The plastic industry contributes to almost every aspect of a person’s daily life, whether clothing, construction, housing, automobiles or household items. Since the liberalisation of the Indian economy in 1991, this sector has grown and diversified tremendously. According to the Plastic Trends Industry report for 2021, there has been a 73 per cent increase in sales volume over the last quarter. 

Plastic is an essential component in almost every industry, and there are suppliers for each sector with considerable demand. This blog will help you decide on the A to Z qualities required to be a manufacturer and select a supplier for your business. 

What is Plastic? 

The word plastic is derived from the Greek word (plastikos), meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded”. Plastics are a category of synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that contain polymers as a primary component. Plastics can be moulded, extruded, or pressed into solid objects of various shapes due to their plasticity. This adaptability, along with other properties such as lightweight, elasticity, and low production cost, has led to widespread use.

Nearly 300 billion tonnes of plastic are produced every year, and annual global plastic production is expected to exceed 1,100 million tonnes by 2050.

Types of Plastic

Although plastics come in various shapes and sizes, these are some of the basic categories. Plastic materials made from natural, organic and synthetic monomers can be divided into these categories:

Thermoplastics 

Thermoplastics are the most common, and this is because they are simple to work with. Thermoplastics are very hard under normal conditions, but they become rigid again when cooled from a heating process. The heating and shaping of thermoplastic material can be repeated many times, allowing the same material to be recreated many times. Most of its uses are related to packaging, and it is used to make products such as shampoo bottles, milk cartons, plastic bags, plastic films, and filters.

Thermoset Plastics 

Thermosetting plastics perform well in cold temperatures. They are, in general, more substantial than thermoplastics and become quite hard when heated above a specific temperature. However, we cannot mould them once cured, and hence the manufacturer must get new material. For example, flooring and airline companies highly value this plastic because of its waterproof characteristics. 

How to Become a Plastic Manufacturer? 

Plastic is in demand everywhere, and it is used in every nook and corner of our daily lives. From kid’s toys to aircraft flooring essentials, plastic does have its applications, regardless of its harmful properties. You can start a plastic manufacturing company if you have a solid business plan and a clear vision. It’s also critical to remember all of the environmental safety precautions you’ll need to take while running this business.

1. Choose Your Business Model

Any product designer or engineer must be familiar with today’s manufacturing options and the new results that indicate how parts will be manufactured in the future. Consider the following factors:

  • Form – Do your parts have complicated internal features or tight tolerances? Depending on the design, manufacturing options may be limited, or significant configuration may be required to make it cost-effective to produce.
  • Volume/cost – What is the total or annual volume of parts you intend to manufacture? Some manufacturing processes have high upfront costs for tooling and setup but produce low-cost per-part amounts. Also, consider the cost during slower cycle times and manual labour and whether the cost per part remains constant. 
  • Lead time – How quickly do you require parts or finished goods? Some processes produce the first parts in as little as 24 hours, whereas tooling and setup for specific high-volume production processes can take months.
  • Material – What types of stresses and strains will your product be subjected to? Several factors influence the optimal material for a specific use. Material selection should be based on the product.

2. Plastic Materials

Plastics are available in thousands of formulations with various base chemistries, derivatives, and additives to cover a wide range of functional properties. Many materials are covered under thermoplastic and thermoset plastic, so conduct your research to collect materials that suit your product. 

3. Types of Processing 

Plastic manufacturing processes are constantly developing. The tipping points at which it makes sense to switch from one technique to another are shifting due to advancements in equipment, materials, and economies of scale. 

Here are some of the most common ways to process your plastic products; however, your material should be able to withstand the process, so make sure you choose the proper technique. 

  • 3D Printing
  • Extrusion
  • Polymer Casting
  • CNC Machining
  • Vacuum Forming
  • Blow Moulding
  • Rotational Moulding
  • Injection Moulding

4. Choose a Location

The plastic Industry produces a million tonnes of hazardous waste, so it is not advisable to set up your factory anywhere inside the city. Set up your main factory outside of the town (maybe outskirts). Also, keep in mind the potential issues with the factory setup because, once established, you cannot afford to have anyone object to your factory. Ensure you obtain all the necessary permits and licences to begin your business. 

5. Ideas for Your Business 

Some of the best ideas for plastic manufacturing are Air bubble package materials, Acrylic buttons, Blow Mould materials, Plastic bags, PVC coated electrics etc.

