The inaugural UTECH India Expo and PRS India 2024 will be held at Mumbai’s Bombay Exhibition Centre from December 4–6. It is anticipated that more than 150 exhibitors and 10,000 attendees will present and investigate sustainable advancements in the recycling of plastics and PU foam.
Media Fusion and Crain Communications, two of the world’s leading event organizers, are proud to announce the co-located launch of two pivotal events—UTECH India Sustainable Polyurethane & Foam Expo (UTECH ISPUF) and the Plastics Recycling Show India (PRSI). Slated to take place from 4th to 6th December 2024 at Hall 4, Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, these groundbreaking events aim to set a new benchmark for sustainability in the polyurethane, foam, and plastics recycling industries.
Mr. Aniruddha Nakhawa from the Builders Association of India, Mr. Virendra Kumar from Duroflex Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Saurabh Goenka from Pashupati Group, Mr. Nitin Sharma from Sri Ramraghav Ecomills Private Limited, Mr. Gururaj Chawan from Dodhia Group, and Mr. Hrudayesh Patel from P.H.Patel Industrial Mfrs. were among the notable industry professionals who attended the press conference today at the Jio Convention Centre. (Polymetrix), Mr. Santosh Patil from India SI Group, Mr. Gaurav Vithalani from Speb Adhesive, Mr. Shailendra Singh from the Association of PET Recyclers Bharat, Mr. Jayant Khadilkar from Jay Elastomers Pvt. Ltd., and Mr. Pratik Dalmia from Dalmia Polypro. These professionals contributed their profound knowledge, opening the door for a thought-provoking and powerful performance.
The UTECH ISPUF Expo is set to bring the world’s largest platform dedicated to PU and foam solutions to India, spotlighting sustainable advancements such as bio-polyols, innovative recycling machinery, and cutting-edge foam technologies. With an emphasis on sustainability, the event aligns seamlessly with India’s rising demand for eco-friendly materials, propelling the industry towards a projected market value of USD 5.18 billion (approx. INR 43,000 crores) by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.0%. The show also includes the Middle East’s leading mattress show – Sleep Expo – in the form of a pavilion, where the focus will be on mattress recycling technologies, including machinery, textiles, yarn and much more. The event is sponsored by Duroflex Pvt. Ltd as the Mattress & Cushioning Partner.
In the meanwhile, the internationally recognised Plastics Recycling Show brand will make its Indian debut during PRSI 2024. The event intends to provide stakeholders with vital insights into circular economy practices, cutting-edge waste management technologies, and sustainable solutions crucial for the industry’s future, given that the Indian plastics recycling market is predicted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.86% from 9.9 million tonnes in 2023 to 23.7 million tonnes by 2032. SI Group, Pashupati Group, Ribotl, and Srichakra Polyplast are supporting the event.
“Bringing UTECH and PRS shows together on a single platform highlights our commitment to supporting India’s sustainability objectives,” stated Mr. Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion. Innovation, technical developments, and the growing need for energy-efficient solutions across a range of industries are driving the market’s growth trajectory. These events will act as a global platform to present ground-breaking ideas and encourage partnerships that propel the industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, as environmental sustainability becomes an increasingly important priority for the sector.
Alongside the show, there will be a three-day conference with industry professionals talking about market trends, technology developments, and sustainable growth. More than 10,000 attendees and 150 major exhibitors are expected to attend the event. Notable companies exhibiting their most recent sustainable solutions include Chemie Products Private Limited, AS Enterprises, Duroflex Pvt. Ltd, Speb Adhesives, Jay Elastomers Pvt. Ltd., Meenakshi Polymers Pvt. Ltd., Dalmia Polypro, Dodhia Plastics, Plastics for Change, Leevams Inc., Starlinger & Co GmbH, and NEPRA Resource Management.
Mr. Matthew Barber, Global Events Director, Crain Communications said, “We are elated to bring our globally renowned UTECH and Plastics Recycling Show brands to India, a market poised for transformative growth. This joint initiative reflects our vision of creating influential platforms that drive positive changes in the polyurethane, foam, and plastics recycling sectors. By co-locating these events, we aim to unlock synergies among stakeholders and tap into India’s vast potential. The country’s rapidly expanding automotive, construction, and consumer durables markets are drawing significant international interest, fostering global partnerships and collaborations that will further accelerate the industry’s growth.”
The events have garnered robust support from industry associations such as the Association of PET Recyclers Bharat, Packaging Industry Association of India, Indian Plastics Institute, Builders Association of India and the Architects, Engineers, and Surveyors Association.
