Page 12 - Plastics News December 2019

AipmA At work

CIPAD Meeting, London, UK

AIPMA recently attended the 50th meeting of the Council of International Plastics Associations Directors (CIPAD) held on
11-12 November 2019, in London, UK. It was an excellent opportunity for Indian plastics industry as the International Forum
facilitated meeting of global Industry Associations leaders wherein country papers were presented and ideas were exchanged.
14 countries including India, UK, Italy, China, Germany, Mexico etc. participated in this key forum. The key points:
Country Report – Consolidated Table

Country name Current status and outlook for the plastics industry Current issues affecting plastics industry
South Africa ● Apparent Consumption (polymer demand) in ● Negative sentiments, perceptions and publicity
2018: 1,544,000 tons of plastic products – single use products, e.g.
carrier bags, straws, earbuds, etc. has increased.
● Plastic waste collected for recycling: 46.3% ● Application for the issuing of import permits
for plastic waste is increasing since the China
National Sword. Concerns are that developing
countries will become dumping ground for plastic
waste.
● Increase in waste recycling: 12.2% ● Eminent introduction of a Paper and Packaging
Industry Waste Management Plan with possible
waste tax, removing industry control over
funding for extended producer responsibility
(EPR).
● Recycling created jobs: 58,500 jobs ● Created a South African Initiative to End Plastic
Waste. It is a collaborative initiative that works
within the extended packaging value chain. The
South African Consumer Goods Council is the
secretariat and 6 working streams are created,
namely infrastructure; biodegradable and
compostable material; technology, innovation
and design and the last stream is education,
awareness and skill development, standards
and compliance of the standards and then the
integration of the informal sector into the waste
strategy.
● Constant increase of imports from East, specially China ● Plastics SA is training more than 3 500 students
every year in plastics and Production technology,
maths and material science.
● Plastic per capita consumption: 27 kg/person ● Skills shortage, specifically on high technical
level remains a problem. Political and
policy uncertainty and specifically the land
appropriation without compensation creates
fear and uncertainty which limits growth and
investments (both local and international).

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