Page 10 - Plastics News September 2023

AIPMA AT WORK
AIPMA AT WORK

Overview of the Plastic Industry in India

Lecture by Mr. Arvind Mehta, Chairman, Governing Council,
AIPMA at Fraunhofer IMWS, Germany
Mr. Arvind Mehta, the esteemed Governing Council Chairman of The
All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), delivered an en-
lightening lecture on 5th September 2023 at the renowned Fraunhofer
IMWS, Germany in the presence of 50+ attendees, including profes-
sionals such as Dr. Patrick Hirsch, illuminating key facets of AIPMA's
mission, India's burgeoning plastic industry, and the tantalizing collabo-
rative avenues poised for exploration between AIPMA's AMTEC (Cen-
tre of Excellence) and Fraunhofer IMWS.

Established in 1945, AIPMA stands as the venerated cornerstone of
India's plastics industry, being both the oldest and largest apex body in
this sector. It serves as a harmonizing voice, diligently fostering collabo-
ration, robust advocacy, and holistic development. AIPMA's ambitious
mission is nothing short of visionary - to lead India's plastic industry
towards processing 25 kilograms of plastic per capita by the year 2025,
with a resolute commitment to harnessing knowledge and innovation
for fostering inclusive growth.
In an insightful exposition of India's economic might, Mr. Mehta un-
derscored that India, as the world's largest democracy with a populace exceeding 1.4 billion, is poised for a historic
milestone as it aspires to achieve a $5 trillion economy by the fiscal year 2025. India boasts a slew of impressive global
accolades, including its standing as the largest vaccine producer, the second-largest producer of two and three-wheelers,
the largest tractor manufacturer, and much more.
Diving into the heart of the matter, Mr. Mehta elucidated that the Indian plastic industry comprises a diverse ecosystem
encompassing polymer manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, plastic processors, and recycling stalwarts. Notewor-
thy statistics paint a picture of vibrancy, with the industry currently boasting a substantial market size of $87 billion, a
processing capacity that has surged at an impressive CAGR of 12.5% over the past five years, and the creation of gainful
employment for a staggering 5 million individuals. The outlook for the next five years is distinctly promising, with exports
poised to ascend to $12.5 billion and a projected uptick in processing machinery at an impressive CAGR of 15%.
The industry, Mr. Mehta highlighted, encompasses a multifaceted value chain inclusive of critical components such as
molds and dies, cutting-edge machinery, essential raw materials, recycling mechanisms, additives, master batches, and
dedicated skill development institutes. India's formidable strides in the global polymer industry cannot be overstated,
with the nation emerging as the world's largest manufacturer of laminated tubes, a prolific producer of molded furniture,
and a significant exporter of diverse plastic products, among other achievements.
Turning attention to AIPMA’s AMTEC, Mr. Mehta unveiled an inspiring vision for the Advanced Manufacturing Technol-
ogy Excellence Center. A state-of-the-art Product Innovation & Application Centre, primed to expedite the product
development cycles of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), align them with global benchmarks, and catalyze
their growth trajectories.
The lecture culminated in an exploration of several collaborative opportunities between AIPMA's AMTEC and Fraun-
hofer IMWS, signifying the pathway to future innovation and sustainability in plastics manufacturing:
1. Collaboration to enhance plastic processing techniques and pioneer advanced recycling technologies that adhere to
the principles of the circular economy.

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