11th edition of PLASTEX 2008 opens tomorrow

The event, which will run until October 26, 2008, responds to the growing demand and interest for plastics products in the MENA region and throughout the world. This year's edition will be held under the patronage of Eng. Rachid Mohammed Rachid, Egypt Trade and Industry Minister, and Dr. Ahmed Gowaily, Secretary General of the Council of Arab Economic Union.

PLASTEX 2008 will feature 550 exhibitors from 30 countries which include Germany, the UK, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, China, Greece, India, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary, Australia, Sweden, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada, Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and host country Egypt. The second edition of EgyPlast, a manufacturer and exporters sub event to be participated in by 115 leading plastic products manufacturers, will run parallel to PLASTEX. EgyPlast will provide a unique venue for prominent regional traders to sign procurement deals directly with exhibitors through the Egyptian Exporters Association and in coordination with the Egyptian Plastic Exporters and Manufacturers Association (EPEMA).

Ahmed Ghozzi, Chairman of ACG-ITF, the event's organiser, said:

"As the largest international trade fair for the plastics industries in the MENA region, PLASTEX will once again gather all sectors of this thriving industry under one roof to showcase the latest trends, innovations and technologies. The exhibition will as usual cover various industry segments, including machinery and equipment, raw materials and auxiliaries, technical parts and other plastics-related services."

Ahmed Mostafa, Project Manager of PLASTEX 2008 , said: "The exhibition continues to be a successful industry event since its debut in 1993, as we have been exerting extra effort to improve its format and attendance. This fair has a long history of exceptional achievement, including an agreement signed between the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Moulds Manufacturers' Association and the Plastics Technology Centre in Alexandria to provide training for its workers in this area. PLASTEX provides the ideal platform to hold lucrative major transactions; in fact, it posted a record EUR230m in business deals last year, reflecting the phenomenal growth of the plastics trade in the MENA region. We are confident that more transactions will be completed this year, especially as the number of exhibitors has increased significantly."

"I would also like to emphasize that participating companies have been closely following the extent of competition in their industry and are thus ready to feature their best offerings at the most affordable prices. Manufacturers and traders from across the world will be carefully eyeing the products and services displayed in the fair, so participating countries and organizations will definitely emphasize their competitive edge in areas such as price, technology, ease of maintenance, availability of spare parts, after-sales machinery service, and user training. I urge manufacturers, importers and traders to attend PLASTEX now and capitalize on its numerous opportunities, rather than wait for the May 2010 edition," added Mostafa.

PLASTEX 2008 will include prominent western firms such as Germany's Battenfeld and Krauss-Maffei; the UK's Suffren; and Italy's Nova, Saporiti and Moretto. German exhibitor Zwick Roell AG has announced that it will display its highly-sought universal testing machines for applications and laboratory requirements. Qatar Petrochemical Co., a leading global producer and supplier of petrochemicals specializing in low density polyethylene and ethylene substances, will act as the main sponsor of the trade show.

Egypt's plastics industry continues to post steady growth and is becoming increasingly modernized. There are thus substantial prospects for foreign manufacturers to start or expand their business in the domestic market. According to 2005/2006 figures, during the period there were around 1,276 local plastics factories producing a total market volume of $4.03bn and posting total investments of around about $4bn. Domestic plastic materials consumption was set at almost $1.6bn annually, with demand expected to increase annually by 10%.

The Egyptian plastics industry has been exporting more end products to various countries within the region, reflecting the ability to comply with the highest international quality control standards and leverage relatively low prices compared with other countries in East Asia and Europe. This success was validated by the Euro84.9bn in business deals recorded during the first EgyPlast held in 2007.

Two halls have been allocated for the EgyPlast sub-event to focus on plastic products, while the other halls of PLASTEX will showcase machinery, technical parts and raw materials. The exhibition will welcome visitors daily from 11 am to 8 pm during its four-day run.