The Indian plastics industry 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.
- In FY20, plastic and linoleum export from India stood at US$ 7.55 billion.
- From April 2019–to January 2020, plastic export stood at US$ 7.045 billion with the highest contribution from plastic raw materials at US$ 2.91 billion, plastic sheets, films and plates at US$ 1.22 billion and packaging materials at US$ 722.47 million.
- India exported plastics worth US$ 838 million in August 2020, and the export during April–August 2020 was US$ 3.91 billion.
- The total plastic and linoleum export during April–August 2020 was US$ 3.15 billion and for the month of August 2020, it was US$ 648.07 million.
- The Indian plastics industry produces and exports 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 offers 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 imports. These raw materials, including polypropylene, high-density polyethene, low-density polyethene, and PVC, are manufactured domestically.
