Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET)

Establishment and Early Years

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 primary objective behind setting up CIPET was to develop skilled manpower in Plastics Engineering and Technology, as no such institute existed in India at the time. Between 1968 and 1973, the project was recognized as one of the most successful UNDP projects worldwide.

Growth and Expansion

Today, CIPET functions under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, and has emerged as a premier national institution in the field of Plastics Engineering & Technology.
The institute has expanded its presence across the nation with 34 functional centres, including major locations such as Ahmedabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and Guwahati, with six more centres under development.
Over the years, CIPET’s network has grown through various plan periods—from the VII Plan to the XII Plan, meeting the rising demand for skilled manpower and technological support in plastics and allied industries.

Areas of Excellence

CIPET’s activities are structured around Skill Development, Technology Support Services, Academic and Research (STAR) initiatives. The institute is accredited with ISO 9001:2008 QMS, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO/IEC 17020 certifications.
Its state-of-the-art facilities provide expertise in Design, CAD/CAM/CAE, Tooling, Polymer Processing, Testing, and Quality Assurance. Continuous modernization of infrastructure ensures alignment with industry needs and international standards.

Empowering Youth and Industry

CIPET has trained more than 4 lakh youth through short-term skill development programs, with special focus on socio-economically weaker sections. Over 1.72 lakh trainees have benefitted under 13 MoUs signed with the Government of India.
The training programs are aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) to ensure quality and employability.
Through these initiatives, CIPET plays a vital role in employment generation, entrepreneurship promotion, and industrial growth.

Global Collaborations and Research

CIPET has established 16 international MoUs for faculty and student exchange programs and collaborative research in Polymer Science and Technology.
Its three premier R&D centres:

• Advanced Research School for Technology and Product Simulation (ARSTPS), Chennai
• Laboratory for Advanced Research in Polymeric Materials (LARPM), Bhubaneswar
• Advanced Polymer Design & Development Research Laboratory (APDDRL), Bengaluru
  serve as hubs for advanced innovation.
  Recognized by DSIR, Department of Science & Technology, these units have successfully executed national and international projects in polymer research.

Supporting National Missions

CIPET actively supports national initiatives such as “Skill India,” “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” “Make in India,” “Digital India,” and “Start-Up India.”
The institute also champions environmental sustainability through awareness campaigns and training in Plastics Waste Management, including a dedicated Plastics Waste Management Centre at Guwahati.

Contribution to Industry and Nation

CIPET provides Technology Support Services to key sectors of the economy—Automobiles, Aerospace, Agriculture, Construction, Defence, FMCG, IT, Medical, Packaging, and Telecommunications—ensuring the production of quality plastic products and import substitutes.
Its Plastic Testing Centres are accredited by NABL and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and its experts actively contribute to the formulation of national standards for plastic products.

Philatelic Tribute

In recognition of its pioneering contributions to plastics education, research, and industry, the Department of Posts issued a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology (CIPET), celebrating its vital role in nation-building, innovation, and skill development.