GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON PLASTICS IN AUTOMOTIVE CONCLUDES IN PUNE

The day-long conference witnessed 20+ speakers, 200+ delegates, and over six panel discussions, glimpses below.

- Dipika Lalwani

With over 70 per cent of the plastics used in modern vehicles coming from four main polymers: polypropylene, polyurethane, polyamides, and PVC, the role of plastics and composites in the design and manufacturing of automotive vehicles has never been more essential. With this backdrop in mind, ET Polymers magazine held the 7th edition of the Global Conference on Plastics in Automotive in Pune on November 23. The conference centred its focus on four key words which are changing the way this industry functions - Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Repurpose.

The day-long conference, presented by Milacron India and co-powered by Covestro India, witnessed 20+ speakers, 200+ delegates, and over six panel discussions. The conference also saw the two Hall of Fame felicitations awarded to Spark Minda and Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd. (TAFE).

Commencing with a warm welcome address by Bill Shukla, Managing Director, Milacron India, the conference began with a discussion on 'The Role of Sustainable Materials in Environmental Conservation'. Sitting on the panel were Mohammed Rahail Parvaiz, Head CoC (Material and Product Development), Varroc Engineering Pivate Limited; Sanjay Khare, Vice President, Safety & Sustainability Strategy, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited; Amol Gaikwad, Head Supplier Quality & Supply Chain, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, and Jaiprakash Ramani, Chief Marketing Officer, Automotive BU, Supreme Group. The panel was moderated by Divakar Gokhale, Head of Mobility, Indian Sub-continent, Covestro India. While Parvaiz and Gaikwad shared their company's strategies of using natural fibres and constructing scrappage facilities, Sanjay Khare shared his confidence in a promising future, saying, "Our Gen Z will bring about change."