Around Rs 3,000 cr investment expected in Dahej Plastic Park

Yet another plastic park coming up at Sanand over 100 acres

As a major boost to the polymer processing industry in the state, around 150 companies are expected to invest in the Dahej Plastic Park, entailing an investment of around Rs 3,000 crore over the next few years. Besides, another plastic park has been planned in Sanand over around 100 acres land.

Together Gujarat and Daman-Silvassa region account for over 50 per cent of the country's polymer processing. Also, around 70 per cent of plastic raw material as well as 70 per cent of the plastic processing machinery is produced in Gujarat, said the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association (AIPMA).

The Dahej park is coming up over 200 acres of land is likely to house 150 companies. "Work has begun, land was allotted around one and a half years back. A few units are expected to commence work soon. Investment in the range of Rs 10-25 crore expected from each unit. The overall investment in the park to around Rs 3,000 crore," said Raju Desai, chairman, Plastivision India 2013.

As for Sanand, he said that land is yet to be allotted, and work would begin after that. "At Sanand park, value added products are likely to be made that would cater to the automotive units in the area," Desai said.

AIPMA is the nodal agency for setting up the plastic park, while land has been provided by the state government.

Around five to six Israeli companies are expected to come up near the Dahej Plastic Park, who mainly manufacture pipes. They, however, are not part of the park, Desai informed.

The current consumption of plastics in the country is 10 million tonnes and is expected to touch 20 million tonnes in the next five years. Average per capita polymer consumption in India is around 8.5 kg at present, as against a world average of 22 kg.

Around 10,000 plastics units are there in Gujarat, out of which 40 per cent are recycled units. "The petrochemical policy of the government of Gujarat is positive for the manufacturers; however our plea to the government is to provide subsidy for the recycling industry like Textile Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) for textile industry. Since it is the recycling industry that helps control the pollution in the environment" said Desai.

The Plastivision India 2013,industry trade fair organised by AIPMA, is going to be held in December 2013 at Mumbai.

Over 1500 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate in Plastivision India 2013 and it would be attended by over 100,000 visitors. Around 30 per cent participants are from Gujarat.