'Plastics industry needs to adopt latest technology'

The plastics industry should equip itself to adopt latest technologies for the recycling and reuse of hydrocarbons from waste plastics as there is a tremendous pressure on natural resources, said a senior central government official.

Speaking at Poly India 2013, the second international exhibition and conference, Indrajit Pal, secretary with the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, said, "The need of the hour is for all stakeholders to join hands to evolve suitable technological and management models that capitalise on the recyclable and reusable forms of plastics."

The two-day conference is jointly organised by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

Adopting the latest technology would also turn the negative image prevailing in certain forms of plastics and turn it into a positive one, particularly with regards to the packaging materials and carry bags, he said.

The level of production and consumption of plastics is low in India at present and it provides a big opportunity for growth of the sector. However, there are challenges like lack of adequate feedstock, for the industry. The industry should look at newer sources of energy like shale gas, bio fuels and even hydrocarbon streams which were not utilised earlier, for the manufacture of value-added petrochemicals.

"To emerge as a competitive force globally, the industry needs to pay attention to the scales of operation, product innovation, material and energy efficiency and marketing," he said.

The Centre is aware of certain issues in the petrochemical institution relating to the import duties on feedstock and building blocks and duties on products . The department would also look for UNIDO's support in spreading and replicating the processes and the innovations involved in green manufacturing process.