Pastics|SA, the mouthpiece of the South African plastics industry, has announced that it will be hosting the first industry conference of its kind on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 and as one of the highlights of Pro-Plas Conference that will be taking place at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre in Johannesburg.

‘Plastics: The Future for Growth’ will bring together international experts, local industry role players in the plastics manufacturing and recycling industries, government, the media and part other interested parties to discuss the issues relating to and affecting the future of the local plastics industry.

According to Anton Hanekom, Executive Director of Plastics|SA, few industries in South Africa, and indeed around the world, have seen such rapid growth, technological advancement, innovation and a changing business environment as the local plastics industry had faced in recent few years.

“On the one hand, the plastics industry has been classified as a priority sector with all the opportunities and expectations that come with this new label. One the other hand, our industry had to deal with the growing threat of cheap imports, changing demands and expectations from the retailers, the growing importance of environmental and sustainability issues, recycling, health and safety to name but a few. We hope to address all these and many other topics that lie close to our industry’s heart during the conference”, Hanekom says.

Dr Wilfried Haensel, Executive Director of Plastics Europe, will be delivering the key note address, after which the audience will be asked to switch gears as various related, yet contentious issues are addressed and discussed with panellist representing various spectrums of the industry in three lively debate sessions, namely: ‘Growing the South African Plastics Industry’; ‘What impacts on Plastic Packaging?’ and ‘Are Plastics Sustainable?’

Four panellists, each representing a different aspect or point of view on these topics, will share the stage with celebrity investigative journalists who will direct the discussions and ask critical questions. “We are hoping to offer delegates a conference unlike anything they’ve ever seen before”, Hanekom says. “Because industry participation and feedback is such a vital component, the audience members will be given the opportunity to act as the fifth panellist on the topic by sending their opinions or questions through the moderator via an sms line. In this way, discussions will be kept lively and unpredictable as they are influenced and directed by the moderator and audience participation alike. We will also have voting booths during the coffee lunch breaks, during which audience members can voice their opinions or cast their votes about a specific topic addressed during the panel discussion.”

Other highlights will include poster walks as well as a cocktail function during which industry awards will be awarded to companies or individuals who have made a difference and significant contribution to the plastics industry.

For more information about the conference, please contact: Monique Holtzhausen on 071 083 5319 or (021) 531-0313 or monique@aimmarketing.co.za