Welcome to PNZ Plastics News Brief – a brief roundup of what is occurring with Plastics New Zealand
and the Plastics Industry.
Headlines
 Duty Concession Applications
 Standards
 National & Branch Events
 Training & Seminars
 Environmental
 Government & Business News
 Local & International News
DUTY CONCESSION APPLICATIONS
The duty concession system operated by the Ministry of Economic Development is a very transparent
one, requiring all applications to be advertised for objection. These applications are continually
monitored and PNZ members are advised of those which could affect them.
Current Duty Concession Applications
 18th February 2013 - “Single-use, sterilised, bioprocessing bags of a kind used for the
preparation, storage and transport of biopharmaceutical solutions, intermediates and final
bulk products, in chamber volumes ranging from 5 ml to 2,000 litres “.

26th February 2013 - “ Printed retort pouches for use in the packaging of foodstuffs, for own
use in manufacture by Leaderbrand Produce Ltd, for period 1 Jan. 2013 to 31 Dec. 2013.”
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26th February 2013 “ Clips with air holes in the sides, for attaching plants to stakes or similar
supports.”
Any member having a manufacturing interest in this item can contact Bruce Dunlop email
bruce@bwdunlop.com Ph 021 276 3542.
STANDARDS
Standards New Zealand is New Zealand’s leading developer of Standards and Standards based solutions. These
Standards are continually monitored and PNZ Members are advised of those that could affect them.

22nd February 2013 – Building - New Publication

22nd February 2013 – Electrical – New Publication - Amendment
- AS/NZS 3518:2013 - Acrylonitrile
butadine styrene (ABS) compounds, pipes and fittings for pressure applications
to AS/NZS 3823.2:2011
- Performance of electrical appliances - Air conditioners and heat pumps - Part 2:
Energy labelling and minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) requirements
NATIONAL & BRANCH EVENTS
Please click on the link to download information and registration forms for Branch Events.

Waikato Branch Akwakat Demonstration Event – 13th March 2013

South Island Branch Family Picnic – PNZ Member Companies Only – Saturday 16th
March 2013
Please contact Graeme Rickard – South Island Branch President on 03 338 0082 for any
queries

South Island Branch Golf Tournament – Friday 22nd March 2013.

