Plastics Conference

Saudi Arabia

The COVID-19 pandemic has reemphasized the indispensable role of plastics in our everyday life.

Amongst others, medical-grade masks, gloves, PPE, various medical equipment along with several packaging applications have proved to be a lifesaver and played a vital role in protecting the health and safety of frontline workers as well as civilians during the pandemic. However, the manner in which their disposal is handled poses a serious environmental challenge. This is creating an urgent need to change our mindset from the existing linear take-make-dispose model and shift towards a closed-loop, reusability, and recycling-focused model. This requires a systemic transformation where all waste is viewed as a valuable resource and its value is captured within the economy. This can be achieved on the back of innovation through collaboration along the value chain, which was brought to the limelight during the pandemic.

On the flip side, an increased focus on recycling is both a growing threat and an opportunity to the virgin polymers industry. This is making plastic producers, refiners, waste management companies innovate new business models to develop a global economy where plastics are never wasted. Although collection and sorting remain the most challenging barriers to achieve a circular economy, advancements in advanced recycling technologies are aiming to ease the process.