In pictures: Indian Plastics Federation launches Indplas ’25, the largest B2B plastics exhibition in Eastern India

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(From left) Shyam Lal Agarwal, Ashok P Jajodia, Shashi Panja, Lalit Agrawal, Alok Tibrewala, Amit Agarwal and Sudarshan Tawri at the launch function of Indplas ’25, held at JW Marriott on the evening of July 8. To capitalise on the opportunities in the plastics industry in Eastern India, the Indian Plastics Federation (IPF) is organising its triennial exhibition, Indplas ’25, between February 28 and March 3, 2025 at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan (Milan Mela). In its 10th edition, the event is set to be the largest B2B plastics exhibition in Eastern India

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“I like the taglines of Indplas ’25 — “The future is East” and “The future is plastic”…. Plastic is essential to West Bengal’s economy, including in the MSME sector. We, in the government, support the growth of the sector through schemes like Banglashree. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always believed in inclusivity. We should talk more about the plastics industry being more inclusive and becoming an ambassador of Bengal…. I look forward to being a part of Indplas next year,” shared the event’s chief guest, Shashi Panja, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise as well as Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal

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Established in 1958, IPF is an integrated body encompassing all facets of plastic and is a founding member of Plastindia Foundation, the apex body of the plastics industry in the country. Lalit Agrawal, president, IPF, underscored the potential of plastic in West Bengal by contextualising the scope of development in the state: “The Government of West Bengal is undertaking numerous infrastructural and economic reforms to facilitate businesses, attract leading investors and foster investments. The state offers a perfect blend of economic strength, a strong consumer base, vibrant industry and a large talent pool”

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“The journey of Indplas started in 1981 with around 500 sq mtr. For our 10th edition in 2025, we have a space of 9,000 sq mtr at the Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan. In terms of raw materials and machinery [related to plastic], Indplas is the place to be. Apart from participation from states across India, including the Northeast, there’s going to be involvement from countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Germany, among others, who will seek to make an impact in the absence of China (unable to participate due to visa restrictions),” remarked Ashok P Jajodia, chairperson, exhibition organising committee, Indplas ’25

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“In terms of size, the plastics industry is bigger than paper or pharmaceuticals in India. Plastic is a major thrust area in the economic growth of India. As part of that, Bengal has a vital role to play,” observed Alok Tibrewala, chairperson, National Advisory Board, Indplas ’25. On the question of sustainability around plastic, Tibrewala said: “Plastic has a far lower carbon footprint than many other materials such as paper or glass. Take, for example, a glass bottle, which requires more water to be cleaned than it can accommodate for consumption…. The solution is not to eliminate plastic, but to cut down on excessive packaging and hyper-consumerism”

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Around 450 exhibitors from eight countries are already queuing up for Indplas ’25, whose footfall is estimated to be 1.5 lakh, a 50 per cent jump from its last edition in 2022, which was the first in-person plastics exhibition to be held after Covid-19. With an eye on the future – of plastic and the planet – Indplas ’25 promises to provide a vital platform for industry leaders to showcase how they can use plastic to serve the people