"The Gulf has witnessed significant expansion in plastics production in a short period of time. The challenge in the region moving forward is converting the production of plastics raw materials into more high-value downstream industries manufacturing components and finished goods. That will lead to further industrial diversification in the region, more profitably and more jobs," said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) ahead of the third (GPCA Plastics Summit on Aril 3-5 to be held at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. Growth opportunities for plastics conversion will be the central theme of the summit, he added. "The overwhelming success of previous summits has shown the high interest in plastics conversion in the Middle East. The GPCA is excited to be able to present speakers of such high caliber at this year's event, and the attendees will definitely benefit from their considerable insights and expertise," he further said. Presentations from a variety of global authorities, including Chua Sok Peng, Managing Director of Singapore-based Platts International, and Dr. Michael Pell, VP Innovation, Borouge, will be shown on April 4. Chua Sok Peng will consider global plastic conversion trends and their implications for the GCC, while Dr. Michael Pell will provide a strategic perspective on market expansion opportunities. The importance of the packaging sector in achieving greater plastics conversion in the GCC will be tackled in he afternoon. Addressing delegates will be Manfred Klepacz, CEO Industrial Sector at Al Rahji Holding in Saudi Arabia; Dr. Jochen Hennes, Managing Director of Reifenh?user; Dr. Jürgen Scherer, Director of Mauser Group; and H.W. Houben, Managing Director for Europe and MENA of A. Schulman, based in the UAE. The final day's program will spotlight the building and construction sector as another driver of plastics conversion. Dr. Mitchell Killeen, Managing Director for MENA and India of Lyondell Basell, will open the session. Sustainability, quality and hygiene will be the focus of the concluding session on April 5. Confirmed speakers include Rashid Al-Ghurair of Taghleef Industries in the UAE; Nick Kennoghan, Director of UK-based PIRA International; and Davies Shiba, General Manager of TUV Middle East.
