The third edition of the World Plastic Connection Summit is off to a good start, with “we live in a material world, and I’m a material girl” blasting out the speakers setting the scene for the largest plastics event in Brazil. Taking place in Sao Paulo between August 21 to August 24, the event combines seven streams, including a hybrid seminar bringing together international experts about innovation, sustainability, and leadership in plastics.
The hybrid international seminar is expected to attract over 20,000 presential and virtual guests from over 100 countries. Sustainable Plastics is one of the four international publications invited to report on the event, which aims to set the Brazilian plastics industry as a global trendsetter.
The South American country counts over 12,500 companies in the plastic industry, from resign manufacturers to extruders, converters to recyclers. The plastics sector is the third largest employer in the state of Sao Paulo and one the best in terms of pay. While these numbers took front stage during the inauguration of the event, the representative of the Brazilian ministry of Foreign Affairs was keen to note the ministry sees the plastic industry as not only important to create jobs and stimulate the economy, but also to show the world that Brazil is a stronghold for sustainability and the circular economy.
Think Plastic Brazil, the event’s organiser, is celebrating 20 years and establishing new goals for the organisation. Carlos Moreira, chief project officer at Think Plastic Brazil, wants to take Brazil’s colours to the world, its creativity, its shine. He wants the Brazilian plastic industry to become an international reference and he is leveraging the World Plastic Connection Summit to cross borders.
Speakers on the first day include Dr. Sasha Peters from Germany discussing new bio-based plastics; Lincoln Seragini, the charismatic Brazilian entrepreneur who filled the room with laugher describing himself as the king of packaging; and Dr. Susanna Bjorklund from Finland discussing sustainable solutions in design.
Sustainable Plastics will be covering the event’s key takeaways daily.