Plastics industry flexes its muscles

The sector employed roughly 60 000 people during the past financial year. It also converted just over 1.8 million tonnes of polymer into plastics products during 2018. Another positive is that converter demand grew the period – reaching 1 544 million tonnes of virgin polymer in 2018.

As a commodity, almost every conceivable sector and industry uses or relies on plastic with food packaging just one sector that relies heavily on this material. The sector is a valuable contributor to the country’s output growth and employment with a multiplier effect of 3.7 per cent for every job created and 3.5% for every Rand invested.

THE HIGH COST OF LOADSHEDDING

Conversion methods for plastic fabrication are electricity-intensive and account for about 15 to 18% of a manufacturer's operating costs. Manufacturers and recyclers rely on a consistent supply of high voltage electricity for their machines to operate at maximum capacity and Eskom’s current difficulties impacted negatively on supply and output.

• Persistent energy shortages disrupted businesses and machines that usually run 24 hours a day. This was due to lost power during the day and mid-operation

• Raw materials and resources are wasted as machines must be scraped clean for start processes to start anew

• Local plastics suppliers were unable to meet deadline and supply orders in time

• Local suppliers are seen to be unreliable and more finished products are being imported into the country.

The plastics industry welcomes the government's plans to negotiate supplementary power purchase agreements to acquire additional capacity from existing wind and solar plants. It is also in favour of the idea for successful municipalities to procure its power from independent power producers. A restructured power supply in 2020 will go far in assisting the sector and allay fears about job cuts.

PLASTICS AND THE GREEN ECONOMY

President Cyril Ramaphosa is committed to transitioning South Africa to a lowcarbon, climate-resilient and sustainable society. The plastics industry can play a valuable part in assuring this gaol. It is keen to partner with government to demonstrate how plastics products and recycling can help to create an adaptive strategy; strengthen the country’s resilience and reduce our vulnerability to climate change.

• Life cycle assessments indicate that plastic products are more environmentally friendly than other materials if disposed of correctly and recycled effectively

• Fit for purpose plastic, designed with recyclability in mind offer a low carbon footprint and low environmental impact – often lower than biodegradable products

• Plastic bag manufacturers have removed fillers to produce fully recyclable bags. A 100% certified plastic material can now be used to produce carrier bags. This creates an end-market for recycled plastic products and helps reduce waste to landfill

• Products become part of a circular economy by reusing products • The number of plastics recycled in South Africa during 2018 saved enough oil to fuel 200 000 cars for one year – travelling 30 000km per annum

• Saved 246 000 tonnes of CO2 in 2018 – the equivalent of 51 200 cars

• Provided direct employment to more than 7 800 people and created 58 000 income-generating jobs

• R2.3 million was injected into the informal sector through the purchase of recyclable plastic waste.