All the above requirements are necessary to start a manufacturing business with the proper conduct and research. The plastic Industry is not the favourite industry, regardless of its numerous applications. 

How To Choose The Right Supplier for Plastic Products? 

Choosing a supplier of raw plastic materials is one of your company’s most critical decisions. A good supplier can be a fantastic resource for your company, and a lousy supplier can cause problems such as poor quality and costly manufacturing delays. As a result, it is critical to invest in locating a plastic supplier with extensive experience and expertise in the manufacturing process. 

Listed below are some of the factors for choosing a supplier:

  • Check Track Record – First things first, conduct your research about a company. Every business has a track record, and you should be aware of the track record of the plastic product suppliers you choose for your business requirements. While recommendations and referrals can help you become aware of the existence of these businesses, they can only take you so far. 
  • Pricing – Price is a significant factor when choosing from a sea of plastic suppliers. After all, a lower price will result in cost savings for your company and a higher return on investment. However, it is critical to consider much more than which company is the cheapest when comparing prices. Going with the most affordable option isn’t always the most cost-effective option. It can increase problems in the future, so always compare prices with different factories. 
  • Quality Plastic Products – Compare the product life spans offered by various plastic suppliers to help you decide which supplier is best for your company’s needs. You may even discover that purchasing long-lasting products in bulk will result in special discounts, making purchasing much more profitable.
  • Timeframe Requirements – The best plastics in the world won’t mean much if they aren’t ready on time or in the quantity required to make your products. Any delay in your business operations can cost you dearly and result in losses. As a result, it is critical to ensure that the plastic manufacturers provide you with high-quality materials and meet your required quantity within the specified timeframe. 
  • Technological Requirements – You must choose a company that uses cutting-edge technology and methodologies to provide you with the materials you require. 
  • Good Customer Experience – Being a good supplier provides top-notch services to the customers by making the bare minimum functions of communication, order confirmations, apt paperwork, secure shipping and honest purchases. 
  • Financial Stability – Companies with shaky financial standing may be unable to purchase products or hold the inventory required to meet your needs. Employees tend to be more loyal to plastics distributors who are financially secure. In general, you will have a better customer experience due to this.

The end goal is to find a plastic product supplier who supports your business in the long run, so take your time before purchasing from any supplier. Finding the perfect supplier will result in higher returns for your overall investment in each product, driving your business towards a good product image and customer satisfaction.

Top Plastic Product Suppliers in India 

India has many supplier companies in India with excellent track records and manufacturing abilities for all materials. Listed below are the top plastic suppliers in India.

  1. Plastiblends India Ltd – Plastiblends India Ltd is the leading manufacturer and exporter of Colour & Additive Masterbatches & Thermoplastic Compounds.
  1. Nilkamal Limited – The headquarters of Nilkamal Ltd is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It is one of India’s leading plastics companies whose main products are custom plastic mouldings, plastic furniture, crates, and containers.
  1. Kingfa Science & Technology India – Kingfa Science & Technology (India) Ltd is a leading producer and supplier of high-quality Reinforced Polypropylene Compounds, Thermoplastic Elastomers, and Fibre Reinforced Composites. This firm is best known for its high-strength, long-lasting plastic casting products.
  1. Responsive Industries Limited – Responsive, a leading global manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based products, has emerged as a vinyl flooring market leader. The company has a sizeable domestic capacity in PVC flooring and artificial leather cloth segments. 
  1. Supreme Industries, Inc. – Supreme Industries Ltd was established in 1942. The company produces industrial and engineering moulded furniture, storage, and handling crates. Dining tables, plastic chairs, multilayer sheets, packaging films, expanded polyurethane foam, multilayer films, PVC pipes and fittings, moulded furniture, shatranj mats, and disposable EPS containers are products manufactured by them. 

Plastic has a tremendous advantage in India regarding trust, ability, and technology to leverage the global market. Corporations are aggressively innovating and competing to provide the most efficient plastics for making manufacturing more accessible, recyclable and cost-effective. 

Biodegradable plastic solutions are adopted everywhere to lessen waste and make recycling a natural process for the Industry to thrive longer. Hence, choosing the right supplier and materials for manufacturing helps the business to survive in the longer term and keep the business solid amongst many other industries. 

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