IIP and PPRDC roll out hybrid course on plastics recycling and circular packaging

The Indian Institute of Packaging Delhi, working with the Plastics Packaging Research and Development Centre, has launched a three-month professional certificate course on Plastics Packaging and Recycling, aimed at building technical and strategic skills in recycling and circular packaging systems.

Officials said the hybrid course has been designed to combine classroom instruction, industry exposure, and hands-on training to address skill gaps in plastics recycling, sustainable packaging, and circular economy practices.

The curriculum covers plastic packaging materials, recycling technologies, regulatory frameworks, and end-of-life solutions, with a strong focus on India’s evolving policy environment and extended producer responsibility requirements.

The three-month program includes 15 sessions, 32 subjects, and inputs from more than 21 faculty members, offering both foundational and advanced modules.

It is open to engineering graduates, diploma holders, working professionals, entrepreneurs, start ups and industry process teams looking to strengthen expertise in recycling and sustainable packaging.

With the global plastic recycling market valued at USD 12.5 billion in 2024 and expected to grow to USD 24 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.8%, organizers said the sector offers expanding employment and business opportunities.

Participants will receive practical exposure through laboratory work, industry visits, case studies, and applied project assignments, along with opportunities for mentorship and industry interaction.

Speaking on the need for the initiative, Jeevaraj Gopal Pillai, President of Flexible Packaging and New Product Development and Director of Sustainability at UFlex Limited, said, “The circular economy is evolving from a theoretical concept to an operational necessity for our sector. This transition requires more than compliance; it demands innovation, strategic thinking, and a commitment to fundamentally reimagine how we design, produce, and manage packaging materials.”

“The launch of this program is perfectly timed, as the industry is facing a widening skills gap during this shift. There is a strong need for professionals and entrepreneurs who understand both the fundamentals and technical aspects of recycling, as well as the strategic design of circular systems,” Pillai added.

He continued, “Over the years, UFlex has partnered with industry and academia to combine advanced research with real-world operational challenges, engaging with leading institutes and think tanks to continuously strengthen knowledge and technical capabilities.”

“We are happy to extend our support through insights, technical input, and collaborative engagement to initiatives that advance sustainable and circular solutions for the sector,” he added.

Highlighting the broader objective, Dr Tanweer Alam, Additional Director and Regional Officer, IIP Delhi, said, “As a national institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the Indian Institute of Packaging remains committed to strengthening India’s packaging ecosystem through education, research, and industry collaboration.”

“This joint initiative with the Plastics Packaging Research and Development Centre, supported by invaluable inputs from its member organizations such as UFlex, reflects our shared focus on future-ready skills, sustainability, and innovation in plastics packaging and recycling. Our objective is to build a strong talent pipeline equipped with a deep understanding of material science, end-of-life pathways, and scalable recycling systems, while fostering practical problem-solving aligned with India’s evolving circular economy needs,” Alam added.

The program was inaugurated at the IIP Delhi campus in the presence of senior officials from industry and academia, including RK Mishra, Director, IIP; Prof Dr Tanweer Alam, Additional Director and Regional Officer, IIP Delhi; Prof Anup K Ghosh, Professor Emeritus, IIP Delhi; Dr Alka Rao, Advisor, FSSAI; Mihir Banerji, Secretary General, PPRDC; and Ashwani K Sharma, President and CEO, Aseptic Packaging Business, UFlex Ltd.

IIP Delhi said interested candidates can contact the institute at [email protected] for further details about the program.