The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC) has said that it has undertaken various initiatives for implementation of the National Policy on Petrochemicals. In its status note on the National Policy on Petrochemicals, the DCPC said that a standing committee on petrochemicals has already been constituted.

"The department awarded a feasibility study on feedstock and alternate feedstock for petrochemical industries to Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun. The report of the feasibility study has been received recently and the department is currently evaluating the report," the DCPC said.

An inter-ministerial expert committee on development of plastics in thrust areas has been constituted. The DCPC has identified the following thrust areas: plastics in agriculture; plastics in construction; pipes for potable water and other water management; plastics for irrigation and plastic packaging.

?These issues are being discussed with national level industry associations to build the necessary focus for the development of these thrust areas,? the DCPC said.

Based on the recommendations of the feasibility studies, government has approved three schemes:

1. Scheme of national awards for technology innovations in petrochemicals and downstream plastic processing industry.
2. Central scheme of setting up of centres of excellence in polymer technology.
3. Setting up of dedicated plastic parks to promote a cluster approach in the areas of development of plastic applications and plastic recycling.

These schemes will help in establishing centres of excellence in the emerging areas of petrochemicals, providing recognition for innovation in petrochemicals technologies, development of clusters to increase the competitiveness of downstream plastic processing industry and recycling, the DCPC said.