Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology

The Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Tools, later renamed as the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), was established in 1968 by the Government of India with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Chennai. The International Labour Organization (ILO) served as the executing agency. The institute was founded with the aim of developing skilled manpower in Plastics Engineering and Technology, a field that had no comparable institution in India at the time.

Early Development and Global Recognition

During its formative years from 1968 to 1973, CIPET successfully achieved its objectives and was recognized as one of the most successful UNDP projects implemented worldwide. Today, it stands as a premier national institution under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India.

CIPET’s operations are centered around the STAR concept — Skill Development, Technology Support Services, Academic and Research in the field of Plastics Engineering and Technology.

Expansion and National Presence

Since the 1980s, CIPET has continuously expanded to meet the growing demand of the plastics and allied industries for skilled manpower and technical support. Over the years, the institute has established:

• 07 centres during the VII Plan,
• 02 centres during the VIII to X Plans,
• 06 centres in the XI Plan, and
• 16 centres (including approvals) in the XII Plan.

At present, CIPET operates through 34 functional centres across India, with 06 more under development. These centres are strategically located in cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Balasore, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Mysore, Raipur, Ranchi, and many more.

Accreditation and Technical Excellence

CIPET has earned multiple prestigious certifications including ISO 9001:2008 (QMS), ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO/IEC 17020, attesting to its commitment to quality education and research. The institute’s state-of-the-art facilities support Design, CAD/CAM/CAE, Tooling and Mould Manufacturing, Polymer Processing, Testing and Quality Assurance.

Its Plastic Testing Centres are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). CIPET also provides Third Party Inspection Services for plastic products, particularly in sectors like agriculture and irrigation.

Skill Development and Employment Generation

CIPET plays a pivotal role in skill development, especially for unemployed and underemployed youth, with a special focus on socio-economically weaker sections. The institute has conducted over 4 lakh short-term training programmes, training more than 1.72 lakh candidates under 13 separate MoUs with the Government of India.

All CIPET’s skill development courses are aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), supporting national missions such as Skill India, Start Up India, Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and Digital India.

Research and Development (R&D) Excellence

To foster innovation and research, CIPET has established three dedicated R&D units since 2008:

1. Advanced Research School for Technology and Product Simulation (ARSTPS) – Chennai
2. Laboratory for Advanced Research in Polymeric Materials (LARPM) – Bhubaneswar
3. Advanced Polymer Design & Development Research Laboratory (APDDRL) – Bengaluru

These centres are recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, and are equipped with world-class infrastructure. They have undertaken national and international R&D projects in collaboration with industry leaders in Plastics Engineering and Polymer Science.

Global Collaboration and Industry Interface

CIPET has signed 16 international MoUs with globally reputed institutions to promote faculty and student exchange and collaborative research. It provides technical support services across various industrial sectors such as Automobiles, Aerospace, Agriculture, Construction, Defence, FMCG, Information Technology, Medical, Packaging, and Electronics.

In alignment with the “Make in India” initiative, CIPET contributes to the nation’s industrial growth by producing high-quality plastic products and import substitutes, thus boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Environmental Commitment

CIPET is actively engaged in environmental protection initiatives, particularly in plastics waste management. A dedicated Plastics Waste Management Centre has been established in Guwahati to train professionals for industry and municipal applications.

The institute continues to create awareness about sustainable plastic use, ensuring that its technical interventions align with India’s environmental policies.

Conclusion

Over five decades since its inception, CIPET has evolved from a single training institute into a multidisciplinary national organization of global repute. With its comprehensive focus on education, research, industry collaboration, and sustainability, CIPET continues to play a transformative role in shaping India’s plastics engineering and technology landscape, contributing meaningfully to national growth and global innovation.