The mood in Belgium’s plastics and rubber manufacturing industry is cautiously optimistic, despite a production setback of 13.4% in 2009. A recent survey by the Belgian Association of Manufacturers of Plastic and Rubber Products (Federplast, Brussels / Belgium; www.federplast.be) found that almost half of the CEOs queried expect to see growth in 2010 – both in traditional and in new markets.

The association believes growth mainly will be driven by the increasing importance of energy-saving technologies, where, due to their light weight, plastics are playing an increasingly important role.

Belgium’s plastics and rubber converting industry is dominated by small- and medium-sized enterprises. Some 300 companies dot the country’s plastics landscape, employing 34,000 workers. In 2009, the industry generated a total turnover of about EUR 16 bn, making it the single biggest sector in Belgium’s trade balance. “While the exports of plastic materials and plastic articles fell by 20% in value, the export balance remains very impressive: EUR 7.8 bn, or more than half of the total export balance of Belgium,” explains Federplast chairman Henri Vliegen.