Page 8 - Plastics News September 2026

THE PRESIDENT SAYS

together to create an environment in which Indian plastics manufacturers can invest, grow, compete
and generate employment. AIPMA took up several important issues concerning GST, anti-dumping
measures, Minimum Import Price and availability of critical raw materials.

Our representations covered, among others, the proposed MIP on PVC Suspension Resin, anti-dump-
ing measures relating to LLDPE and Titanium Dioxide, reduction of GST on plastic waste and recycled
granules, appropriate GST treatment for plastic articles and concessions in GST and import duties
for recycling machinery. These interventions reflect AIPMA's continuing effort to ensure that policy
measures support—not unintentionally constrain—the growth of India's plastics manufacturing sector.

Making India a Global Sourcing Hub

A major focus during the year was to position India not merely as a large consumer of plastics, but as
a global manufacturing and sourcing hub for finished plastic products and packaging material. AIPMA
organised programmes on B2B meetings for exports, Seminar on India as a Global Sourcing Hub
for the Plastics & Packaging Industry at Lucknow, and undertook a dedicated, data-driven study on
exports of plastic finished products. Unlike generic export studies, this initiative has been designed
specifically around India's finished plastics products, with the objective of identifying opportunities,
markets, product segments and barriers that can help Indian manufacturers expand their international
footprint. AIPMA also organised a press interaction to highlight the potential for increasing exports of
plastics finished goods.

Our participation in discussions relating to India–Canada CEPA, India–EAEU, India–Israel, India–Cam-
bodia, Vietnam and Singapore negotiations, and India–UK JETCO enabled AIPMA to put forward the
industry's perspective on tariff lines, Rules of Origin, non-tariff barriers and market access. This work
will be increasingly important as India seeks to integrate its manufacturing sector more deeply with
global supply chains with eight new FTA which govt concluded during the year and many more under
negotiations.

Recycling and Circular Economy
Sustainability and circularity have also been important priorities during the year. AIPMA believes that
the transition towards a circular plastics economy must be based on technology, investment, quality
recycling and viable markets for recycled materials.

During the year, AIPMA engaged with the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and other
stakeholders on recycling and circularity. A stakeholders' meeting on recycling was held with the
Secretary, DCPC, and AIPMA continued its advocacy on GST as a tool to promote plastic recycling.
AIPMA also sought a separate HSN classification for recycled plastics, along with fiscal concessions
for recycling machinery.

The signing of an MoU between AIPMA's AMTEC and EREMA, Austria, a globally recognised recycling
technology company, was another important step towards strengthening access to advanced recy-

8 PLASTICS NEWS September 2026