The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan along with the Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated a Product Application & Development Centre (PADC) setup by Indian Oil at Paradip, through video conference.
PADC has been set up by Indian Oil at Paradip with a capex of Rs. 43 crore, adjacent to its Refinery and Petrochemicals complex. There are 4 laboratories in PADC namely Polymer Processing Lab, Analytical Testing Lab, Chemical Analysis Lab and Characterisation Lab.
The Technical centre is equipped with 50 latest sophisticated polymer testing and processing equipment to cater to the needs of customers and new investors. PADC, Paradip is recognized as a research centre by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.
PADC will act as an incubation centre for new entrepreneur development in and around Odisha in the field of plastics. The centre will render assistance to customers and investors in product and application development for polymer finished products such as molded furniture, houseware, woven sacks for packaging cement, fertiliser, healthcare applications like baby diaper, personal protective suit, mask etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, “The state holds immense potential in petrochemicals, steel, coal, aluminium, tourism, textile and agri entrepreneurship. The Government of India is committed to promoting entrepreneurship in Odisha across sectors which will lead to large scale job creation.”
“This centre of excellence will help in creating several new employment and self-employment opportunities for the Odia youth, women and hard working workforce and will further boost state’s revenue and economy. This is a big milestone in the development of Odisha, and will contribute to the making of an Atmanirbhar Odisha and subsequently contribute to the overall vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” added Pradhan.
Chief Minister, Odisha, Naveen Patnaik expressing happiness at the inauguration said, “This centre will not only perform a pivotal role in developing new material and innovative applications, it will also help investors to set up manufacturing units in plastic and polymers sectors.”
