MPMA Plastech Month 2021 to emphasise sustainability and inspire companies to adapt to changing manufacturing landscape

The MPMA Plastech Month 2021 kicks off on 2 November 2021 and consists of nine half-day webinars featuring 40 international & local speakers on key topics that will benefit the Malaysian Plastics Industry.

This inaugural premier technology conference for the plastics industry looks to bring the conversation to the challenges facing the industry as companies pick up operations after a period of unrivalled disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The accelerated adoption of technology is crucial, as the industry balances growth and its impact on both humanity and the environment. The challenges are vast and complex, but with collective ambition, the industry can mould a sustainable future for all.

Eddie Fong, Organising Chairman of MPMA PLASTECH MONTH 2021, shares his thoughts on why the conference is relevant and crucial to the industry.

What does the virtual conference hope to achieve?

What we want to achieve through MPMA Plastech Month 2021 is to highlight new technologies; be it in operations, plastics processing, materials and, their applications in the various sectors like packaging (which is the largest segment within the plastics industry), Electronics & Electrical, Automotive, Industrial, the building sector and many others.

Through MPMA Plastech Month 2021, we hope to inspire companies to adapt to the changing manufacturing landscape and make changes in line with the technological developments.

One of the key areas that we will emphasise at the conference is plastics sustainability, featuring topics such as ‘Sustainable Flexible Packaging Trends’, ‘Working with Post-Consumer Recycled Materials’, ‘Circular Economy’ and ‘Climate Change’. These are the pressing topics that Plastics Converters need to address going forward. These webinars will offer future prospects for the plastics packaging and recycling sub-sectors.

Only by being made aware of the new possibilities and understanding how to exploit these possibilities; can companies plan and effect change. This is what makes MPMA Plastech Month 2021 relevant and important.

What is the most pressing issue facing the plastics industry currently, especially SMEs?

Two main factors have gained prominence. Firstly, manpower issues to meet current demands; and secondly, shortage of new skilled talent.

The plastics industry is an important part of the supply chain for many key manufacturing sectors. For example, the plastics industry supplies packaging to the food sector; plastic components to the electrical and electronics sectors; automobile, medical, construction, and many more.

Therefore, if the plastics industry is unable to keep up with demands due to manpower shortages, this will negatively impact the supply chain of many sectors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a catalyst for change and has changed how companies in all sectors and regions do business.

The pandemic has highlighted the need to adopt new technologies such as automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) and less dependence on ‘worker presence’. Hence the manufacturing sector needs to adopt these new technologies to stay relevant and competitive.

To address this issue, MPMA Plastech Month 2021 will be highlighting technologies that can help companies improve operations and productivity via the Smart Manufacturing webinars - Digital Transformation of SMEs and Unlocking Greater Efficiencies Through Manufacturing Execution Systems.

These webinars will touch on many areas including systems, automation, and robots. At the same time, the industry needs to up-skill workers.

To acquire new technologies, SMEs also need financial support, particularly adopting automation which is usually quite expensive. They need help in the form of accessible cheap loans and grants to spur them into embracing automation.

The second pressing issue is a shortage of skilled talent for plastics manufacturing. Along with new technologies come technical complexities. Unless companies can develop skills to drive these new technologies, they will be left behind.

It is therefore imperative that we urgently focus on talent development through TVET, industry-specific training, along with academic courses to build a talent pool to support the industries. When that happens, then and only then will companies reap the full benefits of new technology acquisitions.

For more information on MPMA PLASTECH MONTH 2021 visit

https://mpma.org.my/mpma-plasttech-month/

This content is provided by Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA).

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