Source:pagcev.org

The Future of Plastics Discussed at the GPCA Plastics Conference

A CALL TO GULF COUNTRIES ON PLASTICS

“TURKEY IS THE WORLD’S 6TH AND EUROPE’S 2ND LARGEST PLASTIC PRODUCTS PROCESSOR”

The conference, hosted by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), was recently held in Dubai. Industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and value chain partners gathered at the GPCA Plastics Conference. Sharing that Turkey ranks as the 6th largest plastics processor in the world and the 2nd largest in Europe, Yavuz Eroğlu — President of the Green Transformation and Technology Association (PAGÇEV) and Chairman of SEM Plastik — stated:

“Turkey produces 11 million tons of plastic products annually. Turkey and the Gulf countries are two complementary economies in the production of plastic products and petrochemicals. Therefore, we invite all Gulf country manufacturers to invest in Turkey.”

Emphasizing the importance of the role of civil society organizations in overcoming the challenges of the green transformation process, Eroğlu added:

“As the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Plastics, Rubber, and Composites Industry Assembly, PAGEV, and PAGÇEV, we aim to further strengthen our cooperation.”

The GPCA Plastics Conference, held following the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada, brought together plastic producers and value chain partners from the Gulf region in Dubai to discuss the technologies, innovations, and collaborations necessary for achieving a sustainable transformation in plastics.

At the 13th GPCA Plastics Conference, topics relevant to the regional and global plastics industries in the short term were addressed, including how to shape the future of plastics, advancing the recycling sector in Gulf countries, increasing innovation efforts for sustainability, and technological developments in Design for Recycling (DfR).

“CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE GREEN TRANSFORMATION”

 

Speaking at the annual GPCA Conference held under the theme “Innovating for Sustainable Growth – Charting the Future of Plastics,” Chairman of the Turkish Plastics Industry Foundation (PAGEV) and SEM Plastik, Yavuz Eroğlu, shared his insights on the plastic industry’s green transformation process.

Emphasizing the importance of the role of civil society organizations in overcoming the challenges of green transformation, Eroğlu said:

“The Gulf countries are rich in petroleum resources and have well-developed petrochemical investments. However, their biggest shortcoming is the lack of a plastic processing industry capable of converting these petrochemical products into finished plastic goods. Turkey, on the other hand, is the world’s 6th and Europe’s 2nd largest plastic product processor, producing 11 million tons of plastic goods every year. Yet, Turkey’s petrochemical production capacity remains far below its own demand.

Turkey and the Gulf countries are two complementary economies in terms of plastic product manufacturing and petrochemical production. Therefore, we invite all Gulf country producers to invest in Turkey. Just a few months ago in Qatar, we brought together the CEOs of Gulf petrochemical producers with our Presidential Investment Office President, Burak Dağlıoğlu. I believe that joint investments in this area will be mutually beneficial for both sides.

Furthermore, we are ready to invest in the Gulf region to contribute to the production of high value-added plastic products. Together, we can create a strong synergy and build a global plastics and recycling powerhouse. To achieve this, we must leverage the collaboration and guidance of our civil society organizations.

Turkey, with its unique position connecting Eastern and Western business cultures, stands as a bridge between the two. In this green transformation journey, as the Chairman of the TOBB Turkish Plastics, Rubber, and Composites Industry Assembly, PAGEV, and PAGÇEV, we aim to further strengthen our cooperation.”

STRONG INTEREST IN PAGEV’S INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

 

At the event held in the conference foyer area, visitors to the PAGEV booth were introduced to the Turkish Plastics Industry, the PlastEurasia Fair, and the Replast Eurasia Plastics Recycling Technologies and Raw Materials Fair. PAGEV’s international certification program, “Operation Clean Sweep,” which aims to prevent microplastic pellets from leaking into the environment, attracted significant interest from major plastics and petrochemical companies in the region.

Circular Packaging Association Technical Director Sara Jackson emphasized that with plastic production expected to double by 2030 and again by 2050, enabling a circular economy and addressing the plastic waste challenge has become more crucial than ever. She stated:

“The emergence of adequate recycling technology, the lack of a robust infrastructure, and the absence of coordination and standardization in plastic waste management are leaving the industry facing numerous challenges today. Therefore, achieving circularity will require the combined efforts of all stakeholders and a strong public–private dialogue.”

GPCA SECRETARY GENERAL DR. ABDULWAHAB AL-SADOUN: “WE MUST IMPLEMENT MORE SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS”

Leading global and regional plastic producers, policymakers, converters, brand owners, recyclers, and young professionals from the region came together to address the growing plastic waste challenge and engage in thought-provoking discussions aimed at ensuring sustainable industry growth. During the event, QUATE Group CEO and GPCA Plastics Committee Chairman Naser Aldousari, Jacob Duer, President and CEO of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, Othaibah Saeed Al Qaydi, Director at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Jamila El Mir, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion and Senior Advisor to COP28, Monir Salem Bou Ghanem, Integrated Advisor at the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, and Priya Sarma, Chair of the Circular Packaging Association and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, discussed the opportunities and challenges of circular plastic management in the Gulf countries.

This year’s conference featured a dynamic range of session formats, including a leadership dialogue moderated by Moveed Fazail, Director of Polymers at S&P Global Commodity Insights. Key industry leaders such as Fayez Al-Sharef (CEO of Sadara), Khalid Al Dawood (Managing Director of NATPET), Muayad Al-Faresi (Managing Director of Equipolymers GmbH), Naif Al-Ayed (CEO of NUSANED Investment Company), as well as senior executives from SABIC, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble, discussed the pursuit of sustainable innovations and regional opportunities for addressing a global challenge.

GPCA Secretary General Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun stated: