In Conversation

Polymerupdate : Tell us something about the start up of your business ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : After graduation, I started with scrap recycling in 1972. I used to collect scrap from plastic processors. As raw material was in short supply in those days, economic compulsions forced recyling.

Polymerupdate : How did you enter into manufacturing activity ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : I started manufacturing activity in 1976 with the manufacture of rainy season plastic sheets. The first factory was started at Champaklal Industrial Estate at Sion in 1976. We also got merchant exporter enquiries for garbage bags which I started manufacturing in 1979-80.

Polymerupdate : How did you expand from there ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : In 1987, I started a unit in Daman for recycling of plastic sheets. The second unit was started in Daman in 1991 when we started exporting and our export market grew in a major way from 1992-93. In 1991, started manufacture of garbage sacs and refuse bags in Daman plant. The third unit was started at the Kandla Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 2006. I was the first to establish a bag on roll machine in India for the export market in 1994. We started manufacturing shopping bags in our Kandla SEZ manufacturing unit from October 2006.

Polymerupdate : What is the production capacity in your various manufacturing units?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : When I started manufacturing activity in 1976, the production capacity was 8 to 10 tons per month . Till 1987, the capacity had increased to 50 tons per month. Today, the three units combined ( 2 in Daman and 1 in Kandla SEZ) have a combined production capacity of 4800 metric tonnes per annum which will be enhanced to 7200 metric tonnes per annum by end of 2008 .

Polymerupdate : What is the export market for your products ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : We have an export market in Europe, chiefly UK. We ahev also started targeting the US market now. Shopping bags manufactured by us are exported to UK and USA.

Polymerupdate : What are your future plans ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : We plan to be one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of plastic bags and plastic packaging material by the end of 2020. With this view in mind, we are in plans to set up our own research and development unit. To keep up with growing demands, we will be enhancing our production capacities for manufacturing polythylene bags. We are also in plans for developments in the market of degradable plastics. The distribution of D2W totally degradable plastic additive has been taken by us and we plan to promote the same on an All India level on a large scale.

Polymerupdate : What are your other activities, besides your business ?

Mr. Haresh Dugad : I have always been concerned for the environment. I believe that the use of plastics if implemented properly does not harm the environment in any way. I have been a part of the task force appointed by the Government of India in 1996-97 which was appointed to determine how plastics waste could be recycled. The task force was headed by the then Central Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr Vishwas. On the panel I represented that section of the polymer industry which is involved in recycling.
I have also tried to popularize the concept and use of degradable plastics. I am also involved in marketing of biodegradable additives in India. In 2006, through the Organisation of Plastics Processors of India (OPPI) started programme for creating awareness about plastics and enviornment in schools. I was the Chairman of the committee which oversaw this endeavour. This awareness program was carried out through NGO Yuva.