Some Facts About Plastics New Zealand And The Industry

Plastics New Zealand is an industry group with the role of co-ordinating responses and initiatives to facilitate the continuing development of its membership, and the industry at large. Plastics New Zealand undertakes liaison with government on a wide range of issues, sponsors the Plastics Industry Training Organisation, co-ordinates certain industrial relations matters, and undertakes environmental work through its Environment Committee.

Plastics New Zealand has access to the specialist services of that organisation, including advice on economic, trade, and other matters. It also keeps in close touch with local authorities, environmental groups, and with its counterparts in Australia and further afield to keep abreast of developments on the international plastics scene.

Plastics New Zealand comprises around 170 companies, principally plastics products manufacturers, and suppliers of materials to the industry. There are in fact over 400 "activity units" in the industry, according to Department of Statistic's figures. Plastics New Zealand's membership, however, covers approximately 75% to 80% of the total industry turnover, ie: $1.35 to $1.44 billion of the current total of $1.8 billion per year, and a similar proportion of total employees, ie: 6,400 to 6,800 of the present total of 8,200.

The industry now imports annually, almost 200,000 tonnes of plastics resins (none of the resins - which form the raw material for the industry in New Zealand - are manufactured here). These resins are processed into a variety of products ranging from special multilayer films for packaging, to automotive and electrical parts, specialised products for the agricultural and construction industries, medical equipment, and a host of other items. The industry has dramatically increased it's direct exporting of plastic products in recent years, from $80m in 1990, to approximately $335m of direct exports of plastic products from New Zealand at present. In addition it has been estimated that up to one half as much as that again is exported "indirectly", ie: as packaging or componentry for other export industries, in particular for meat, dairy and horticultural produce.

For additional information, please contact: info@plastics.org.nz