GOVT. PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR COMPOSITES INDUSTRY

GOVT. PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR COMPOSITES INDUSTRY

The government is committed to facilitating the growth the development of the Indian composites industry through the latest direct research provided by technological institutions. This was stated by Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor, and Government of India. Inaugurating the International Conference & Exhibition on Reinforced Plastics ICERP 2008 in Mumbai on Thursday, Dr Chidambaram said that in this regard, TIFAC has set up a composite applications centre at IIT, Kharagpur which is industry-oriented and designed specifically for the development of new composite technologies.

Dr Chidambaram, who is also TIFAC Chairman, said that while optimum use must be made of technological institutions, there should be a greater interface and exchange of information between composite companies and institutes so that the fruits of research are borne and delivered in an efficient manner. The human resource factor is important, he noted, adding that innovation and design lead to the creation of greater wealth and newer products and processes necessitate interaction between academia and industry. This conference is also an opportunity to showcase composite industry capabilities and there is much scope for further growth, he added.


Mr Satish Kulkarni, Chairman, FRP Institute, in his address, highlighted the exponential growth of the Rs 5000 crore composites industry in India. The 25 per cent trend over the last 4-5 years is not just expected to continue but has the potential to touch a growth rate of 40 per cent. The world reinforced plastics industry is estimated at about $85 billion and there is a huge untapped market for reinforced plastics in India. It is estimated that the volume would go up to 800,000 tonnes by 2020. North America represents 40 per cent of the composites industry’s total market value, with 35 per cent for Europe, 32 per cent for the Asia- Pacific region and 3 per cent for the rest of the world. The production of composites involves combining polymer and glass fiber or carbon fiber in order to produce a material that is lighter yet stronger than steel. Composites can be used in a wide and diversified range of industries and its advantages are high strength, low maintenance costs and resistance to corrosion, he revealed.


According to Mr Kulkarni, the trend in the industry is now of consolidation and automation and many companies are investing in newer technologies to enhance productivity and quality to meet increasing local and export demand. Areas of potential include infrastructure specifically roads, housing construction, wind energy, transportation, oil and gas.

Mr Pradip Thakkar, Chairman, ICERP 2008, says the industry is looking for government support especially with regard to fiscal incentives, research assistance and to create a greater awareness with regard to the use of composites in various industries especially pipes for water and sewage transportation, street light poles, telecom cables, automotives, chemical tanks and equipment as also defence applications.

Foreign investment in the sunrise composites industry, which is currently around Rs 700 crore is set to increase by as much as Rs 1000 crore over the next 4-5 years, Mr Thakkar revealed. Large foreign companies like Owens Corning have already invested substantial amounts and there are various MNCs like Dupont, Pentair, DSM, Hepworth, Beluga Tanks, Fibergate, Suzlon and Enercon who have entered the Indian
market with large investments.

Mr Sunil Saxena, who spoke on the theme ‘Reinforced Plastics- Material of Choice for Performance’, explained that global challenges by way of rising energy costs and drastic environmental changes afforded a unique opportunity for the composites industry to provide alternative solutions and energy security whether it be wind turbines or water storage tanks. During the current year the major growth drivers would emerge from developing countries like India, China and Brazil, he added. He maintained that the Indian composites industry is vibrant but the need of the hour is relevant technology and end-user focus i.e. understanding customer requirements. In India, one must look at other application areas such as underground petroleum storage tanks and street lighting poles as also the automotive sector. Infrastructure has the right window of opportunity for the composites industry and in India there is tremendous scope for application conversion, he added.

International companies like Polychem (UAE), PPG Industries (USA), Reichold (USA), Reinforced Plastics (UK), Scott Bader (UAE), Glass Crafts Inc. (USA) Sphertex GmbH (Germany) Necumer GmbH (Germany), ES Manufacturing Inc (USA), Nippon Basic Technology Co Ltd (Japan) and other companies from different countries are participating in ICERP 2008.


ICERP-2008 has been envisaged with a bigger canvas with larger participation by many overseas companies. Exhibition space of over 7,000 sq.m area has been planned for ICERP 2008. ICERP 2008 has been organised by the FRP Institute, India and is co-sponsored by JEC SA of France along with a number of leading composite industries, various Indian government organizations and industry associations. It is expected to have a larger international participation than ever. Innovative ideas and new product launches would be the highlight of the show with first time introduction of ICERP-JEC Innovation Awards.