AIPMA-AMTEC, EREMA Sign MoU for Recycling Skill Center in Mumbai

New Delhi: In a major step toward aligning India’s plastic recycling industry with global standards and advancing the vision of a circular economy, a landmark MoU has been signed between the All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA)’s Arvind Mehta Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (AMTEC) and Austria’s globally renowned plastic recycling machinery company, EREMA. Under this partnership, a cutting-edge Recycling Skill Development Center will be set up in Mumbai, aimed at addressing the acute shortage of trained and skilled manpower in the recycling sector.

On this historic occasion, AIPMA Governing Council member and AMTEC Chairman Mr. Arvind Mehta highlighted the challenges facing the recycling industry and the transformative role this center is expected to play. He noted that the industry is currently grappling with a serious lack of educated and skilled professionals. Explaining the vision behind the initiative, Mr. Mehta said, “Through this MoU, our objective is to move students beyond theoretical knowledge and prepare them directly for industry requirements. This center will function like a ‘systematic school,’ where students will not just learn in classrooms but will be trained on real machines, processing raw materials and scrap in a scientific manner.”

As part of the agreement, a specially structured 75-hour training program has been designed for engineering and technical students. One of the most significant aspects of this collaboration is that EREMA will provide a state-of-the-art recycling machine with a capacity of 50 to 100 kilograms per hour to the center—completely free of charge. This will enable students to receive hands-on training in a real industrial environment. The program will focus on advanced recycling technologies, sustainability practices, and operational excellence, along with in-depth practical knowledge of polymer identification and scrap processing.

Speaking at the event, EREMA Austria’s Managing Director Markus Huber-Lindinger emphasized that world-class technology requires skilled minds to operate it effectively. Without trained human resources, the true potential of technology cannot be realized.

AIPMA President Mr. Sunil Shah added that students completing the program will be awarded certificates. He also shared that several donors are supporting students’ education through CSR funds, contributing not only to environmental protection but also to creating global employment opportunities for young professionals.

This initiative draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Skill India Mission and the broader vision of a circular economy. While AMTEC is already delivering high-quality services in areas such as product design, 3D printing, and sustainability, this new partnership with EREMA is set to give India a distinct global identity in the recycling sector. Trained students will gain employment opportunities not only within India but also across EREMA’s extensive international customer network.

The Recycling Skill Development Center is expected to bridge the gap between industry and education, while also supporting India’s sustainable development goals through effective plastic waste management.