Surge in plastics exports to China

Export of plastic goods from the eastern region rose to Rs 473 crore during April-October period as compared to Rs 182 crore corresponding period last year, registering growth of whopping 159.8 per cent.

R C Lohia, vice chairman of Plexconcil, the apex body of plastic export from India, said plastic raw material, writing instruments, laminates, plastic moulded and extruded goods pushed up exports. China emerged as one of the largest importer of plastic raw materials.

Overall, plastic export from the country has registered around 15 per cent growth. During the last fiscal plastic export touched $ 1 billion mark. Plastics exporters said they hoped the second half of the year would be even better and total exports would be able to record 20 per cent growth.

However, one of the cause of concern for exporters remained the new product regulatory regime 'CE' (Conformite Europene) introduced by European Union. Without this approval, exporters would not be able to sell Indian products overseas.

Among the different types of plastics products exported, medical equipment and toys were required to be bear the CE certification. The industry's problem was that there was no notified body present in India for the CE label.