Polymers
account for around 70% of petrochemicals and that is the reason that they are
the most important constituent of theIndian chemical industry.
Polymers are essentially used in the manufacture of various plastic products. In the consumption of the basic petrochemical, polymers form the bulk of demand with a share of around 55%.
The share of polymers in the product mix
inIndia for various crackers ranges from 60% to 90%. The segment of polymers
have registered a growth of 18% while there have been an increase of 26% in the
capacities CAGR.
The various byproducts of polymers are:
The various byproducts of polymers are:
- Polystyrene
- PVC
- Poly propylene
- LDPE/ LLDPE
- HDPE
Polystyrene, a byproduct of polymers has a Rs
435 crore market size. Its market price was around Rs 42.5 per kg in 1999. The
major companies involved in the production of polystyrene are Rajasthan
Polymers, Mc Dowell & Co., and Supreme Petrochem. PVC, a polymers
byproduct, is in demand in theIndian market at 554,000 tons per annum.
This segment has been growing at the rate of 15% yearly. Around 54% of PVC is used in the manufacturing of pipes and 14% is used in the production of cable sheathing. The cost of PVC was Rs. 44.95 per kg in 1999. The main companies involved in the production of PVC are IPCL and RIL.
Polypropylene is a very light weight polymer and that is the main reason why it is used as a substitute for various other polymers. During 1997-1998, around 11,000 tons of poly propylene was imported. Over the last 3 years, the demand for this product has increased by 38% and now stands at 595,000 tons. The price of polypropylene was Rs 47.50 per kg in 1999. It is mainly used in the manufacture of injection molding, BOPP, ropes, twines, and In India, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) are also widely used polymers. This segment of polymers is growing at the rate of 12% per year. More than 50% of LDPE/ LLDPE is used by the packaging industry and they were priced at around Rs 54.25 per kg in 1999. The companies which make LDPE/ LLDPE are Oswal, RIL, and IPCL. The second most used polymer inIndia is HDPE, with a share of 22%. The value of its domestic consumption is Rs 2, 123 crore and it is growing at the rate of 15% per year. It cost around Rs. 50 per kg in 1999. HDPE is used in the manufacturing of raffia, blow molding, injection molding, and in the paper industry as well. The companies involved in the production of HDPE are NOCIL, RIL, and IPCL.
Polymers form an important constituent of theIndian petrochemical industry. So efforts must be taken by the industry and the government ofIndia, so that the production and quality of polymers remain top class.