency, carbon reduction, and packaging circularity—paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Are you seeking scalable, circular PET packaging solutions? Contact us today to discover how Chemco’s recyclable packaging can support your sustainability goals.
Explore our full product range at www.chemcogroup.com

In a Market Flooded with Fakes, Trust What’s Certified

The digital marketplace, while offering unparalleled convenience, has also become a breeding ground for counterfeit products. Recent large-scale raids on major online retailers such as Amazon and Flipkart have revealed the severity of this issue. As reported by The Times of India, authorities seized vast quantities of goods—from water heaters and food mixers to sportswear—bearing fake or missing ISI marks. In Delhi alone, the value of these suspect items reached a staggering ₹7 million, with another ₹3.6 million worth uncovered in Tamil Nadu.

These raids serve as a powerful reminder of the risks consumers face when purchasing products online. The ISI mark, issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is a vital indicator of product quality and safety in India. It confirms that a product has undergone rigorous testing and complies with strict standards. The widespread use of counterfeit ISI marks not only misleads consumers but also poses significant safety hazards. Imagine using an electrical appliance that hasn’t met safety standards or relying on subpar sports equipment that could fail under pressure—the consequences could be severe.

The BIS mandates compulsory certification for a wide range of products—currently 769 items—to mitigate such risks. Selling, distributing, or even storing products without a valid BIS licence or Certificate of Conformity is a punishable offence, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities address this issue. The recent crackdowns reaffirm their commitment to protecting consumers from fraudulent and potentially dangerous products in the market.

In an environment where authenticity and product safety are under scrutiny, Chemco Baby Care stands out as a symbol of trust and reliability. We understand that for parents, nothing matters more than their child’s safety. That’s why we are incredibly proud to share that Chemco Group is the only company in India to be awarded BIS 3565 certification for silicone rubber teats, BIS 14625 certification for plastic feeding bottles and BIS 5168 certification for glass feeding bottles.

This milestone is especially significant in light of the recent revelations surrounding counterfeit certifications. While some products on the market may lack the assurance of genuine quality, Chemco’s BIS certifications offer irrefutable proof that our feeding bottles, teats, and glass bottles meet the highest safety and quality standards set by the Indian government.

What does this mean for you, as a parent?

  • Guaranteed Quality – Our products undergo comprehensive testing and conform to the rigorous parameters outlined by BIS.
  • Uncompromised Safety – We use safe, non-toxic materials and manufacturing processes that prioritise your baby’s health and well-being.
  • Peace of Mind – In a market plagued by fake certifications, Chemco provides the assurance of authenticity and excellence.

The issue of counterfeit ISI marks is a timely reminder for consumers to make informed decisions and choose products that are backed by verified, official certifications. Chemco Baby Care’s achievement of having BIS 14625, BIS 3565, and BIS 5168 certifications highlights our unwavering dedication to quality and child safety. When it comes to your baby, only the best—and the truly certified—will do.

Choose Chemco Baby Care—where safety isn’t just promised, it’s proven. Visit our Baby Care Page to see our products.

India’s Creative Economy Takes Centre Stage at WAVES Summit 2025

The recently concluded WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai marked a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global creative powerhouse. Held from 1st to 4th May, the summit brought together leaders from media, entertainment, gaming, advertising, music, fashion, and technology to reimagine India’s creative exports on the world stage.

“Create in India, Create for the World” – India’s Global Creative Pitch
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the summit highlighted the growing value of the orange economy—India’s creative, cultural, and content-driven industries. His message was clear: India must not only produce for itself but also create content and experiences for global consumption.

This vision recognises India’s immense potential in design, storytelling, and innovation, aiming to make the country a major contributor to global intellectual and creative capital.

Key Highlights Shaping the Future of India’s Creative Sector

1. WAVES Bazaar – India’s First Global Marketplace for Creators
A key initiative launched at the summit, WAVES Bazaar is an online global marketplace where Indian creators can showcase and monetise their work across categories such as film, animation, gaming, music, and fashion. It is set to become a vital platform for cross-border collaborations between Indian talent and international investors, studios, and agencies.

