Bioplastics production in India

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will be the first state in India to have a fully dedicated bioplastic product manufacturing facility with an installed capacity of about 960 metric tonnes per year. The state-of-the-art facility will commence production by October 2009. The J&K Agro Industries Ltd is going for a joint venture with EARTHSOUL for the manufacture of 100 per cent bio-degradable and compostable products. This would be Indias first integrated biopolymer facility The facility would be manufacturing flower pots and trays for floriculture, carry bags for all shopping applications, outer packaging material for foodstuff and meats, etc, bin liners for hotels and clubs. These products have a huge market in the country and abroad. It is interesting to note that India consumes around five million tonnes of plastic products per annum which is trebling every decade. He said it is expected to touch 12.5 million tonnes by 2010, making India the third largest consumer of plastics. In India, a law introduced in 2003 has banned 20 micron plastic bags in Mumbai and Delhi. The states of Maharashtra, Kerala and J&K have banned the use of plastic bags. Recently the use of polythene bags in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley has been made a finable offense