Page 46 - Plastics News September 2022

IN THE NEWS

Serious Ramifications On Imposition Of Mandatory Plastic Masterbatch De-
Standard Certification Norms On Polymer Imports: mand Will Rise to Al-
Plastic Exporters most 5.5 Million Tons by

2031

lobal demand for plastic mas-
Gterbatches is projected to reach
nearly 5.5 million tons by 2031, ac-
cording to a new study by Germany’s
Ceresana market research institute.
The third edition of Ceresana’s
global masterbatches study analyzes
projected masterbatch output in 16
lastic exporters body Plexconcil cessing industry will become uncom- countries from 55 producers, in-
Phas urged the government not to petitive,’’ the council’s chairman Arvind cluding Avient, Global Colors, and
impose mandatory standard certifica- Goenka told PTI. He said India is not Americhem.
tion norms on the import of polymers yet self-reliant on polymers and its im- About 1.4 million tons of white-pig-
as it will have ‘’serious’’ ramifications ports are inevitable. The imposition of ment masterbatch were sold globally
on the outbound shipments of the sec- this non-trade barrier will increase the last year — primarily for use in toys,
tor. India’s plastics exports have already price of polymers for Indian import- electrical appliances, automotive
recorded a contraction of 4.2 percent ers, making domestic plastic processors parts, furniture, and films. Titanium
to USD 3.27 billion from April-June uncompetitive, Goenka said. It will also dioxide (TiO2) protects those prod-
2022. Polymers like PVC (Polyvinyl make it difficult for MSME players to ucts from UV radiation.
Chloride), Polypropylene, ABS (Acry- compete with imports of cheap finished After TiO2 masterbatches, color
lonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), HDPE articles of plastics which will not be gov- masterbatches including organic,
(High-Density Polyethylene), LDPE erned under any quality control order. inorganic, and effect pigments were
(Low-Density Polyethylene), LLDPE Instead, he suggested that the govern- the most prevalent, followed by
(Linear Low-Density Polyethylene), ment should impose mandatory BIS black additives. Being highly resist-
and Polycarbonate are key raw materi- norms on finished plastic goods as it will ant to color changes and fading,
als for the plastic industry. According to ensure a ‘’good’’ quality product in the industrial carbon black is ideal for
the Plastic Export Promotion Council hands of consumers. technical polymers.
(Plexconcil), the Department of Chemi- India’s plastic exports have grown from Using 2021 as the base year for the
cals wants to impose mandatory Bureau a meager USD 16.5 million in 1955- report, Ceresana found that global
of Indian Standards (BIS) norms on 56 to as much as USD 13.4 billion in demand for masterbatches broke
polymers. 2021-22. Goenka said the industry down as follows:
‘’This is very harmful to the plastic pro- needs support from the government as 34% white
cessing industry as polymers are already India’s share in the world export market 25% color
in shortage in the country due to not of plastics is even below that of Thai- 21% black
enough production in the country and land, Vietnam, and Malaysia. 20% additive
imports are inevitable. Domestic pro- In terms of applications, packaging
accounted for 36% of total demand
for masterbatches in 2021.

46 PLASTICS NEWS September 2022 47 PLASTICS NEWS September 2022