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The composite reinforced plastics manufacturers have sought government support in mandating use of the alternative material for wood, steel, aluminium and concrete in infrastructure, construction and defence projects.
The strong pitch from the industry for support from the government and the Defence Ministry in particular comes amid rising imports of composite raw material from China and Russia for use in the defence sector.
In the recent past, Russian and Chinese composites industry started focusing on India as a major export market for sectors such as defence, aviation and auto, said S Ramachandran, Director, Jushi India.
The annual global demand of composites is above 50,000 tonnes of which about 30 per cent is used in defence while in India it is abysmally low leading to the Indian composites industry growing at five per cent compared to global growth rate of 12 per cent, he said at the event to announce ‘International Conference and Exhibition on Reinforced Plastics.
To be inaugurated by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the expo will be held between January 10-12 in Mumbai.
The industry has prepared a proposal to urge the Defence Minister to mandate sourcing of key raw materials domestically in defence projects in line with the government’s make it ‘Make in India’ programme.
It has urged the government to set up a Technology Upgradation Fund similar to the one in the textiles sector, revive Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council programme for product development for railway toilets, seating and interior system and CNG cylinder, develop and upgrade standards and comprehensive test facilities to validate the products.
Besides it wants investment to be promoted through public-private partnership in high tech and capital intensive raw materials and processing infrastructure at affordable prices.
Ramachandran said China has been promoting use of composite material in construction of bridges in corrosion prone coastal areas while in India the material is not even being considered.
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