Morbi: After the ceramic industry, the laminate (Sanmica) industry in Morbi and Halvad is now facing a major crisis due to a shortage of raw materials. Production in laminate factories has already been reduced by nearly 50%, and industry leaders have warned that if the situation does not improve by March 31, several units may be forced to shut down completely.

Laminate industry leader Anilbhai Sitapara said that there are around 40 laminate manufacturing units in the Morbi and Halvad areas. Nearly 75% of the raw materials used in the laminate industry are imported. In particular, about 90% of the design paper required for laminates is sourced from China and Germany.

He said that imports of raw materials have been affected due to the ongoing tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the United States, as well as the overall international situation. At present, manufacturers have raw material stock sufficient for only about one week. As a result, most factories have reduced production by nearly half.

Sitapara warned that if the supply of raw materials does not normalise by March 31, a large number of units may have to stop operations.

He also noted that some gas-based laminate factories in North India, including those in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Yamunanagar, have already shut down due to the shortage of raw materials.

Morbi is one of the major laminate manufacturing hubs in the country, and a large quantity of material is supplied from here to the domestic market. DeshGujarat