Global Symposium on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy – old

• • Welcome Address – Mr. Manish Sharma, Chair, RECEIC Steering Committee & Chairman, Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia
  • Industry Perspective – Mr. Ch Srinivas, Chair, RECEIC working group on Used oil & Executive Director- Lubes, HPCL
  • Keynote address – Shri. Ved Prakash Mishra, Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC

Welcome Address

With over two decades of experience in the electronics sector, working with industry giants like LG, Samsung, and Haier, Mr. Manish Sharma plays a pivotal role in Panasonic’s strategy and business development across consumer, enterprise, and industry divisions. Actively involved in India’s manufacturing agenda, Manish is a key member of various FICCI committees and has significantly contributed to the electronics industry, including a past presidency at CEAMA.

Mr. Manish Sharma

Chair, RECEIC Steering Committee & Chairman, Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia

Industry Perspective

Mr. Ch Srinivas is the Chair of the RECEIC Working Group on Used Oil and Executive Director – Lubes at HPCL.

Mr. Ch Srinivas

Chair, RECEIC working group on Used oil & Executive Director, Lubes, HPCL

Keynote Address

Shri. Ved Prakash Mishra, a 2004 batch IRS (IT) officer, has been appointed as Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC. With a strong background in governance and public administration, he focuses on environmental policy and climate change.

Shri. Ved Prakash Mishra

Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC

Session brief:

Brief presentation on knowledge paper ‘Unlocking Circularity in the Used Oil Sector: Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities’ by Mr. Harsh Kapoor, Partner, Monitor Deloitte.

Speaker

Harsh Kapoor (Moderator) Brief Profile: Harsh is a Partner with Monitor Deloitte with 17+ years of experience in growth strategy, business innovation, and digital transformation, particularly in the Oil & Gas sector. Harsh has worked with multiple global energy majors to help drive transformation across their businesses both on the upstream side as well as for their downstream, fuels and lubricants businesses. His expertise in business model innovation and operations transformation enables organizations to navigate industry shifts and unlock new opportunities, including those in the circular economy.

Mr. Harsh Kapoor

Partner, Monitor Deloitte

Session Brief:

The circularity of used oil is a vital yet often overlooked aspect of the shift toward a sustainable, resource-efficient economy. This session will delve into the challenges and opportunities within the used oil sector, emphasizing the role of circular economy through recycling, re-refining, and reuse practices.

Panellists will deliberate on value chain challenges viz. collection, contamination, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory barriers and will discuss solutions to improve recovery rates, technological innovations, and collaborative actions to optimize the value chain. By showcasing industry innovations and case studies, we will outline a roadmap to scale circularity in the sector, reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a net-zero, sustainable economy.

Moderator

Harsh Kapoor (Moderator) Brief Profile: Harsh is a Partner with Monitor Deloitte with 17+ years of experience in growth strategy, business innovation, and digital transformation, particularly in the Oil & Gas sector. Harsh has worked with multiple global energy majors to help drive transformation across their businesses both on the upstream side as well as for their downstream, fuels and lubricants businesses. His expertise in business model innovation and operations transformation enables organizations to navigate industry shifts and unlock new opportunities, including those in the circular economy.

Mr. Harsh Kapoor

Partner, Monitor Deloitte

Speakers

With over 25 years of experience, Shri. Arijit Basu is an IIM-Calcutta alumnus who progressed from sales trainee to leadership roles, including Managing Director at Sika India, before joining Veedol in 2020. Currently serving as Chairman of Manufacturing Sub Council at ASSOCHAM and Regional President of Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), East India Council, he is known for his “Listen – Learn – Act – Adopt – Deliver” leadership approach. His stewardship has expanded Veedol’s presence to over 70 countries. A recipient of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Excellence Award, Shri Basu emphasizes “purpose over profit” in his management philosophy.

