'Europe is ahead of us’, says ACFIF secretary general
21/04/2022
First established in 1996, all nine ACFIF members gather together for a conference every two years. Its members are China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea and Thailand. Due to the impact of covid-19, the thirteenth ACFIF conference was held online and split into two parts, with part one held in April 2021 and part two held this month.
In 2021, chemical fibre production by members accounted for around 90% of global production, ACFIF stated. This edition’s theme was “supporting the realisation of a sustainable society”.
Subjects including the recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, fibre-to-fibre recycling, bio-based fibres, carbon dioxide emissions, marine plastic pollution, chemicals management and other industry-specific challenges were all explored in depth.
China’s “de-petroleumisation” was also discussed, as was the Japanese proposition that the Asian chemical fibre industry advance biomass technologies “one step further” than international counterparts.
Executive vice-president and director general of JCFA, Tomiyoshi Kenichi, commented that Europe has thus far led Asia in terms of adopting sustainable practices. “In terms of sustainability and the efforts being made including laws and regulations, Europe is ahead of us,” he said. “That is why we have to be fully aware of what is taking place in Europe and learn from their initiatives.”
The conference also saw chairman of the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Makers Association, Ravi Shankar, appointed chair of ACFIF. Chairman of the Korea Chemical Fibers Association (KCFA), Kim Kuk-jin, was also made ACFIF’s vice-chair, whereas Mr Tomoyoshi became the body’s secretary general.
Mr Kim expressed his determination for the Seoul session to be held successfully.
Image: ACFIF.
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