UFlex secures USFDA approval for recycled polyethylene in food packaging

INDIA – India’s largest multinational flexible packaging company, UFlex, has become the first Indian company to receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for its recycling process. 

This approval allows UFlex to incorporate recycled polyethylene (rPE) into food packaging, aligning with the global push for sustainable packaging solutions.

The company’s recycling process, classified as super-clean recycling, removes more than 95% of ink from post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials. 

This technology adheres to international safety and quality standards, reinforcing efforts to integrate recycled content into food-grade packaging. 

The approval positions UFlex among the select companies worldwide capable of supplying high-purity recycled plastic for food applications.

Expanding recycling capabilities

To enhance its recycling infrastructure, UFlex is investing US$38 million (INR 317 crores) in advanced recycling technologies.

 The investment includes the construction of two new recycling plants at its Noida facility, with a combined capacity to process 39,600 metric tons of plastic waste annually. The increased production of rPET and rPE materials aligns with India’s regulatory framework emphasizing circular economy principles.

Jeevaraj Gopal Pillai, Whole Time Director, Director – Sustainability, President – Flexible Packaging and New Product Development at UFlex, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. 

“Our expanded recycling operations will enable brand owners to meet their EPR obligations while setting benchmarks in sustainable packaging,” he stated.

Innovation in recycling technology

UFlex has been at the forefront of recycling multi-layered plastic waste, an area that has historically posed challenges due to the complexity of materials involved. 

The company has now applied for USFDA certification to recycle polypropylene (PP), which, if approved, would make it the first flexible packaging company with the capability to recycle PET, PE, and PP for food packaging.

“We are working closely with global brands to help them meet evolving sustainability requirements and consumer demand for environmentally responsible packaging,” Pillai added.

Regulatory developments and industry collaboration

At present, regulatory frameworks for the use of recycled polyethylene in food packaging remain under development. 

While there are no specific guidelines governing rPE use, India’s EPR mandates the incorporation of recycled content in packaging. 

UFlex is actively collaborating with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to establish guidelines ensuring the safe and effective use of rPE in food packaging.

Beyond India, UFlex operates recycling plants in Poland, Egypt, and Mexico. These facilities process a range of post-consumer waste materials, including multi-layered mixed plastic (MLP), multi-layer aseptic packaging (MLAP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. 

UFlex remains one of the few companies globally advancing solutions for flexible PCR applications.