Govt to set up panel to promote bio-degradable plastics

The government will set up a task force to study feasibility and cost-effective manufacturing of bio-degradable plastics to address environmental concerns.
A national programme will be designed to promote manufacturing and use of bio-degradable plastics based on the recommendations of the task force.
The panel will be headed by the Chemicals and Petro-chemicals Secretary.
"Plastics has become a necessity and at the same time a big challenge. There is misuse of plastics. How can we stop this? There is a solution and that is bio-degradable plastics but cost is an issue," Fertiliser and Chemicals Minister Ananth Kumar said today.
He was speaking at an event after giving away national awards for technology innovation in petrochemicals and downstream plastics processing industry for 2016-17.

"A task force will be set up to study the feasibility of manufacturing and in a cost effect way. Plastic menace is discussed all over India. It is a blot on the plastic manufacturing sector and we need to remove this," he added.

Food packaging industry is one of the largest consumer of plastics despite ban.
The minister said that as there is cost implication to replace plastic, the government will take steps to promote bio-degradable materials.
He further said the chemicals, petro-chemicals and plastic sectors has grown around 12 per cent this year, defying all claims of a slowdown in the economy post the demonetisation drive.

"It could grow by an additional one per cent annually for the next three years and achieve 15 per cent growth."
Kumar said CIPET (Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology) is playing a key role in skilling the youth and development of the economy.
He said that metallic body of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), being used in the ongoing assembly elections, has been replaced with plastic body due to the pioneering work done by the CIPET.
"For the first time in elections, the containers for EVMs were made of plastic instead of metals, which made them light, durable and easy to carry to far flung areas."

The government has already increased the number of CIPETs from 23 to 39 in two and half years and is determined to take this number to 100, the minister announced.
Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya said plastic with measuring of less than 15 micron is banned, but it is still available in the market.
He said that while bio-degradable plastic is available, more research is needed to make it more sustainable.
Chemicals and Petrochemicals Secretary Anuj Kumar Bishnoi, Economic Adviser Ranjana Kale and CIPET Director General S K Nayak were also present on the occasion.