By 2015 the production of the polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polystyrene in the Gulf region is expected to double to reach more than 23.6 million tonnes, said the organisers of an upcoming plastics summit in Dubai.

The second GPCA Plastics Summit will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City from April 4 to 6.

“The Plastics Summit is a platform for knowledge sharing and best practices exchanging that will support GPCA’s objectives,” added Dr Abdul Wahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA).

“These objectives aim to provide a stimulating conducive environment for further growth in the plastics conversion industry and more job opportunities for citizens.”

The event is expected to attract more than 400 manufacturers, representatives of plastic raw material companies as well as experts and executives in the regional and global plastics industry.

The programme for the first day of the Plastics Summit will be broken down into three sessions. The first session will focus on ways in which the Gulf can grow toward becoming a powerhouse in plastics production. The second session will focus on emerging trends and new opportunities in the Gulf, as well as innovation and technologies in the plastics conversion industry.

The third, and final, session for the day will be dedicated to papers addressing the topic of plastic waste management.

“As part of our commitment to sustaining the environment, the GPCA will aggressively promote comprehensive science-based policies and enforcement of existing laws to prevent litter; and enhance opportunities to recover plastic products for recycling and energy recovery,” said Dr Al-Sadoun.

“The Gulf region has witnessed significant expansion in plastics production over a short period of time. This growth brings with it diversity in the products portfolio, where a number of new products are planned for the next five years. These new products will stimulate the development of new downstream industries in the region leading to more job opportunities and an enhancement of the industry’s socio-economic benefits,” he added.

“Innovation in the Gulf’s plastics conversion industry is considered an essential requirement in order to make it more competitive to meet the needs of regional and global markets.'

'As a result the GPCA is using this summit as a platform to launch the GPCA Plastics Innovations Award 2011 to honour the companies and individuals who have innovative and creative impact that add a boost to the industry and promote best practices,” concluded Dr Al-Sadoun. – TradeArabia News Service