Page 9 - Plastics News December 2022

Long live Plastics- The Industry Is All Set to Overcome Its Limitations
Good things first. AIPMA has been successful in its efforts over the period, convincing Maharashtra
government against the ban on plastics and its repercussions on the social and the economic
growth of the country.
The Maharashtra Government earlier this month on Thursday December 01,2022 partially
lifted a four-year plastic ban, permitting use, storage, sale, distribution, and transportation of all
single-use disposable items such as spoons, straws, plates, cups, glasses, forks, and containers
made up of compostable material. The state government had taken such a decision in an
empowered committee meeting headed by Shri. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister, Maharashtra
and Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra.
A notification issued by the environment and climate change department (ECCD) has also
allowed use of non-woven polypropylene bags, not less than 60 grams per square metre (GSM),
and plastic packaging material with thickness below 50 microns. In case the thickness of plastic
sheets impairs the functionality of the product, the packaging material may be less than 50
microns," the notification said. The order came into immediate effect with a huge sigh of relief
to the industry.
With this, the manufacturers or sellers of single-use items made up of compostable material
shall have to obtain a certificate from the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology
and the Central Pollution Control Board. To put it simply it means the manufacturers will have
to obtain the approval in advance and items will have the imprint of the certification from the
authorities concerned and this seems to be a workable solution for this will adhere to norms as
well.

AIPMA has always been equally concerned about its social responsibility and has been working
in the larger interest of the society as well.

As the year 2022 comes to an end, it reminds me of all the hard work and testing times we had
been throughout this year. With the pandemic COVID 2019 all of us had been struggling and
now that it has ended somehow we are limping back to our (Pre- COVID) normal living, as well.

Coming back to trade, AIPMA made its presence felt at the recently held Indplas 2022 during
25-28 November 2022. As we know Indplas, organized by the Indian Plastics Federation (IPF),
is among one of the largest International Exhibition on Plastics held in Eastern India and cannot
be missed.

Equally impressive was the Surashtra Plast 2022, organized by the Saurashtra Plastics
Manufacturers Association, held during 14-17 December 2022. AIPMA had its representation
as well at the exhibition. The exhibition that is making its imprint gradually had Machinery
Manufacturers, Raw Materials Manufacturers, along with exhibitors from Dies & Chemicals,
Ancillary Equipment from Polymer Industry as well.
To conclude, with the year ending now the weather is all set for 'Christmas' and I wish everyone'
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year 2023!
Thankyou.

Rajiv B. Tolat
Hon. Editor
publication@aipma.net

December 2022 PLASTICS NEWS 9