President’s Report
4
In plastics, the world is changing at a faster pace than certainly I have witnessed before, but the many challenges are also accompanied by a range of opportunities. When it comes to the most widespread challenges - the coronavirus – I am pleased to see the industry is making a good recovery from the effect of infections on
challenged by increasing energy costs, staffing issues and potential disruption to supply chains. Thankfully, throughout 2021 the BPF did a great job of keeping members well informed by increasing the number of webinars and seminars on diverse topics, ranging from raw material supply through to key sustainability issues. My role as president means I am now more immersed in the whole breadth of activities staged by the BPF, whereas previously my role within the organisation had me far more focused on the Rotational Moulding Group that I chaired. The broad width of the Federation’s programme is very evident at the BPF’s annual Group and Central Committee Chairpersons Meeting, which was held on 7 November 2021. This meeting is always valuable as it enables a cross-fertilisation of ideas among the diverse parts of the Federation. It really does endorse our theme that we are ‘stronger together’. In my capacity as president, I enjoyed
business activity. By August 2021, the BPF Business Conditions Survey discovered capacity levels were at near-record highs (82.5%), with most groups within the BPF reporting they were operating at capacity levels that equalled or exceeded prepandemic levels. Although that situation has now eased, the industry is still being
meeting the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Lee Rowley MP at the BPF’s parliamentary reception on 30 November, where pressing issues were raised. The reception, held in the House of Commons, was well attended, despite a competing covid-
BPF ANNUAL REVIEW 2021
related debate taking place in the chamber. It was particularly well supported by the membership, 110 people were there, including 16 MPs and peers, with a further 11 government and parliamentary representatives – so it is safe to say that our messages are being heard. At Interplas, in late September, I had the opportunity to provide my views about equality and diversity within the industry, and it was good to see the industry reconvene at a UK tradeshow after such a long period of restrictions. I was also delighted to be invited to become an honorary member of the Worshipful Company of Horners for the period of my presidency. I believe that the longstanding relationship between the BPF and the Horners (going back to the 1940s) could be deepened even further, to the benefit of the industry, particularly since we could face further challenges from financial institutions deciding to distance themselves from funding fossil - related industries. I was also very pleased to preside over the BPF’s Annual Dinner, where I presented the immediate past president, Martin Althorpe, with the BPF’s gold medal for services to the Federation. Martin did a fantastic job as president during a truly trying time, spanning the height of both covid and Brexit. He has been and still is a marvellous chairman of the Windows Group and I am glad to have played a role in honouring his services to our industry. Finally, I would like to thank the BPF staff and fellow council members for making my job as president easier to fulfil. We still face many challenges – but by working together, the UK plastics industry will seize the opportunities and continue to excel. Karen Drinkwater BPF President
