Plast India University to come up in Vapi

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today said that her government will establish the Plast India International University in the industrial town of Vapi in South Gujarat to provide skilled manpower for plastics industry.
Her announcement came during the inaugural function of Plast India-2015 exhibition, which began here today.
"It is necessary to provide skilled manpower to plastic industry in Gujarat. Thus, we have decided to establish Plast India International University in Vapi. It will be India's first of it's kind university having international recognition," said Patel.
"We will collaborate with the US based University of Massachusetts Lowell to design the courses. To establish this university, Vapi GIDC will provide 40 acres of land at concessional rates," said Patel.

"This sector needs to focus on Research and Development, as we are still dependent of western countries for that. I urge the industry to come forward for Swachh Bharat mission by designing low-cost toilets made of plastic," said Patel.
On the issue of pollution caused by plastic, Patel asked the industry leaders to focus on recycling of plastic.

"Only 30 per cent plastic is being recycled. We must take steps to increase this ratio. Recycling has great potential, as plastic can be re-used as fuel or as road building material," said Patel.
She was accompanied by State Finance Minister Saurabh Patel, Secretary in Department of Chemicals and Fertiliser, Government of India, Surjit Chaudhari among others.

In his speech, Chaudhari too stressed on the need to maximise the recycling of plastic and covert it into other valuable materials. Chaudhari also assured the industry that his department is taking all necessary steps to boost the plastic production in India.
"Indian plastic market is just 3 per cent of global market, while China stands at 31.5 per cent. The per capita consumption of plastic in India is just 9 kg, while China's consumption is 40 kg and global average consumption is 120 kg. Our plastic imports increased significantly, but exports didn't," said Chaudhari.
"Centre government is taking all the necessary steps to boost production and exports. We are working on rationalising import duty, solving issues related to petro-chemicals, etc," he said.