The Middle East will be a leading producer and exporter of plastic resins within the next five years, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) capacity in the region slated to more than double by 2015.

The Middle East plastics industry is expected to grow 30 per cent/year. This growth rate, and the consequent further investment and industrial development opportunities presented have prompted the organization of the First GPCA Plastics Summit, taking place at the Grand Hyatt Dubai June 14-16, 2010.

Covering issues that impact the entire plastics value chain as well as addressing how the Middle East and global plastics industry is evolving to drive sustainable growth through socially responsible initiatives, the Summit harnesses the expertise and network of both organizations.

“Plastics can be sustainable and an environmentally responsible solution to society’s questions,” said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA, “Although the plastic industry is often a target for not being socially responsible, plastics are necessary to our everyday life as they are used in medicine, packaging, construction and agriculture.”

“This event is designed to burst myths and provide a platform for Middle East and global participants in the plastics industry to exchange ideas and best practices in an age of fast-changing industry dynamics and increasingly exacting social accountability,” he added.

Delegates at the Summit will also learn about investment opportunities in the fast-growing Middle East, meet movers and shakers in the industry, tap into growth opportunities along the value chain, and explore the development of clean and green initiatives. They will hear success strategies for driving sustainability and translating them into viable business models.

“The value of Plastics as an environmental solution for modern society is increasingly understood and discussed at top-level forums worldwide. The GPCA Plastics Summit will offer a platform to explore leading-edge issues concerning the development of a vibrant plastics industry in the Middle East,” said Lyn Tattum, Publisher Chemical Week.

Speakers at the Summit will address both critical business and environmental issues regarding the plastics industry of tomorrow and the crucial role of plastics products in society. Speakers will include Moayyed I. Al Qurtas, Chairman of Plastics Committee, GPCA; Vice Chairman and CEO, TASNEE; Hugo Verlomme, environmentalist and author of The Plastic Bag War; Ray Hammond, Futurist; Khaled Al Mana, Executive Vice President Polymers, SABIC; Javier Echevarria, Associate Director/Global Packaging and Hygiene Purchasing, Procter & Gamble; Manfred Klepacz, CEO, Al Rajhi Holding Group, and more.

“Our portfolio of speakers is unrivalled and boasts highly influential industry spokespeople. Ideal for networking and gathering essential industry knowledge, the Plastics Summit will showcase the manufacturing excellence and innovation of regional plastics companies and help to highlight the importance of continual investment,” added Dr. Sadoun.

SOURCE: Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association

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