Is plastic sustainable?

The South African plastics industry will be debating various issues that impact on its growth and future prospects with the first-ever industry specific conference, hosted by Plastics|SA.

Aptly entitled “Plastics: The Future for Growth”, this one day conference will take place on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 and promises to be one of the highlights of this year’s Pro-Plas Conference at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre, South of Johannesburg.

“We are very excited about hosting a conference that will create a platform for open dialogue, the sharing of ideas and soliciting of various opinions on issues that affect our industry,” says Plastics|SA Executive Director, Anton Hanekom.

“We have deliberately tried to move away from the traditional approach to conferences. Instead of the regular speakers addressing audiences on old topics, we will be having three lively debates during which well known, investigative journalists will lead a panel of experts in discussions. Thanks to the use of technology, delegates will be able to influence the discussions taking place on the stage by electronically sending their questions and comments to the moderator, or by voting on issues being discussed, in real-time,” Hanekom explains.

The conference will consist of the following exciting line-up:

• Opening keynote address by Dr. Wilfried Haensel, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope, sponsored by Engen Petroleum.
• Debate 1: “Growing the South African Plastics Industry”, sponsored by Sasol Polymers and moderated by Freek Robinson.
• Lunch, sponsored by Safripol.
• Debate 2: “What impacts on plastics packaging?”, sponsored by Polyoak Packaging and moderated by Jeremy Maggs.
• Debate 3: “Are plastics sustainable?”, sponsored by PETCO and moderated by Ruda Landman.
• Cocktail function and awards ceremony, sponsored by ColorMatrix, a subsidiary of PolyOne Corporation.

According to Hanekom, industry experts representing diverse points of view have been invited to be part of the panel of four who will lead each discussion. “It is important that everyone has the opportunity to share their point of view and discuss pertinent issues and this innovative way of interacting will certainly facilitate that. Part of the excitement is that we have no idea where the discussions may lead. Whilst we may not necessarily resolve all the issues at hand, we will be talking about it and encouraging open dialogue with a mutual respect and passion for issues that form the heartbeat of our industry,” he says.

Entrance to the conference will cost R650.00 per person for members of Plastics|SA and R800.00 for non-members. This price includes VAT, two tea and coffee breaks, lunch and attendance to the cocktail function and awards ceremony that evening.

 

Speakers:

 

Dr Wilfried Haensel

Dr Haensel was appointed Executive Director of PlasticsEurope in 2007.

He was born in Holzminden, Germany and graduated from the University of Giessen in 1980 with a PhD in Economics and Business Administration. He remained at Giessen University until 1984 as Assistant Professor in Economics.

Haensel joined BASF in 1984 and held various management positions in agrochemicals, finance and plastics, rising from Director to Group Vice President with postings in both Europe and Asia. In 2007, he retired from BASF to head the pan-European association PlasticsEurope.

Ms Claudy Steyn, Chief Director, the DTI

Freek Robinson - moderator

Freek is a South African journalist, anchor and television presenter.
He has a Diploma in Business Management, a B.A. (Hons) in Literature and his MPhil: Journalism, specialising in Media Management.

In 1994 he was appointed as the Manager of Television Current Affairs programmes at the SABC and as Manager of Public Affairs in 2006.

Robinson has won numerous awards for his work in journalism and television.

Jeremy Maggs - Moderator

Jeremy has been a journalist for over 20 years and has worked across all media platforms – newspapers, radio, television and magazines.

After stints at The Herald newspaper in Port Elizabeth and the Sunday Tribune in Durban, he spent 10 years at Radio 702 eventually rising to Head of News. He then ventured into television.

Until recently Maggs was also the advertising and media writer on the Financial Mail and was responsible for the authoritative yearly industry review called Ad Focus. He now publishes his own hardcover review of the industry.

Ruda Landman - Moderator

Ruda was a founding trustee of Project Literacy in 1985 and worked for SABC Radio and TV. She was the presenter of the M-Net programme Carte Blanche from 1988 to June 2007. Apart from work and family Ruda is a director of the media giant Media 24; acts as chairperson of the Board of Helpmekaar, a Johannesburg private school and serves on the Council of the University of Stellenbosch.

Photos:

1. Freek Robinson
2. Ruda Landman
3. Jeremy Maggs

For more information or to book, contact: