Plastic products in the country are gaining competitive edge over other products made up of iron and steel as the former are cheaper, lighter and rust proof

Plastic manufacturing has traversed a long way in the country, with most products that are now used in household items and offices being made up of synthetic polymers. Gone are the days when plastic was considered cheap. Of late the plastic industry has been showing a significant upward curve. Easy and comfortable usage has made plastic an essential commodity. Ranging from buckets to car fuel tanks, most things are now made out of plastic.

Innovation in plastic products has made them more significant in various industries where they are used. Few years back most sewerage lines were made up of iron pipes. But today it is not uncommon to find sewerage lines made up of plastic pipes. Bricks-and-mortar, which till date has been used as a primary raw material in construction, is slowly being replaced by plastic. Structures designed by Sintex Industries are classic examples of plastic replacing conventional raw materials.

Conventional tanks made from steel are being replaced by flexitanks, which are cheaper and lighter as compared to the former. Such tanks in the country are being developed by Emmbi Polyarns. In fact it is being anticipated that soon liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders might also be made of plastic.

High durability and cost effectiveness of plastic products

According to Sanjeev Sethi, managing director of Myplast Industries Private Limited, a mid-sized dealer of manufacturer and exporter of household plastic products in New Delhi comments, “Plastic manufacturing in India is bolstered by the fact that plastic products are durable and come at cost-effective price points as compared to products made of steel or iron. Plastic usage in product manufacturing saves a significant amount of money for the company.”

Household furniture that even a few years back was dominated by wood or steel is now being slowly replaced by plastic.. “One of the greatest advantages of plastic is that unlike iron or other metals it does not undergo rusting or corrosion. This unique property is one of the major USPs of plastic products,” says Vasanta Mamania, managing director of Bhoumik Industries, a mid-sized manufacturer of plastic products in Mumbai.

The packaging industry too is switching to plastic as it can be moulded and given different shapes. Packaging players are of the opinion that by creating new looks and creative designs, plastic products are able to cater to rising consumer demand.

Plastic usage set to increase

However, as compared to other developed economies of the world, consumption of plastic products has been low in India. An average Indian consumes approximately 6 kg of plastic annually, as compared to 125 kg consumed annually by an American.

An official from the Organisation of Plastic Processing Industry (OOPI) who did not wish to be named said that currently most cars in the country consist of nearly 125 kg of plastic products installed as compared to 20 kg a few years ago. He also said that in the coming months plastic manufacturing in the country will receive a further fillip with more and more plastic products being used in sectors such as railways, healthcare and infrastructure.

Arup Choudhury