Plastindia Foundation's Knowledge Centre planned over 50 acres of land near Gujarat-Maharashtra border is yet to begin spadework for the project as the association is awaiting for land allocation by the state government.
Plastindia, an apex forum of the country’s plastic industry, had signed an agreement with the Gujarat government in January 2009 to set up a knowledge centre in the state at an estimated cost of around Rs 100 crore. Land has been shortlisted near Vapi and Umbargaon near the Gujarat-Maharashtra border,however, nothing has been firmed up yet.
The institute will offer courses on Plastic Processing Technology, Plastic Material related Technology, Mould design and Fabrication Technology, Product Design and have an Innovation Centre to train a skilled workforce required in the country's plastic processing industry. To begin with it will train 200-240 students per year through the core courses on offer.
The Indian plastics industry is growing at a compunded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 12 – 15 per cent over the past the past five to seven years, Plastindia claimed. "The industry employs around 3.5 million people today and the polymer consumption by the industry is pegged around around 6 million tonnes. The industry absorbs over 50,000 workers for an increase of about 1 million tonne per annum consumption of plastics in India.
And when we look at the top of the pyramid, around 5 per cent of this manpower requirement will be in the technical & managerial category.Plastindia Foundation Knowledge Centre aims to address this segment.", said S Ramanathan, secretary of Plastindia. Plastindia is already in talks with universities in Germany, UK, Netherland for collaborations. "These overseas institutes can offer the latest technological know-how, upgrades and soft-skills to the students.", Ramanathan said.