Plastics associations form N.  American alliance

 The three major trade associations for the plastics industry in the U.S. and Canada announced plans to formalize existing collaboration on programs and initiatives that benefit the North American industry. The Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, the Canadian Plastics Industry Association and SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association will continue working together on key industry priorities through a virtual structure called the North American Plastics Alliance (NAPA).

The three organizations that comprise the Alliance believe they can be more effective and efficient while providing increased value to their members by acting in a coordinated manner on select initiatives. The initial priorities for enhanced collaboration by the Alliance will be:

• Pellet Containment: Extension of Operation Clean Sweep to broaden pellet containment efforts in the U.S., Canada and elsewhere.

• Energy Recovery: Promotion and facilitation of energy recovery and conversion of used plastics to complement recycling.

• Plastics Favorability: Increasing the favorability of plastics with key stakeholders.

• Advocacy: targeted advocacy with policy makers to support the growth of the plastics industry.

A steering team with member and staff representatives from each association will direct the collaborative programs and initiatives of the North American Plastics Alliance. The Steering Team is comprised of:

Staff:
• Bill Carteaux, President and CEO, SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association
• Steve Russell, Vice President of Plastics, American Chemistry Council
• Greg Wilkinson, Interim President and CEO, Canadian Plastics Industry Association

Members:
• Paul Cohen, President, W. Ralston (Canada) Inc.; Chair, CPIA Board of Directors
• Jay Cude, President and CEO, Coeur Inc.; Vice Chair, SPI Board of Directors
• Glenn Wright, Commercial Vice President of North America Plastics, The Dow Chemical Company; Chair, ACC Plastics Division Operating Committee

"This new collaboration is a logical extension of the work we do on behalf of our members and will make CPIA's voice on behalf of the Canadian plastics industry even stronger. Many of our issues cross the Canada-U.S. border and working together with other national organizations will help us focus our resources where they can make a difference for the industry," says Greg Wilkinson, Interim President and CEO, CPIA.

"United under a formal structure, our three organizations can maximize our power to successfully serve North American plastics manufacturers and ensure that our industry moves forward with one voice and one vision. Beginning with Operation Clean Sweep, energy recovery and public enhancement of plastics' favorability, I am confident that together, SPI, ACC and CPIA can expand well beyond the limits of what we would be able to accomplish individually." according to Bill Carteaux, President and CEO, SPI.

"Companies throughout the plastics value chain face common challenges, and by working together to demonstrate the collective value of our industry in terms of jobs, local economics and product innovation, we will be able to advocate and communicate much more effectively. We are already working closely with SPI and CPIA on a number of fronts; this North American Alliance is a way to deliver greater value to our stakeholders," says Steve Russell, Vice President of Plastics, American Chemistry Council.