PLEXCONNECT 2026 Highlights India’s Path to Global Leadership in Plastics Exports

Chennai:

The Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, in association with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), successfully organised the inaugural edition of PLEXCONNECT 2026 – An Industry Conference on 30 July 2026 at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai.

Held under the theme “India’s Future in Polymers, Innovation & Export Growth,” the conference brought together over 200 policymakers, industry leaders, exporters, technology providers, financial institutions, academia, and MSMEs to deliberate on strategies for enhancing India’s global competitiveness in the plastics sector.

Inaugurating the conference, Shri Pradeep Yadav, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that Tamil Nadu has the potential to emerge as India’s leading exporter of value-added plastic products by focusing on engineering plastics, automotive components, medical plastics, and electronics applications. He highlighted the State’s strong industrial ecosystem, world-class port infrastructure, and over 23 lakh MSMEs as key strengths driving export growth.

Mr. Christophe Bramoulle, Deputy Consul General and Head of the Bureau of France in Chennai, highlighted the growing India–France partnership and observed that deeper India–EU economic cooperation, including the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement, would create new opportunities for trade, technology collaboration, investment, and sustainable industrial growth.

Smt. Rajalakshmi Devaraj, IDAS, Additional Director General of Foreign Trade, Chennai encouraged exporters to leverage India’s recently concluded Free Trade Agreements by focusing on quality, value addition, regulatory compliance, and innovation to enhance global competitiveness.

The conference featured expert sessions on India’s recently signed Free Trade Agreements, export finance, the future of petrochemicals, engineering plastics, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). A special publication titled “Unlocking Global Opportunities for India’s Plastics Industry”, jointly released by PLEXCONCIL and the Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), highlighted the opportunities arising from India’s Free Trade Agreements for the plastics sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sribash Dasmohapatra, Executive Director, PLEXCONCIL, said:

“India’s plastics industry has tremendous potential to become a significant contributor to the country’s export growth. PLEXCONNECT 2026 is intended to foster meaningful dialogue between policymakers, industry, academia, and financial institutions, enabling exporters to capitalize on emerging global opportunities while embracing innovation and sustainability.”

Shri G. Chandrasekhar, Regional Chairman (South), PLEXCONCIL, noted that global geopolitical shifts, changing supply chains, and new Free Trade Agreements present significant opportunities for Indian exporters. He also announced that the **second edition of PLEXCONNECT will be held in July 2027.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. (Dr.) Shishir Sinha, Director General, CIPET said:

“India’s plastics industry is at a pivotal stage where innovation, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and skilled human resources will determine its global competitiveness. Platforms like PLEXCONNECT 2026 enable industry, academia, and government to work together in building a globally competitive plastics ecosystem.”

The conference featured expert deliberations on:

• India’s Recently Signed Free Trade Agreements – Opportunities and Challenges
• Trade Finance and Export Credit Solutions for Global Growth
• From Oil Wells to Value Chains – The Future of Petrochemicals
• Tamil Nadu Engineering Plastics – The Next Export Frontier
• Business Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and Industry Readiness

Mr. Ruban Hobday, Regional Director (South), PLEXCONCIL, added:

“Southern India is home to a vibrant and rapidly growing plastics manufacturing ecosystem. Through PLEXCONNECT 2026, we aim to strengthen industry engagement, enhance export awareness, and support MSMEs in accessing international markets through knowledge sharing and strategic partnerships.”

PLEXCONCIL expressed its gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, knowledge partners, exhibitors, delegates, and supporting organisations for making the inaugural edition of PLEXCONNECT 2026 a resounding success.

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