Africa’s rapidly growing plastics industry is attracting an increasing number of international companies to the lucrative market, with estimates showing that the demand for plastic packaging in Africa has grown by 8% over the past five years, compared with only 3.6% in Western Europe, says Plastics South Africa (SA) executive director Anton Hanekom.
He adds that this information is backed by research from business-to-business industrial information provider Ringier Industry Sourcing.
“The Afriplast Expo 2013, a component expo of the recently launched ten-in-one South African Industry and Technology (Indutec) Fair, which takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand, Johannesburg, from May 14 to 16, will be an important forum for the plastics industry to highlight its growth,” says Hanekom.
Plastics SA, which is an umbrella orga- nisation for the South African plastics industry, endorses the fair and will also be exhibiting.
The organisation intends to enlighten people who attend Indutec’s dedicated plastics industry fair, Afriplast, about the importance of plastic and how it should be used responsibly, which includes reducing, reusing and recycling plastic, says Hanekom, who adds the industry body will be promoting its members’ services.
“This is a brand new international plastics industry exhibition designed to showcase the vast opportunities in Africa by bringing together global industry customers and suppliers,” he adds.