Business

Minister Baroness Shriti Vadera has told the British Plastics Federation that the plastics sector has a "real opportunity" to take advantage of global demand for low carbon products.

"There is a real opportunity – especially the plastics sector – to be extremely competitive in these areas," said Baroness Vadera in a letter to the BPF congratulating the federation on its 75th anniversary.

She acknowledged the difficult trading conditions that the industry is experiencing at the moment, but argued that such an innovative and demand-led sector would "rise to the challenge".

"The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and grasp new opportunities is a hallmark of your sector in particular," she concluded.

BPF director-general Peter Davis agreed with Baroness Vadera that advanced plastic materials can be used to lightweight packaging, cars and aircraft and could lead to "significant savings in fuel use".

He said: "Plastics are part of the solution to climate change".

Davis added that innovation in the UK is important to win overseas markets and reverse the trade balance in goods.

Last week (17 July) Davis encouraged members, including packaging companies, to "look at export opportunities" at the federation's annual general meeting in London.