Afriplast Expo offers African plastics potential

The event, which has the backing of the industry's media, Plastics SA, takes place from 14-16 May 2013 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Africa's rapidly growing plastics industry is attracting an increasing number of international companies into this lucrative new market. Estimates show that the demand for plastic packaging in Africa has grown by 8% over the past five years, compared to only 3.6% in Western Europe. This is backed up by research from Ringier Industrysourcing.com, which states the highest market demand for plastics is being recorded in Africa.

INDUTEC organiser John Thomson says the growth of disposable income amongst Africa's expanding middle class is strengthening the continent's position as a key growth market for the world's plastics industry. "The outlook for Africa has never been this good, for two important reasons. Not only does Africa have the fastest rate of urbanisation in the world, its burgeoning middle-class - 300 million people out of a population of over one billion - represents huge spending power."

Forbes has described economies in Africa as amongst the most resilient in the world. "During 2009's global recession, only Africa and Asia saw positive growth of about 2%," adds Thomson. "Since then, Africa's economy has been growing at 4.5% in 2010 and at 5% in 2011." The International Monetary Fund (IMF) believes Africa's economic growth will hover around 6% in 2012.

The International Air Transport Association's (IATA) recent cargo market analysis reports that, while Africa only contributes 3% to the global economy, its growth is the fastest. "More than half of the countries in Africa average 5% annual economic growth; Ghana, Ethiopia, Liberia, Mozambique, Niger and Uganda could potentially grow up to 10%," states the report.

Growth potential for plastics in Africa

"A number of companies are committed to installing manufacturing facilities around the subcontinent, reducing Africa's reliance on imports of plastic goods and raw materials," continues Thomson.

Suppliers of polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) say Africa has weathered the worst of the economic storm and is considered an industry success story. Thomson says companies from around the globe have shown strong interest in participating in Afriplast, in particular India, Austria and Indonesia.

For more information, go to www.exhibitionsafrica.com.