PPRDC Launches ‘Plastics Recycling’, A Comprehensive Guide To Circular Economy And Sustainable Packaging

Delhi-NCR, June 17, 2026: The Packaging and Printing Research and Development Centre (PPRDC) announced the launch of ‘Plastics Recycling’, a comprehensive book authored by Jeevaraj Pillai, an industry veteran with more than three decades of experience in packaging innovation, sustainability, recycling technologies, and circular economy practices.

Designed as a practical and research-based guide, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of polymer-based packaging recycling and its role in the circular economy. It provides readers with a comprehensive view of the entire plastics recycling value chain, covering polymer degradation and processing, collection and sorting systems, mechanical and advanced recycling technologies, contamination management, decontamination strategies, material-specific recycling pathways, regulatory compliance, and emerging innovations shaping the future of plastics circularity.

The publication also explores design for recyclability, digital product passports, traceability systems, and sustainability standards, while examining recycling approaches for mono-material and multi-material packaging formats. A distinctive feature of the book is the inclusion of QR code-enabled process demonstrations that provide readers with visual insights into key recycling pathways and technologies.

As sustainability and resource efficiency gain increasing importance across industries, the book serves as a valuable resource for professionals, researchers, students, policymakers, packaging experts, and others working to advance circular economy practices.

Commenting on the publication, Mr. Jeevaraj Pillai said, "The transition towards a circular economy requires a deeper understanding of recycling technologies, material science, policy frameworks, and sustainable design principles. Through this book, I have attempted to bridge the gap between theory and industrial practice by providing a structured and practical perspective on plastics recycling. I hope it serves as a useful knowledge resource for industry professionals, researchers, students, and all stakeholders committed to creating a more sustainable future."

A recognised sustainability and packaging expert, Jeevaraj Pillai serves as President – Flexible Packaging & New Product Development and Chief Sustainability Officer at UFlex. He has been at the forefront of advancing recyclable packaging solutions, circular economy practices, and sustainable manufacturing. His work spans material innovation, recycling technologies, and industry collaboration to promote responsible resource management and environmental stewardship.

Through this publication, PPRDC aims to strengthen knowledge sharing and encourage informed discussions around plastics recycling, sustainable material management, and circular economy practices among industry, academia, and policymakers.

The book is now available for purchase on leading online platforms such as Amazon, NIPA Books, and Meripustak, among others, as well as through academic distribution channels.

About the Author

Jeevaraj Pillai, a mechanical engineer with an MBA, brings over three decades of distinguished leadership experience to the flexible packaging industry. He serves as the Whole-Time Director, President – Flexible Packaging and New Product Development, and Chief Sustainability Officer at UFlex Limited. As a sustainability leader, he has spent significant time advancing circularity within UFlex, most notably by pioneering multi-layer plastic recycling, driving the development of biodegradable packaging designed to degrade under ambient conditions, and institutionalising energy-curbing technologies that significantly reduce process-level carbon emissions. He has played a crucial role in UFlex’s proprietary recycling processes and machinery, including Relam 250. He has also championed academia-industry collaboration through initiatives such as the creation of the Ideation Zone at the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), Delhi. His advocacy for AI-enabled process optimisation and AI-powered sorting further reflects his emphasis on the future of sustainable manufacturing. He has authored and presented technical papers on sustainable plastic packaging, e-beam processing, anti-counterfeiting solutions, and antimicrobial films. A respected leader in circular economy transitions, Mr. Pillai leads UFlex’s ESG strategy and global sustainability outreach, contributing to enhanced recycling capacity across India, Mexico, and other global regions. He is a member of key technical and sectional committees of BIS and ISO and an active participant in the CII-Plastic Pact’s core group on sustainability, along with contributing to other sector-specific initiatives that help shape standards and policy frameworks in this space. His work continues to steer the packaging sector toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and technologically progressive future.

About Plastics Packaging Research & Development Centre (PPRDC)

Established in 2021, the Plastics Packaging Research & Development Centre (PPRDC) is a registered, non-profit technical centre constituted as a trust to address the challenges of plastic waste management.

PPRDC drives research and develops technologies for the biodegradation of plastics and the recycling of plastic waste, with a focus on practical, scalable, and industry-aligned solutions.

The centre’s mission is guided by an expert advisory panel comprising technologists and academicians. It collaborates with leading institutions such as the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, and the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) as knowledge partners, while working closely with industry bodies including the Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment (ICPE) and the India Plastics Pact (IPP) for technical direction and ecosystem-level support.

PPRDC has published research on PET, PP, PE, multi-layer plastics (MLP), and aseptic packaging recycling and contributes to sector dialogue by disseminating insights across industry platforms, policy forums, and academic exchanges. It is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact Network India; the centre aligns its work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), advancing evidence-based approaches to sustainable production, responsible consumption, and plastics circularity.