The plastic recycling industry should come up with an innovative Indian model that can help India to convert the challenges into opportunities, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Minister of State, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Govt of India said recently. He said that plastic is pervasive in nature and has become an integral part of the industrial value chain as well as our daily life.

Mandaviya suggested to form a committee led by Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC) that will consist of the plastic industry, state government, associations related to plastics and submit a report of various issues faced by the Indian industry. "We can also bring PLI Scheme with relevant modification for the plastics recycling industry of India," Mandaviya added.

RK Chaturvedi, Secretary, DCPC said that Dhorarji model of plastic recycle is appreciable. Under the Plastic Park scheme for brownfield model, Dhorarji can be developed as Plastic Park to provide the benefits to manufacturers. He further urged the states government to send proposals that can be discussed for the growth of the plastic recycling units.

Samir Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary (Chemicals), Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Govt of India said that India is a world's 2nd populated country and is expected to be the most populous country by 2030 overtaking the population of China but our plastic consumption is very less as compared to other countries. As the economy grows, consumption of plastics will also increase. "Plastic waste management is going to be the key issue in India," he added.

Kashi Nath Jha, Joint Secretary (Petrochemicals) said that the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and CIPET will work to bring latest technologies and skilled manpower which will support the plastic recycling industry. The Ministry is geared up to take the required initiatives to support the stakeholders and, facilitate the investments required for the sector.

Prof  S K Nayak, Director General, CIPET mentioned that plastics constitute a very important segment of Indian economy and act as facilitator to various industries. However, there are issues with respect to environment particularly with respect to recycling technology.

Prabh Das, Chairman, FICCI Petrochemicals Committee and MD & CEO, HPCL- Mittal Energy Limited while applauding government's support to the plastic and petrochemical industry, urged the support from Municipal Corporation and local bodies in collecting and further processing of plastic waste. "Municipal Corporation and local bodies should be strengthened in terms of finances, technology and infrastructure. If we are able to support municipal bodies in collection, then this will become most useful material," he added.