Reliance to set up 285-KTA CPVC plant: Unmesh Nayak

Unmesh Nayak, chief operating officer for polymers at Reliance Industries, delivered a session, ‘Time to unlock potential of PVC applications’ at the 12th Vinyl India business summit. He said that India is projected to become the second-largest by 2050, trailing only China. Such exponential growth will fuel massive urbanisation, which will in turn raise the demand for robust infrastructure like better housing, water systems, power grids, and transportation. 

Echoing the sentiment of other industry experts, Nayak also mentioned that government initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) are catalysing the demand for PVC. 

India has rapidly evolved into a global hub for PVC, attracting attention from international producers and suppliers. As of FY25, India’s PVC demand stands at 4.5-million metric tonnes (mmt), while domestic capacity is limited to 1.4-mmt, creating a sharp import dependency of over 3-mmt. Even with new plants expected to add another 1.1-mmt, the demand is expected to outstrip supply well into the next decade. China accounts for 40% of the imports and Chinese producers, driven by their carbide-based production model, continue to offer aggressively low prices despite margin pressures. Until these markets recover, India will remain a key destination for surplus global PVC. 

While agriculture remains the core end-use segment for PVC in India, the real growth is expected to come from wire and cable, films, and profiles. These segments are being energised by the government's focus on electric mobility, housing, and urban development. He pointed to two major Indian conglomerates entering the wire and cable space.

Nayak identified the key areas for growth in PVCs. He termed Oriented PVC (OPVC) as a "rising star” as it significantly enhances strength and performance. He announced, “We will be coming up with an almost 285-kilo tonnes per annum (KTA) plant in the next two to three years. Starting with one module later on for this year. Out of that, about 110-KTA of CPVC compound will also be available in the country.”

Another high-potential segment is CPVC (Chlorinated PVC), valued for its heat and chemical resistance in hot water systems and fire safety applications. The third key area, according to Nayak, is CPVC window profiles. From just 20 manufacturers in 2005 to over 4,000 today, the sector has surged due to its advantages.

Nayak said that diversification of PVC application would be key to its growth in the coming years. He said that Reliance is exploring PVC foam boards, integration of PVC with IoT and AI for smart agriculture solutions and exploration of PVC components in solar panel frames and flexible modules, positioning PVC as a durable, lightweight alternative in renewable energy systems. 

In closing, he emphasised the need for the industry to champion responsible production, circular economy models, and advanced recycling systems.