Plastic Sourcing: Where It Comes From and Who Controls It

When you hear plastic sourcing, the process of obtaining raw plastic materials for manufacturing. Also known as polymer procurement, it’s not just about ordering pellets from a supplier—it’s about tracing the chain from oil fields to factory floors, and who holds the power at every step. Most of the plastic used in India comes from Gujarat, where giant refineries like Reliance turn crude oil into polyethylene and polypropylene. These aren’t small operations—they’re massive, integrated plants that produce millions of tons a year, feeding everything from packaging to auto parts.

But plastic manufacturers, companies that turn raw polymers into finished products or resell them in bulk. Also known as polymer producers, it’s not just about making plastic—it’s about controlling the flow of materials, setting prices, and deciding what gets recycled—or dumped. The same companies that make plastic often design it to be single-use and hard to recycle. That’s not an accident. It’s business. And while consumers get blamed for plastic waste, the real issue lies upstream: 90% of global plastic production is controlled by just 100 companies. In India, this means a handful of chemical hubs in Dahej, Jamnagar, and Vadodara supply most of the country’s plastic needs. These aren’t local shops—they’re industrial powerhouses with global supply chains.

So when you think about plastic sourcing, the process of obtaining raw plastic materials for manufacturing. Also known as polymer procurement, it’s not just about buying material—it’s about tracing the chain from oil fields to factory floors, and who holds the power at every step., you’re really asking: Who benefits? Who pays the environmental cost? And what alternatives exist? The posts below dig into exactly that. You’ll see how government schemes like PLI are reshaping who can enter this market, how chemical production in Gujarat dominates the supply, and why recycling alone won’t fix the problem. You’ll also find out which companies are actually behind the plastic in your products—and why the real solution starts long before the trash bin.