Plastics News - Show Daily - October 22, 2022 - 35

SHOW DAILY
Plastics News, October 22, 2022 * 35
BPF takes the long view during tempestuous times
By Adrian Lunney
Special to Plastics News
On Oct. 20, the second day
of K 2022, Liz Truss announced
her resignation as United Kingdom's
prime minister. But the
turbulent times back in London
did not dampen spirits in Düsseldorf,
Germany.
" This year's K show has been
phenomenal, "
British Plastics
Federation Membership Services
Director Stephen Hunt said.
" I have been coming here for
nearly 20 years and our stand
has been busier than ever. The
buzz around the place is truly
electric, and I can really see how
happy people are to be amongst
friends, colleagues and potential
customers again, " Hunt said.
" I guess that you could say
that the recent multiple and
common adversities have
brought our sector together like
never before, " Hunt said.
BPF opens up K 2022 in very
good heart: Company membership
stands at an all-time high,
and successful campaigns on
energy, the plastics packaging
tax and net zero have all yielded
gains for the sector. BPF membership
is at 523 companies,
up 10 percent this year, and
the largest in the trade association's
89-year history.
BPF was founded in 1933, the
same year polyethylene was invented,
and is the world's oldest
plastics trade association.
Hunt and BPF Director General
Philip Law said the global
business climate has never
been so tempestuous, including
issues of sheer economic viability,
fiscal pressure, energy
pricing, market behavior, circularity,
climate change and skills
shortages.
All of these factors significantly
and directly impact on
the nation's health since U.K.
plastics directly employs some
162,000 people and accounts
for around one in 15 jobs in U.K.
manufacturing - more than the
steel, glass, nuclear and paper
sectors combined.
In terms of the most pressing
current issues, BPF efforts made
a signifi cant contribution to the
U.K. government's unprecedented
energy package with the federation's
August Energy Survey
impacting on the government's
thinking and decision.
BPF working groups are exploring
net zero, industrial productivity
and all forms of recycling
issues, Law said.
" Our issues never stand still,
and we depend upon the enthusiasm
and expertise of all our
members to argue our case and to
keep ahead of the curve, " he said.
Law points out that the ubiquity
of plastics means that the
BPF is obliged to promote and
defend the materials in a wide
variety of uses and contexts.
" We expect a good deal of
work in the packaging world to
continue - bedding down the
new tax, for example, and helping
steer the ideas in extended
producer responsibility to sensible
ends. The construction industry
remains a key area - still
marked by persistent threats
to PVC and [expanded polystyBRITISH
PLASTICS
FEDERATION
Hall 5, Booth A28
rene] materials, " he said.
On Brexit, Law points out that
" since the U.K.'s referendum in
2016, we have worked closely
with members and government
to help ensure the process was
as painless as possible. We established
a Brexit Taskforce and
set up a Rules of Origin Sector
Panel directly with government
to ensure the industry's views
were heard. "
Law also said the trials and
tribulations of Brexit succeeded
in galvanizing actions that are
set to benefit the U.K. plastics
sector longer term.
" Partly because of Brexit, the
perspective of our industry had
to widen in order to embrace
global markets and thus to help
the industry compete in a harsher
trading climate, " he said.
BPF accordingly embarked on
a productivity program that is
now well into its stride, he said.
" We established a productivity
committee in 2021: It leads
this work and has developed
groups on materials, equipment,
tooling, product design, digitization
and automation - the
fruits of which are now coming
through and are helping the economic
health of our companies. "
After the K show village is
put away, BPF will be holding a
Parliamentary Reception at the
House of Commons in London
on Nov. 23, with 100 members
present, 30 members of Parliament
and peers committed to
attend and a government minister
speaking.
" This is an annual staple in
the BPF's diary and a great way
for our members to engage with
parliamentarians, " Law said.
" Political liaison is a significant
and ongoing part of our activity.
Nearly all our MP constituencies
are home to some form
of plastics manufacturing and it
behooves us to keep our democratic
representatives informed
as to the contributions and importance
of the industry. "
At K 2022, BPF is offering a
free guide providing details of all
British exhibitors, as well as information
about more than 500
key suppliers within the U.K.
The trade group is also offering
discounts on online training
courses.
MIDDLE EAST
& AFRICA
5-7 September 2023 Dubai
Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai
Interested in showcasing your products and services
to buyers in UAE? 2023 will see the launch of the
Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa.
To book your stand contact Matt Barber,
Global Events Director, Crain Communications
0 mabarber@crain.com 1 +44 (0)7739 302081
Organised by
www.prseventmea.com
Supported by
PRS ME&A 2023 Junior page ad K show daily.indd 1
06/10/2022 15:00
Find out
more on
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in Hall 6
Stand C08
http://www.prseventmea.com
Plastics News - Show Daily - October 22, 2022

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