Fairs and Events
11/30/2017
Plastic Pipe Conference in China: Baerlocher supports Chinese manufacturers of plastic pipes in challenging times
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Hangzhou, in eastern China, was the location for the 5th China International Plastic Pipe Conference from Oct. 26-27, 2017. This was the second spin-off of the International Plastic Pipe Conference, one of the leading conferences on current developments and future topics related to the manufacture and use of plastic pipes.
China Plastics Piping Association (CPPA) in conjunction with the Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA) organized the conference. Baerlocher has been one of the main sponsors of the conference series for years.
Some 30 experts from China and abroad reported on trends in the technology, production, testing, installation and usage of plastic pipes. Sustainability issues were also addressed.
The conference was the perfect platform for sharing knowledge and ideas for the 424 delegates from China, as well as from other Asian countries, as well as Europe and North America.
Baerlocher was represented at a stand where members of the marketing and sales team, along with technical experts from Baerlocher Plastic Additives (Jiangsu), were available to provide information on Baerlocher’s innovative PVC stabilizers for pipe and fitting applications.
In a widely acclaimed presentation titled “Highlights on PVC Stabilization for Pipes — Comparison and Trends,” Dr. Stefan Fokken, Head of Research & Development at Baerlocher, explained the global market for PVC pipes, the status quo and the drivers of the change to calcium-based PVC stabilizers, as well as the technical trends in this area.
Andy Jones, Baerlocher’s Global Head of SBU PVC Additives, explained why the company has maintained a comprehensive commitment to the event. “Baerlocher has been active in China for decades, and for five years with its own production site,” he said.
China produced around 14.36 million tons of plastic pipes in 2016, an increase of 4.06 percent over the previous year. Exports increased by 5.87 percent, to 582,200 tons. The consumption of PVC in 2016 was more than 40 million tons.
Among the challenges the industry faces are overcapacity, increased competition and growing production costs, including the rising costs of raw materials.
Nonetheless, the industry, driven by the CPPA members own voluntary commitment, is progressing towards converting away from Lead based PVC stabilizers to calcium-based PVC stabilizers – an ambitious goal that will need tremendous efforts from the entire industry. “With our global experience in Ca-based stabilizers and our leading position introducing and supporting this technology conversion with existing Chinese customers, we are a committed and reliable partner to the Chinese plastics industry in this phase,” said Jones.