Government and industry plan import substitution for plastic

As per the mandate of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to reduce import dependence and become Atmanirbhar, the All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA) has conducted a detailed study on import of plastic goods in the country. As per the study, plastic goods worth Rs 37,500 crores were imported in 2022-23. 48% of this was from China.  After detailed analysis, AIPMA has selected 550 plastics for import substitution.

It is estimated that import substitution of plastic goods worth Rs 37,500 crores would create an additional requirement of around four million tonnes of raw material per annum and 16,000+ plastics processing machines including tools, moulds, jigs and fixtures. It would also create five lakh additional jobs in the country.

AIPMA is organising six technology conferences for growth of the plastic industry across the country with the objective of import substitution of plastic goods.  These conferences are supported by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India; Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; and Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Main objective of these conferences are to help the industry in import substitution thereby helping them to manufacture “Make in India – Make for the World” plastic products.

The first technology conference will be organised in Delhi on 26 May, 2023 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. This conference would be attended by more than 400 industries including senior government officials, visionaries of the industry, researchers and entrepreneurs. The conference would be inaugurated by Bhagwanth Khuba, minister of state for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Government of India in presence of Arun Baroka, secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Mercy Epao, joint secretary, Ministry of MSME, and various industry luminaries.

The press conference was addressed by Mayur D Shah, president, AIPMA and Arvind Mehta, chairman, AIPMA governing council. Shah said that the plastics industry is a major contributor to India’s economy by manufacturing goods worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore annually. He stated that looking at the future potential, India can become the world’s premium supply hub. The Indian plastic industry employs more than five million people in the country and constitutes 50,000 processing units; among these, 90% belong to small and medium enterprises. This plastic industry will play a major role in India becoming a USD five trillion economy.

 Shah added, “The conference will serve as a strong platform for direct dialog between manufacturers and importers. Stalls during the conference would demonstrate various technologies and innovations to help in import replacement.”

Arvind Mehta said that the government initiatives like “Digital India”, “Make in India”, and “Skill India” will also boost the Indian plastic industry. For instance, under the Atmanirbhar initiative, the government aims to reduce the import dependence of products from other countries, which will lift the local plastic goods manufacturers.

Mehta explained, “These six conferences would focus on technology and business opportunities for local plastics goods manufacturers as a result of import substitution. He further stated that many exhibits and samples of imported plastic products would also be showcased during these conferences. The conference would provide a technical and business roadmap to the industry in order to strengthen their supply chain in India. 

During the conversation, Mehta pointed out that it is necessary for the industry to focus on import substitution and become self-reliant. He further explained that the purpose of this conference is to exchange latest technologies and innovations so that the accelerated development of import substitution plastic products could be promoted.