Future-proofing the plastics value chain in Southern Africa

Arbeitspapier

Plastics are ubiquitous across the region and play an important role in multiple industries. Most plastic products are based on a value chain that is grounded in petroleum refining, posing an environmental challenge. Plastic manufacturing in South Africa suffers from the high cost of polymers as inputs. Mozambique is endowed with large natural gas deposits. This research assesses the potential for the sustainable development of a plastics value chain in Southern Africa, with the aim of future-proofing the industry against changes in the petroleum space while bolstering growth in plastics manufacture and fostering a more equitable regional distribution of plastics activities. This study found that there is strong regional value chain potential between South Africa and Mozambique, with Mozambique producing natural gas feedstock and South Africa providing labour, capital, and technology. South African plastic manufacturers could also benefit from better input prices derived from better priced natural gas from Mozambique.

Object Details

• ISBN: 978-92-9256-905-1
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: WIDER Working Paper ; No. 2020/148

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Chemicals; Rubber; Drugs; Biotechnology; Plastics ; Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products ; Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
• Subject: feedstock ; polymers ; plastic products ; input prices ; regional value chain

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Mofo, Liako
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)
• (where): Helsinki
• (when): 2020

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.35188/UNU-WIDER/2020/905-1
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/229372
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET