Prabandh Logo
UPSC
PIB

Plastic Parks: Catalysing Sustainable Industrial Growth

Last Updated

11th April, 2025

Date Published

11th April, 2025

Share This Post With Someone

A symbolic and realistic hero image in 16_9 aspect ratio depicting the concept of Plastic Parks in India.
plastic parks
  • Scheme Overview: The Plastic Parks Scheme, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, promotes cluster-based development of plastic processing industries to boost investment, production, exports, and employment.
  • Funding: Central government provides up to 50% of project cost, capped at ₹40 crore per park.
  • Objectives:
    • Enhance competitiveness and value addition in plastic processing via modern research.
    • Increase investments and exports through quality infrastructure.
    • Promote sustainable growth via waste management and recycling.
    • Leverage economies of scale through cluster development.
  • Approved Parks (10):
    • Tamot, Madhya Pradesh (2013): ₹108 crore, ₹36 crore released.
    • Jagatsinghpur, Odisha (2013): ₹106.78 crore, ₹36 crore released.
    • Tinsukia, Assam (2014): ₹93.65 crore, ₹35.73 crore released.
    • Bilaua, Madhya Pradesh (2018): ₹68.72 crore, ₹30.92 crore released.
    • Deoghar, Jharkhand (2018): ₹67.33 crore, ₹30.30 crore released.
    • Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu (2019): ₹216.92 crore, ₹22 crore released.
    • Sitarganj, Uttarakhand (2020): ₹67.73 crore, ₹30.51 crore released.
    • Raipur, Chhattisgarh (2021): ₹42.09 crore, ₹11.57 crore released.
    • Ganjimutt, Karnataka (2022): ₹62.77 crore, ₹6.28 crore released.
    • Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh (2022): ₹69.58 crore, ₹19.13 crore released.
  • Process:
    • States submit preliminary proposals with location and cost estimates.
    • Scheme Steering Committee grants in-principle approval.
    • Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted and evaluated for final approval.
    • Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) or State Industrial Development Corporations manage implementation.
  • Industry Promotion: States offer competitive plots, tax incentives, and awareness programs to attract private investment.
  • Infrastructure: Includes effluent treatment plants, solid/hazardous waste management, recycling facilities, and incinerators.
  • Export Growth: India’s plastic exports grew from $8.2 million (2014) to $27 million (2022), ranking 12th globally.
  • Industry Challenges: Fragmented sector with small/medium units lacking capacity to fully exploit export potential.
  • Centres of Excellence (CoE) (13):
    • Focus on sustainable polymers, advanced materials, bio-engineered systems, and wastewater management.
    • Locations include Pune, Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Guwahati, Roorkee, Hyderabad, Thane.
    • Approvals from 2011 to 2022.
  • Skilling: Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology offers short- and long-term courses in plastic processing.
  • Sustainability Measures:
    • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Mandates recycling, reuse, and recycled content in packaging; bans certain single-use plastics.
    • Hazardous Waste Management Rules: Ensures proper disposal and resource recovery.
    • Circular Economy: Promotes recycling and biodegradable alternatives via exhibitions and technology showcases.
    • International Compliance: Engages with WTO, UNEP, and ISO for global sustainability standards.

Glossary:

  • Plastic Park: Industrial zone for plastic processing to boost production, exports, and sustainability.
  • Cluster Development: Concentrating industries for resource optimization and economies of scale.
  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Policy holding producers accountable for plastic waste management.
  • Circular Economy: System promoting reuse, recycling, and sustainable resource use.
  • Centre of Excellence (CoE): Research hub for innovation in plastics and polymers.