Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET), under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Karnataka Government to set up Advanced Polymer Design and Development Research Laboratory cum High Learning Centre at Bengaluru. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar, Karnataka Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah, and other dignitaries.The Laboratory will have all modern equipment and machinery. The estimated investment is Rs. 87 crore. The State Government shall allot the required land for the centre and also share 50 % of project cost. The centre will act as a multi-functional one-step facility with specialization in product development in Polymer sector. It will also conduct R&D, product tests and evaluations and commercialization of technology. The proposed centre shall play a pivotal role in developing new Plastics Technologies, Processes and Products to enhance the use of plastics for promotion of industries and betterment of the people.
The centre will meet the Government’s drive on ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ through indigenization of technology for import substitution in the areas of defense material, bio-polymers & bio-nano composites for packaging, bio-sensors for healthcare applications, natural fiber reinforced composites for automobile applications, polymer adhesives and coating for marine applications, fuel solar cells for solar energy and e-waste recycling. The laboratory will also compliment a number of projects of ISRO, DRDO, Department of Science and Technology, D/o Electronics, CSIR and other public and private sector organizations.In broader terms, the Centre would address various global issues such as requirement of light weight components, nano-composites, high performance coatings, flame retardant polymers, increased use of plastic in agriculture and construction, and tailor-made polymer solution for various industries. The laboratory shall establish a strong relationship with industries, especially for design and development of advanced polymers, micro fluidic device development and manufacturing techniques for medical and electronics etc.CIPET has 28 centers across the country out of which 5 centers have been added during the current year 2015-16. Eleven more centers have been approved for next 2 years. CIPETs conduct diploma and UG/PG programmes, undertake research, and provide technology support to industry by way of designing , tooling, moulding, testing quality control etc.