InterPlas Thailand 2016 wooing Indian plastic manufacturers

According to Suttisak Wilanan, deputy managing director, Reed Tradex Company, the organiser of the show, there is a rising demand for engineering plastics and bio-plastics that are eco-friendly. Thus, there is a need for investments in plastics.

He said this offers an opportunity for the Indian manufacturers to showcase their technologies, especially for the Thailand market, among others. In 2015, Thailand spent USD 791 million to import machinery for use in the plastics industry. Of this, Indian machinery and equipment had a share of USD 5.7 million, whereas China had a share of USD 340 million.

The theme of InterPlas 2016 is ‘Total plastics manufacturing solution’, where visitors will witness leading technologies from trend leaders in plastic production, such as plastic injection hydraulic/electrical equipment, dual-colour injection, in-mould labeling (IML), control system for hot/cold runner and robotics, and medical devices from Thai hydraulics, and producer of micro devices from Sodick.

The organisers are working to attract Indian participation at InterPlas Thailand 2016. During a press meet held in Delhi recently, Wilanan announced benefits for visitors applying in groups of 10 persons or more. Such groups will be eligible for the ‘overseas business delegation package’, supported by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, which offers complimentary two-room nights per person.

The visitors are also offered a factory visit to leading plastic and resin manufacturers to be able to see the facilities available in Thailand.

Speaking on the occasion, RK Aggarwal, president, All India Plastics Manufactures’ Association (AIPMA), said, “It is a great platform for Indian manufacturers of equipment and plastics products to explore the opportunities. Asia, especially Southeast Asia and the AEC, has an expanding economy and a large customer base. It is good for our members to look for new market opportunities in this area. I believe opportunities exist and that InterPlas Thailand 2016 has much to recommend Indian businessmen.”

The exhibition will host a Robot Technology Pavilion for live demonstrations of high robotics performance from more than 10 robotics technologies for injection moulding, extrusion, foaming, and related processes. There will also be a Plastics Innovation Showcase Zone showing prototypes, materials and innovations in plastics manufacturing. Besides, there will be informative and educational seminars on automotive, packaging and bioplastics and medical products.

Wilanan said that this year the exhibition is 26% larger than the previous editions. Technologies from 350 brands from 20 countries in category of injection, extrusion, blow, mono pigments, for plastic manufacturing from upstream to downstream industries, be it packaging, automotive, construction materials, furniture and medical equipment and devices, even including recycling plastics and bioplastics will be showcased. There will be international pavilions from four countries – Japan, China, Taiwan and Singapore.

Last year, the show attracted 15,953 visitors.

According to Wilanan, the Thai plastic industry is worth more than USD 23,000 million, with growth rate of 4-5% a year. Thailand produces plastic pellets at 9 million tonnes a year, of which 50% are exported.