Mr. Arijit Basu

Managing Director, Veedol

Mr. Saugata Basuray, Vice President-B2C Sales and Wholetime Director, Castrol India Limited

Mr. Saugata Basuray began his career at Castrol India as a Management Trainee in 1999 and has since accumulated over 25 years of experience across sales, marketing, and business development. Prior to his current role, he led Castrol India’s country operations in Indonesia and the Philippines.

An engineer from the University of Pune and an MBA graduate from SIBM (Pune), Mr. Basuray now heads Castrol India’s B2C business. He has led a multi-year growth programme that has driven topline growth and margin expansion by venturing into new consumer segments, expanding distribution infrastructure to capture emerging opportunities in rural India, and by enhancing sales productivity.

Mr. Saugata Basuray

Whole-Time Director, Castrol

Mr. Philip Mathew is the Managing Director of Mangalam Lubricants, a leader in automotive and industrial lubricants, and the largest recycler of used lubricant oils in Eastern India. With over 40 years of experience, he is deeply involved in social and charitable causes and holds leadership roles in organizations like the Petroleum Re-refiners Association of India and the Bureau of Indian Standards. He has been a key player in advocating for circular economy initiatives in used oil recycling and has contributed to government committees and environmental policy. Additionally, he serves as the Honorary Chairman of Kairali School in Ranchi.

Mr. Philip Mathew

Secretary General, Petroleum Re-refiners Association of India (PRAI)

Mr. Ch Srinivas is the Chair of the RECEIC Working Group on Used Oil and Executive Director – Lubes at HPCL.

Mr. Ch Srinivas

Chair, RECEIC working group on Used oil & Executive Director- Lubes, HPCL

Session Brief:

The transition to a circular economy requires a transformative approach to financing that drives innovation, scales sustainable solutions, and optimizes resource use and build regenerative value chains. This session will focus on how financial institutions and businesses can collaborate to accelerate the shift to circular value chains.

Discussions will spotlight innovative financial models, the role of private and public investments, and strategic partnerships that enable scaling circular practices. Experts will share insights into how businesses can access funding mechanisms, how investors can align portfolios with circular economy principles, and the importance of policy frameworks in fostering investment.

The session aims to provide actionable strategies for creating a financial ecosystem that supports resource-efficient, circular business models and accelerates the transition to a sustainable future.

Moderator

She is the award-winning author of The Climate Solution and Watershed and the founder of Sundaram Climate Institute, which focuses on waste and water solutions. She is an active climatetech angel investor with a portfolio of over thirty start-ups, and is involved with several initiatives to spur climatetech entrepreneurship. A graduate with distinction from Cornell University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, Mridula worked in McKinsey’s Silicon Valley office and is the executive director of Sundaram Textiles – the company was amongst the first textile companies globally to win the coveted TPM Excellence Award. She is part of the board of trustees of World Wildlife Fund, India and is the former Chairperson of the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh. She pens columns on the climate in the Hindustan Times and the Times of India. She lives and experiments in Madurai in a (nearly) net-zero-waste and water-secure home with her husband and two children

Ms. Mridula Ramesh

Founder, Sundaram Climate Institute & Executive Director, Sundaram Textiles Ltd.

Speakers

With 17 years of experience across investment banking, entrepreneurship, and venture capital/private equity, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of diverse businesses in both urban and rural India. Early in my career, I worked at JPMorgan in investment banking, covering sectors such as healthcare, consumer, and retail. I also led strategic transformation as a second-generation entrepreneur in the automotive ancillary space and gained experience in networking solutions with AGC Networks.

For the past 8 years, I’ve focused on the VC/PE industry, spending over 5 years in impact investing with Aavishkaar Capital, where I led sector theses in food & agri-tech, climate, and health-tech, managed end-to-end investment processes, and built fund strategy. Previously, as a Partner at JSW Ventures, I helped shape the early-stage venture capital fund’s strategy. Currently, as Associate Partner at Circulate Capital, I drive investments and advance circular economy and climate solutions across South Asia. I was honored with the “Top Under 40 Alternative Investment Professionals in India 2021” award by the Indian Association of Alternative Investment Funds.

