In June 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 specialist with more than three decades of experience in packaging innovation, sustainability, recycling technologies, and circular economy practices.
The book acts as an ideal practical and research-based guide, providing a comprehensive understanding of polymer-based packaging recycling and its vital role in the circular economy. The book provides readers with a clear and comprehensive view of the entire plastics recycling value chain, inclusive of 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 book also consists of multiple designs for recyclability, digital product passports, traceability systems, and sustainability standards, along with examining recycling approaches for mono-material and multi-material packaging formats. One of the interesting facts about the book is its inclusion of QR code-enabled process demonstrations, providing readers with visual insights into key recycling pathways and technologies.
Consumer awareness helping sustainability and resource efficiency gain major momentum across various industries, the book helps to serve 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."
Mr Jeevaraj Pillai also serves as the President- Flexible Packaging & New Product Development and Chief Sustainability Officer at UFlex. He has always been the ideal guiding light for providing advanced recyclable packaging solutions, circular economy practices, and sustainable manufacturing. His work clearly reflects deeds such as material innovation, recycling technologies, and industry collaboration to promote responsible resource management and environmental stewardship.
Through this useful publication, the main aim of PPRDC is 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 can now be easily purchased on leading platforms such as Amazon, NIPA Books, and Meripustak, among others, as well as through academic distribution channels.
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.
Established in 2021, the Plastics Packaging Research & Development Centre (PPRDC) is a registered, non-profit technical centre constituted as a trust to deal with 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 primarily guided by an expert advisory panel inclusive of technologists and academicians. It also 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). PPRDC has also published research on PET, PP, PE, multi-layer plastics (MLP), and aseptic packaging recycling, and contributes to sector dialogue by disseminating exchanges.
31 July 2026
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30 July 2026