วิกฤต ‘เม็ดพลาสติก’ ของขาดแคลน-ราคาแพง ทำไมจึงต้องกลัว | THE STANDARD WEALTH

The plastics industry is facing a significant crisis, described as the most critical in 20 years, primarily due to raw material shortages and soaring prices. Apipop Phungchanchaikul, Vice President of the Plastics Industry Federation of Thailand, elaborated on the current situation and potential solutions. The core issue stems from a shortage of plastic pellets, which are crucial raw materials. While domestic manufacturers have been releasing some supplies, the overall availability is tight. The processing industry, which transforms these pellets into various products, is experiencing difficulties in securing consistent supply. This has led to extended delivery periods and increased costs. A major contributor to the problem is the reliance on imported raw materials, particularly petroleum products like Naphtha from the Middle East. Geopolitical issues in the region have disrupted supply chains, forcing importers to seek alternative sources. This shift to other suppliers often involves new negotiations and agreements, which can delay delivery times by as much as a month. Additionally, the ongoing conflict has driven up insurance costs for shipping, further inflating prices. The price increases are substantial. Previously, the premium on plastic pellets was around $100-200 per ton. This has now escalated to approximately $600 per ton, pushing the total cost of raw materials from about $1,200 per ton to $1,700-$1,800 per ton, representing an increase of almost one-third. This significant jump in raw material costs is having a cascading effect across various industries. The plastics industry acts as a supporting industry for numerous other sectors, including food packaging, agriculture (plastic sacks for fertilizer), and consumer goods. The rising cost of plastic raw materials means that these other industries will eventually have to absorb the increased expenses, which will likely translate to higher prices for consumers. Currently, the selling price of final products has increased by about 10-15%. The exact impact on consumer goods varies depending on the product. In response to the crisis, manufacturers are implementing various strategies. One immediate concern is inventory management. Businesses are prioritizing the production of best-selling items and those requiring immediate delivery to customers, such as packaging materials. Less critical products, like kitchenware, might see halted production and reduced stock to manage limited raw materials. For the long term, companies are actively seeking additional raw material sources beyond their traditional suppliers. For instance, one company that typically imports 80% of its raw materials is now negotiating with Chinese suppliers to secure about 20% of its needs from that region. The expectation is that even if Middle Eastern conflicts ease, it will take another 2-3 months for factories there to resume full production, as machinery needs to be restarted and quality control re-established. Furthermore, assessing and repairing any factory damage would add to this timeline. The Joint Committee on Commerce (JCC) has designated plastic pellets as a controlled product, meaning there are measures in place to monitor prices and prevent hoarding. Manufacturers and major distributors are required to report their stock levels. While global market trends dictate price increases, there are efforts to manage the impact, particularly for smaller businesses. The government is also involved in discussions with the plastics industry to explore long-term solutions. While the specific forms of government assistance are still under negotiation, there's an understanding that alternative sources like the American market, other regional suppliers, or China could fill the supply gap, although this might entail longer lead times and global market prices. The industry is also calling on the public to help mitigate the situation by reducing unnecessary plastic consumption. Examples include restaurants not automatically providing straws or customers declining plastic bags for small purchases. These small adjustments can collectively contribute to conserving limited resources. Despite the severity, there is confidence that a complete shortage of plastic products can be avoided through effective management and cooperation across various sectors. The focus is on finding ways to manage existing supplies, diversify sources, and encourage responsible consumption until the global supply chain stabilizes. The situation highlights the interconnectedness of global events and their immediate impact on local industries and daily life.