Ms. Janavi Papriwal

Associate Partner, Circulate Capital

Dr. R.K. Singh is the Chief General Manager of the Green & Climate Finance Vertical (GCFV) at SIDBI, with over 33 years of experience in the MSME sector. He holds an MBA in Banking & Finance and a PhD in Entrepreneurship, earned as a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) under UGC. Dr. Singh has a strong background in enhancing both financial and non-financial aspects of the MSME ecosystem. His expertise spans developing innovative, inclusive business models, fostering entrepreneurship through initiatives like Mission Swavalamban, and leading various development projects, including digital platforms and institutional cluster development. As Head of GCFV, he has significantly contributed to climate finance by creating financial schemes, risk mitigation models, and leadership platforms aligned with national and international climate goals.

Mr. R K Singh

CGM Green & International Cooperation, SIDBI

Session brief:

As the world shifts towards a sustainable, circular economy, the importance of critical minerals has grown, especially for the transition to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and green technologies. However, the extraction and processing of these minerals pose significant environmental and economic challenges. This makes it crucial to explore circular economy models that minimize waste, reduce reliance on primary resources, and encourage recycling and reuse.

In January 2025, India’s Ministry of Mines launched the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), which includes several initiatives, such as the creation of a Recycling Advisory Group. This group will assess the presence of critical minerals in both domestic and imported products and recommend strategies for optimizing the recovery of these minerals. Additionally, NCMM will allocate funds for global research and development collaborations along the critical minerals value chain.

During this session, panelists will share innovative approaches and technologies that support the efficient recovery and recycling of critical materials like rare earth elements in electronics, and lithium and cobalt in batteries. The discussion will focus on how circular economy principles—such as material recovery and product lifecycle management—can be applied to critical minerals to promote long-term sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

The session will also explore opportunities for collaboration between industries, governments, and research organizations to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in critical mineral resource management.

Moderator

An applied economist by training. Obtained Masters in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Pursuing Ph.D. in Business Sustainability from Indian Institute of Management Lucknow.

Has more than 17 years of economic research and consulting experience. Areas of work include (i) Life Cycle Analysis, (ii) Life Cycle Cost Analysis (iii) material productivity analysis (including lean principles), (iv) 6R strategies along product and service value chains (v) Energy & material demand/supply assessments, (vi) material flows (vii) impact assessments of industrial/infrastructure projects, (ix) trade policy in environment and resources, etc.

Achievements: Member of the Bureau of India Standard committee on Environmental Management. Awarded Young Global Economic Fellowship (GES) in 2011 by the Kiel Institute of Global Economy, Kiel, Germany. Consultative Committee Member of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Asset Accounts on Mineral and Energy Resources in States. GEO Fellow of UNEP 2005.

Mr. Souvik Bhattacharjya

Associate Director and Sr. Fellow – TERI

Speakers

Dr. Abhinav Mathur is a distinguished alumnus of Netaji Subhash University of Technology with a PhD in Computer Technology from IIT Delhi and an MBA from IIM Lucknow. With over three decades of experience in global leadership roles across government, corporates, entrepreneurial ventures, and non-profits, he has consistently championed societal impact and sustainable development. As an advisor to the board at Attero, India’s leading deeptech electrical, electronics and Lithium-ion battery waste recycling company, Dr. Mathur leverages his deep expertise in technology and strategic leadership to drive the organization’s circular economy initiatives. His focus is helping ensure the development of a scalable, sustainable model that aligns industry practices with environmental and national goals. Dr. Mathur has a proven track record of leading large teams and delivering state-of-the-art technology solutions. His role in policy formulation at Niti Aayog, where he served as Senior Advisor, and his contributions to initiatives by the Prime Minister’s office underscore his commitment to national development. In addition to his corporate and advisory roles, Dr. Mathur is the founder of Million Sparks Foundation, a non-profit focused on enhancing education through lifelong learning and capacity building for teachers. Under his leadership, the foundation has impacted over 40 million children across India, supported by partnerships with global organizations like Google.org and Microsoft.