Mr. Shailendra Singh, Founder & CEO, Sustainmantra, said “Sustainability / Circularity is the singular stand-out global megatrend & as part of this trend, Waste Management is one of the largest emerging business opportunities in India, with a market size estimated at approx., Rs 1 Lakh crores. Growing consumer awareness: stricter laws, particularly those pertaining to plastic packaging waste, have brought the problem of plastic packaging pollution into the public eye on a global scale. However, they have also brought attention to the difficulties in this area, particularly with regard to the collection, sorting, and recycling of plastic packaging. Plastic Waste management Regulations have provided a fiscal incentive to recyclers, however, more needs to be done in terms of subsidies for this sector, to enable cutting-edge technology and machinery to be deployed. Over the past 4-5 years several start-ups have emerged as well as incentivised established organisations to consider recycling as a business opportunity, as well as attracting some capital from impact investors. This is just the beginning and as this sector develops more capital will be needed and will be invested.”
“The Indian plastics recycling industry is at a transformative juncture, driven by evolving regulations like the updated Plastic Waste Management (PWM) rules and EPR notifications,” stated Mr. Deepak V. Mehta, Founder & Managing Partner, Leevams. Significant progress has been spurred by these developments, especially in the PET bottle recycling sector, where we expect 15–20 new facilities to be up and running by 2025 in order to fulfil the required 30% recycled PET (rPET) content in goods. This will guarantee a consistent yearly rise in recycled content by balancing supply with the soaring demand.
The lack of high-quality feedstock and the difficulties of waste segregation, especially with multilayer packaging (MLP), are the primary causes of the ongoing difficulties in recycling polyolefins. To solve these problems, it would be essential to build strong Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) all throughout India. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the sector is now expanding at a pace of 15% and is expected to pick up speed after 2025 due to a rise in participation from both local and foreign stakeholders. We are just the beginning, as seen by the emergence of specialised exhibits and conferences. India’s recycling industry is expected to develop rapidly in the future, opening us a plethora of chances for cooperation and creativity.
“The Indian foam and polyurethane industry is witnessing a robust growth trajectory, with projections indicating a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching an estimated market size of USD 6.76 billion by 2032 up from USD 3.74 billion in 2023,” stated Mr. Anuraag Purie of AS Enterprises in reference to the foam and PU industry. Growing demand in industries including consumer products, construction, and automobiles is a major factor in this rise. The growing use of flexible polyurethane foam, particularly in furniture, automobile seats, and bedding, highlights the industry’s emphasis on comfort, adaptability, and durability. Furthermore, by reducing input costs and promoting higher production outputs, government programs like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and the reduction of Basic Customs Duty on raw materials like methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) from 7.5% to 5% are boosting the industry’s growth potential. With a strong push for the use of environmentally friendly materials and the adoption of energy-efficient production, sustainability is still at the forefront.
processes. This growing interest, coupled with supportive policies, positions the industry for substantial advancements in the years to come.”
“With a growth rate of 3.6%, the market is anticipated to reach a value of USD 7.9 billion,” stated Mr. Aniruddha Nakhawa of the Builders Association of India. The market for polyurethane foam is also expected to develop at an estimated 6.3% annual pace, reaching USD 6.7 billion. Key drivers include urbanization, rising demand for foam-based furniture, building, and automotive industries, as well as government energy efficiency regulations. The Builders’ Association of India plays a key role in advocating for high industry standards, collaboration, and the adoption of quality polyurethane foam products for various applications in the construction sector.”
“India has a long history of informal recycling, but in recent years, the focus has shifted towards sustainability and the circular economy,” stated Mr. Pratik Dalmia of Dalmia Polypro. In the context of post-consumer plastic waste, where efforts are concentrated on turning materials like PET bottles into high-quality applications, the recycling business is expanding.
About 25–30% of the 1.5–1.8 million tonnes of virgin plastic that are now used for rigid packaging each year are meant to be recycled. MSMEs are investing heavily in infrastructure as the sector develops in order to keep up with India’s growing trash production and consumption. In order to satisfy the growing demand for sustainable materials, this expansion in recycling capacity is imperative. India has a strong commitment to recycling and is positioned favourably on the world map. By April, the country will begin using 30% recycled content in packaging, a noteworthy milestone in advancing sustainability efforts.”
Duroflex CEO Mr. V.S. Shankar stated: “With a network of more than 250 distributors, 5,000 merchants, and 6,000 carpenters throughout India, Duroflex, a 60-year-old firm, has become the country’s second-largest producer and distributor of polyurethane foam. Notwithstanding obstacles in the market, such as changes in the cost of raw materials like TDA and polyol, reliance on imports, and competition from unorganised sector companies, we are dedicated to providing creative solutions for comfort. The demand for polyurethane foam is increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6-8% due to the burgeoning Indian economy. We are well-positioned to use our experience to satisfy this growing need, investing in sustainability and R&D to provide a better future for our partners, consumers, and the community.”
About Crain Communications: Crain Communications is a privately held media firm that, with unwavering integrity, creates credible and timely content for magazines, internet platforms, events, lead generation, research and data products, and digital platforms.
Information about Media Fusion: Media Fusion is a well-known international publisher, events organiser, and trade fair organiser. Since its founding in 2007, the firm has expanded its portfolio to encompass 1410 trade exhibits and 4 publications, along with several conferences and awards.