BPF Launches Strategic Discussion To Promote Investment

The British Plastics Federation has today launched a signal strategic document on the UK plastics industry's future which it wishes to discuss with all stakeholder groups, government in particular.

'The UK plastics Industry: A Strategic Manufacturing Sector' has been published as an elaboration of BPF President Philip Watkins' theme for his period of office, 'A sustainable plastics industry: a strategic asset in our manufacturing economy'.

The discussion document sets out a powerful case for the plastics industry to be regarded as a key to the revival of the UK's industrial fortunes . It illustrates the extraordinarily wide uses of plastics and their enabling role in the success of business sectors as diverse as automotive, construction, healthcare and retail. President Philip Watkins said 'It would be impossible to have a high technological industrial base here without the UK's plastics sector.'

Crucially it sets out the industry's credentials as a facilitator of a low carbon economy in the UK documenting how plastics products not only save energy in their use but also through their increasingly impressive recycling record and their potential to provide feedstock for energy from waste schemes. As shining examples the 30 million tonnes of CO2 saved over the average lifespan of vehicles in the EU by using 105 kg of plastics in place of traditional materials and the 49,343 tonnes of PVC recycled from construction uses in 2010 were among many detailed cases cited.

'Our aim is to spotlight the wealth of investment and business development opportunities afforded by these wonderful plastics technologies here in the UK', said President Philip Watkins. 'We invented many of them here and in so many fields we are global leaders. We want to do all in our power to help create the best investment environment' .

The BPF particularly welcomes the Foreword provided by Mark Prisk MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise. President Philip Watkins said 'The discussion document concludes with a number of points we want to press further with UK government , namely education and training provision; support for overseas business development; long term raw material availability;the minimisation of legislative and fiscal burdens; future energy supply; support for innovation; and the public image of plastics. The BPF will be calling on the Department of Business Innovation and Skills to consider how the uniqueness of the UK plastics industry's contribution can be recognised by government.

Other essential stakeholders targeted by the BPF to discuss the document and highlight the opportunities in the UK plastics industry include customer industry sectors and the Banking and Finance community.

To access the discussion document please visit www.bpf.co.uk/StrategicManufacturing

ENDS

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images, please contact Philip Law, on 0207 457 5011 or email [email protected]

Notes for editors:

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.