Dr. Abhinav Mathur

Head Strategy, Attero Recycling Pvt Ltd

Smt. Sunita Verma is the Group Coordinator (R&D in Electronics, IT, and CC&BT) at the Ministry of Electronics & IT, overseeing R&D operations, including the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). With over three decades of experience, she has made significant contributions across a wide range of fields, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum technologies, Micro-Electronics, Nano Technologies, and Next-Generation Communication technologies like 5G and 6G. She leads key initiatives such as the development of state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities, indigenous microprocessors, and NavIC Receiver Chipsets. She played a key role in the development of the PARAM SHAVAK “Supercomputer in a Box” and has driven national programs like the Visvesvarya PhD Scheme and the Chips to Start-up Program. Her efforts also extend to nurturing the domestic fabless design ecosystem through initiatives like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme.

Smt. Sunita Verma

Group Coordinator (R&D-E&IT), MeitY, GoI

Pranshu Singhal founded ‘Karo Sambhav’ which designs & implements circular solutions for multiple waste streams. He won ‘Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 India’  award by Schwab Foundation, sister organization WEF. He was Director-Digital Learning, Microsoft & Head-Sustainability, Nokia. He is an Aspen-, Ashoka-, Chevening- & Aspire Circle-Fellow.

Pranshu Singhal is an advisor to government departments and regularly provides inputs on policy. He has conceptualised and led multiple large scale e-waste solutions, building public-private partnerships and driving behaviour change. He is a Chevening Gurukul Scholar at Kings College London, focusing on leadership and innovation and also a BE in Computer Science from University of Pune.

Mr. Pranshu Singhal

Founder, Karo Sambhav

Session Brief:

Plastic pollution is a global crisis, prompting the UNEA to initiate a legally binding treaty addressing plastics across their lifecycle—production, consumption, and disposal. While negotiations have progressed since 2022, key challenges remain, including production caps, funding, and hazardous chemical phaseouts.

For industries, this treaty signals a shift towards EPR, sustainable design, and circular economy models, presenting both compliance challenges and opportunities for leadership in sustainability.

This session will explore how businesses can align with treaty objectives through innovation, policy engagement, and strategic collaborations. Discussions will focus on challenges, opportunities, and actionable pathways for industries to transition towards sustainable plastics management.

The key objective of the session is to develop understanding of the treaty’s impact on industries and circularity, examine policy, financing, and capacity-building challenges, highlight innovations and partnerships driving sustainability & develop industry roadmaps for aligning with treaty goals.

Moderator

Ashish Chaturvedi is Head, Action for Climate and Environment at UNDP India. Ashish has been working on the topics of environment, climate change, and circular economy in India for over 18 years. His core expertise is in community-based adaptation, waste management, sustainable consumption and production, and environmental policy. Prior to UNDP, he has worked with research institutions and consultancies, most recently as the Director of Climate Change and Circular Economy with the GIZ, the agency responsible for implementing Indo-German technical cooperation. He has been involved in drafting policies and guidelines at the sub-national and national levels and supported the implementation of major schemes and programmes of the Government of India. Ashish is an avid action researcher and has published extensively in books, journals, and general interest magazines. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, and his academic training has been in the field of political economy.

Mr. Ashish Chaturvedi

Head of the Environment, Energy, and Resilience, UNDP India

Speakers

Shri Amit Verma serves as the Director of the Green Transition, Environment and Climate Change vertical and Economics and Finance vertical at NITI Aayog. He is an Indian Forest Service officer of Uttarakhand cadre where he served in many important forest areas for nearly two decades including the world famous Corbett Tiger Reserve. He is an alumn of both IIT Bombay and IIM Bangalore. His current area of focus in Green Transition vertical is Natural Resource Management, Environmental Issues, Circular Economy and Climate Change, where he leads the discussions in various working groups as Member-Secretary.

