Arabplast 2013 To Feature Latest Plastics Trends Used In Green Buildings
Leading international plastics firm BASF braces for strong participation in the four-day event from January 7 to 10, 2013
BASF, an international leading manufacturer and innovation partner of plastic additives and pigments with its regional headquarters in Dubai, believes that the UAE plastics industry is largely driven by construction industry-focused products/solutions, while also benefiting strongly from UAE’s drive towards “green buildings” in the recent years.
BASF highlighted these trends in connection with its participation in Arabplast 2013, the biggest plastics event in the region and one of the largest three in the world, taking place in Dubai from January 7 to 10, 2013.
Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, co-organiser of Arabplast said: “We are pleased that multinational companies like BASF sees Arabplast as an ideal platform to boost their business and operations. Arabplast 2013 will be 34 percent bigger than the 2011 edition, following record number of exhibitors and sponsors. Major sponsors for Arabplast 2013 include QAPCO, BOROUGE, PETRORABIGH and TASNEE.”
A record number of companies from 41 countries are participating in Arabplast 2013, a reflection on the growing importance attached by GCC countries to strengthening their manufacturing industries, including plastics and rubber sector, which are known to be more sustainable investments in the long run.
On display at Arabplast 2013 will be new products and technologies in injection moulding, blow molding, wrapping and packaging, pre and post plastic processing techniques as well as raw materials, such as masterbatches, additives and polymers. The show covers a wide spectrum of plastic machinery, plastic/rubber processing technology, pre and post-processing systems, plastic packaging technology, injection moulding, blow moulding, wrapping technology, extrusions, chemicals and additives, semi finished goods, engineering plastics and plastic products.
BASF, the world’s leading chemical company said that “going green” approach of the UAE has boosted the plastics industry in a wide range of sustainable products catering to the insulation in buildings, wire and cable jacketing and fiber optics.
Frank Fasdernes, Business Director, BASF Plastic Additives Africa, Eastern Europe and Western Asia said: “Sustainability, and in particular environmental friendliness, are the growth drivers of the plastic industry in the region, as we see from the huge interest in eco-friendly construction and ‘green’ buildings. Although bio-based and biodegradable plastics are likely to remain a niche market for foreseeable future, conventional plastics provide an environmental benefit in many applications – from thermal insulation to lightweight automotive components and packaging.”
BASF designs tailored solutions for key industries, such as agriculture, automotive, packaging, fiber, building and construction as well as electric and electronics.
Fasdernes added: “We try to reach all our customers within the value chain to share experiences and knowhow. We recognize the growing importance of the Middle East and North Africa markets for the plastics industry. There is continuous growth in the plastics converting industry with substantial expansion of polymer production in the Middle East. This makes the region a major market for plastic additives. Furthermore, it has become a key market for plastic injection moulders.”
As the main upstream production facilities are located within the GCC, the plastics industry in the UAE and the region is likely to see an increasing focus on downstream industries. The GCC is becoming an important market for the plastics converting industry. Most prominent are the infrastructure industries, such as wire and cable and also pipes. Also the packaging sector is gaining momentum.
He added: “Arabplast gives us an opportunity to offer our latest innovations and solutions in engineering polymers. In this context, at the Arabplast 2013 we will show representative examples of automotive electronics applications made of BASF’s polyamide (Ultramid), PBT (Ultradur), POM (UIltrafom) and polyurethanes like oil sensors, fuel pressor sensors or air-flap control units.”
Fasdernes said: “Our portfolio includes light stabilizers and flame retardants, antioxidants process stabilizers, and a large variety of pigments for the plastics industry. BASF Plastic Additives offer solutions to meet all plastic requirements, including approved ingredients for food and beverage.”
He added: “We see the UAE is serious in its commitment to sustainability. There is awareness as well as resources and many of the projects start from grassroots, enabling planning focused on latest sustainability trends. Experts have endorsed the impressive efforts to embrace sustainable growth in various fields, mainly construction throughout the UAE and wider GCC region.”
He added: “We expect the chemical industry to grow particularly strongly in the emerging economies, and these markets will account for around 60% of global chemical production by 2020. Innovations based on chemistry will play a key role in three areas in particular: resources, environment and climate; food and nutrition; quality of life.”
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 25, 2012
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