Plastics recycling on show in the Middle East

Iranpolymer/Baspar The PRS brand – short for Plastics Recycling Shows – is a burgeoning phenomenon. What started as a small pilot show in Amsterdam in 2017 has today grown into a global name that is recognised around the world.

Sustainable Plastics is the publication supporting the organisers of all the PRS events. Our newsletter dedicated to PRS coverage started this year with PRS Europe. Our next destination is the Middle East with Plastics Recycling Show Middle East & Africa, taking place in Dubai on September 10-12.

With last year’s successful inaugural event in mind, expectations are running high. The second edition of PRS Middle East & Africa – with over 100 exhibitors – will be returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre. For three days, the world of recycling will come together at this event, to connect and network, negotiate and do business; but also, to get caught up on the most important developments this fast-evolving sector.

The Middle East, a hydrocarbon wellspring, may seem an incongruous choice. This is a region, however, that is looking ahead. It is increasingly investing in infrastructure and many countries – the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan – have rolled out national strategies to address plastic waste. With access to both cheap energy and capital, the Middle East also has the potential to lead in technology and innovation.

Recycling is a fast-emerging industry

In the UAE and its neighbours in the region, mechanical recycling continues to be the dominant recycling technology. However, interest in the various types of chemical recycling is rising fast. This type of recycling technology can create valuable end products from mixed and contaminated waste and hard-to-recycle products.

Opponents have criticised the fact that the chemical recycling process is highly energy intensive, with utilities accounting for around 60% of total production costs. In this region, however, cheap, abundant renewable energy is available, offering a considerable cost advantage.

As PwC writes in its report ‘How the MENA region can win in the future plastics economy’: “The MENA region stands to gain considerable socioeconomic benefits from its increased role in plastics recycling. We estimate that for the GCC countries alone, every 1 million tons of recycled plastics produced can generate approximately 1,500 jobs and $650 million of direct GDP impact.”

PRS ME&A

The PRS ME&A recycling show, currently the only event in the region dedicated specifically to plastics recycling, will provide a showcase for the latest information and technology developments and bring together the entire cross-section of the value chain. Participants also have free admission to the three-day conference running alongside the show.

Are you looking for a preview of what will be discussed on the show floor? Join our dedicated livestream to discuss the way forward to plastic recycling in the Middle East on September 5! Tasos Bereketidis, VP Sales Emerging Markets, at Tomra Recycling, and a representative from Gneuss will share their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the plastics recycling industry in the Middle East and Africa.

sustainableplastics