Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises (OASME), Cuttack, in association with Hoopoo Overseas Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar organised a workshop on “Next 2 Plastics” here Friday.
Its main objective was to facilitate the technology in existing plastic industries to prepare a sustainable module where the existing plastic industries can grow with Korean technology. The workshop was largely attended by MSME entrepreneurs engaged in plastics activities from across the state.
Recently, the state government has banned the use of single use plastic items and its ancillary products due to which the existing plastic manufacturing units as well as the general public are facing problems. Thus the workshop was expected to help MSMEs avoid industrial shutdowns by switching over to alternatives without hassle.
During the inaugural ceremony, Satwik Swain, Secretary General of OASME, said that due to ban on plastics about 500 MSEs in the state have closed down their units and the entrepreneurs are sitting idle.
The focus of the workshop was on using South Korean technology, how a unit can produce all types of single use items like carry bags, pet bottles, all types of cutlery, plates, spoons, glasses, etc. out of compostable granules (made out of corn starch instead of plastic granules) by their current machines, tools and equipment without any further loss.
Monalisha Mohapatra, Managing Director, Hoopoo Overseas Pvt. Ltd. said they will market the raw material of this alternative plastic in Odisha and other markets of the country.
HS Kang and Vinod Manchanda, representatives of Indian Business Associate of Biotrack International Pvt. Ltd. of South Korea, apprised the participants of how the alternative items will be manufactured within a short period by using Korean technical know-how without causing any harm to the environment. The uniqueness of these products is they are compostable within 180 days and eco friendly.
Sanjaya Kumar Rautela, Zonal General Manager, NSIC Ltd., Bhubaneswar, described in details about different schemes of the Centre through which affected MSMEs can survive easily and re-start their units.
Saran Kumar Jena, Director, EP & M, Odisha, who inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest, said Jena advised the MSMEs not to be harassed and adopt the latest technology of Korea for better production. He also appreciated the initiatives taken by OASME for the cause of MSMEs of the state.