New Delhi: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan on Monday visited PLASTINDIA 2026 at Bharat Mandapam and released the Plastic Industry Status Report 2025, calling on the sector to minimise wastage and leverage technology to align growth with sustainability goals under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision.
PLASTINDIA 2026, one of the world’s largest plastics exhibitions, has brought together global buyers, policymakers and industry leaders, highlighting India’s expanding footprint in the global plastics value chain. Organised by the Plastindia Foundation, the event is being held in New Delhi from February 5 to 10, 2026.
Sustainability and scale
Addressing stakeholders, Paswan said the industry must balance scale with responsibility, using technology to improve resource efficiency and reduce waste. He also acknowledged the sector’s efforts to move towards sustainable manufacturing while continuing to contribute to national growth and self-reliance.
Industry leaders said the Plastic Industry Status Report 2025 provides a data-driven snapshot of the sector’s growth trajectory, export performance and transition towards sustainability, offering policymakers and investors a clearer view of opportunities and challenges ahead.
Startups and innovation
The minister also presented awards to winners of the Startup Search Initiative, an industry-academia collaboration between the Plastindia Foundation and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park. Ten startups were shortlisted from over 150 applicants and awarded ₹2 lakh each under the theme “Bharat Next”, aimed at promoting innovation-led, sustainable solutions in the plastics ecosystem.
Why it matters for business
For manufacturers and investors, the messaging from PLASTINDIA 2026 is clear: future growth in the plastics sector will be increasingly tied to sustainability, technology adoption and innovation. As India positions itself as a competitive manufacturing and export hub, companies that align with these priorities are likely to find stronger policy support and market opportunities.
With global supply chains rebalancing and demand rising for greener materials and processes, the industry’s transition could also shape India’s broader manufacturing ambitions over the next decade.