BPF survey: UK plastics industry expects big impacts from virus

Nearly 80 percent of the plastics industry in the United Kingdom said it expects sales to drop during the next six months because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a survey by the British Plastics Federation.

BPF said in a March 20 release that 127 companies responded in just a few hours March 17-19, supplying what it says is "an accurate picture of the U.K.'s third largest manufacturing sector at this unprecedented time."

In total, 79 percent of those companies surveyed expected a drop in sales during the next six months with 98 percent expressing concern over the virus' impact on business operations.

Almost 90 percent of responders expected the virus to impact their supply chains during the next three months, according to the BPF survey, while more than half said it affected their staff's ability to work.

"It comes as no surprise that our members and our industry are expecting major challenges in the weeks and months ahead," British Plastics Federation Director General Philip Law said in a news release. "This survey demonstrates that the plastics industry is a crucial, strategic industry playing a pivotal role in national security and in ensuring we as a country can effectively fight the coronavirus."

Nearly a quarter of companies, 24 percent, said they have seen increased demand for their products. The bulk of those firms were packaging companies, BPF said.

The survey also followed a request from the U.K. government for companies to convert to producing items that could be used in the health system or by the government to fight the coronavirus. Nearly a third — 29 percent — said they could assist.

The organization said it has passed on contact information for those companies to U.K. officials.

"We urge the government to provide the essential support to keep manufacturers and their supply chains in operation, so the nation can be safely fed, professionally cared for and that vital infrastructure, such as drainage and waste management is supported," Law said.

The survey is available at a website set up by BPF to keep the industry updated on the virus.