GUPA - apex body to enhance global polymer consumption, formed

09-Oct-06

Indian Plastics Federation (IPF) was invited to exhibit at PEC 06, an International Plastics Exhibition at Taizhou City, China, to market Indplas 06 (an International Plastics Exhibition at Calcutta). Taizhou is situated around 500 km from Shanghai and is a province processing around 3.5 million tpa of Polymers. IPF President K M Tibrewala and Mr Amar Seth, Chairman, Indplas06 Organising Committee visited PEC06 from 22nd to 24th Sept 06 also as Managing Committee Members of Plastindia Foundation. Plexconcil, the other Indian body, was represented by their Chairman Mr. R C Lohia, Members Mr Sachin Shah & Mr Rajendra Chopra and Mr R Kalyanpur - Executive Director. At an International Conference organized on On 23rd Sept 06, papers were presented by Mr William R Carteaux, President & CEO of The Society Of Plastics Industry, USA, Chairman CPPIA, Mr A Rahim Siddiqi of Pakistan, Mr R C Lohia, Chairman PlexConcil and Mr Amar Seth on behalf of IPF. During the course of discussion after the presentations, the Indian Delegation emphasised the need for formation of an APEX body like United Nations, which will work in the direction to Enhance Global Consumption of Polymers. Like UN, this body should also take care of various other aspects like environment, technological development, legislations, new applications etc. The suggestion was deliberated and a decision was made to form a Global Body named GLOBAL UNITED PLASTICS ASSOCIATION (GUPA). Mr Carteux has been selected as First Chairman of GUPA. All countries will be invited to join this body with an annual fee of US$5000. Detailing of the objectve and constitution is being handled by SPI. Each country will have ONE vote but as many persons can attend any convention organised by GUPA. Plexconcil will represent INDIA to start with. They will form a Sub Group by inviting major Indian Associations to air their views/suggestions. Next meeting of GUPA is fixed at Calcutta during our exhibition from 24th to 27th Nov 06. This matter was discussed at the Last Managing Committee meeting of PIF (2003-06) on September 26, 06 as well as during the AGM gettogether. The Indian plastics industry has welcomed the idea of GUPA.