Reagens Welcomes Local MP Connor Rand to Discuss Key Industry Challenges

On Tuesday, 31st March 2026, Reagens was pleased to welcome local MP Connor Rand to its manufacturing facility. The visit provided a vital opportunity to underscore the ongoing operational issues faced by the company, alongside the broader strategic challenges currently confronting the UK plastics industry.

As a specialist manufacturer of additives and stabilisers essential to PVC production, Reagens highlighted the following critical areas to MP Connor Rand:

• Skills and Recruitment: In common with many across the sector, Reagens faces significant difficulties in attracting talent with specialised experience in polymer science.
•  Regulatory Complexity: Navigating the intricate and evolving regulatory landscape surrounding PVC and its associated additives remains a burdensome process, demanding niche expertise.
• UK Global Competitiveness: There is mounting concern regarding the UK's attractiveness for industrial investment. The compounding costs of energy, infrastructure, and logistics are severely undermining our competitive edge on the global stage.

The dialogue with MP Connor Rand was productive, and he demonstrated a strong receptivity to the industry's concerns. Having previously attended the joint BPF and MPG breakfast briefing at the House of Commons, he already possesses a solid foundational understanding of the UK plastics sector.

The meeting was hosted by Steve Harrison, Managing Director of Reagens UK, and Mohamed Elkhalifa, Industrial and Public Affairs Manager at the BPF. Moving forward, we will continue to cultivate this valuable relationship with the MP to ensure the voice of the UK plastics industry remains clearly heard and championed within Parliament.