Page 9 - Plastics News January 2018

FROM THE EDITOR'S PEN

Plastics-the driving force

he current trend in India's plastic exports seems highly encouraging. During the first half
Tof FY18, cumulative value of India's plastics exports witnessed a positive growth of around
9.5 per cent amounting to USD 3.49 billion as against USD 3.19 billion during the same period
last year. Considering this trend most of us would agree that plastics exports is very likely to
cross USD 8 billion mark this year, showing a 6 per cent increase from USD 7.56 billion in FY17.
Moreover, India's plastic exports to United States, continues to tread higher and nearing the
coveted USD 1 billion mark.
Also during September 2017, India exported plastics worth USD 630.93 million, up 17.3 per
cent from USD 538.01 million in September 2016. India exported plastics to 185 countries in
September 2017. United States, China and Italy were the top three buyers of plastics from
India. To increase its global footprint, the industry has added countries like Sao Tome, Belize,
Samoa, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, South Sudan, Micronesia, Lao People's Democratic
Republic, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, and Grenada. Plastics exports to these countries were
valued at USD 0.18 million in September 2017.
As you are aware the industry is working with the government on a strategy in order to facilitate
the growth of plastic exports as the global export market for plastics of USD 800 billion presents Mr. Rajiv B.Tolat
a huge opportunity. Also the fact remains that the Indian plastics industry is dominated by the
MSME sector particularly the SSI, and it requires government support in the form of Technology
Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS)
Taking a note further, all of us are eagerly waiting for the 10th edition of Plastindia2018 that is
to be held during February 7-12, 2018 at Ahmedabad. The exhibition will have a focus on the
growth sectors like Automobile, Healthcare, Packaging, Infrastructure, Agriculture Telecom,
Plastic Composites, 3D Printing and many more. The list is quite exhaustive.

I am sure by now most of you would have decided your dates and schedule for the trade
show. The concurrent events at Plastindia 2018 would include the 5th edition of PROPLAST-
showcasing India’s growing plastics processing capability. It will also have the 10th International
Conference that would host some of the most renowned experts on plastics. We also have the
8th Plasticon Awards that would be held to felicitate the best from the Indian plastics industry
for their accomplishments and excellence on February 7,2018.
The country's plastics industry offers immense potential in terms of capacity, infrastructure
and skilled manpower. India is currently ranked among the top five consumers of polymers in
the world and I am sure this will be reflecting at PlastIndia2018.

Let’s meet at the show and witness the spirit of growth.

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

9 Januar y 2018 Plastics News