Diplast to help you bring the greens inside

Firm plans using technology which helps plants grow in water, without soil

Mohali-based Diplast Plastics Ltd, engaged in manufacturing rigid PVC pipes, PPR pipes and fittings, water storage tanks and allied items will offer the Hydroponic systems, used in the agro-based technology sector.

Elaborating on the company's plan, Director Ashok K Gupta told Business Standard that the project will be spread over one acre of land and will need an initial investment of Rs 1 crore.

"The Hydroponic system is the science of growing plants in water, without soil. I foresee huge acceptance of this technology because of its ability to be used where the ground or climate does not normally support the growth of plant life. This can be utilised by people staying in flats, who would like to grow green vegetables in their house."

Commenting on the reason for the product, Gupta said, "I want to remain in the fields."

The company is also trying to promote the packaging of fruit and vegetables and will soon launch their plastic packaging products in a commercial scale.

Elaborating on it, he said wastage of fruits and vegetables post-harvest in Punjab was largely due to the lack of packaging and poor cold storage facility.

"My aim is to first bring in the market packaging products like plastic cartons and storage bins which will replace the wooden cartons. The monthly capacity should be anywhere between 100-150 tonnes. Later on, we will also enter the cold chain," he said.

Set up 33 years ago by Gupta who has a diploma in plastic processing in hand from CIPET, Madras, Diplast's annual turnover is Rs 50 crore, which translates to an annual growth of about 30 per cent.The company is eyeing Rs 100 crore by 2009.

Currently, the company share in the north India market is 40 per cent. Its products range from PVC pipes to PPR pipes and fittings, water storage tanks to injection moulded plastic bathrooms with a network of 400 dealers. The three units in Mohali are spread over a covered area of 50,000 sq ft, with an employment of around 250 people in various sections.

With a complete independent testing laboratory in the unit premises the technicians and engineers are working hard to improve upon and ensure high standards.