The World Plastics Council (WPC; www.worldplasticscouncil.com), an organisation comprised of plastics producers representing the global plastics industry, has two new members – Americas Styrenics (AmSty, The Woodlands, Texas / USA) and BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com). WPC chairman Abdulrahman al-Fageeh (Sabic) says the two producers will help the council's efforts to reach sustainable outcomes for the plastics industry, and society.

During the WPC’s general assembly, members confirmed commitments to support improved waste management solutions through an initiative by investment firm Closed Loop Partners (www.closedlooppartners.com), in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy (Washington, D.C. / USA; www.oceanconservancy.org) and the Trash Free Seas Alliance – see Plasteurope.com of 20.10.2017. The initiative aims to raise new investments from the private sector, governments and finance institutions in order to improve waste collection, sorting and recycling, especially in Southeast Asia.

WPC says its mission is to act as the global forum for industry leadership and to encourage cooperation that will deliver common benefits for the plastics industry, consumers and society. It is also committed to developing solutions for marine litter and sustainability. The council has members in Asia, the Middle East, the Americas and Europe.