1st GPCA Plastics Summit focuses on sustainability and the image of plastics

Sustainability and the image of plastics topped the agenda of the inaugural GPCA Plastics Summit, which attracted some 300 key decision makers, market players and stakeholders from 120 global and regional companies. "To address sustainability and to take it as an opportunity, the industry needs to take action," Wilfried Haensel, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope told delegates at the day two keynote address. "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. Environmentalist and author of The Plastic Bag War Hugo Verlomme pointed out that consumer response and behaviour, not plastic bags per se, is responsible for the image of plastic bag as a polluter. Other speakers from the Middle East and global plastics industry included Mr. Muayad Al-Faresi, Regional Sales Manager, EQUATE, who spoke on the real story behind the image of plastics and various efforts such as recycling, and educating the public. The Summit also paved the way for the announcement on the holding of GPCA Plastics Innovation Award which is open to plastic converters, research and development centres, regional universities and vocational institutes. The award which will be given away for the first time in 2011 will be based on numerous criteria with the objective of recognising an individual or company that has created a product, application or technology designed to maximise 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. Abdulwahab Al- Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA. The first three winners in the contest will be rewarded with the winner receiving a cash prize of AED 100,000; the first runner-up will receive AED 50,000, while the 2nd runner-up will get AED 25,000. www.gpca.aeNIKE AIR JORDAN