Minister Baroness Shriti Vadera Writes to BPF

The British Plastics Federation has been congratulated on its 75th Anniversary by the Governments Business and Competitiveness Minister Baroness Shriti Vadera.

Baroness Vadera wishes the BPF continued success in the future, but acknowledges that many in the plastics industry are facing difficult business conditions.  She writes I believe that such an innovative and demand led industry as you can rise to the challenge.
She recognises that the UK Plastics Industry contains firms competing at the highest levels worldwide.

Baroness Vadera writes that there will be a significant global demand for low carbon products and that there is a real oppourtunity for UK manufacturing   and especially the plastics sector   to be extremely competitive in these areas.

Peter Davis  Director  General of the BPF agrees   advanced plastic materials are lightweighting packaging, cars and aircraft, leading to significant savings in fuel use. PVCu windows and EPS insulation make buildings more energy efficient . Plastics are part of the solution to climate change.
Peter Davis added of course low carbon products are important but so is innovating in the UK ground breaking new high tech products to win overseas markets, and reverse the UKs disastrous Trade Balance in goods, ( £89.5 bn. in 2007).

The Minister concludes the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and grasp new oppourtunities is a hallmark of your sector in particular.

Editors notes:

1.Shriti Vadera is a Minister in BERR, the Dept. for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. She was formerly an adviser to Gordon Brown whilst Chancellor of the Exchequer.

2. The BPF in 2008 is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. It was the first Plastics Association in the world, founded in 1933, the same year two British scientists discovered Polyethylene.

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