Telangana rolls out red carpet for plastics industry
Hyderabad: Describing the plastics and polymer industry as one of the “salient engine” of the economy, Telangana Industries and IT Minister D Sridhar Babu on Friday assured the sector of the State government’s unwavering support, saying Telangana is committed to building a globally competitive ecosystem for plastics, packaging, recycling and polymer manufacturing through progressive policies.
Addressing industry leaders, entrepreneurs and exhibitors after inaugurating HIPLEX 2026, South and Central India’s largest plastics exhibition and the country’s third largest, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, the minister said the industry is critical to sectors ranging from healthcare and electronics to food processing, agriculture and manufacturing, while generating livelihoods for millions. “Beyond the machines, I see dreams. I see dreams of those families whose livelihoods depend on this industry. I see dreams of the technocrats and entrepreneurs working to build a new India,” he said.
Sridhar Babu said the plastics industry provides direct employment to nearly 50 lakh people and supports over one crore jobs indirectly across the country. In Telangana alone, around two lakh people depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
Stressing that manufacturing-led growth driven by MSMEs is key to India’s economic progress, he said the State aims to build a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation, sustainability and value-added manufacturing.
Acknowledging challenges posed by geopolitical tensions in West Asia, fluctuations in crude oil and polymer prices and disruptions in raw material supplies, the minister praised the industry’s resilience. “This exhibition is a testimony to that resilience. Challenges may slow an industry, but they cannot stop its growth,” he said.
He added that the State intends to replicate its success in IT, AI, pharma, GCCs and aerospace in the plastics and polymer sector while promoting recycling, circular economy practices and sustainability.
Speaking on the occasion, Plast India Foundation president Dr Raju Desai said the plastics industry has emerged as a vital pillar of India’s manufacturing growth and will play a crucial role in achieving the country’s ambition of becoming a $7-trillion economy by 2030 and realising the Viksit Bharat vision.
The four-day expo, organised by the Telangana and Andhra Plastics Manufacturers Association (TAAPMA), features 550 exhibitors, including around 40 companies from China, showcasing the latest machinery, moulds, raw materials and processing technologies. A dedicated ‘Recycling Pavilion’ highlights innovative applications of recycled plastics in fashion, furniture, infrastructure and construction, underscoring the industry’s growing focus on the circular economy.
TAAPMA president Narendra Baldwa, HIPLEX 2026 convener Meela Jayadev, AIPMA senior vice-president Anil Reddy Vennam and industry leaders were present. Anil Reddy urged the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments to develop a world-class Plastics Park to support MSMEs in setting up manufacturing units.