We live in the ‘plastics age’ and it would not be exaggerating if we say, ‘Plastics is Life’.

Our daily routine starts with use of plastics tooth brush, tooth paste from a plastics laminated tube,  buckets, mugs, milk pouches, bread wrappers, plastics dominated conveyance, whether it is car, bike or metro train/bus etc. to reach our work place.

Any official work or documentation in array of plastics folders, files is the usual practice across the globe.  Desktop or laptop, CD/ DVD, USB port etc. all have one thing in common that they could be assembled in an aesthetic and ergonomically manner only due to plastics. Whether it is TV, LCD, air conditioners, fan, lights, switches, everywhere plastic parts are responsible for their efficient functioning. The most widely used communication tool mobile beats and rings through all plastics parts in it.

Varieties of moulded plastics furniture, plastics cutlery, plastics packaging have become part and parcel of modern life. Sometimes, environmentalists target Plastics with all negative tags on the eco front, but one must not forget that plastics bring about energy efficiency and fuel efficiency. Also, one key area where plastic contribute immensely is the use of plastics based agricultural implements in micro irrigation techniques. Water is conserved due to controlled irrigation techniques by plastics implements- drippers, sprinklers etc. A satellite, aeroplane or any aerospace vehicle, cannot be designed without the use of plastics based composites.

The above examples are testimony to the unparalled domination of plastics in today’s society.

In India, the plastics industry has been consistent with their double digit performance for last one decade and the only challenge for the Industry is from Eastern countries like China, Taiwan, Japan etc. Indian plastics industry is gearing up to meet the challenges of competition, particularly with China. The difference of Indian plastics industry and Chinese industries is in terms of capacity. For example, a Chinese Industry considers the whole globe as the market place, but the mindset of the Indian Industry particularly focuses on local demands. Indian processors are transforming into global players with thrust on export. Few of the large processors in consumer durables, furniture, household items, packaging have crossed the national boundary and setting up the manufacturing units abroad.

Human Resources are vital for the growth of plastics industry and to meet any competitive challenges due to technology development. The prospects of plastics technology professionals are very bright. An example of CIPET's graduates, qualified in different courses is the pointer to the available opportunities, wherein 100% placement of students takes place even before they complete the course. Rather, there is a shortage of technically qualified students as per the growth and industry requirements. CIPET, along with the support of Govt. of India, is trying its best to increase its intake capacity to meet the requirement of technically qualified personnel at supervisory and managerial levels.

On economic front, the plastics industry in India has contributed to the GDP by registering a turnover to the tune of Rs. 85,000 crores and export value nearing US $4 billion. The plastics consumption is to touch 7 million tonnes, which includes virgin as well as recycled material consumption for different end products. The projections suggest that consumption may increase to over 20 million tonnes by 2015.