Hyderabad: AIPMA president Anil Reddy Vennum assumed charge for a one-year term on October 1 after a unanimous election. The Hyderabad industrialist said his focus would be growth, recycling, exports, green practices and stronger MSMEs.
Vennum had earlier served as Senior Vice President–Mumbai of The All India Plastics Manufacturers Association. He took charge at the AIPMA office in Mumbai. The body said he became the first Telugu man to head it.
AIPMA was set up in 1945. It is a non-profit apex body and one of India’s oldest and largest plastics industry groups. It is based in Mumbai. It also has offices in Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata. The body represents more than 22,000 members in over 175 cities. Its network has direct members and 27 linked associations. Nearly 90% of its members are MSMEs.
AIPMA covers polymer makers, machine makers, processors, mould and die makers, traders, exporters and consultants. It also deals with government bodies on policy, trade, standards and Extended Producer Responsibility.
AIPMA president Anil Reddy said he wanted the year to be “a year of action”. He said the work would cover public awareness, recycling, exports and MSME growth. Also, he wanted closer work with governments. He said plastics and care for nature had to go together.
AIPMA president Anil Reddy targets public confidence
Vennum said his first task was to rebuild public trust in plastics. AIPMA planned a national drive on proper use, reuse and recycling. “My immediate task will be to restore public confidence in plastics,” he said.
He said plastics had good and bad uses. Therefore, he wanted more use in the right areas. He also backed more recycling and better use of plastic waste. AIPMA planned to study a Plastic Waste-to-Value Mission. The plan would support ways to turn plastic waste into useful goods and economic value.
AIPMA president Anil Reddy said recycled plastic could be used in road work and other areas. However, he said such use had to be safe and technically sound. The body also planned to work with cities and state governments. The aim was better sorting, collection, recycling and safe handling of plastic waste.
Vennum also proposed a National Plastic Recycling and Circular Economy Challenge. It would bring startups, MSMEs, colleges, technology groups and industry together. The challenge would seek new ideas for recycling and reuse. It would also support a more circular use of plastics.
Vennum said environmental responsibility would remain high on his agenda. He said the industry had to help solve plastic waste problems. Also, he called for closer work among industry, governments, recyclers, cities, technology firms and consumers.
AIPMA president Anil Reddy eyes export growth
Vennum said exports would be another key task. He wanted India to become a major global sourcing base for plastics. He said AIPMA would work to raise exports. It would also help Indian firms compete better abroad.
Further, it would help MSMEs reach global buyers. Vennum said his experience in international markets would support this push. AIPMA president Anil Reddy also backed Plastic Parks and integrated industry clusters. He said they could offer shared infrastructure, testing, recycling, skills and technology support.
He said MSMEs needed help with new technology, automation, quality and skills. They also needed better energy efficiency and access to world markets.
AIPMA planned to support wider use of Indian and global standards. These included BIS and ISO certifications. The body would also promote modern factory and management methods. Vennum named Six Sigma and Lean Management as tools that could help firms compete.
He said AIPMA would work with cities and governments on solid waste and plastic waste management. “The industry has to be part of the solution,” he said. AIPMA president Anil Reddy said growth and care for nature had to move together. He also called for stronger links between policy, technology and recycling.
AIPMA president Anil Reddy brings industry experience
Vennum is a Mining Engineering graduate from Osmania University. He is Technical Director of Nayastrap Pvt. Ltd. in Hyderabad. He had served as President of the Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He held that post during 2015–16.
Vennum had been linked with the chamber body for more than two decades. He had also served on AIPMA’s Managing Committee. In addition, he had worked with advisory panels of industry groups and government organisations.
He is also a guest lecturer for Entrepreneurship Development Programmes at Osmania University and JNTU. He also teaches at various engineering institutions. As his one-year term began, AIPMA president Anil Reddy said the body would balance growth with environmental responsibility. He said it would also help Indian plastics makers play a larger role in global markets.