Baerlocher with striking appearance at Vinyl India International Summit 2017
Vinyl India having begun in 2011 has become the most important conference in the region, bringing the Indian PVC value chain together with many delegates and speakers from around the world. Vinyl India 2017 took place in Mumbai on 20th and 21st April 2017. With over 850 delegates from 24 countries, the 7th edition of the event, once again, was a great congregation of the International PVC industry. Through speeches and networking, the participants, including PVC manufacturers, downstream users, additive suppliers and machinery manufacturers, gathered valuable information and knowledge about new trends. Technologies including O-PVC, C-PVC and PVC composites with brilliant opportunities in the Indian market were discussed. For the 5th time, Baerlocher supported the conference as a Platinum Sponsor, where Rainer Grasmück, Head of SBU PVC Additives India & Americas at Baerlocher, and Dr. Shreekant Diwan, Head of Business Development, Baerlocher India, serve as members of the organizing core committee. Baerlocher also made its presence felt with a well-located and highly frequented booth. As a part of the conference agenda, Andy Jones, Global Head of Strategic Business Unit PVC Additives at Baerlocher, gave a well-attended speech entitled “Global PVC Stabilizer Markets. Scenarios, Trends and Outcomes“. In the presentation, Jones shared the success story of Ca-based stabilizers and the substitution of Pb-based PVC stabilization around the world. Baerlocher plays a pivotal role in shaping this change. “Baerlocher is extremely excited being part of the rapid growth of the Indian PVC industry and assisting in the development of even more sustainable PVC products by our comprehensive experience in Ca-based PVC stabilization,” says Andy Jones. In India, the process towards Ca/Zn had a gradual start, but is gaining momentum mostly in potable water pipes. Haren Sanghavi, President of the All India Plastic Manufacturers' Association (AIPMA) and Dr. Shreekant Diwan of Baerlocher India, discussed with the audience the recent campaigns in India and their likely implications for the industry. A viable approach could be a voluntary commitment by the industry. Dr. Diwan also conducted his third consecutive PVC quiz of Vinyl India, which has become a trademark of the event. Testing the participants in their knowledge around PVC and creativity, the quiz saw enthusiastic participation from the delegates. “It is a great way to consolidate the knowledge about the PVC industry inspiring new channels of thinking,” was the feedback from the delegates. The conference enthused with a spirit of growth in India and the region. After some months of slower economy, the industry has started picking up again and is developing confidence in government programs. As an example, the government launched a program with a reported investment of about 15 billion USD in water management for housing as well as agriculture sector. With a tremendous growth potential in various end use sectors, the consumption of it is expected to reach 5 million tons by 2022 from the current level of 3 million tons. Stringent standards must be further implemented ensuring optimum quality of PVC products to achieve the sustainable growth. “The government’s ambitious plans to bring wealth to every farmer by bringing more and more land under irrigation, shows the sustainability of PVC and the importance of PVC in the Indian market and for each individual,” adds Jayen J. Modi, Managing Director of Baerlocher India. With over 30% market share, Baerlocher is the leading supplier of PVC additives in India. “Product Plus” approach through outstanding & consistent product quality; and customer focused & customer friendly services have helped the company enjoy a strong brand name.