FICCI Press Release
NEW DELHI, December 8, 2014. The National Conference on Plastics on the theme ‘New Horizons for Plastics
Processing Industry’ was inaugurated here today by Mr. Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Minister of State for Chemicals
and Fertilizers, Government of India. The two-day conference is being organised jointly by FICCI and Organization
of Plastics Processors of India with the support of Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of
India.
While appreciating the good role being played by the Indian plastics industry, the Minister called for greater focus on
R&D and innovations and assured the support of the Government for the sustainable growth the industry.
Emphasising the need for efficient plastic waste management, the Minister urged plastic industry associations to
share the responsibility and work in tandem with the city authorities so that a positive image of the industry comes
to the fore.
He exhorted the industry to pool in its efforts to separate dry and wet waste, in collection and recycling of waste
through the use of appropriate technologies.
Mr. Ahir pinpointed the initiatives of the Government for facilitating the sector, including the setting up of plastics
parks and efforts of Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in providing skilled manpower for
the sector as also technology support.
Mr. Surjit K Chauidhary, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, in his special address, advocated
the need for ensuring sustainable growth of the plastics industry, with due regard to environmental concerns and
waste management.
In his welcome address, Mr. Sidharth Birla, President of FICCI, highlighted the vital role being played by the Indian
plastics industry in national economy as also the opportunities and challenges in the sector. He appreciated the
special thrust being laid by the Government on manufacturing and infrastructure, which are imperative for job
creation and inclusive development. In this context he lauded the Make in India campaign and felt that the campaign
along with other initiatives would push GDP growth to 7%-8% in the next 12-18 months.
In his keynote address, Mr. Janardhanan Ramanujalu, Vice President, Regional Head-South Asia and Australia,
Sabic,spoke about the importance of engineering plastics and the key role being played by Sabic in facilitating
innovations in the sector. In this context, a special mention was made about thermoplastics in transforming the mass
transportation industry.
On the occasion, Minister Ahir released a Knowledge and Strategy Paper on Indian Plastic Processing Industry
prepared by FICCI and Tata Strategic Management Group. The paper analyses the role and potential of the Indian
plastics processing industry. It indicates in value terms it has grown from Rs. 35000 crore in FY 2005 to Rs. 90000
