India needs comprehensive policy for growth of plastic useage

Kolkata, Feb 23 (UNI) Haldia Petrochemicals Limited's managing director Swapan Kumar Bhowmik has said India needed a comprehensive policy to boost the usage of plastic in domestic market.

Mr Bhowmik said India has huge market as plastic almost replaced all other material, but useage of this goods was much below than other developing nations.

He said while India's per year consumption for a person was only 5 kgs, neighbouing China's had 25 kgs and developed nations like USA had about 100 kgs per year.

Mr Bhowmik was speaking last night at the launch of Plastindia-2009, Kolkata chapter, world's second largest exhibition, to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from February 4 to 9, 2009.

The HPL's chief said he was yet to understand what policy makers wanted on the usage of plastic, which was most environment friendly, easy to use, cheapest material and affordable to common people.

Unless per capita usage of plastic in home was increased, the growth of this industry was not possible and this must be understood by the policy makers, Mr Bhowmik said.

Indian Plastics Federation president Arvind Mehta said about 65 per cent space of the 70,000 sq mts areas for the 7th edition of Plastindia was already booked during launching in Mumbai on January 18 and February 7 in Ahmebadad.

He said while growth of plastic useage in domestic market was 12 to 15 per cent, export was about 35 per cent.

India produces about 5.5 million tonne of platic goods per year.

Mr Mehta the country was aiming to export about 40 per cent of its production.

He said last year about 32 units from eastern region had particiated in the exposition and in 2009 they were trying to rope in at least 50 to 60 units.

UNI PC PL RN1645