Mr. Amit Verma

Director- Green Transition, Environment and Climate Change vertical and Economics and Finance vertical, NITI Aayog

Søren N. Kannik-Marquardsen is the Minister Counsellor of Trade and Commercial Affairs at the Danish Embassy in New Delhi and Director of the Trade Council in South Asia. Søren is serving as a board member of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Strategic Advisory Boards of Corporate Sustainability, Water & Environment and Maritime where he is contributing to the global direction and strategies of the Ministry in relation to trade and commercial affairs. He joined the Embassy in 2019 and prior to that he was managing South Asian operations of Large European Companies for more than a decade, working in Maldives, Bangladesh and India

Mr. Søren N. Kannik-Marquardsen

Regional Director South Asia & Head of Trade Council, Embassy of Denmark

Mr. Bartosz Przywara is the Energy, Climate, and Environment Counsellor at the Delegation of the European Union to India in New Delhi.

Mr. Bartosz Przywara

Energy, Climate, Environment Counsellor at Delegation of the European Union to India, New Delhi

Swati Sambyal is a policy analyst and expert with over 14 years of experience in resource management and the circular economy (CE), particularly in the Global South. I specialize in shaping and implementing CE policies, piloting innovative models that integrate vulnerable communities, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. I have contributed to notable projects in Muzaffarpur (India), Zanzibar, and eSwatini.

Previously, I served as a Waste Management Specialist at UN-HABITAT’s Regional Office for Asia and Pacific and led the Waste Management Programme at the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi for nine years. I have collaborated with institutions like the University of Georgia, UNEP, and the World Bank, and have been recognized by National Geographic as a leading voice on circular economy in South Asia. Currently, at GRID-Arendal, I focus on the Waste and Marine Litter Programme, driving initiatives related to plastics, CE, and just transition, with a particular emphasis on Africa and South Asia. I am also an active public speaker, writer, and passionate advocate for zero-waste solutions. Outside of my professional work, I am a poet and urban farmer, blending creativity with sustainability.

Ms. Swati Sambyal

Senior Circular Economy & Partnerships expert – Waste and Marine Litter Program, Grid- Arendal

Mr. Ajeya Bandyopadhyay is the South-Asia Lead of Climate Advisory at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group. He is responsible for growing climate-focused investment opportunities in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services sectors. His role involves enabling new project developments, enhancing investment outcomes, and collaborating with external stakeholders to drive sector-wide change. He leads regional programs on Circular Economy, Decarbonization, Energy Transition, and Green Supply Chains, supporting implementation through emerging climate finance instruments and policy reforms.

Before joining IFC, Mr. Bandyopadhyay was a Partner at KPMG (India) and Director at EY, where he advised clients across 20 countries on climate change, clean technologies, and climate finance. He has been a member of several key advisory committees, including NITI Aayog’s Circular Economy Committee and the Multi-donor Expert Group on Green-FDI Promotion

Mr. Ajeya Bandopadhyay

Asia Climate (Advisory) Lead, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Session Brief:

This session will showcase inspiring stories of innovation and impact from the winners of the Awards. Award-winning organizations and innovators will present their case studies, highlighting pioneering projects, scalable solutions, and transformative business models that exemplify circular economy principles.

Moderator

Progressive, result oriented, and business-focused leader. Proven ability to solve complex technical and product issues. Recognized for building teams for delivering innovative products on new technologies. Characterized as a versatile leader with strong focus on building and mentoring teams.

Dr. Sumanda Bandopadhyay

Senior Manager, SABIC

Session Brief:

The transition to a Resource-Efficient and Circular Economy requires collaborative action between policymakers & the industry. This Valedictory Session will bring together key stakeholders to reflect on the symposium’s discussions and outline the path forward.

This session will serve as a call to action, reinforcing the need for industry-led innovation, policy alignment, and collaborative efforts to scale circular economy solutions. It will highlight the Ministry’s vision for fostering resource efficiency, the progress made by RECEIC’s working groups, and the importance of industry-policy synergy in driving systemic change.