Eye on Middle East and Africa sustainable developments

DEVELOPMENTS in plastics technology and plastics industry practices can make a positive contribution to societies in the Middle East and Africa. Take for instance, the South African plastics industry target of sending zero plastics packaging waste to landfill by 2030, and investments in solar energy in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

International Plastics News – Middle East & Africa (IRNE) spoke with Mandy Naudé about Recycling as corporate responsibility. As CEO of POLYCO (the Polyolefin Recycling Company), the brainchild of the South African Polyolefin Plastic Packaging Converters, Ms Naudé says business needs to demonstrate that the polyolefin plastics industry in South Africa is capable of and committed to meeting Government’s environmental expectations.

It might come as a surprise to most readers that countries with huge oil reserves would invest in solar energy programs, but that is exactly what’s happening in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reports IRNE. In Bright future for polymer-based solar cells, photovoltaic cell producer Solon International FZE said Abu Dhabi plans to produce 7% of its energy through solar by 2020, and Dubai intends to source  5% of its energy requirement from solar by 2030. In the wider region, many projects are slated for implementing renewable energies, as well.

Not to be outdone, Saudi Arabia turns to renewable energy as KSA become the regional leader in solar energy generation in the Middle East, which would require investments of about $109 billion if the oil-producing kingdom  is to obtain one-third of its power from the sun by 2032.

Also in this issue are features on three major exhibitions – Plastivision Arabia, Chinaplas, and interpack. The coverage of these important trade events forms part of Ringier Trade Media’s goal of providing our readers with relevant information on the new technologies and materials launched in different markets across the globe.