Our Blog
Mr. Rakesh Aggarwal: Engine of India's Polymer & Retail Revolution
Founder – Sunrise Group: Recycle Plastics | Co-Founder – V-Mart Retail Ltd | Former Director – Vishal Mega Mart Ltd | Editor: Indian Standards Book:12701
Mr. Rakesh Aggarwal is not just a pioneer—he is the architect who laid the foundation of two of India's most transformative sectors: modern retail and polymer recycling. With a legacy that spans over four decades since 1985, Mr. Aggarwal has reshaped the economic and environmental landscape of India and beyond.
As Co-Founder of V-Mart Retail Ltd and Former Director of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd, he is among the earliest visionaries who democratized access to quality retail for millions of Indian households, bringing organized retail to the heartland of India. His foresight helped lay the framework for what is today a multi-billion-dollar retail revolution across tier II and III cities.
Yet, it is in polymer recycling where Mr. Aggarwal's legacy becomes truly global. He introduced plastic recycling to India in 1985, at a time when sustainability was not even part of the national dialogue. He went on to author the Indian Standards for the Polymer Industry, establishing the core regulatory and technical foundation that still guides India's polymer ecosystem today. These benchmarks have not only shaped policy but enabled an entire industry to grow responsibly.
Sunrise Group - Recycle Plastics: A Global Leader
Through his visionary leadership, he founded Sunrise Group – Recycle Plastics, now a world leader in circular manufacturing, with over 4 million metric tonnes of plastic waste processed. The group manufactures virgin-quality PE and PP, operates 9 state-of-the-art recycling plants across Asia, and has helped establish over 800+ recycling facilities across Asia and Africa.
Recycle Plastics is a trusted sustainability partner for global giants like Oppo, Sintex, Vectus, GAIL, Unilever, Samsung, Aditya Birla, Kure, and Touchland. The company exports Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) granules to 13 countries, and proudly employs a women-majority workforce, with over 60% women across operations—a rare achievement in manufacturing.
Global Recognition and Impact
In 2025, Recycle Plastics represented India at EarthX USA, the world's largest green conference, alongside senior executives from Amazon, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Sony, and MIT. The company has also been honored by Silicon India Magazine as one of the "10 Most Promising Waste Management Companies of 2023" and featured in Singapore's Impact Report Magazine by PCX in 2024.
Whilst being the Only Indian company with a licence to Issue Plastic Credits Globally through PPRS Standard, Recycle Plastics has helped in framework of EPR Policies in Kenya, India, and Philippines.
Shaping the Future
Mr. Rakesh Aggarwal's influence now extends far beyond India—shaping circular economy policies, inspiring industrial sustainability across continents, and speaking at upcoming global platforms including Plasti-Agro California, Polynext Dubai, and Complast Kenya.
His journey is not just one of entrepreneurship, but nation-building—turning problems into possibilities, and industries into ecosystems. A true shape-maker of India's polymer and retail destiny, Mr. Aggarwal continues to lead from the front, building a more circular, inclusive, and sustainable world for generations to come.
A Legacy of Innovation
From pioneering the retail revolution in India's smaller cities to establishing the foundation of the country's polymer recycling industry, Mr. Rakesh Aggarwal's contributions have been transformational. His work continues to influence policy, drive innovation, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and environmental leaders.
Today, as the world grapples with climate change and sustainability challenges, Mr. Aggarwal's four-decade-long commitment to responsible business practices serves as a beacon for industries worldwide. His vision of turning waste into wealth, and challenges into opportunities, remains as relevant and impactful as ever.
#RakeshAggarwal #SunriseGroup #RecyclePlastics #VMart #RetailRevolution #SustainabilityLeader #PolymerIndustry #CircularEconomy