Page 14 - Plastics News June 2019

AIPMA AT WORK

Seminar On "Sustainability In Polymer (Plastic) Industry

With focus to perception management, plasticulture and packaging"

Seminar on "Sustainability in Polymer (Plastic) Industry Mr K K Sharma Chief GM and I/c Petrochemicals, Indian
A with Focus to Perception Management, Plasticulture and Oil ltd delivered an address covering the Indian Industry
Packaging was organized on 4th June 2019 at Chandigarh perspective. Mr Deepak Dwivedi, Chief Editor, Dainik
Bhaskar brought focus to the importance of plastic industry
and advocated need for generation of public awareness
about its waste management options. He offered help of
Dainik Bhaskar group towards that.
The Seminar included two Panel discussions. The Panel
discsussion devoted to Sustainability was chaired by
Dr. M S Kang, Former Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture
University, Ludhiana . The same was based on a Thematic
presentation by ERM. It was noted that since there are no
economic alternates, it is best to find solution based on
sustainability. The concept of circular economy also EPR and
Global alliance on plastics were mentioned in this regard.
The Panel discussion on Perception management was co-
ordinated by Mr Ajay Durrani, MD Covestro. Need to focus on
by Indian Chemical Council (ICC)-Northern Region. It was positive side of chemistry in a sustained ad scientific manner
organized jointly with the Department of C&PC.
was stressed. The crucial session devoted to “Importance of
UNEP was the Sustainability Partner, Dainik Bhaskar was environment Friendly packaging and managing Plastic waste
the Media Partner. While ERM was the Knowledge Partner, was chaired by Mr Hiten Bheda, Immediate Past President
Sunrakshan Foundation was the Civil Society Partner. and Chairman Environment Committee of AIPMA. HE also
made an excellent presentation covering the way forward
Indian Plastics Institute was the Academic Partner. The
seminar was also supported by Industry associations such as for Plastics waste management and placing the sector in
CPMA/AIPMA/AIFTMA/POCE and CORCON Inst of Corossion proer perception. The highlight of the program was a skit
as also various farmers bodies. on Plastics and Environment organized by the student

Indian plastic industry is making significant contribution
to many sectors, including agriculture, horticulture,
healthcare, packaging industry to name a few. While the
usage and benefits of plastics are manifold, it invariably gets
branded as a polluting material, despite the contribution
of the sector in improving the quality of life. The sector
has a huge perception issue as well. The facts or myths
regarding the polluting characteristic of plastics need to
be addressed in a scientific manner.
Accordingly this Seminar was organized to place the
plastics sector in a proper perspective. Delivering his Chapter of Indian Plastics Institute, co-ordinated by Dr
address during the Inaugural session, Mr Kartik Bharat Ram, Gaurav Verma Associate Professor, Chemical Engineering,
Chairman of ICC-EC Northern Regio and Deputy MD, SRF Panjab Uniersity Chandigarh.
Ltd advocated the concept of circular economy to reduce Though first of its kind by ICC in the region and the sector,
the environmental cost of plastics. While Mr Ajay Durrani it was fairly well received. The same is reflected by the
Dy Chairman ICC-NR and MD-Covestro delivered Key Note good media coverage it received. It was a self sustainable
address covering the Global perspective of plastic industry, program.

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