'Plastic engineering is rapidly growing'

Bhopal, May 27: Use of plastic is quite less in India as compared to other countries although lot of employment opportunities exist in the field of plastic engineering.

Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) Project Manager S C Bahal told reporters here today that plastic consumption in the country is merely seven kg per person as compared to 20 kg per person in other countries.

''The country produced 22 million tonne plastic last year and a trade of Rs 7,200 crore was carried out. Plastic consumption is growing by 13-14 per cent every year and is expected to reach 22 million tonne by 2015,'' he said, adding that 85 lakh more employment opportunities were expected to be created by the rapidly growing sector.

Mr Bahal said the Centre has reduced excise duty on plastic from 16 per cent to seven per cent in a bid to boost the industry.

Pointing out that immense possibilities existed in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in the plastic engineering sector, he said shortage of skilled human resources due to lack of awareness was impeding growth in this region.

Noting that plastic consumption has increased in automobile, medical, building construction and packaging sectors, Mr Bahal said use of plastic has increased in industrial as well as domestic sectors as a result.

He said plastic was being used even for drip irrigation in agricultural sector to avoid wastage of water.

On the harmful effect of plastic on environment, Mr Bahal said harmful effects of plastic could be prevented by better management and recycling plastic.

UNI