Mumbai To Get State-Of-The-Art Recycling Skill Centre Under AIPMA-EREMA Pact; Focus On Hands-On Training

In a significant move to align India’s plastic recycling industry with global standards and advance the country’s commitment to a circular economy, the All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Austria-based plastic recycling machinery company EREMA.

The agreement was signed between EREMA and the Arvind Mehta Technology and Entrepreneurship Centre (AMTEC), an initiative of AIPMA, and was announced during the 12th International Plast India Exhibition 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, which began on Thursday.

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Under the partnership, a state-of-the-art Recycling Skill Development Centre will be established in Mumbai to address the growing shortage of skilled and trained manpower in India’s recycling sector.

Speaking at the exhibition, Arvind Mehta, Chairman of the AIPMA Governing Council and AMTEC, highlighted the challenges facing the recycling industry, particularly the lack of educated and skilled human resources. He said the centre would focus on practical, hands-on training rather than purely theoretical learning.

“Through this MoU, our objective is to prepare students beyond bookish knowledge and directly meet industry requirements. The centre will function like a systematic school where students will learn processing of raw materials and plastic scrap on actual machines,” Mehta said.

As part of the programme, engineering and technical students will undergo a structured 75-hour training module, with extensive on-machine exposure. The training will focus on advanced recycling technologies, sustainable practices, and operational excellence.

A key feature of the collaboration is EREMA’s commitment to provide a state-of-the-art recycling machine, with a capacity of 50 to 100 kg per hour, free of cost to the centre. This will allow students to train in a realistic industrial environment.

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Markus Huber-Lindinger, Managing Director of EREMA Austria, emphasised the importance of skilled manpower in leveraging advanced technology. “The best technology requires skilled minds to operate it. Without trained human resources, technology cannot be effectively utilised,” he said.

AIPMA President Sunil Shah said that students completing the programme will receive certification. He added that several donors are supporting the initiative through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, helping promote environmental sustainability while creating employment opportunities for young professionals in India and abroad.