The Hindu Business Line : `India will become third largest plastic consumer by 2010'

Mr Kamal P. Nanavaty, Chairman, National Executive Council, PlastIndia 2006 (right), with Mr Lal Singh, Chairman, Fair Ground Committee, at a press conference in the Capital on Friday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi , Jan. 20

INDIA is poised to become the third largest consumer of plastics by 2010, with the industry growing at a rapid pace. In fact, industry officials point out that the industry has registered a 20 per cent growth last year.

``Currently, the country consumes around five million tonnes (mt) of plastic products which is expected to reach 12.5 mt by 2010. The country's plastic production, during the last year, has grown at a rate of 20 per cent,'' Mr Kamal P Nanavaty, Chairman, National Executive Council, Plastindia Foundation and President, Cracker and Polymers Sector, Reliance Industries Ltd, said.

Mr Nanavaty was speaking on the sidelines of a press meet to announce the forthcoming `Plastindia 2006' exhibition. The six-day exhibition, beginning February 9, would see participation of 1200 exhibitors from over 30 countries including China, Italy, Germany and Taiwan.

The Plastindia Foundation expects business transactions worth $ 150 million.

Even though the country has scaled up its plastic production, its domestic consumption still lags behind at 8 kg per head figure, as against the world average of 24 kg per head. Mr Nanavaty said that the per capita consumption of plastic products was much higher in the developed countries as compared to the developing countries.

While speaking about the R&D initiatives undertaken to recycle plastic, Mr Nanavaty said: ``Of late, the industry has been focussing on recycling the plastic waste. But we need to improve the quality especially of plastic bags to reduce its wastage.''

Proper usage of plastics would help ameliorate the present environmental condition as it provides for a substitute for wood and paper and hence could help maintain the forest reserves, he asserted.