COMPLAST Sri Lanka 2018, PRISL stress on industry capacity building

Reiterates value of recycling and re-use of plastics to address issues

COMPLAST Sri Lanka 2018, the complete plastics exhibition in its fifth edition, together with its organisers Smart Expos and Fairs India Ltd. and the Plastics and Rubber Institute of Sri Lanka (PRISL), organised an exclusive event attended by CEOs and directors of the plastics and manufacturing industry of Sri Lanka at the Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo. The Chief Guest for the event was Fin Pack Industries CEO Pradeep Loganathan.

The keynote speech was delivered by PRISL past President Anver Dole, and a special introduction to the Finite Element Analysis and Simulation Centre (FEAS) was made by PRISL Steering Committee Head Dr. Sisira Ranatunga. The objective of establishing the FEAS Centre is to enhance the industry’s technical capabilities to produce high value-added products which will further enable Sri Lanka’s target to increase the total global share. The FEAS is a tool which responds to rapidly changing market needs that analyses and optimises product design and performance. The efforts to invest in technology will also help R&D and result in innovation of the industry.

Anver Dole said: “Plastic alone is not an issue. Unfortunately, non-recycled plastic is. With most plastic packaging used only once, it is estimated that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastics than fish, and plastics’ share of global oil consumption is considered to increase. Opportunity exists for better recycling methods, re-usable practices and enhancing the value chain of the plastics industry. In order to benefit from the full potential of plastics at the end of their first life, we need to identify the most sustainable option of waste management, fostering recycling, using energy recovery as a complementary option and restricting the landfill deposit of any recoverable plastic waste.”

The forum also addressed the Institute’s requirement for producing graduates in polymer technology. The campaign is targeted at post-A/L students and is tagged as ‘learn while you earn’, helping graduates become professionals in the plastics and rubber sector. Subject matters include rubber and plastics, processes and products, production management and finance, and advanced materials learning. The Institute offers industry placement for all management level candidates, paving the way for attractive payment to cover course fees and living expenses. Students can join the course soon after their A/Ls for a 12-month diploma and a higher diploma for 12 months, and finally graduate in two years.

Smart Expos and Fairs India Ltd. CEO and President B. Swaminathan said: “We are confident that this expo will not only drive the growth of the domestic plastics industry, but will also give a stimulus and push for export of plastic finished products from Sri Lanka. A lot of locals have come forward to exhibit their capabilities and this year, we are expecting more.” In addition to COMPLAST Sri Lanka 2018, COMEXPO 2018 - the complete manufacturing expo - will be organised this year.  The business-to-business focused exhibition COMPLAST Sri Lanka 2018, formerly known as Sri Lanka Plast, will be open from 10 to 12 August at the BMICH. COMPLAST Sri Lanka is an international trade fair for plastics and will be held in Colombo. COMEXPO 2018 will be a one source platform for all manufacturing needs, including sourcing and trading. These exhibitions are knowledge-sharing platforms wherein exhibitors from other countries, like India, China, Taiwan, etc., will be showcasing their technology and machinery in Sri Lanka.  Visitors from the plastics industry of Sri Lanka can find in-depth and comprehensive information on the latest developments in machinery, material and technology in the field of plastics. The event will showcase over 150 exhibitors from 15 countries. The highlight of this fifth edition is that there will be close to over 12 live demos of machineries that are being showcased. There is also an increased participation from the local companies as exhibitors. Exhibiting countries include Sri Lanka, India, China, Taiwan, USA, German, and others. This event is supported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and co-organised by the Industrial Development Board of Sri Lanka (IDB).

Smart Expos and Fairs (India) Ltd. (SEFIPL) has vast experience in handling domestic and international exhibitions. The prime focus of enterprising fairs is to facilitate business convergence for categories such as plastics, rubber, packaging and manufacturing, which are among the fastest growing economies in the world. SEFIPL organises professional trade shows in these fields, especially in developing countries like India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, and countries in East Africa. SEFIPL members have vast experience in marketing and in the fields of plastics and packaging.