NEWS

Rapra at PlastIndia 2009 - An insight into the growing Indian Polymer Industry

In conjunction with the BPF, Rapra Limited sponsored a Trade Mission and also exhibited at PlastIndia 2009 in New Delhi between 4th - 9th February. The largest fair of its kind in the Asia Pacific region, there were a total of 1475 exhibitors, 475 from outside India. Although the overall final figure was not available at the time of writing, the visitor totals for the first four days of the show were 12,000, 25,000, 30,000 and approximately 25-30,000. On the Saturday, the organisers were confidently predicting reaching well in excess of 100,000 visitors by the end of the event.

Rapra was present to support its current UK and India members, discuss local service provision and generally raise its profile in India. Membership Director Richard Walton commented: “we had several very productive meetings with different Indian companies and trade associations, many of which I’m sure will result in new or improved collaborative ventures”.

The Rapra Limited stand was busy every day with a continuous stream of visitors. These came from a wide range of polymer related companies of all sizes and types, technical service providers, regional government representatives, academics and students. It was clear that Rapra has established an excellent reputation in India based on its research and development work. Consequently there was significant interest in the benefits of membership.

There are significant opportunities in India for Rapra and UK companies, as their polymer industry is still expected to grow at a rate of 12% pa over the next few years according to the PlastIndia Foundation. “Having access to enhanced technical service provision locally to supplement and complement the web based services already available, will be crucial for any attempts to secure significant increases in Rapra Limited membership” according to Steve Shaw, Rapra Business Relationships Manager.

New Chinese Project Manager for Rapra Limited

We have recently acquired the services of a project development manager, based in Shanghai, via a package available from the China Britain Business Council (CBBC). Under this “Launchpad” scheme, Rapra Limited will have the full-time services of a project manager throughout 2009, based at the CBBC offices in Shanghai, dedicated to developing its Membership presence in China.

The new project manager is Ivy Lue, a Chinese national, who comes with an industrial marketing background of over 5 years. Ivy will be developing a number of initiatives on behalf of Rapra Limited, including building working relations with local trade bodies (such as the China Plastics Processing Industry Association), setting up a service provider network (both locally-based and from the UK and USA via Smithers Rapra and the other Smithers Group companies) and marketing Rapra Membership to multinational and local companies based in China. She will also be supporting the forthcoming “REACH Asia” conference, being organised by i-Smithers and scheduled to take place in Shanghai in September 2009.

This is just one of a number of international initiatives we are embarking upon, with new Membership packages being created to suit specific overseas markets including North America, India and China. Ivy has already made a great start in taking our Chinese plans forward, and of course, she is a resource that we can use for the benefit of our existing UK and European Members who have interests in developing or expanding their own activities in China”.

Ivy has just spent a week at Shawbury in Shropshire, finalising her forward plan for Rapra Limited in China with her UK-based colleagues, as well as familiarising herself with the services and capabilities available in the UK from Smithers Rapra and i-Smithers.

Pilot Project with the Innovation Exchange Network (IXC)

Imagine a world-wide, secure, managed environment for the exchange of insights, ideas and opportunities between firms, universities and research institutes. IXC® UK makes that world a reality.

Acting as a commercially neutral, trusted intermediary service, IXC UK works to ensure that you are discreetly connected to the organizations, technology and collaborative opportunities you need to drive your business forward - without compromising your intellectual property.

The basic principle is that an IXC Intermediary makes regular visits to your company to establish the key business issues and opportunities. They then look for matches within their secure Knowledge Bank that would provide real options for partnerships which can commercially exploit the situation to the mutual benefit of those involved. At all times, commercial confidentiality is guaranteed.

Rapra Limited has negotiated with IXC preferential arrangements enabling you to have one of their expert intermediaries work with your company for up to 6 months, visiting once or twice a month, with a discount of 50% on the normal charges (you would only pay £375 per day). We are looking for 3 or 4 members who would be interested in taking part in this 6 month Pilot Project, which when completed we intend to make available as an additional benefit to the whole membership. If you are interested in being involved in the Pilot, or would like more information please contact David Howell at IXC or me, Steve Shaw at Rapra Limited.