Rise in cost of polypropylene sacks hits rice millers, traders in Tiruchi

A sharp rise in the cost of polypropylene sacks used for packing rice, linked to fluctuations in crude oil prices amid the crisis in West Asia, has affected rice mill owners and traders in the region.

The sacks, made from polypropylene, a petroleum derivative, have become costlier in the past two weeks as polymer prices increased. Traders and mill owners pointed out that many small plastic-processing units use LPG or industrial gas for heating and operating processing machines, and disruptions in supply have added to production costs.