Indian Plastics Industry and Exports

The plastic industry in India made a promising beginning in 1957 with the production of polystyrene. Thereafter, significant progress has been made, and the industry has grown and diversified rapidly. The industry spans the country and hosts more than 2,000 exporters. It employs about 4 million people and comprises more than 30,000 processing units, 85-90% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises.

• India exported plastics raw material worth US$ 280.38 million in March 2021, and the export during April 2020 to March 2021 was US$ 3.29 billion.
• The total plastic and linoleum export during April 2020 to March 2021 was US$ 7.45 billion and for the month of March 2021, it was US$ 719.15 million.
• In April 2021, export of plastic and linoleum stood at US$ 726.74 million.
• In FY20, plastic and linoleum export from India stood at US$ 7.55 billion.
• In FY21 export of plastic sheets, films, and plates stood at US$ 1.53 billion and packaging material was US$ 863.62 million.
• The Indian plastics industry produces and export a wide range of raw materials, plastic-moulded extruded goods, polyester films, moulded/ soft luggage items, writing instruments, plastic woven sacks and bags, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), leather cloth and sheeting, packaging, consumer goods, sanitary fittings, electrical accessories, laboratory/ medical surgical ware, tarpaulins, laminates, fishnets, travel ware, and others.
• The Indian plastics industry offer excellent potential in terms of capacity, infrastructure, and skilled manpower. It is supported by many polymer producers, plastic process machinery and mould manufacturers in the country.
• Among the industry’s major strengths is the availability of raw materials in the country. Thus, plastic processors do not have to depend on import. These raw materials, including polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and PVC, are manufactured domestically.