Chandigarh Start-up Revolutionises Plastic Recycling in Bengaluru
A Chandigarh-based start-up, PolyCycl, is making waves in Bengaluru by introducing its groundbreaking plastic recycling technology aimed at addressing India’s plastic waste crisis. The start-up’s innovative, patented technology—Contiflow Cracker Generation VI—is designed to transform hard-to-recycle plastics, such as single-use grocery bags and food-contaminated packaging, into food-grade polymers, renewable chemicals, and sustainable fuels. The technology, developed over a decade of meticulous research and development, promises to revolutionise the way India tackles its mounting plastic waste, which continues to clog streets and pollute waterways.
According to PolyCycl’s founder and CEO, Amit Tandon, the technology addresses one of the most pressing environmental challenges in India—plastic waste. “India generates over 10.2 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, with more than 40% of this waste being single-use plastics,” he explained. Traditional recycling methods struggle to process these plastics effectively, often down-cycling or discarding them in landfills. PolyCycl’s chemical recycling process breaks down low-grade plastics into their molecular building blocks, or oligomers, which can be reconstituted to create new virgin-quality materials. This closed-loop system ensures that plastic waste no longer ends up in landfills or incinerators but is continuously recycled into high-quality resources.
Breaking Down Barriers in Plastic Recycling
PolyCycl’s technology stands apart from conventional recycling processes, such as mechanical recycling, which typically results in low-quality granules unsuitable for new plastic products. Mechanical recycling struggles to handle contaminated plastics, which are often laden with food residues, moisture, and dirt. PolyCycl’s proprietary chemical recycling process addresses this issue by efficiently processing dirty polyolefin plastics—plastics often rejected by traditional recycling methods. This process converts these plastics into liquefied hydrocarbon oils, which are then purified and used by the petrochemical industry to produce low-carbon materials. The company’s technology offers a conversion yield of 65-75%, making it a highly efficient solution for India’s recycling needs.
The potential environmental benefits are significant. PolyCycl claims that its technology could reduce the use of fossil resources in the manufacturing of new plastics by 75-90%, and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 40%. This technology aligns with India’s growing emphasis on sustainability, especially as the country works to implement its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules. The EPR regulations mandate a certain percentage of recycled content in plastic packaging by 2025-26. PolyCycl’s technology is perfectly positioned to help meet these targets, while also promoting a circular economy where plastic waste becomes a valuable resource, rather than an environmental burden.
A Sustainable Future: Circular Economy and Impact on Plastic Waste
The launch of PolyCycl’s technology is a significant step towards achieving a circular economy in India. As more urban centres, including Bengaluru, embrace sustainable practices, PolyCycl’s chemical recycling process offers a critical solution to the ongoing plastic waste issue. The circular economy model ensures that plastic waste is not discarded but continuously recycled, creating a sustainable cycle where raw materials are replenished, reducing the need for virgin plastic production. This technology has the potential to transform India’s plastic waste management landscape, which is critical in light of the country’s rapid urbanisation and increasing plastic consumption.
Bengaluru, known for its status as an innovation hub, is a fitting location for the launch of PolyCycl’s recycling technology. The city, which already grapples with waste management challenges, can benefit immensely from a solution that tackles one of the most stubborn sources of pollution—plastic waste. PolyCycl’s technology not only offers a solution to waste management but also contributes to Bengaluru’s broader sustainability goals by reducing plastic waste, cutting down on landfill use, and decreasing the city’s carbon footprint. With more than 40% of India’s plastic waste comprising single-use plastics, such innovations are essential to reducing the environmental impact of urbanisation and fostering a more sustainable, circular economy.
