Ester Industries Ltd (NSE: ESTR) has revealed plans to establish India’s first Infinite Loop™ chemical recycling facility in Gujarat through its joint venture Ester Loop Infinite Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (ELITe), a collaboration with Canadian clean tech innovator Loop Industries. The new facility reinforces Ester’s commitment to advancing circular economy solutions and providing sustainable materials to global markets.
Pioneering Chemical Recycling in India
The Infinite Loop™ facility will recycle polyester textile waste into virgin-quality PET resin, marking a transformational step in India's sustainable manufacturing landscape. The greenfield plant, located near Surat in the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), has been designed for an initial capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year with expansion provisions up to 170,000 metric tons.
Equipped to operate on approximately 80% renewable electricity and biofuel, the facility is expected to cut carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional petroleum-based PET production. This aligns with Ester’s strategic goal of reducing reliance on virgin plastics and contributing to India’s clean technology transition.
Strategic Site and Infrastructure Benefits
The plant’s strategic location offers direct access to abundant polyester textile waste feedstock, a skilled petrochemical workforce, and port infrastructure facilitating cost-effective exports. These factors provide ELITe a competitive edge in building a sustainable polyester ecosystem catering to the textile and packaging sectors both domestically and internationally.
Leadership and Vision
Arvind Singhania, Chairman of Ester Industries, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “This is a substantial advancement in our circular economy commitments. Gujarat’s status as India’s polyester textile hub offers an ideal ecosystem for our Infinite Loop facility. We take pride in driving India’s clean technology transition while creating sustainable value chains for textiles and packaging.”
The facility manifests a shared vision between Ester and Loop Industries, leveraging decades of polymer production experience and proprietary recycling technology.
Market Impact and Future Growth
With global demand mounting for recycled and eco-friendly materials, the Infinite Loop facility positions Ester Industries to tap into fast-growing markets, including electronics, automotive, cosmetics, and packaging industries. The joint venture is expected to deliver attractive economic returns without requiring substantial sustainability-linked premiums.
Construction is slated to commence by the end of 2025, targeting commercial operations by early 2027.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
By pioneering large-scale chemical recycling, Ester Loop Infinite Technologies sets a benchmark for India’s sustainability initiatives in the manufacturing sector. The company’s approach aligns with global sustainability goals and national policies promoting circular economy practices, reduced plastic pollution, and carbon footprint mitigation.
Sources: Economic Times, MarketScreener, Indian Chemical News, Loop Industries Press Release, May 2025
