2nd Technology Conference for Growth of Plastic Industry Import Substitution of Plastic Goods by AIPMA's AMTEC At The Lalit Hotel

2nd Technology Conference for Growth of Plastic Industry Import Substitution of Plastic Goods by AIPMA's AMTEC At The Lalit Hotel , Mumbai

2nd Technology Conference for Growth of Plastic Industry was organized on 7" July, 2023 at The Hotel Lalit, Mumbai. This conference was attended by more than 450+ plastics industries including senior government officials, visionaries of the industry, researchers and entrepreneurs. The event was honored by Hon'ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri. Piyush Goyal, as a Chief Guest. The event was a great success with his presence by his vision and motivation about the theme of Plastic Import substitution. 

As per the mandate of Hon'ble Prime Minister, to reduce import dependence and become Atmnirbhar, The All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA) has conducted a detailed study on import of Plastic goods in the country As per the study, plastic goods worth Rs. 37,500 crores were imported in 2021-22. After detailed analysis, AIPMA has selected 553 plastic products for import substitution. It is estimated that import substitution of plastic goods worth Rs. 37,500 crores would create additional requirement of around 4 Million Tons of Raw material per annum and 16,000+ plastics processing

machines including Tools, Moulds, Jigs and Fixtures. It would also create 5 lakh additional jobs in the country.

This conference is supported by Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. Main objective of these conferences are to help the industry in import substitution thereby helping them to manufacture "Make in India - Make for the World' plastic products.

As a part of inaugural ceremony, Hon'ble dignitaries inaugurated "Display of imported plastics products booths.

Chief Guest of the conference, Shri. Piyush Goyal ji enlightened the role of the government in the innovation, and economic growth. He stated that import replacement is not a simple task but a complex process that requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including industries, businesses, consumers, and policymakers. He complimented AIPMA's AMTEC for listing out 553 imported plastic goods and for organising this conference. Representatives from the industry requested ministry to arrange interactions and B2B meetings between major importers of plastics goods in India and plastic goods manufacturers. Also suggested future interventions could be taken by the Government for Quality standards (BIS) on plastic finished goods, Import duty increase on plastic finished goods, FTA negotiations (import of plastic goods on concessional duty could be avoided), PLI for domestics manufacturing of products that are being imported in large quantity

Mr. Mayur D Shah, President, AIPMA welcomed dignitaries, speakers and attendees and highlighted various activities undertaken by AIPMA for ensuring growth of plastic industry in India. He said that, Initiatives like 'Atmnirbhar Bharat' and Vocal for Local' have encouraged the industry. The government and the industry is working together to further encourage growth and create a sustainable environment for the Indian plastics industry to become the global sourcing hub. Mr. Arvind Mehta, Chairman, Governing Council, AIPMA and Chairman, AIPMA's AMTEC, Past President of AIPMA and PlastIndia Foundation expressed AIPMA's vision and the objective of an initiative 'Arvind Mehta Technology & Entrepreneurship Centre' (AMTEC). He emphasized the importance of the industry's self-reliance, the exchange of the latest technologies and the requirement of training, skilling in manufacturing area so that the accelerated development of import substitution plastic products could be promoted.

During the conference, sessions were divided into various interesting topics like Innovations in Raw material & Supply Chain requirement for Import Substitution, Requirement of Innovative Plastic processing Technologies for Import Substitution, Requirement of Tooling, Dies & Jigs Fixtures for Import Substitution, Roadmap to become Atmanirbhar in Plastic Goods (Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Innovation). Initiative taken by AIPMA was highly appreciated by the Government and the industry.

Mr. Manish Dedhia, AIPMA's Sr. Vice President, concluded the conference with vote of thanks to all dignitaries, speakers and attendees.

The upcoming conferences on Import Substitution will take place in Ahmedabad (28th July 2023), Bangalore (10th August 2023), Chennai (18th August 2023) and Kolkata (31st August 2023) respectively till the month of August.