Page 45 - Plastics News November 2020

CCEA orders to pack food grains in diversified jute bags

would be initially placed via reverse auction on the Gem
portal. CCEA in its statement said, “Considering that
nearly 3.7 lakh workers and several lakh farm families
are dependent for their livelihood on the jute sectors,
the government has been making concerted efforts for
the development of jute sector; increasing the quality
and productivity of raw jute, diversification of jute
sector and also boosting and sustaining demand for jute
products.”The jute industry welcomed the decision,
which will ensure demand for jute packaging materials
for 55 mills in West Bengal. Additionally, it will support
farmers and workers from the Eastern and North Eastern
regions of the country particularly Bihar, Odisha, Assam,
Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura. Indian Jute Mills
he Indian Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
T(CCEA) has made it mandatory to pack 100% of Association former chairman Sanjay Kajaria was quoted
foodgrains in diversified jute bags, 20% sugar in jute by The Times of India as saying: “We welcome the
bags. Chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decision taken by the Union Cabinet today amid the
Covid-19 crisis. It will help jute farmers and workers. It is
the committee also approved 20% of sugar to
mandatorily be packed in diversified jute bags. The the best Diwali gift for the sector.” In April this year, the
Government has also noted that the mandatory Government of India's Ministry of Textiles extended the
limit for high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/
packaging norms' scope has been expanded “under the
Jute Packaging Material (JPM) Act, 1987”. In addition, polypropylene (PP) bags to cover current issues of
packaging food grains.
10% of the indents of jute bags for packing foodgrains

PDH complex project in Mundra put on hold

conomic uncertainties caused by the pandemic have
E led to put on hold the set up of a USD 4-billion
chemical complex in Mundra Gujarat. The plant
comprising a world-scale propane dehydrogenation
(PDH) plant, a polypropylene (PP) production and an
acrylics value chain complex was initially decided to be
set up in partnership with Adani group, Adnoc and
Borealis, but has been put on hold due to economic
uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic despite
the joint Feasibility study for the complex being
finished. In October 2019, billionaire Gautam Adani-run
Adani Group had forged a partnership with the UAE''s oil
firm Adnoc, BASF and Austria''s Borealis to study the planned location at Adani's Mundra site would enable
feasibility of setting up the USD 4-billion chemical access to a world-class port and renewable energy
complex at Mundra in Gujarat. As part of a four-party supply. The global economic uncertainties caused by the
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on pandemic have led the Partners to review the timing for
October 4, 2019, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company undertaking this investment. Despite all attempts to
(“ADNOC”), Adani Group (“Adani”), BASF SE, Germany optimize the scope and the configuration, the project
(“BASF”) and Borealis AG (“Borealis”), (jointly referred has been put on hold. The Partners remain convinced
to as “Partners”) have completed a Joint Feasibility about the strong fundamentals represented by the
Study for a chemical complex in Mundra, India. The Indian market and agreed to periodically explore market
project study comprised a world-scale propane conditions and discuss any opportunity that may arise
dehydrogenation (PDH) plant, a polypropylene (PP) over time.
production and an acrylics value chain complex. The

NOVEMBER 2020 45 Plastics News