Editor's note: This was written in response to the Jan. 14, Page 14 story “Frigid economy reaches icy fingers north; Plastics sector in Canada feels chilling effect.”
The Canadian plastics processing industry performed reasonably well in 2001. Processor shipments were up 4.8 percent, down from the 5.4 percent in 2000 and the 13.8 percent rise in 1999, but considering the tough economic times, 2001 was not so poor.
Statistics Canada data showed a wide variation among the sectors, with bottles and plumbing fixtures up significantly while laminated plastics were down significantly.
As a primarily Canadian value-added chain, with many of the inputs (raw materials, machinery, molds) made in Canada, Canadian processors have benefited from the decline in the value of the Canadian dollar in 2001.
I hope this clarifies our industry's situation.
Faris Shammas
Canadian Plastics Industry Association
Mississauga, Ontario