2. WAVES Awards – Celebrating Creative Excellence
The newly introduced WAVES Awards honour exceptional work across a range of creative industries:

Game of the Year

Film of the Year

Advertising Campaign of the Year

Awards for Tech Innovation and Cultural Impact

This initiative underscores India’s increasing global competitiveness in digital storytelling and design-led thinking.

3. ‘Create in India’ Challenges – Spotlight on Emerging Talent
Three talent-focused initiatives were launched to engage both domestic and international audiences:

Wah Ustad – Discovering India’s next generation of classical vocalists

Make the World Wear Khadi – A global campaign design competition to rebrand Khadi as a contemporary, sustainable fabric

Resonate: The EDM Challenge – A global hunt for the next wave of electronic music producers

These campaigns are a fusion of tradition and technology, showcasing how India’s cultural roots can resonate globally.

4. £40 Million Creative Tech Institute to Open in Mumbai
The government announced the creation of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), backed by a ₹400 crore (approx. £40 million) investment. The institute will focus on training, research and innovation in emerging fields like animation, game design, VFX, AR/VR, and AI-led content creation.

The Takeaway: India’s Creative Economy is Ready to Scale

From digital-first storytelling to immersive design and sustainable fashion, the WAVES Summit 2025 showcased how India is ready to lead in sectors where creativity meets commerce. The event established a clear pathway for India’s creative industries to thrive globally—powered by technology, cultural relevance, and institutional support.

Chemco Group’s Perspective

While the spotlight was on creative talent, the success of these industries also depends on robust, innovative infrastructure—including product packaging, logistics, and sustainable material design. At Chemco Group, we see events like WAVES 2025 as opportunities to collaborate, support, and enable this next phase of India’s global growth story.

To learn more about Chemco’s sustainable manufacturing and packaging solutions, visit www.chemcogroup.com.

To learn more about Chemco’s sustainable manufacturing and packaging solutions, visit www.chemcogroup.com

India Says Yes to Food-Grade rPET: A Milestone for Sustainable Packaging

India has taken a significant step towards circular economy goals with the formalisation of food-grade rPET (recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate) regulations by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This development marks a major milestone for the packaging industry, setting clear standards for safety, quality, and compliance in the use of recycled plastics for food contact materials.

What Does It Mean?

FSSAI now permits the use of rPET in food packaging—provided it meets stringent decontamination and safety benchmarks. The move paves the way for the responsible use of post-consumer PET bottles to manufacture new food-grade containers, reducing dependency on virgin plastic. The guideline applies exclusively to recycling processes that transform post-consumer food-grade PET into FCM-rPET (Food Contact Material-rPET). This approach guarantees that materials reintroduced into the food supply chain meet strict safety and performance standards.

The Approved Recycling Processes

Only advanced recycling technologies with validated decontamination steps—such as super-clean mechanical recycling, melt-in, paste-in, and chemical recycling—are approved for converting post-consumer PET into food-contact safe rPET. Traditional mechanical recycling, without decontamination, is not permitted for such applications.

Testing and Validation Requirements

To ensure safety, the recycled resin must pass several critical tests:

  • Challenge Test
  • Migration Test
  • Extraction Test

These tests must be carried out by NABL or ILAC-accredited laboratories and comply with standards such as IS 12252, IS 9845, and IS 9833.

Operational and Quality Standards

Recycling operations must follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), including the implementation of quality assurance programmes, clearly defined critical quality parameters, and full product traceability. Input materials must meet a minimum quality standard, and the final product should be monitored continuously to ensure consistency over time.

Why It Matters

With Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks becoming more stringent, these guidelines offer clarity and assurance for recyclers, converters, and brand owners alike. This is a vital enabler for boosting rPET adoption in food and beverage sectors while maintaining safety, quality, and trust.