Extrusion International 6-2018

12 Extrusion International 6/2018 INDUSTRY NEWS CHINAPLAS 2019 to highlight Circular Economy Technological innovation, on one hand, favours the accel- eration of modern development as well as changes in various markets, while on the other, is driven by the latter two. CHI- NAPLAS, being a prominent platform for innovative technol- ogy and communication, is highly responsive to the needs and the trends, and always brings in new elements, perpetually providing energy to the plastics and rubber industries. “Circular Economy” as a megatrend - after “Industry 4.0”: To foster circular economy is a global consensus and is a major Chinese economic and social development strategy to achieve sustainable development. As such, great potential and boun- teous market opportunities arise with it. Ada Leung, General Manager of Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd., organizer of CHI- NAPLAS, said, “It’s going to be the 33rd edition of CHINAP- LAS in 2019. Every time, it responds to the market demand and introduces new moves accordingly. In the past three edi- tions of show, we have boosted the significance of Industry 4.0. After that, circular economy will be the next big trend. We’ve been aware of circular economy for some time. As early as 2011, we launched the ‘Bioplastics Zone’, introducing bio- degradable plastics and bio-based plastics. We have also set up a ‘Recycling Technology Zone’ since 2016 in Shanghai. The show lineup continues to grow. In the upcoming CHINAPLAS, circular economy will be promoted to a prime position, lead- ing exhibitors and visitors to explore the enormous potential.” She further added, “We have just participated in the 28th Asia Plastics Forum & 17th Term AFPI Conference (2016 - 2018) held in Bangkok, Thailand this September. Under the theme ‘Creating Sustainable Value through Circular Economy’, lo- cal government, industry associations, raw material suppliers and brand owners shared their ways to treat waste plastics and protect the environment. It demonstrates that circular economy is a big topic among the plastics industry globally. In addition to circular economy, we are also paying attention to newmarket trends and demands, such as the new business opportunities that the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has spawned in the plastics and rubber industries, as well as changes in the world economic situation, opportunities and challenges for plastics innovations resulting from Sino-US trade debate, etc. Therefore, this year, we are striving to expand overseas mar- kets, and have launched publicity in ASEAN countries and key countries along the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, sending staff there to invite local associations and enterprises to visit CHI- NAPLAS. The aim is to help exhibitors explore new business opportunities so as to increase return on their investment.” Big names adopt Recycled Plastics for appealing benefits: The modeling of big brands has massive influence on the implementation of circular economy, and more and more big names have announced their environmental protection poli- cies of recycling. The core of circular economy is the efficient use and recycling of resources, and plastic waste recycling is an indispensable part. It is predicted that by 2025, China, one of the world’s largest waste plastics recycling countries, will produce urban solid waste amounting to nearly a quarter of the world’s total. And we know that by improving the recycling rate of waste plastics, the development of a circular economy can be greatly promoted. Renewable resource recovery system reforms in light of raw materials shortage The market is huge, but raw materials are scarce, for first, the “Implementation Plan on Advancing Reform of the Adminis- tration System on Import of Solid Wastes through Prohibiting Import of Foreign Rubbish” was launched in 2017. Then, after the ban on the import of household waste plastics at the end of 2017, industrial source waste plastics will also be completely banned by the end of 2018. According to statistics, waste plastics imported into China amounted to 7.3 million tons in 2016. Being worth 3.7 billion US dollars, it accounted for 56%of the world’s total imports of An estimated total of more than 3,400 industrial leaders from around the world will be showcasing their products and solutions in an over 250,000 square meters of exhibition space “Recycling Technology Zone” was set up since 2016 and this topic will be promoted to a prime position at CHINAPLAS 2019