Plastics - Challenge Facing South African Local Plastics Development

Low volume production, coupled with Government local content legislation by vehicle weight has inhibited the growth of a sound plastics converting industry. However with the increasing use of plastics materials by parent companies in Europe and America, and the need to meet local conditions both engineer and converter has been stimulated into taking a more positive approach to the challenge of developing alternative materials and processes which from a cost and investment requirement will be suitable for short production runs, and still meet the quality and safety standards.

Developments in the past have included most interior trim applications. Currently however there are growing activities into the areas of plastic fuel tanks, bumpers, spoilers, and outer body parts.

The challenge which faces the manufacturer is to develop a reliable self sufficient plastics industry which is cost competitive to that of the imported products.