EREMA and the Arvind Mehta Technology & Entrepreneurship Centre (AMTEC), operating within The All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA), have initiated the establishment of a new Recycling Skill Center in Mumbai. The formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding took place on 5 February 2026. The initiative is intended to strengthen practice-oriented training in plastics recycling and represents an important contribution to the further development of the circular economy in India. The partners focus on preparing qualified specialists capable of operating modern recycling lines in near-industrial conditions, in order to meet the growing staffing needs of the sector.
Training centre at AMTEC by the end of May 2026
The new training centre will be launched at AMTEC in Mumbai by the end of May 2026. Its task is to provide long-term support to the plastics recycling industry in India by supplying qualified personnel, in particular operators and supervisory staff. The programme is designed to respond to the growing demand for practical skills related to the operation and maintenance of recycling installations.
The core of the educational offer will be a 72-hour course combining theoretical foundations with practical classes. Participants will be able to translate theoretical knowledge into specific process operations, such as feedstock preparation, line operation, monitoring of process parameters and basic maintenance activities.
EREMA technology support and training on real lines
To ensure training in near-industrial conditions, EREMA is providing free of charge an INTAREMA 605 TE recycling machine with a capacity of 50–100 kg/h. The machine will be used during practical sessions, allowing trainees to become familiar with the actual process of plastics waste processing using industrial equipment.
During the signing ceremony, Markus Huber Lindinger, managing director at EREMA, emphasised the importance of the project for the development of technical capabilities in the sector: "We are pleased to be part of this initiative, which sends a strong signal for the further development of plastic recycling in India. Close and trusting collaboration between India and Europe is essential for a sustainable shared future."
Referring to the role of advanced technology in recycling processes, he added: "High-end technology unfolds its full potential when operated by well-trained professionals. With this centre, we are making an important contribution to providing tomorrow's specialists with an optimal foundation for their professional careers."
Combining theory and practice for the Indian recycling sector
The importance of the cooperation on the Indian side was highlighted by Arvind Mehta, chairman of AMTEC and the AIPMA Governing Council: "With this new training centre, we are closing the previously existing gap between theoretical and practice-oriented education. Working together with EREMA enables us to teach students, operators and supervisors directly on industrial equipment and thus develop a new quality of skilled professionals for India's recycling industry."
The training model assumes a close linkage between the curriculum and the actual requirements of recycling plants, including processes for feedstock preparation, mechanical recycling and equipment maintenance. As a result, participants are to be prepared for work in real plant conditions, rather than only for laboratory-type tasks.
Curriculum and links to industry
The course programme is being developed by AMTEC with the support of EREMA's practical technical expertise. The content covers detailed knowledge of the operation and maintenance of modern plastics recycling systems, including lines based on EREMA technology. On completion of the training, graduates are expected to have in-depth knowledge of process flows, machine configuration and operating requirements.
The competence profile of participants is intended to match the needs of recycling companies in India. Graduates will be prepared to take up employment in the plastics recycling industry, in particular in positions related to operating EREMA installations, or to progress in their current roles. AMTEC acts as a link to industry, supporting the search for job opportunities among member companies of the association as well as recyclers.
The EREMA and AIPMA/AMTEC initiative is part of a broader trend towards professionalisation of the plastics recycling sector in India, where demand is growing for standardised, practice-focused technical training. The use of industrial machinery in the training process is intended to enable faster deployment of graduates into the workforce and to reduce the skills gap in recycling plants.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Mumbai marked the launch of a joint initiative by EREMA and AIPMA to promote training and skills development in plastics recycling in India.
