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The Second GPCA Plastics Summit Reveals Growth Potential

Industry leaders discuss technology and innovation to support the growth and sustainable development of plastics

Summit sees 30% increase in attendance
April 5, 2011 - Dubai, UAE - The focus on Day 1 of the Second GPCA Plastics Summit, currently underway in Dubai, is supporting the growth and sustainable development of the petrochemicals and plastic converting industry in the Gulf region through technology and innovation.

Tackling the importance of plastic innovation, Moayyed I. Al Qurtas, Vice Chairman and CEO, TASNEE and Chairman of the GPCA Plastics Committee, said, "It is critical for the industry to focus on the environment and look for ways to improve the standard of living for humanity. Plastics have the advantage of recyclability at a relatively low-cost and can combat shortages of food and drinking water. Remarkable advances in plastic innovation can lead to a sustainable, environmentally sound and socially responsible industry."

Nearly 400 key decision makers and thought leaders from the regional and international petrochemicals and plastic converting industry are in Dubai for the high-profile summit, taking place today and tomorrow at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai, Festival City. This year's Summit has seen a record increase of 30% in attendance.

Commenting on the increase in attendance, Ziad Al-Labban, President and Chief Executive Officer, Petro Rabigh , said, "The GPCA Plastics Summit is truly a success, considering the regional and global attention it is receiving. The foremost reason for the Gulf-based summit receiving such attention is the potential for growth in petrochemical production."

"While 50% of global oil reserves and 40% of the world's gas reserves come from within the region and the neighbouring countries, only 15% of the global petrochemical production comes from within the region. From a global petrochemical production to hydrocarbon resources ratio, here is where the growth opportunities for the plastics industry are."

"Furthermore, the region is located between current and future large plastics demand centres of the world. Having the hydrocarbon resource base and proximity to markets provides the right ingredients to make this region the hub for plastics development," said Al-Labban, adding, "To reap the benefits from its natural resource base, the region must optimize the use of technology, enhance R&D initiatives and programs, create business opportunities and develop human resources."

"The future success of the Gulf region's rapidly expanding downstream sector depends on collaborative efforts by those in the sector," said Al-Labban while emphasizing that all the ingredients are in place and being developed to strengthen the region's development as a hub for plastics development.

He cited a number of examples of partnerships and technology licensing arrangements that are being used to enhance production capabilities in the region, including Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Company, Borouge, Qatofin - a joint venture between Qatar and Total - and the joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Chemical Qatar Limited in Ras Laffan Industrial City.

Other prominent speakers that discussed technology and innovation on the first day of the Plastics Summit included Khaled Al-Ghefaili, Executive Director Higher Institute of Plastics Fabrication; Rashed Al Shamsi, Vice President - Polymers Conversion, Abu Dhabi Basic Industries; El-Awady Ossama, Senior Procurement Manager/Middle East and Africa, Unilever; Richard Crosby, General Manager/Innovative Plastics, SABIC; Steven English, Global Business Leader/Polyurethanes, Dow Chemical; Michael Traexler, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Acrylic Polymers, Evonik Röhm GmbH; Sasidhar Chidanamarri, Program Manager/Environment Practice, South Asia & Middle East, Frost & Sullivan; Laurence Jones, VP/Corporate Support, Borouge; and Michael Heyde, CEO, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kreislaufwirtschaft und Rohstoffe (DKR).

Commenting on the industry response to the summit, Dr. Abdul Wahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA , said, "It was a fantastic start to a thought provoking summit that saw an unprecedented number of key leaders turn up to share ideas and look at innovative ways to further the plastics industry. We are glad to see all stakeholders committed to the growth of the industry in this region."

Innovation in the Gulf's plastics conversion industry is considered an essential requirement in order to make it more competitive to meet the needs of regional and global markets. As a result, the GPCA is using this Summit as a platform to launch the "GPCA Plastics Innovations Award 2011".

The GPCA has outlined four categories of awards:

• Category I, 'Plastic Products', analyzes packaging, consumer goods, construction and agricultural plastic products.
• Category II, 'Processing and Conversion', will determine excellence in processing, manufacturing and recipes.
• Category III, 'Plastics and Environment', assesses the environmental footprint of each plastic good.
• Category IV awards the individual or group, for making extraordinary achievements in plastics and plastics conversion.

The GPCA has received more than 25 nominations from various plastics companies and producers. The winners will be felicitated tonight at a special awards ceremony.

-Ends-

About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association
Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association ( GPCA ) is the first such association to represent the interests of the industry in the Middle East and it has brought a major dimension to its task by creating both a forum for discussion and a place where likeminded people can meet and share concepts and ideas. Since its inception in March 2006, the GPCA has earned the enviable reputation for steering the regional industry towards a whole new level of co-operation and raising the standard in terms of common ground interests.

As the regions' Petrochemicals and Chemicals Industry's most respected representative body, GPCA will continue its efforts to enhance the role of the region in international debate and policy making while always ensuring that its doors are always open to its members and it acts as a catalyst for focusing attention on matters on issues relevant to the industry.

GPCA 's mission is singular and specific in that it intends to support the growth and sustainable development of the petrochemical and chemical industries in the Gulf in partnership with its members and stakeholders and be both a sounding board and a meeting point for debate and discussion. Additional information is available at www.gpca.org.ae

Contact:
Dima Al-Horani
Communications and Marketing Officer
Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association
P. O. Box 123055, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T: + 9714 451 0666 - Ext 109
E: dima@gpca.org.ae

© Press Release 2011