A top body of glass manufacturers has expressed disappointment over the Budget 2009-10, saying it did not have any direct benefit for the packaging industry in general and the container glass industry in particular.

"The request of the glass industry for rationalisation of soda ash import duty remains unheard and pending," All India Glass Manufacturers Federation (AIGMF) Senior Vice- President Mukul Somany said in a statement here.

Higher cost of inputs, particularly soda ash, which constitutes about 30 per cent of cost of production of glass products, is one of the major factors raising the cost of glass bottles, Somany said.

"It is hitting the glass producers, especially in the small-and-medium sector," he added.

AIGMF President S C Vishwakarma said while glass was the most hygienic material for packing of pharmaceuticals, beverages and food articles, the glass containers themselves should remain free of contamination for the contents to remain hygienic.