The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has warned the whole plastics supply chain that plastics processors are currently facing shortages of certain key materials.
The BPF's Director-General Philip Law, speaking on behalf of the BPF's large processor community, said that he was hearing increasingly that processors are being compromised through not being able to secure the polymer they need.
“There has been a spate of force-majeure declarations, reminiscent of 2010,” he said.
“It certainly appears that some processors, of particularly [low density polyethylene, low linear density PE and high density PE] are on allocation. This threatens their ability to fulfill contracts. It is important for their customers to recognize that they have genuine difficulties. This is not just a UK issue it certainly affects France, Germany and Italy in addition to the UK.
“Plastics materials are essential components of crucial food supply, mobility, healthcare and defense applications. The prevalence of just in time delivery systems means rapid disruption to a supply chain if a plastics processor cannot deliver. Plastics materials are a prized national resource which should be nurtured and fostered.”