Gujarat will soon have a university for knowledge dissemination on technology and innovation in the field of polymers and plastics industry. The industry body, Plastindia Foundation is planning to set up a university at Dungra near Vapi in South Gujarat.
According to industry sources, the federation is in advanced talks with a leading foreign university for an academic collaboration.
"We are aiming to set up a university-like institute, which will have a collaboration with a foreign university beside having an industry connect. The talks are on with them and a decision will be taken soon. The motive of the institute is to provide technical and industry know-how to the students," said Shailesh Patel, president, Gujarat Plastic Manufacturers' Association (GSPMA). Patel, however, declined to divulge the name of the interested foreign university.
The upcoming university will be spread across 35 acres of land, which has already been allotted to the Plastindia Foundation.
The industry sources informed that the foundation will also join hands with Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET) - a government institute set up under the department of chemicals and petrochemicals, ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, Government of India.
"CIPET will provide technical assistance for the university, while Indian Plastics Institute (IPI) will also be roped in for the purpose. Also, we are in talks with a foreign university for academic collaboration," said an informed source privy to the development.
The university is expected to come up in two years. "The details with respect to the courses and student strength will be finalised in next four-five months," said a source from the Plastindia Foundation. Meanwhile, the apex industry body, All India Plastics Manufacturers' Association (AIPMA) is conducting the eighth round of Plastvision India 2011- a trade show for plastic industry in Mumbai during January 20-24, 2011.
"We intend to bring together industry participants to explore the booming plastics market. This will provide a business platform industry players from domestic as well as international markets," said Jayesh Rambhia, vice-president, AIPMA, who was in town to announce the trade show.
He further informed that the industry is also exploring newer avenues of growth in plastics sector. "The next level of growth for plastics industry will come from sectors like agriculture as the demand is increasing for farm equipment including pipes, munch films, drip irrigation, green houses and even for the fences for the farms. The entire value chain of farm to food-plate will have plastics involved at every stage," said Rambhia adding that the per capita consumption of plastics in the country will rise from current 8 kg to 20 kg in next five years.
