Page 59 - Plastics news December 2023

IN THE NEWS

influential decision-makers, manufac- as a dynamic platform that fosters to chart the course for the burgeoning
turers, dealers and distributors oper- collaborations between international plastics and rubber market in the Mid-
ating in the vital sector of plastics and and regional manufacturers and the dle East and North Africa, as it sets
rubber value chain. This will bring an entire value chain, contributing to the to be an unparalleled opportunity for
opportunity to the attendees to en- prosperity and advancement of end- networking and knowledge-sharing
gage with all industry stakeholders user industries. As the largest of its in the region. Further, early registra-
under one roof, to explore regional kind in the Middle East and North Af- tion ensures complimentary access to
developments, and new market op- rica, PLASTEX 2024 promises to be the news and information about the
portunities, to build new connections a pivotal platform to drive innovation, event and enjoy premium visitor ex-
and to review the latest solutions in sustainability, and the future of plastics perience.
the market for regional development and rubber.
and long-term growth.
This edition of PLASTEX continues to
For 30 years, PLASTEX has served position itself as a must-attend event

AI shows plastic pollution can be almost eliminated by 2040

tion growth and economic trends to
forecast the future of virgin plastic
production, pollution and trade.

“Finally solving the plastics crisis
means a win for the environment, a
win in our fight against climate change,
and a healthier and more just future
for all people,” said Dr. Douglas Mc-
Cauley, Professor UC Santa Barbara,
Adjunct Professor UC Berkeley. “A
weak treaty would be worse than no
treaty at all. But I was so thrilled to
see scientific proof that a strong trea-
new AI-powered digital tool, The tool, which has been developed ty could virtually end the problem of
A which is available for anyone to by researchers at UC Berkeley and plastic waste forever. Nothing makes
access, gives users the ability to see UC Santa Barbara, takes into account me happier than knowing that my
how much pollution can be avoided if five specific actions, namely: generation could be the last genera-
different measures were to be taken • A minimum recycled content tion to live with the cancer of plastic
globally. pollution. I can only hope the nations
commitment, meeting in Nairobi next week pay at-
If no action is taken, the data under- • a cap on production of virgin tention to these findings.”
pinning the AI tool states that plastic plastic,
pollution will jump 62% between “I confess that when I first saw these
2024 and 2050. However, an ambi- • investment in plastic waste man- nations promising to end plastic pol-
tious treaty, incorporating a mix of agement infrastructure, lution by 2040 - that this would be
policies, could see plastic pollution • similar investments in new recy- impossible,” said Dr. McCauley. “But
almost eliminated in 2040, with mis- cling capacity, I was blown away to discover a path-
managed waste reduced by 89% - to way to near-zero in this research.” It
about 10 million metric tons per year, • a small tax on plastic packaging has been released just as UN member
which the researchers say is ‘manage- (e.g., items like plastic bags). state policymakers are due to head to
able’. The tool uses machine learning to Nairobi, Kenya, for the third of five
combine information about popula- negotiation sessions for a Global Plas-

PLASTICS NEWS 5959
December 2023 PLASTICS NEWS