The GCC petrochemicals industry needs to do more to improve the circularity of its products
The chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region must embrace the concept of ‘Circular Economy’, which if correctly leveraged can generate huge economic and environmental benefits, said speakers at the recently concluded 9th GPCA PlastiCon (Gulf Chemicals & Petrochemicals Association’s Plastics Conference) in Dubai.
Stakeholders would need to work together to increase the circularity of plastics by making sure that plastic waste is adequately recovered and that it does not end up in landfill or in the environment. The industry would also need to develop its innovation capabilities and work closely with regulators to formulate the right framework for plastic waste management, build an adequate infrastructure and adopt world-class standards, speakers said.
Ahmed Omar Abdulla, CEO, Borouge, and Chairman, GPCA Plastics Committee, opened the event with Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, EVP–Petrochemicals, SABIC, delivering a keynote address on the role of plastics in a circular economy.
The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over US$ 108bn worth of products each year.
“Polymer producers are now increasingly and strongly advocating commitment towards plastics circular economy which anticipates that plastics do not end up in our oceans or landfill, but rather contribute to an effective after-use economy. Governments in the GCC and around the world should start to enforce the policy of plastics circular economy to be a driving force in the efforts to enhance plastics sustainability,” affirmed Abdulla.
Emphasis on recycling
“The chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf is lagging behind other parts of the world, particularly Europe which is taking steps in the right direction to transition from a linear to a circular economic model. This will entail changing its business model from just selling products to selling high performing products over their lifecycle,” commented Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA.
In the GCC, as the largest producers of plastics resins in the world, there is considerable potential to develop the recycling industry to go the extra mile towards generating further economic value while contributing to business and job creation and mitigating environmental impact. Supporting economic diversification, as many as 10 new jobs can be added in the region for each ton of plastic waste generated, Dr. Al-Sadoun observed.
Highlighting the role of innovation in advancing the chemical industry in the GCC, the 2006-established and 250-member companies GPCA held its 5th Research and Innovation Summit under the theme ‘Capitalizing on innovation: A growth imperative.’
GPCA also recognized talent and ingenuity in the polymer and plastics conversion industry during its 8th GPCA Plastic Excellence Awards sponsored by SABIC at a dinner and awards presentation ceremony on the sidelines of PlastiCon.
