circular plastics economy: long on intentions, short on solutions
by：Kenwei
2019-09-12
Petrochemical raw materials accounted for about 12% of oil demand in 2017, but as demand for plastics and fiber grows, Wood Mackenzie Chemicals believes there will be a significant increase in the next 20 years.
With the reduction of vehicle efficiency and electrified demand, the oil industry is facing the prospect of a decline in transportation usage, and for a long time, the oil industry is turning to petrochemical products.
Long-term growth in oil demand.
However, \"petrochemical products\" mainly refer to \"plastics\", which are now the focus of sustainable development.
The public, environmental activists, brand owners, institutions and now governments are all dealing with rising trends in negative perception of plastics, mainly caused by improper disposal after use.
The response to its environmental impact is to increase efforts to reduce, ban plastics and/or increase reuse and recycling.
How does this affect the potential of chemicals to become long-term means of transport
Long-term growth in oil demand?
This is a very complex and increasingly sensitive issue that will not be effectively addressed quickly or easily.
Plastic is too efficient to be easily replaced. Understanding the impact and environmental consequences of moving from plastic to natural resources must take into account the entire supply chain.
What is the alternative to plastic? Metal? Wood? Paper? Glass?
There is no doubt that more can be done to reduce waste and consumption.
One of the key issues is that plastics, especially in packaging applications, are very efficient and cost-effective. effective;
It\'s not easy to find another solution.
Alternatives may also be costly and few are willing to bear the burden of higher costs.
Consumers and/or brand owners will end up having to take on higher costs, but are they willing to do so?
Another important thing to keep in mind is the size of the fiber industry, another big market for the petrochemical industry.
It will reach 100 million tons and we expect it to continue to grow as income increases and living standards rise.
A man\'s polyester
Artificial fibers are by far the largest in these markets.
However, there is no more meaningful option to meet the growing fiber demand than polyester, so replacing this material within the current capacity range will be close-to-impossible.
The intent is not consistent with the implementation. The importance of the plastic recycling economy is moving from a minority perspective through government, brand owners and consumers to a broader consumer desire.
However, the solution to overcoming the current obstacles is not simple and clear.
Many questions need to be answered when considering broader impacts, including those on natural resources.
Plastic is widely used in food packaging, for example, to prevent corruption, which in turn reduces transportation costs, food costs, and energy needs.
However, if plastic food packaging is prohibited, corruption will increase, which will lead to more consumption of land, water, pesticides, equipment, etc.
Finally, is this better for the environment?
In order to correctly measure the overall impact on the entire supply chain, further analysis is needed.
The demand for circular plastics economy is growing rapidly. What is the demand for circular plastics economy?
There is no doubt that the increase in plastic waste needs to be addressed and the circular economy helps to reduce waste.
The amount of recycling is a function of economic, waste management and sustainability plans/regulations.
In order to realize the circular economy, plastic enterprises must innovate in the field of recycling and participate in the circular value chain,use products.
Recently, some governments have taken steps to promote this transition.
In January 2018, China, the world\'s largest importer of recycled materials, imposed a ban on the import of plastic waste.
This initially increased the demand for raw resin in China and will also boost recycling investment in other countries.
The Ontario waste-free Act of Canada encourages innovation in recycling processes and requires producers to assume full responsibility for their products and packaging, stipulating that 80% of waste will be transferred by 2050.
Finally, the European Union has indicated the intention of 2030.
All plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable; 2)
More than half of plastic packaging waste will be recycled; 3)
The sorting and recycling capacity will be greatly improved.
Despite the rebound, the growth of plastics will continue in the next 20 years, although all these problems, due to the increase in the global median income, chemical demand will continue in the next 20 years, the growth of the population and the improvement of living standards.
Although the growth rate will decrease, today\'s market size will bring considerable sales growth.
You can read more about our thoughts on circular plastic economy on woodmac. com.
With the reduction of vehicle efficiency and electrified demand, the oil industry is facing the prospect of a decline in transportation usage, and for a long time, the oil industry is turning to petrochemical products.
Long-term growth in oil demand.
However, \"petrochemical products\" mainly refer to \"plastics\", which are now the focus of sustainable development.
The public, environmental activists, brand owners, institutions and now governments are all dealing with rising trends in negative perception of plastics, mainly caused by improper disposal after use.
The response to its environmental impact is to increase efforts to reduce, ban plastics and/or increase reuse and recycling.
How does this affect the potential of chemicals to become long-term means of transport
Long-term growth in oil demand?
This is a very complex and increasingly sensitive issue that will not be effectively addressed quickly or easily.
Plastic is too efficient to be easily replaced. Understanding the impact and environmental consequences of moving from plastic to natural resources must take into account the entire supply chain.
What is the alternative to plastic? Metal? Wood? Paper? Glass?
There is no doubt that more can be done to reduce waste and consumption.
One of the key issues is that plastics, especially in packaging applications, are very efficient and cost-effective. effective;
It\'s not easy to find another solution.
Alternatives may also be costly and few are willing to bear the burden of higher costs.
Consumers and/or brand owners will end up having to take on higher costs, but are they willing to do so?
Another important thing to keep in mind is the size of the fiber industry, another big market for the petrochemical industry.
It will reach 100 million tons and we expect it to continue to grow as income increases and living standards rise.
A man\'s polyester
Artificial fibers are by far the largest in these markets.
However, there is no more meaningful option to meet the growing fiber demand than polyester, so replacing this material within the current capacity range will be close-to-impossible.
The intent is not consistent with the implementation. The importance of the plastic recycling economy is moving from a minority perspective through government, brand owners and consumers to a broader consumer desire.
However, the solution to overcoming the current obstacles is not simple and clear.
Many questions need to be answered when considering broader impacts, including those on natural resources.
Plastic is widely used in food packaging, for example, to prevent corruption, which in turn reduces transportation costs, food costs, and energy needs.
However, if plastic food packaging is prohibited, corruption will increase, which will lead to more consumption of land, water, pesticides, equipment, etc.
Finally, is this better for the environment?
In order to correctly measure the overall impact on the entire supply chain, further analysis is needed.
The demand for circular plastics economy is growing rapidly. What is the demand for circular plastics economy?
There is no doubt that the increase in plastic waste needs to be addressed and the circular economy helps to reduce waste.
The amount of recycling is a function of economic, waste management and sustainability plans/regulations.
In order to realize the circular economy, plastic enterprises must innovate in the field of recycling and participate in the circular value chain,use products.
Recently, some governments have taken steps to promote this transition.
In January 2018, China, the world\'s largest importer of recycled materials, imposed a ban on the import of plastic waste.
This initially increased the demand for raw resin in China and will also boost recycling investment in other countries.
The Ontario waste-free Act of Canada encourages innovation in recycling processes and requires producers to assume full responsibility for their products and packaging, stipulating that 80% of waste will be transferred by 2050.
Finally, the European Union has indicated the intention of 2030.
All plastic packaging is reusable or recyclable; 2)
More than half of plastic packaging waste will be recycled; 3)
The sorting and recycling capacity will be greatly improved.
Despite the rebound, the growth of plastics will continue in the next 20 years, although all these problems, due to the increase in the global median income, chemical demand will continue in the next 20 years, the growth of the population and the improvement of living standards.
Although the growth rate will decrease, today\'s market size will bring considerable sales growth.
You can read more about our thoughts on circular plastic economy on woodmac. com.
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