Plastic Engineering

Plastic engineering is a specialized field of engineering that focuses on the design, development, processing, and manufacturing of plastic materials and products. In India, Plastic engineering courses are offered by various universities and institutions. Some institutions may offer specializations within the plastic engineering program, such as polymer technology, mold design, plastics processing, or product design. After graduation, Students get hands-on experience with plastic processing equipment, testing methods, and industry practices. The career opportunities in industries like Packaging, Automotive, Consumer goods, Healthcare, Construction and more. They can work in roles such as Product design engineer, Polymer processing engineer, Quality control engineer, or Manufacturing engineer or pursue higher studies as research the particular field. 

What is Plastic Engineering? Plastic engineering is a specialized field that involves the design, development, processing, and manufacturing of plastic products and materials. In India, the career scope in Plastic engineering is significant due to the growing demand for plastic-based products across various industries. As a Plastic engineer, you can find opportunities in companies involved in plastic manufacturing, processing, design, and recycling methods. Plastic engineers play a crucial role in the design and development of plastic-based products. They work on creating innovative designs, optimizing product functionality, and ensuring efficient manufacturing processes. 

Types of Courses:  Diploma, UG & PG level.

Courses Availability: 

❖ Diploma in Plastic Engineering

❖ B.E Polymer Engineering or B.E. Polymer Technology

❖ B.Tech/ B.E. Rubber Technology

❖ B.Tech (Plastic Technology/ Engineering)

❖ M.Tech Plastic Technology

❖ M.Tech Polymer Science and many more.

Eligibility Criteria:

Diploma: A candidate who wants to pursue a diploma in Plastic engineering, needs to pass 10+2 from a recognized board/ university with science and mathematics as the main subjects. Also, a secure aggregation of 50% marks is required. This course duration is 3 years. Those candidates need to appear for the entrance examination. 

UG: A candidate needs to pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as a main subject, securing a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. also must have a valid scorecard in any national or state-level entrance examination. who are finishing the diploma in Plastic engineering and other mechanical streams are eligible for admission. 

Entrance Exams: Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology (CIPET) is for diploma programs, JEE Mains/ JEE Advanced, BITSAT, VITEE, etc, 

Plastic Engineering course fee: Average of INR. 1 - 1.5 Lakhs per annum. 

How to get into that career? To pursue a degree in Plastic engineering, an aspirant needs to completion of 10+2 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board or institution. Ensure that you have studied subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory. Prepare well and appear for entrance examinations and based on your performance and ranking, you may be offered admission to the plastic engineering course. Some institutions may also conduct counseling sessions to guide students through the admission process.

Required skills:

❖ Good communication and collaboration skills

❖ Creativity and Innovation

❖ Strong technical knowledge

❖ Design and CAD skills

❖ Quality orientation

❖ Project management

❖ Attention to detail

❖ Adaptability

❖ Problem-solving and analytical skills etc,

Top Institutions:

❖ Andhra University - College of Engineering - Visakhapatnam

❖ Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science - Warangal

❖ Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University - Hyderabad

❖ Vignan's Institute of Information Technology (VIIT) - Visakhapatnam

❖ RVR & JC College of Engineering - Guntur

❖ Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College (VRSEC) - Vijayawada

❖ Chaitanya Bharathi Institute of Technology (CBIT) - Hyderabad

❖ J.B. Institute of Engineering and Technology - Hyderabad and more.

Top Sectors:

❖ Plastics manufacturing industry

❖ Packaging industry

❖ Automobiles

❖ Electrical

❖ Agricultural

❖ Consumer goods industry

❖ Household

❖ Medical and healthcare

❖ Research and development

❖ Polymer and chemical industry

❖ Recycling and sustainability

❖ Consultancy

❖ Textile technology

❖ Entrepreneurship and

❖ Research institutions etc,

Job Roles/ Designations with their salaries:

❖ Plastic testing technologist - Average of INR. 12 Lakhs per year

❖ Plastic mold maker - Average of INR. 9.7 Lakhs per annum

❖ Manufacturing engineer - Average of INR. 6.6 LPA

❖ Quality control engineer - Average of INR. 5.2 Lakhs per year

❖ Design engineer - Approx. INR. 2.9 Lakhs per year

❖ Plastic engineer - Average of INR. 2.5 Lakhs per annum

❖ Safety supervisor

❖ Production engineer

❖ Design technician

❖ Plant supervisor

❖ Plant engineer and more.

How is your career? After finishing the B.Tech in Plastic engineering program, will get opportunities in areas of polymer technology, Textile technology, Oil and natural gas, Petrochemical, Electricity, telecommunication, etc, Plastic engineers conduct various tests to assess product performance, durability, and safety. Plastic engineering graduates can also explore entrepreneurship by starting their plastic manufacturing units or consulting firms that provide expertise in the field. They can offer specialized services in product design, manufacturing optimization, or sustainable plastic solutions. As the Plastic industry continues to evolve, there is a need for skilled Plastic engineers who can contribute to the development of new materials, efficient processes, and sustainable practices.

Top Hiring Companies:

❖ BHEL

❖ ONGC

❖ Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)

❖ National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)

❖ Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

❖ Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

❖ Coal India Limited (CIL)

❖ Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)

❖ National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)

❖ BEL

❖ TCS

❖ Infosys

❖ Wipro

❖ HCL

❖ Tech Mahindra

❖ Larsen & Toubro (LTI)

❖ IBM

❖ Accenture

❖ Cognizant

❖ Capgemini India, etc,. 

Conclusion: Plastic engineering in India is a specialized field that involves the design, development, processing, and manufacturing of plastic materials and products. The industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by sectors such as Packaging, Automobile, Consumer goods, Healthcare, and more. Plastic engineers play a crucial role in optimizing manufacturing processes, ensuring quality control, and developing innovative plastic-based solutions. With a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly practices, plastic engineering in India is evolving the environmental challenges and exploring recycling technologies. The field offers diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors such as Manufacturing companies, Research institutions, Consultancy firms, and Entrepreneurship, etc, Continuous learning and staying updated with new technologies are important for success in this dynamic field.