Innovation, outward-looking approach will bolster industry growth

The plastics converter industry needs to alter its mindset and look for innovative solutions while becoming more outward-looking to experience real economic growth, says industry body Plastics SA. Plastics SA chairperson Bernhard Mahl describes real growth as “thousands of tons of plastics, polymers and resin converted”. He notes that globally, where there has been growth, industry growth is measured by virgin material consumption, and we do not see the same growth in South Africa by looking at virgin material consumption. By adding the volumes of post-consumer waste recycled the growth seems slightly better.