Leading players from the whole plastic value chain will converge for the eleventh GPCA PlastiCon on 18-19 March at Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE to reaffirm their dedication to the circular economy and address the plastic waste challenge enabled via cross-industry collaboration, value chain integration and investment in innovative technologies.

The conference will highlight the circular economy as an engine for value creation and spotlight the function of plastics in building a sustainable closed loop economic model, creating additional added value for the regional economy, driving job creation and diversification and contributing to international and regional sustainability goals.

According to a latest report, nearly USD 138 billion of savings can be generated in GCC countries by 2030 if a circular economic model is adopted, corresponding to nearly 1% of the regions cumulative GDP between 2020 and 2030. The report further estimates that boosting circularity within households could generate cumulative advantages of USD 46 billion for the same period.

As the biggest gathering in the region committed to the circular economy, PlastiCon will grant a platform for leading polymer producers, brand owners, regional regulators, plastic processors, producers and technology providers to share their insights into international and regional innovations presently under way as well as the collective actions needed to transition towards a circular economy in the region. As part of this years engaging conference program, speakers will share their inspiring case studies and knowledge in creating an after-use economy for plastics and enabling plastic recycling aimed at minimizing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy each within the plastics industry and in the wider region.

The conference will commence on 18 March with the opening remarks of Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, and continue with a presentation on Transforming the plastics downstream industry via digitalization by Eng. Abdallah Obeikan, CEO, Obeikan Investment Group on day one, and a keynote address on day two, 19 March, entitled A new dawn for waste management in KSA by Jeroen Vincent, CEO, Saudi Investment Recycling Company.

Other distinguished speakers from Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Unilever, the recycling, technology and manufacturing sectors, such as Veolia, Suez Middle East Recycling, Henkel Adhesives Technology, INEOS, KIZAD and many more, will converge for two days of expertise sharing, networking and discussions revolving around innovations in plastic design, chemical recycling, circular economy in plastics, regional regulatory updates and other top of the mind industry topics.

Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: Building on its decade-long legacy in the region, PlastiCon has evolved as the go-to platform for the regional plastics community to debate the future of this valuable material and set up a space for collaboration and value creation via the establishment of a circular economy. There is no doubt that moving to a closed-loop economic model will deliver on the sustainability agenda of governments and industries throughout the region and make sure that the value of this versatile material is retained within the economy.

He added, I invite the whole regional value chain to converge for two days of networking and the exchange of best practice, as we move to a more sustainable future enabled by greater collaboration, innovation and investment in research and development.

To view the full agenda and register for the event, visit: https://gpcaplastics.com/