Middle East sees 30 per cent growth in plastic

As the region expands in sectors such as construction, manufacturing and transportation, so is the usage of plastic resins, which is expected to grow 30 per cent annually.

During the first Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) summit in Dubai, industry players debunked the myths surrounding the usage of plastic products, which has recently come under heavy criticism over its effect and impact on the environment.

“Although the plastic industry is often a target for not being socially responsible, plastics are necessary to our everyday life as they are used in medicine, packaging, construction and agriculture,” said Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA.

Over 400 key decision makers, players and stake holders in the regional petrochemicals and plastic converting industry attended the two-day event, which also addressed how the Middle East and global plastics industry is evolving to drive sustainable growth through socially responsible initiatives.

“This event is designed to burst myths and provide a platform for Middle East and global participants in the plastics industry to exchange ideas and best practices in an age of fast-changing industry dynamics and increasingly exacting social accountability,” Al-Sadoun added.

Construction sector is key consumer of plastics

While addressing delegates at the summit, Wilfried Haensel, the Executive Director of PlasticsEurope said that the Middle East is expected to lead in the production and export of plastic resins within the next five years, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) capacity in the region slated to double by 2015. Owing to this growth, he called on plastic manufacturers to address sustainability in all their business processes.

“In order to take action, we need information and we need to effectively communicate the benefits of plastics and their contribution to climate protection and energy efficiency,” Haensel pointed out.

Plastics play a key role in the construction industry, synonymous in the region. Official GPCA statistics show that the building industry is the second largest consumer of plastic, followed only by the packaging industry.

Plastic resins and their products including fiberglass are used for items such as pipes and valves. They are also used for decorative elements and heavy-duty uses because they are easy to handle, are durable and are attractive. Some decorative places plastics are commonly found include bathroom units, plumbing fixtures, flooring, insulation, windows, doors and railings.

Plastic in aerodynamics improves fuel efficiency

In aviation, plastic materials are used in the making of helicopters because they are rigid and durable. The fact that plastic is both lightweight and strong also has its advantages in the field of aerospace because the weight of the aircraft can be reduced by using plastic.

“Studies have shown that plastic usage in aerodynamics has significantly improved fuel efficiency and performance,” said Wilfried Haensel, adding “In fact, reducing the weight of a jetliner by just one pound saves $1,000 in fuel during the liner's lifetime.”

In electronic appliances, plastics are used due to their thermal and insulating properties, ideal for use in house wiring. In fact, nearly all modern homes use plastic electrical connectors and switches.

Speaking to the audience via video-link, environmentalist and author of ‘The Plastic Bag War’ book Hugo Verlomme said that consumer response and behaviour, as opposed to plastic bags per se, is responsible for the image of plastic bag as a polluter of the environment and the sea.

“Plastic usage and application goes hand in hand with being socially and environmentally conscious and responsible,” Verlomme said.

The GPCA also launched an award that seeks to honour best practices either at an individual level or company that creates a product, applies and designs it to maximize the growth of plastics manufacturing in the gulf in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

“The plastics industry makes a significant contribution to our welfare by enabling innovation, enhancing quality of life and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection,” said Dr Al-Sadoun.