Outlook
2014 which gathers the insights of industry experts on the industry trends and
developments is a major undertaking for Ringier Trade Media’s editorial team.
It has always been a special issue because we get to talk to those who are directly
involved in the industry and in the process, we obtain valuable information on
what to expect in the coming year.
The
Asia Pacific region is expected to weather the slowdown in the US and Europe to
maintain its strong position as an industrial powerhouse of the world. The formation of the ASEAN Economic Community
(AEC) in 2015 represents a huge opportunity for manufacturers serving the
plastics industry, as companies reorganize and retrofit to enhance their competitive
edge across markets in Southeast Asia. This favorable business environment
means the region’s plastics production will continue to outpace the rest of the
world in terms of value and volume by 2020, when Asia Pacific is expected to account
for more than 50% of the global plastics production.
Most
of the interviews for the Outlook 2014 Special Issue in the International Plastics News for Asia December edition were done at K 2013 where
companies also launched new products. It’s perfect timing for us; it is also
perfect timing for them as they get to introduce their products and inform the
whole industry of their future plans. For this issue, we interviewed ENGEL,
KAUTEX, BAERLOCHER, CLARIANT, TREXEL, and ASCEND, all key players in their
respective fields.
What
is interesting is that most of these companies view the Asia Pacific region as
the most ideal location for their production as well as marketing efforts. There is no doubt that the region holds the
most interesting developments and trends point to a growth path that is unlikely
to falter in the coming years. While some challenges still show up that will
push back and impact on the region’s economic growth, Asia Pacific has been
resilient all these years. Nothing and no one can stop Asia Pacific as the
world’s most dynamic industrial base, and even those in the plastics and rubber
industry know that.
