Polymer Industry in India

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Polymers account for around 70% of petrochemicals and that is the reason that they are the most important constituent of the Indian chemical industry.

Polymers are essentially used in the manufacture of various plastic products. In the consumption of the basic petrochemical, polymers form the bulk of demand with a share of around 55%.

The share of polymers in the product mix in India for various crackers ranges from 60% to 90%. The segment of polymers has registered a growth of 18% while there has been an increase of 26% in the capacities. The polymer consumption growth for 2017-2022 is 10.4%, GDP growth is 8% and import duty is 5%-0%. 11% of India’s total exports are of petroleum products.

The various byproducts of polymers are:
  • Polystyrene
  • PVC
  • Polypropylene
  • LDPE/ LLDPE
  • HDPE

Polystyrene, a by-product of polymers, has a ` 1,216.70 U.S. dollars per metric ton market size. Its market price is RS. 65 per kg as of 2020. The major companies involved in the production of polystyrene are Rajasthan Polymers, McDowell & Co., and Supreme Petrochem. The total capacity of PVC in India is around 1640 KTA with Reliance Industries holding the maximum share in its production.

This segment has been growing at the rate of 15% yearly. Around 40% of PVC is used in the manufacturing of pipes and 14% is used in the production of cable sheathing. The cost of PVC is 67.25 in 2020.

Polypropylene is a very lightweight polymer and that is the main reason why it is used as a substitute for various other polymers. India imported 186,000 polypropylene in the year 2019. The price of natural polypropylene is 55 per kg while 63 per kg for non-woven polypropylene. It is mainly used in the manufacture of injection moulding, BOPP, ropes, twines, and

In India, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) are also widely used polymers. This segment of polymers is growing at a recorded CAGR of 4.80%. More than 50% of LDPE/ LLDPE is used by the packaging industry and they are priced at 92 Rs. Per kg in 2020. The companies which make LDPE/ LLDPE are Oswal, RIL, and IPCL. The second most used polymer in India is HDPE, with a share of 22%. The value of its domestic consumption is 2,123 crore and it is growing at the rate of 15% per year. HDPE is used in the manufacturing of raffia, blow moulding, injection moulding, and in the paper industry as well. The companies involved in the production of HDPE are NOCIL, RIL, and IPCL.

Polymers form an important constituent of the Indian petrochemical industry. So efforts must be taken by the industry and the government of India so that the production and quality of polymers remain top class.

Last Updated on August 02, 2021