Page 53 - Plastics News March 2017

TEChNoLoGy ThE NEWS
IN

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India recycles 90% of its PET

OPaL's Rs 30,000-cr petrochemical waste says a study

complex
here is every possibility that India has the highest
Trecycling rate for polyethylene terephthalate or
rime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated oNGCPetro
Padditions Ltd (oPaL) petrochemicals complex, located PET, a kind of plastic used to for manufacturing drinking
water bottles and food containers. of the 900 kilo
at Dahej (Bharuch, Gujarat) to the nation. oPaL is a joint tonnes of PET made in India annually, 65% is recycled
venture company promoted by oNGC, Gail and GSPC, at registered facilities, 15% in the unorganised sector
implementing a grass root integrated petrochemical and 10% is reused at homes, states a yearlong study
complex located in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under by scientists from Council of Scientific and Industrial
Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Research (CSIR) - National Chemical Laboratory
Region (PCPIR) at Dahej, Gujarat.
(NCL). The rest ends up at landfills.
This is the single largest petrochemical plant in India and at The recycling rate for PET in Japan is 72.1%, 48.3% in
full capacity, will annually produce 14 lakh metric tonnes Europe and 31% in the US. The data was released by NCL
of polymers - viz. linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE),
high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) -
and 5 lakh metric tonnes of chemicals such as benzene,
butadiene, and pyrolysis gasoline.
The product warehouse is one of the largest in India with an
area of 128,250
square metres.
o P aL would
us e o NGC’s
captive feed
of C2+ streams
(ie, ethane,
propa n e a n d
butane) from
C2-C3 extraction
plant, and naphtha from Hazira & Uran to produce
polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Set up with an
investment of Rs 30,000 crore, the plant is strategically
located in thepetrochemicals and chemical hub of the
country with excellent connectivity, creating an integrated and PET Packaging Association for Clean Environment
ecosystem.The project will further result in the growth (PACE), a New Delhi-based industry body representing
of new downstream plastic processing industries in the PET manufacturers, processors and recyclers . According
country, generating further investment of Rs 40,000 crore to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
and over 20,000 indirect employment opportunities, giving people around the world produce nearly 300 million
major thrust to government’s Make in India programme. tonnes of plastic every year . of that, as much as 13
The increased use ofpolymers will also reduce burden on million tonnes finds its way into the oceans, wreaking
traditional materials like wood, paper, metal and will help havoc on marine ecosystems and the fishing industry.
in conserving natural resources like water and energy and The pollution costs up to $13 billion per year in
promote food safety & food conservation. environmental damage.

53 March 2017 | Plastics News