Exclusive Interview by K. Gopalakrishnan, Pics by Manikandan
As the global push for sustainability accelerates, recycled polyester has emerged as one of the most critical materials in the transition to circular manufacturing systems. Demand is rising rapidly as international brands, policymakers and consumers seek lower-impact alternatives to virgin plastics. At the centre of this shift stands Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd (GESL)-India’s pioneering and largest producer of recycled polyester staple fibre (rPET fibre), and one of the fastest-growing names in the global circular materials landscape.
At Techtextil India 2025, Mr. Harsh Sharma, Vice President of GESL, shared insights into the company’s growth trajectory, its pioneering role in PET recycling, and its ambitions in specialty materials and textile-to-textile circularity. His perspective reflects a company not only scaling rapidly but also shaping the next chapter of sustainable textiles in India and beyond.
A Legacy of Leadership: From India’s First rPET Plant to a Global Powerhouse
Ganesha Ecosphere’s circular journey began in 1994, when it became the first Indian company to recycle post-consumer PET bottles into polyester staple fibre. From a modest 6,000-tonne annual capacity, GESL has transformed into one of the top rPET fibre manufacturers worldwide, with a total installed capacity of 196,440 tonnes per year as of FY 2024.
Today, its portfolio has expanded far beyond staple fibre. GESL now produces:
- rPET Yarns
- rPET Fibres
- rPET Granules
- rPET Filament Yarns
- Specialty Fibres & Yarns
- rPET Flakes
With 500+ product variants used by leading global names across fashion, packaging, furnishings, automotive, filtration and nonwoven sectors, Ganesha has become a benchmark for innovation, diversification and scale in recycled polyester.
Strong Presence at Techtextil India: A Preview of the Future of Circular Materials
GESL’s consistent participation at Techtextil Frankfurt and Techtextil India reflects its commitment to global innovation platforms. At the 2025 edition of the show, the company showcased its expanding sustainable portfolio. Mr. Harsh Sharma highlighted the industry’s increasing emphasis on traceability, circularity and advanced performance fibres.
Among the key products displayed were:
- Recycled polyester granules supplied to major international brands
- Flame-retardant, biodegradable, antimicrobial and Coolfast fibres
- High-bulk, texturised and ACY yarns
- Dope-dyed filament yarns
- Hygiene-grade fibres for wipes, diapers and medical applications
The expansion into recycled filament yarns and technical-grade fibres signals Ganesha’s intent to capture value across the entire rPET value chain.
Building India’s Most Robust PET Waste Collection Ecosystem
India is home to one of the world’s most efficient grassroots recycling systems, led by rag-pickers, aggregators and balers. Ganesha Ecosphere has strengthened and formalised this network at a national scale.
The company now recycles over 20% of India’s PET bottle waste – meaning that out of every five PET bottles discarded, one is processed by GESL. Its goal is to increase this to 25% by 2026.
With:
- 500+ aggregator partners
- Operations spanning India and Nepal
Ganesha enjoys uninterrupted, high-quality feedstock supply-one of the most decisive advantages in the recycling industry.
India’s PET recycling ecosystem itself is expanding rapidly, reaching a turnover of USD 950 million and recycling close to 90% of post-consumer PET bottles. Ganesha remains a central pillar in this national success story.
Innovation-Driven Materials for Advanced Applications
GESL’s specialty fibres reflect its strategic shift from commodity products to engineered materials with higher value and technical performance. Notable innovations include:
- Flame Retardant (FR) fibres for bedding, furnishings and technical textiles
- Biodegradable fibres capable of breaking down within a year, suitable for wipes and hygiene applications
- Coolfast fibres offering enhanced airflow and moisture-wicking for activewear
- Reinforcement-grade short-cut fibres used in wallpapers, filtration systems, cement sheets and battery components
Such materials position Ganesha at the forefront of functional and technical fibre development, enabling the company to address diverse industrial requirements.
Expanding Global Footprint Across 20+ Countries
Exports account for 20% of GESL’s sales, with products shipped to Europe, the United States, Turkey, Nepal, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and the UK.
Europe’s tightening regulations on recycled content in textiles and packaging have created substantial opportunities. With upcoming mandates for extended garment lifespans and compulsory use of rPET, demand is expected to grow dramatically-an area where Ganesha is well positioned.
In India, regulatory momentum is also accelerating. A new directive requires packaging producers to incorporate a minimum of 30% recycled content from April 2025, further expanding the market for food-grade rPET chips.
End-to-End Traceability: Ganesha’s Strategic Advantage
As global brands increasingly prioritise transparency, GESL offers a capability few can match-complete end-to-end traceability, from waste collection to final materials.
The company controls the entire chain:
PET waste → sorting → washing → granulation → fibre → yarn → finished materials
This traceability strengthens brand trust and helps meet compliance requirements related to:
- Verified recycled content
- Carbon footprint reporting
- Responsible sourcing
It has become one of the most influential factors for global brands selecting long-term recycling partners.
The Next Frontier: Textile-to-Textile Recycling
While bottle-to-fibre recycling is firmly established, textile-to-textile recycling-considered the true pathway to circularity-remains technologically challenging, particularly for polyester blends.
Ganesha is actively exploring solutions in this field. Although large-scale recycling of polyester-cotton and poly-viscose blends is still under development worldwide, the company recognises its transformative potential. However, the company sees immense potential once technical barriers are solved Ganesha is preparing to invest in advanced technologies as they mature.
Future Outlook: Positioned for the Global Surge in rPET Demand
With leading global brands adopting ambitious recycled content targets for 2030, the demand for rPET is set for sustained, long-term growth. Polyester accounts for 50% of global fibre consumption, and recycled polyester is poised to dominate future value chains.
Mr. Harsh Sharma notes that the consumption of recycled materials will continue to accelerate, driven by:
- Brand commitments
- Carbon reduction mandates
- Mandatory recycling regulations in Europe and India
GESL plans to leverage this opportunity by expanding specialty fibre capacities, strengthening rPET chip production and deepening innovation across fibres and yarns.
A Defining Force in the Circular Economy
Ganesha Ecosphere stands at the heart of India’s circular economy transformation. With unmatched recycling scale, a national collection network, deep material innovation and partnerships with major global brands, the company has earned its position as a pioneering leader in recycled polyester.
As sustainability shifts from aspiration to obligation, Ganesha is not merely responding to global demand-it is influencing the direction of the recycled textile industry. With its growing global footprint and strategic advances in textile-to-textile recycling, GESL is well on its path to becoming the world’s largest producer of rPET fibre and a central driver of a cleaner, more circular and responsible textile future.
