Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Ananth kumar presented the 7th National Awards for Technology Innovation in Petrochemicals and Downstream Plastics Processing Industry (2016-17), here. Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Shri Mansukh Lal Mandaviya graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET), an autonomous organization under Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC), has been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the scheme of the National Awards for Technology Innovation in Petrochemical sector and Downstream Plastics Processing Industry. For the 7th National Awards, 415 nominations were received and finally, 16 nominations have been selected as Winners and 7 nominations as Runners–up for 2016–17.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ananthkumar said that the Chemicals & Petrochemicals and Plastics industry has grown around 12% this year, defying all claims of a slowdown in the economy post the demonetization drive. Further, he expressed optimism while saying that in the next three years, this sector would achieve 15% growth.
Recognizing the achievements of CIPET, the Minister said that the institution is playing a pioneering role in skilling the youth of India, who in the times to come, would be the torch bearers of the Skill India, Start-up India and Make in India missions of the Government in this sector. The Minister noted that the Government has already increased the number of CIPETs from 23 to 39 in two and half years and is determined to take this number to 100 as per Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision. He also mentioned that due to the efforts of CIPET, for the first time in elections, the containers for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were made of plastic instead of metals, which made them light, durable and easy to carry to far flung areas.
Talking about the challenge of plastic waste management, Shri Kumar noted that Plastic is both an opportunity as well as a challenge, which needs a special strategy and a behavioral change in the common man to sustainably use it for the advantage of the masses. He said that Biodegradable plastic is the answer to this challenge, and announced from the podium the constitution of a task force headed by the Secretary, Chemicals & Petrochemicals which would design a national policy to deal with the issue of sustainable plastic waste management, after consultation with experts and public at large.
In his address, Shri Mandaviya talked about Government of India’s Policy which envisions the development of value added, quality petrochemical products at globally competitive prices using eco-friendly processes and technologies as well as Innovation of newer application and products with focus on sustainable development.
Shri Mandaviya noted that the Award Scheme incentivizes meritorious innovations and inventions in the field of polymeric materials, products, processes and other areas of national and social importance. This innovation award scheme motivates the inventors to carry out innovative Research & Development in the areas of petrochemicals industry, which in turn helps in improving the performance/quality of the existing products.
The National awards are given for outstanding contribution to R&D leading to less energy consumption, better plastic waste management, increase in product life cycle, development of innovative new products, quality standards, recycling and other emerging areas. These awards are also intended to enhance innovative capacities to the level of international recognition. The ultimate objective is to develop and maintain the petrochemical industry as a globally competitive industry using eco-friendly processes & technologies.
Shri Anuj Kumar Bishnoi, Secretary, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ms. Ranjana Kale, Economic Adviser and Dr. S.K. Nayak, DG, CIPET were also present on the occasion along with awardees, senior government officials, representatives of industries, academia and R&D institutions.
Click this link for the list of awardees in 8 different categories:
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