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Why Flexibles Matter

PCR in Flexible Packaging Needs Collaboration and Systems Change

India recovers ~70% of plastics today, yet flexible packaging remains the least recycled stream. Why? Lightweight formats, contamination, and complex multilayer structures make collection and recycling challenging.

But with EPR regulations mandating 20% recycled content by 2027, the industry has no time to wait. The opportunity isn’t just compliance—it’s building India’s leadership in sustainable packaging. At Banyan we have always been the pioneers in this mission.

70%

India’s Plastic Recovery Rate

20%

EPR Mandate By 2027

The Market Opportunity

The Challenges - Why Flexibles Lag Behind

Cross-resin contamination

Adhesives and inks that persist through recycling

Odor retention

Food/product residues

Informal sector economics

We Are Bringing High Quality, Scalable Innovations in Flexibles

12 Years of PCR Leadership

For 12 years, Banyan Nation has led India’s PCR transformation in rigid packaging:

✅ 2B+ bottles back on shelves

✅ 70+ global brands served

✅ 15,000 waste workers integrated into supply chain

Systematic Approach to Flexibles

Now, we’re applying the same systematic approach to flexibles.

✅ Supply chains built

✅ Regulation in place

✅ Quality proven

2025–26 | Foundation Building

Standards, supply chains, mono-material push.

2027–28 | Scale & Sophistication

Food-grade PCR LDPE, traceability, adoption

2029–30 Leadership

India as a global leader in flexible circularity

Gusseted Pouches

Pillow Pouches

Stand Up Pouches

Shrink Wrap

Over Wrap

Flow Wrap

Leading Change in Flexibles: A CEO’s Perspective

PCR is an acronym that can be used to refer to Post-Consumer Recycled plastic. And it is in fact plastic that has already been put to use as a consumer product- see the milk-pouches, grocery bags or packaging wrappings, that you use in your daily life. Instead of letting them go to waste in a landfill we divert them off the waste stream and recycle them into quality resin that can then be used again.

It is designed in the direction of maximum safety at minimal material. Flexibles will be produced that are so efficient: 

  • Keeps goods fresh: It creates a strong moisture resistant layer against water, air and light. 
  • Energy-saving: It is light thus it requires less energy to be produced and uses considerably less fuel to be transported as compared to heavy glass or metal. 
  • Multipurpose: It is adjustable to have zip-locks, spouts or even easy tear notches thereby making the process of the person using it easier.

It will be found in almost any industry because it is so versatile: 

  • Daily Essentials: Sachets of the shampoos, liquid soaps and detergents. 
  • Food and drinks: Snack, coffee, frozen and oil pouches. 
  • Shipping: E-commerce mails, bubble wrap and pallet wraps. 
  • Home and Farm: Cleaner and seed or fertilizer liners refill packet.

We don’t just recycle; we restore plastic to its highest potential. Here is why brands work with us:

  • Unmatched Purity: Our proprietary cleaning technology strips away 98% of contaminants and odors. You get a resin that’s “brand-ready.”
  • Total Transparency: We provide a digital “chain of custody.” You can track the material’s journey, making your EPR compliance and sustainability audits a breeze.
  • Real Social Impact: Our supply chain is built on formalizing and supporting the informal waste-picker community.
  • High-Speed Performance: Our Better Plastic™ rLDPE is engineered to perform consistently on your existing high-speed production lines, so you don’t have to compromise on efficiency.