Plastic recycling industrial park in Kochi under consideration

Industries Minister P Rajeeve Inaugurates Petrochemical Conclave

Kochi / January 5, 2026

Kochi, Jan 05:Kerala is set to launch an innovative industrial park focused on plastic recycling to improve waste management and promote sustainability.

Industries, Coir, and Law Minister P Rajeeve said that initial steps have been taken to establish the plastic recycling industrial park with Brahmapuram, Kochi, as a potential site.

He was inaugurating the Petrochemical and Allied Sectors Summit in the port city, organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), under the state’s industries department.

The minister highlighted Kerala’s tremendous potential in the petrochemical sector, primarily due to BPCL's strategic presence in the region.

During a question-and-answer session, the minister said LinkedIn data indicate that some 40,000 professionals have returned to Kerala from abroad since the COVID-19 pandemic.He also expressed the state's intent to explore establishing testing centres for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on university campuses.

APM Mohammed Hanish, additional chief secretary (industries and commerce), elaborated on various schemes and incentives the department offers to stimulate growth.

He revealed that the success rate of commitments made during the Invest Kerala Global Investors' Meet stands at an impressive 23%, surpassing the national average of 15 to 20 per cent.

He added that the ecosystem created jointly by KINFRA's Petrochemical Park and BPCL will be an asset for entrepreneurs in the state. This will lead to  increase in enterprises in the petrochemical sector.

Over the past decade, Bharat Petroleum has invested a substantial Rs 25,000 crore in Kerala, as highlighted by Sreeram AN, head of BPCL BPREP.

Shri Sreeram noted that the ongoing Proline Derivatives Petrochemical Project (PDPP) aims to reduce the import of petrochemicals and related products significantly.

BPCL is starting production of performance polymers, previously reliant on imports, with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore.

A petrochemical product testing centre in Kochi is set to be completed by 2027, with an investment of Rs 110 crore for advanced experiments, including reverse engineering.

Vishnuraj P, IAS, MD of KSIDC and director of the industries department, welcomed the gathering and Jaikishen C Nath CGM (Projects - PP), BPCL, proposed vote of thanks.

CA Shahul Hameed, vice-president of the Kerala Plastic Manufacturers Association, Dr KA Rajesh, director of the Institute of Petrochemicals Technology, and others also spoke.

Atul Khanwalkar, head of the BPCL Petchem Taskforce, presented the prospects of BPCL's petrochemical initiatives and Santhosh Koshy Thomas, MD of KINFRA, explained the development of the Petrochemical Park and its associated infrastructure.

Varghese Malakaran, general manager of KSIDC, provided insights into the state's ease of doing business and its vision for 2030.

ENDS

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