Plastics
 Plastics are the materials of the 21st Century. Items made from plastic are found in almost anything we buy or use. Imagine where we would be if plastic products were no longer available.
The plastics industry in New Zealand employs over 10,000 people in more than 400 enterprises. It is a dynamic industry which in New Zealand has an annual turnover in excess of $2 billion. The industry has achieved economic growth at a rate of 1.9% per annum from 2002 to 2007. During this time modest employment growth of 3.4% was also achieved. 1
There are two characteristics that make the New Zealand plastics industry unique. First it is a processing industry - no polymer resins are manufactured in New Zealand - they are all imported. Secondly it produces a higher proportion of packaging products in comparison to other developed nations. That is mainly because of the high proportion of food exports (meat and dairy in particular) that the plastics industry supports.
Exports take up approximately 50% of New Zealand production, either directly or as packaging for other industry products. New Zealand has quadrupled exports of plastics products in recent years, from $80m in 1990, to approximately $335m in 2000.
Whilst there is a general trend in manufacturing for production to be based off shore, the plastics industry has a growth strategy that will see employee numbers rise to 12,500 by 2015.2
Products range from special multi-layer films for packaging, to automotive and electrical parts, specialised products for the agricultural and construction industries, medical equipment, clothing, and a host of other items which you and your family use on a day to day basis.
There are a number of different production processes in the plastics industry, which require qualifications to reflect the different skill sets. These processes include:
- injection moulding
- extrusion – sheet, film, pipes
- rotational moulding
- thermoforming
- blow moulding
- blown film
- film conversion
- variations of the above such as stretch blow moulding.
The industry offers opportunities for men and women to enjoy a career in a dynamic and exciting manufacturing environment. Many of the industries products are ‘leading edge’ and reflect the technological innovation of the industry and its employees.
Click here to see the qualifications relating to the plastics industry.
For more information on the Plastics industry in New Zealand visit the Plastics New Zealand website - www.plastics.org.nz
1 Department of Labour
2 Plastics Industry Strategic Plan, 2005
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