Patel, who was speaking at the fourth national exhibition of Plastivision India '98, organised by the All India Plastic Manufacturers' Association, said that although plastics has been among the fastest growing sector, manufacturers need to pull up their socks to take advantage of the liberalisation process.

He encouraged the domestic plastic industry to engage in mass information to counter the mass-disinformation campaign to enhance awareness. These would be long-standing methods by which plastic manufacturers would be able to sustain themselves without being thrown out of the manufacturing activities.

In his address, Rajiv Tolat, president of the All India Plastic Manufacturers Association, said plastic was necessary in all walks of life and has become an integral part of our society. "If due care is laid onrecycling plastic, the chances for it to threaten the environment will lessen," he said.