Polypropylene or PP is another versatile polymer developed in 1950s sharing much of the characteristics of its predecessor polyethylene. PP, much more robust than polyethylene, is used from the making of plastic bottles to furniture.
Broadly there are three grades of PP -- Homopolymers, Block copolymers and Random copolymers.
Global Situation
The global output of PP is expected to be 52 million tons in 2007. The demand for PP is also driven by the rapid growth in the Asian region especially China.
Indian Situation
India depends mainly on import of PP as it produces only around 200,000 tons per year. A projected growth rate of 10-12 percent per year in polymer consumption would make it imperative that India would depend on imports to a larger extent. PP is mainly used in sectors such as packaging, non-filament yarn and ropes etc.
India\'s Forex reserves fell to $311.79 billion, down by $691 million for the week ended June 27 as against $ 312.481 billion in the last week, RBI said in its weekly report.
Forex dealers said the rupee drew support from a firm trend in local equity market but was still under pressure due to fresh surge in crude oil prices.
Indian rupee opened trading in a positive note Friday as investors covered their short positions but with oil holding above $145 a barrel and shaky stock markets raising prospects for more capital outflows, gains may be limited.