PLASTIC INDUSTRY SECTOR

Introduction

The Indian plastics industry made a promising beginning in 1957 with the production of polystyrene. Thereafter, significant progress has been made, and the industry has grown and diversified rapidly. The industry spans the country and hosts more than 2,000 exporters. It employs about 4 million people and comprises more than 30,000 processing units, 85-90 percent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.

  • In FY20, plastic and linoleum export from India stood at US$ 7.55 billion.
  • During April 2019-January 2020, plastic export stood at US$ 7.045 billion with the highest contribution from plastic raw material at US$ 2.91 billion, plastic sheets, films and plates at US$ 1.22 billion and packaging materials at US$ 722.47 million.   
  • The Indian plastics industry produces and export a wide range of raw materials, plastic-moulded extruded goods, polyester films, moulded/ soft luggage items, writing instruments, plastic woven sacks and bags, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), leather cloth and sheeting, packaging, consumer goods, sanitary fittings, electrical accessories, laboratory/ medical surgical ware, tarpaulins, laminates, fishnets, travel ware, and others.
  • The Indian plastics industry offer excellent potential in terms of capacity, infrastructure, and skilled manpower. It is supported by many polymer producers, plastic process machinery and mould manufacturers in the country.
  • Among the industry’s major strengths is the availability of raw materials in the country. Thus, plastic processors do not have to depend on import. These raw materials, including polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and PVC, are manufactured domestically.

Recent Developments

India is ready to have 18 plastic parks and the Government will be investing Rs 40 crore (US$ 6.2 million) to increase the domestic production of plastics. This will achieve environmentally sustainable growth and increase employment.

source: IBEF