Hyderabad, August 7, 2026: Telangana Minister for Information Technology, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Commerce D. Sridhar Babu inaugurated HIPLEX 2026, South and Central India’s largest plastics exhibition and the country’s third-largest plastics expo, at HITEX Exhibition Centre on Friday. The four-day international event, organised by the Telangana and Andhra Plastics Manufacturers Association (TAAPMA), features more than 550 exhibitors and is expected to draw over 55,000 business visitors from India and abroad.
Addressing over 500 industry leaders, entrepreneurs and exhibitors, Sridhar Babu described the plastics and polymers sector as a “salient engine of India’s economic growth,” and called for collaboration to make Telangana a leading hub for plastics and polymer manufacturing. He noted the sector provides direct employment to nearly 50 lakh people and indirect employment to over one crore, with about two lakh families in Telangana depending on the industry.
Industry growth and employment figures
Dr. Raju Desai, President of Plastindia Foundation, stated that India’s plastics industry has grown into a ₹4.5 lakh crore sector, expanding at 6-9 per cent annually, with similar growth expected through 2031. The industry currently employs nearly 55 lakh people, and exports are projected to surpass ₹1.4 lakh crore this year. According to Plastindia Foundation, India recycles nearly 60 per cent of the plastics it consumes, placing it among global leaders in plastic recycling.
Dr. Desai also highlighted that packaging accounts for nearly half the industry’s demand, while healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical devices are among the fastest-growing segments. The automotive sector, driven by lightweight materials and electric vehicles, contributes around 15 per cent of consumption.
Calls for infrastructure and policy support
Arvind Mehta, Chairman of the Governing Council at the All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), said the industry should focus on exports, technology adoption, skill development and sustainability. He noted India’s potential to expand exports and strengthen its position as a global manufacturing base.
Anil Reddy Vennam, Senior Vice President of AIPMA, urged the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to establish a dedicated Plastics Park with advanced infrastructure for MSMEs, and requested the allocation of 250 acres for a Recycling Cluster with a Common Effluent Treatment Plant. He also called for investments in infrastructure, water management, packaging and medical plastics, aiming to increase plastics consumption in the two states to two million tonnes by 2030 and raise their share of the national market to over 8 per cent.
Exhibition highlights and sector potential
HIPLEX 2026 spans seven halls over 26,000 square metres and will run until August 10, open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The event includes live demonstrations of advanced processing machinery, recycling systems, bio-polymers and next-generation polymer technologies, supported by a dedicated 2 MW power supply. A highlight is the Dedicated Recycling Pavilion, showcasing the transformation of discarded plastics into products such as roads, railway sleepers, furniture, construction materials and garments.
The exhibition also features technical conferences, knowledge sessions and business networking events on topics including raw materials, recycling technologies, sustainability, automation and future manufacturing trends.
Meela Jayadev, Convener of HIPLEX 2026, noted that India’s per capita plastic consumption is around 7 kg, compared to 24 kg in China, indicating significant growth potential. Narendra Baldwa, President of TAAPMA, said the 55-year-old association represents more than 1,000 members and has consistently promoted technology, innovation and sustainability in the sector.
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