Proper waste management solutions and proper recycling – not a ban – are the key to tackling the problem of plastic pollution, says PlastIndia Foundation president Jigish Doshi. And creating more awareness about this aspect of plastics would be one of the key focus areas of PlastIndia 2023, an international industry exhibition taking place from 1-5 February 2023, at the newly revamped Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
“This exhibition is likely to change the face of the industry by creating more awareness about sustainability and recycling,” Doshi says. PlastIndia Foundation, an apex body of major associations, organizations, and institutions connected with plastics, is organizing the five-day mega event that is drawing big names from across the plastics industry and allied sectors.
PlastIndia 2023, Doshi says, will focus on innovation and facilitating modern techniques that will help to maintain a cleaner environment and lead to sustainable economic growth. The event will provide an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their new innovations in processing, machinery, moulds, dies, auxiliary equipment, printing and packaging, raw material, and recycling.
According to Doshi, the Plastindia Foundation is focused on promoting the development of the plastics industry and assisting in the growth of plastics and related materials. The aim of the foundation, he says, is to facilitate the export-led growth of the Indian plastics industry both in volume and revenues.
“It aims to make India the number one destination and the preferred sourcing base of plastics products in the world,” says Doshi.
The plastics debate
The increased talk over sustainability arises from the concerns over rising plastic pollution across the world, with various countries taking action to stem the tide that is assuming unmanageable proportions. Along with many other countries, India has banned the use of select single-use plastic items.
Single-use plastics are basically ‘use and throw’ items, which include polythene bags, straws, cutlery, soda bottles, and most packaged foods. These items have been banned because the plastic is not properly disposed of and managed.
Doshi, however, feels that a ban is not the solution as a lot of plastics are recyclable. “The problem is that the ragpickers don’t have the technology or are not incentivized enough to collect small plastic waste such as straws, etc. Therefore, the need of the hour is a waste management solution and recycling technology that ensures proper collection and recycling of plastic waste. The rapickers who play a key role in this process should be given proper incentives. Waste management solutions and recycling technologies need to be put in place to combat pollution and protect the environment. This exhibition is a step in that direction.”
The mega exhibition
Spread across 150 acres of exhibition space with a total built-up area of 4.2 million square feet in Pragati Maidan, the event has been very well received and the space completely sold out, Doshi explains.
“It is the biggest one to date and is expected to consolidate its position as one of the largest pure plastics exhibitions in the global plastics scene,” Doshi adds.
Around 1,800 exhibitors from all across the world are showcasing their products and technology in the exhibition. Innovative products and technologies are being showcased by top industry names such RIL, IOC, HMEL, Alok Masterbatches, Fine Organics, Kuraray, OQ, and SABIC, in raw material; Lohia, Mamata, Rajoo, Pelican, JP, Milacron, ASB, Husky, ENGEL, Reifenhauser, W&H, Bruckner in machinery; UFlex, EREMA, Starlinger in recycling equipment; and Supreme and Vishakha, in finished products.
PlastIndia Foundation’s goals
Over the years, the plastics industry has reinvented itself with advanced innovations and developed environment-friendly processing and utilization techniques that do not affect the environment, Doshi says. With the launch of PlastIndia 2023, the foundation shared 10 goals to significantly contribute to the plastics industry:
*Making India the number one destination for manufacturing plastics.
*Facilitate the growth of the Indian plastics industry.
*Creating employment opportunities to empower India’s economy.
*Make India a global sourcing hub for plastics.
*Encourage new innovative techniques
*Increase technically skilled manpower in the Indian plastics industry.
*Increase the exports of plastics.
*Increase the processing capacity of the plastics industry.
*Showcasing the opportunities the global entities can tap.
*Act as a catalyst of growth for the plastics industry and related sectors.
