Arvind Mehta, the governing council chairman of The All India Plastics Manufacturers Association (AIPMA), delivered a lecture at Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems (IMWS), Germany, illuminating key facets of AIPMA’s mission, India’s burgeoning plastic industry, and the collaborative avenues poised for exploration between AIPMA’s AMTEC (Centre of Excellence) and Fraunhofer IMWS.
Established in 1945, the AIPMA is the oldest and largest apex body of India’s plastics industry. AIPMA’s mission is to lead India’s plastic industry towards processing 25 kilograms of plastic per capita by the year 2025, with a commitment to harnessing knowledge and innovation for fostering inclusive growth.
Speaking in the presence of more than 50 attendees, including professionals such as Patrick Hirsch on 5 September 2023, Mehta underscored that India, as the world’s largest democracy with a populace exceeding 1.4 billion, aspires to achieve a $5 trillion economy by the fiscal year 2025. India, he said, is the largest vaccine producer, the second-largest producer of two and three-wheelers, and the largest tractor manufacturer.
Mehta said the Indian plastic industry comprises a diverse ecosystem encompassing polymer manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, plastic processors, and recycling players. The industry currently boasts a substantial market size of $87 billion, a processing capacity that has risen at a CAGR of 12.5% over the past five years, and created employment for 5 million individuals. The outlook for the next five years is promising, with exports poised to ascend to $12.5 billion and a projected uptick in processing machinery at a CAGR of 15%.
The industry, Mehta said, encompasses a multifaceted value chain inclusive of critical components such as molds and dies, cutting-edge machinery, essential raw materials, recycling mechanisms, additives, masterbatches, and dedicated skill development institutes. India is 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, Mehta unveiled a vision for the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Excellence Center. It is a product innovation and application center, 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 Fraunhofer IMWS:
*Collaboration to enhance plastic processing techniques and pioneer advanced recycling technologies that adhere to the principles of the circular economy.Â
*Joint workshops, seminars, and conferences to facilitate the exchange of plastic manufacturing technologies and share technological advancements.Â
*The introduction of joint training programs geared towards enriching skills and knowledge within the plastics industry, encompassing polymer science, processing techniques, and sustainability practices.Â
*Collaborative projects aimed at devising eco-friendly plastic production methodologies and conducting comprehensive life cycle analyzes to inform sustainable decision-making.Â
*Incubation programs dedicated to supporting start-ups and innovators within the plastic industry, equipping them with vital resources, expertise, and mentorship.Â
*Offering opportunities for student engagement and professional development, fostering the next generation of leaders in plastics innovation. Â
