Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (SET: IVL,) a global sustainable chemical company, is showcasing the possibilities of PET recycling at Sustainability Expo 2026 (SX2026), from 6–15 November at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Bangkok. Alongside its exhibition, the company hosted a media briefing exploring how changing regulations are reshaping packaging and recycling and what they mean for Thai businesses.
At Indorama Ventures’ booth in Hall 2, Better Living Zone, G Floor, visitors can follow the journey of used PET bottles to recycled raw materials through an interactive recycling exhibit. The RECO Collective display, featuring fashion from Thai brands CHANA, KH EDITIONS and APPEAL Summerwear, demonstrates how recycled PET, textile expertise and creative design can come together in distinctive, desirable clothing. The booth also introduces the company’s recycling operations and global footprint, as the world’s largest recycler of PET beverage bottles as well as showcasing innovation and partnerships that keep valuable materials in circulation.
Connecting policy, collection and investment
During the briefing, Dr. Anthony M. Watanabe, Chief Sustainability Officer of Indorama Ventures, explained that circular packaging globally is increasingly moving from voluntary commitments to binding requirements. Key trends include collection targets, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), deposit return systems, recycled-content requirements and Design for Recycling.
The EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, adopted in 2019, already requires PET beverage bottles to contain at least 25% recycled plastic from 2025. Building on this framework, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation began applying in August 2026, introducing broader requirements for packaging recyclability and recycled content from 2030. Thailand is also developing the Draft Sustainable Packaging Management Act, proposing an EPR-based framework for packaging waste management, alongside work on PET Design for Recycling guidelines.
Dr. Watanabe suggested that for Thai businesses, particularly exporters, these developments make early preparation essential. Companies need to understand requirements in their destination markets, review packaging design and work with suppliers on recycled-material quality and traceability.
“Thailand has an opportunity to build on its existing recycling expertise and collection networks. By bringing governments, producers, collectors, recyclers and consumers together, we can keep more valuable materials in use and build a stronger foundation for investment” said Dr. Watanabe.
With 20 recycling sites across multiple markets and over 180 billion post-consumer PET bottles recycled since 2011, Indorama Ventures is helping turn the ambition of a circular economy into practical solutions for customers and consumers. As interest in more sustainable and circular products grows, the company continues to connect used PET with valuable new applications. Clear, practical and consistent policy frameworks can build on this progress, supporting collection, encouraging investment and accelerating the transition to a more circular economy.
The company contributes technical expertise to government and industry discussions on EPR readiness and packaging design, including input on draft PET Design for Recycling guidelines through FTI’s TIPMSE. Its recommendations address how material choices affect recycling compatibility and the quality of recovered PET. Internationally, Indorama Ventures also works with organizations including the Association of Plastic Recyclers (US) and Plastics Recyclers Europe, among others, connecting policy discussions with practical recycling experience.
Advancing circular solutions across Asia-Pacific
Dr. Watanabe also discussed ‘APAC Drive to 25,’ an initiative of the ESCAP Sustainable Business Network’s Circular Economy Task Force, which he chairs. The initiative seeks to strengthen enabling policies, mobilize investment, particularly in low- and middle-income economies, and identify circular projects with measurable outcomes. Its ambition reflects the region’s potential to address up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions through circular economy approaches. These efforts contribute to broader regional collaboration under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
Visit Indorama Ventures’ booth at SX2026 through 15 November, from 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., at Hall 2, Better Living Zone, G Floor, QSNCC.
