Posted on 15/05/2017 in category Plastics
BIR World Mirror on Plastics - Issue May 2017
International Scenario for the Plastic Scrap Market
The plastics recycling industry is facing unprecedented challenges on two fronts, the first being the plethora of misconceptions and myths which I have been noticing about the benefits of plastics and plastics recycling since the beginning of this year.
An international petrochemical conference was held in San Antonio, Texas, at the end of March and included a panel discussion, comprising the President of ExxonMobil, the President and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical and the CEO of Air Liquid. I was surprised to hear from such prominent panellists that they believe the plastics industry needs to improve its image. They promised to reach out to educational institutions and try different means to improve that image.
The plastics industry has to understand that, in the next five years, there will be an additional capacity of over 17 million tons of PE in the USA, primarily due to the shale gas revolution. From the port of Houston alone, there will be estimated new exports of between 300,000 to 500,000 TEUs per year from 2016 to 2020. There will be substantial shortages of electricians, pipe fitters, drivers, crane operators and warehouse workers.
ISRI conducted a survey last December through Harris Poll to raise awareness and to combat myths and misconceptions about the benefits of recycling. I learnt from ISRI President Robin Wiener that her organisation would be reaching out to over 21 million listeners through radio interviews. (...)
by Surendra Patawari Borad
Gemini Corporation NV (Belgium)
Chairman of the Plastics Committee