Circular Economy BASF, Serve Rural, IPUA Inaugurate Polyurethane Waste Recycling Facility in India

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With an aim to advance circular economy practices for polyurethane waste in India, BASF has partnered with Serve Rural and the Indian Polyurethane Association to establish a CSR-funded polyurethane waste recycling facility in Manjeri, Malappuram district, Keralam.

Keralam/India – BASF India, in collaboration with Green Worms (Serve Rural) and Indian Polyurethane Association (IPUA), inaugurated a CSR funded polyurethane (PU) waste recycling facility in Manjeri, Malappuram district, Keralam, marking a significant milestone in advancing circular economy practices for polyurethane waste in India.

The CSR initiative, led by BASF India, implemented by Green Worms, and supported by IPUA, aims to establish a structured ecosystem for the collection, segregation, recycling, and repurposing of post-industrial polyurethane waste from the footwear industry, addressing a waste stream that has traditionally been challenging to manage.

The project will establish a responsible collection and mechanical recycling network for post-industrial polyurethane waste from the footwear industry, diverting it from landfills and transforming it into useful products such as indoor floor mats for rural schools in Keralam. In its first phase alone, the initiative is expected to benefit around 4,000 school children from underprivileged background while creating livelihood opportunities for waste collectors and recycling workers.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from Government, BASF India, the Indian Polyurethane Association, Green Worms and prominent stakeholders from the footwear industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Alexander Gerding, Managing Director, BASF India and Head, BASF Group companies, said, “At BASF, we believe that sustainability creates the greatest value when it delivers benefits for both people and the environment. The inauguration of this polyurethane recycling facility marks an important milestone in advancing the collection, mechanical recycling, and repurposing of footwear polyurethane waste in India. Through our collaboration with Green Worms and the Indian Polyurethane Association, waste that would otherwise end up in landfills is transformed into valuable products that support community development. This initiative advances circularity, creates livelihood opportunities, and demonstrates how industry and communities can work together to deliver environmental and social impact.”

Jabir Karat, CEO & co-founder of Green Worms, “At Green Worms, we believe that waste is not merely a challenge to be managed, but a resource that can create value when the right infrastructure, technology, and partnerships are in place. This polyurethane recycling facility represents an important step towards addressing the growing challenge of industrial polyurethane waste in the footwear sector through a practical, scalable, and circular approach. Our collaboration with BASF India and the Indian Polyurethane Association demonstrates how industry partnerships can turn complex waste streams into valuable secondary resources while creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. We hope this initiative will serve as a model for expanding polyurethane recycling in India and strengthening the country’s transition towards a more resource-efficient and circular economy.”

Harneet Kochar, Chairman- Indian Polyurethane Association (IPUA), said, “This initiative demonstrates how industry collaboration and technical expertise can help create practical and scalable solutions for polyurethane mechanical waste management. By bringing together stakeholders across the value chain, we can contribute to more sustainable manufacturing practices while advancing circular economy principles within the footwear industry. This will serve as an inspiration and encourage stakeholders from many other applications across the polyurethane industry to engage and innovate. My best wishes and support for the success of this initiative.”

Polyurethane is a versatile material widely used across industries including furniture, bedding, automotive, footwear, appliances, construction, and packaging. As polyurethane consumption grows, effective end-of-life waste management solutions become increasingly important.

The inaugurated facility is expected to strengthen local waste management systems and demonstrate how collaboration across stakeholders can create scalable solutions for complex waste streams. The project will also promote responsible disposal practices while delivering long-term environmental and community benefits.

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