Plastindia was a huge success, says president Doshi

WhatPackaging? (WP?): What has been the feedback that you have received from the show from 1 February to 5 February? 
Jigish Doshi (JD): This was one of the best editions of Plastindia. I am content  because Plastindia is the world's largest exhibition related to plastics. The feedback from the exhibitors and visitors has been excellent. Exhibitors interacted with quality visitors. The plastic manufacturers got a platform to exhibit their models and increase the business while, the visitors got an insight into the latest and best in polymers, machinery, finished goods, recycling, dies, moulds. Basically, everything on a single platform. Already 100 exhibitors have booked their spot for the next edition of Plastindia that will be held in February 2026.

WP? Team: Around hundred CEOS attended the CEO Conclave at Plastindia? What was the highlight?
JD: The CEO Conclave was informative. Around 108 CEOs, COOs and owners from big companies were present at the Conclave. The discussions transpired in the presence of Mansukh Mandaviya (the minister of health and family welfare and chemicals and fertilisers of India). Every company has set up a unit or office in India; be it marketing or self-service, and the focus was on how to encourage these companies to set up a manufacturing facility as well. The government and ministry are very supportive. But as an industry the Indian plastic industry needs ease of non agricultural land acquisition, uninterrupted electricity, duty structure, foreign exchange stability and a few policy corrections plus support from the government.

WP? Team: Today, what is the focus of the plastic industry?
JD: For plastics, packaging is the largest market. Everything requires packaging and the industry is also growing at a faster rate with new incoming technologies. Earlier, the plastic used to be thicker and had limited applications and processing. Now we are seeing light-weighting plus better properties. Also, plastics are vital in the agriculture industry and have a huge scope with continuous improvements.

WP? Team: What is PlastIndia’s take on sustainability?
JD: Be it any product, it should be recyclable, reusable and the material structure should be environment-friendly. Most brand owners and converters are working hard along with the polymer manufacturers. Many firms are working on R&D and some organisations are taking initiatives. In the next one year or so, sustainability will be adopted everywhere in a  smooth manner.

WP? Team: Plastindia Foundation is the apex body for all plastics associations in India with affiliate bodies such as Chemicals & Petrochemicals Manufacturers’ Association (CPMA), Plastics Machinery Manufacturers Association (PMMAI) and many which are a part of the Plastindia Foundation. What is the reporting structure of Plastindia University in Vapi?
JD: The Plastindia International University is located in Vapi, Gujarat, India. It is an industry specific university dedicated to plastics. It was founded in 2016 and is recognised by the University Grants Commission. We are planning to make one board. One is the governing board and the other is the executive board. Plastindia and Plastindia Foundation will be the main organisation, and it will consist of different entities from the industry and together the governing board will become a policy-maker. For day-to-day activities, there will be a different board which will consist of; finance controller, faculty for academics and all of these together will be a structured body to operate on a daily basis. 

WP? Team: What is the action plan for recycling and plastic waste?
JD: Approximately, 95% of plastics are easily recyclable and 2 to 5 % of plastics are difficult to recycle. If such plastics are not recycled, they may end up in landfills. Technology-wise, India is at par with the world for recycling processes. The waste generated is recyclable, but it should feed into the Waste Management System. If not, then the waste will end up in landfills, mixing with all other waste and nothing can be recycled. 

WP? Team: Some municipalities follow proper systems. How do we decide on what system to follow? For example, pyrolysis
JD: With mixed waste management, pyrolysis cannot be done. The pyrolysis process is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures, often in an inert atmosphere. It involves a change of chemical composition. It contains paper, plastics, wet waste, metal, glass and everything else. Such systems can be completed in different ways and can be made into objects such as benches. Pyrolysis can be done when the waste consists of plastics; with an allowance of 5 to 10% of paper. But every scrap has a process for solution and it can be finalised accordingly. At the end, the remaining plastic waste will undergo a chemical process similar to pyrolysis. 

WP? Team: Your view on the implementation of EPR?
JD: EPR is a good concept. However, how and when the implementation can happen, is the big question. Many people have been recommending some changes and modifications in the implementation of EPR. The raw materials either from domestic raw materials producers or imported externally, the application of EPR should be connected right from the line of domestic raw materials producer’s end. The waste management should be applied from the domestic raw materials end till the end line with the help of a PPP model.

WP? Team: Final thoughts?
JD: The Indian plastic industry is on a high growth path. We will benefit from India's journey from USD 5 trillion in 2025 to USD 25 trillion by 2045.