Plastics New Zealand 69th Annual Conference – 9th/10th May 2013 - Conference
Registration Packs will be available in the next few days.
The Plastics Industry 69th Annual Conference is being held in Wellington on the 9th & 10th May 2013.
The theme for this year’s Conference is “New directions in the face of Change”. Join us in our nation’s
capital to be informed, discuss, and adapt to the challenges facing us in the New Zealand Plastics
Industry.
Conference Registrations close on the 5th April 2013 – Wellington is hosting a number of large
conferences at the same time as Plastics Industry Conference so Accommodation will be at a
Premium – Please book early to ensure you have accommodation for the duration of conference
Auckland Branch Golf Tournament – Friday 22nd February
A good day had by all on Friday, with 30 people attending the annual Auckland Branch Golf day –
overcast but extremely warm and dry conditions. The major sponsors were TCL Hunt - who
sponsored the main prizes, Primaplas - who sponsored the drinks and Neo Polymers - who
sponsored the BBQ.
Special thanks go to Stu Cundy from Primaplas for manning the drinks cart and Robert Michael from
TruDesign for helping with the cards. There were more than enough prizes to go round!
Main results are as follows;
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Best Net = Steve Habershon - Premier Plastics Ltd
Best Stableford = Robert Michael - TDP
Best Gross = Mark Hughes (4x running) - Convex Plastics Ltd
Longest Drive – Chris Liggins - TCL Hunt
Closest to the pin – Paul Reid – Edgeworth 2000
Team Prize – TCL Hunt
Best Social Golfer – Ken Sowman - PNZ
Most Golf – Anthony Tork - Tork Engineering
TRAINING & SEMINARS
PNZ Diploma in Design & Specification of Plastics (DDSP) – Semester 1 2013
This 4 part (7 Day) course was developed specifically to meet the needs of the Plastics Industry and
is run by Plastics New Zealand.
Part 2 – Plastic Materials and their Performance - occurs on Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd March 2013
For further information on the DDSP please see http://www.plastics.org.nz/trainingandcareers/DDSP/
or email ddsp@plastics.org.nz
HSNO Advanced Training Course – March 2013
Run by Responsible Care New Zealand, the next HSNO Advance Training Courses are being held
throughout the country in March 2013.
This course includes the responsibilities of the designated ‘Person in Charge’ required by the HSNO regulations.
The training enables you to not only understand your responsibilities as the principle HSNO compliance advisor
in your organisation, but also qualifies candidates wishing to become HSNO Test Certifiers.
Further details are available at http://www.plastics.org.nz/members/memberseventandtrainingcalendar/
PAC.NZ - The Business of Sustainable Packaging – 21st March 2013
This event is back by popular demand! Join PAC.NZ and our expert line-up of presenters for a day of
interactive and practical sessions dedicated to helping you meet the often conflicting demands of the
supply chain, customers, brand positioning and consumer expectations when incorporating
sustainability principles into your packaging decisions
Download the full programme and registration form
ENVIRONMENTAL
Electricity Authority - SME tool
New Zealand small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) can now look for electricity savings too through
a new initiative publically launched by the Electricity Authority.
Following the success of the ‘What's My Number’ residential campaign, SMEs now also have the
opportunity to easily check they are with the most cost effective electricity provider for their business
needs at www.whatsmynumber.org.nz/mybusiness.
The online business tool, which has been developed in partnership with Switchme, has been in a market
trial phase since 20 August. So far 35% of businesses receiving tariff offers via the online business tool
have chosen to switch electricity retailer. This suggests businesses are seeing the value and benefit of
using the tool.
GOVERNMENT & BUSINESS NEWS
Associated Industries Group (AIG) – Part of BusinessNZ
BNZ have a group of highly qualified people who keep track of many issues, make submissions on behalf of
members to Government Initiatives, lobby on behalf of industry on many issues ( Skills, Innovation, Export,
Employment Relations, Energy etc).
The AIG meet every 2 months and the most recent papers, presentations and minutes of the last
meeting are available to be downloaded from the Members Section of the www.plastics.org.nz
Government Business Funding
Government has funding available to help New Zealand businesses grow and innovate. Currently the
key funding programmes are:
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Agricultural and primary sector grants.
Energy grants for energy efficiency, energy audits.
Large R&D grants for developing new high technology products, services and processes.
Small R&D grants under $50K.
Student grants for research and development.
The Technology Transfer Voucher scheme for working with Universities and CRIs.
Callaghan Innovation
The Government has announced "On 1 February 2013, the part of the Business Investment group
that administers the business R&D investment programme of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment (previously MSI) will become part of a new crown agent - Callaghan Innovation.
"This means that all TechNZ schemes (Technology Development Grant, Technology Transfer
Voucher, project and capability funding), Futureintech and the Global Expert search service will
transfer to Callaghan Innovation."
Small R&D Grant Threshold Raised to $50K
Callaghan Innovation advises that the threshold for small R&D grants has been raised from $30K to
$50K. This means that your Regional Technology Partner can now approve 50:50 funding for R&D
projects with budgets up to $100K. Applicants can now apply for a higher level of funding. These
grants are GST exclusive. A $50,000 grant equates to $57,500 including GST.
To Learn More about Business Funding
To learn more about business funding schemes visit
http://www.appliedsupportservices.co.nz/business-grants .
LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Aduro BioPolymers gets Key Investment
Hamilton-based Aduro Biopolymers, a natural resource materials and biopolymer company, has
secured investment from Wallace Corporation, New Zealand's largest service rendering business
which processes co-products from the meat processing industry.
Aduro Biopolymers is a spin-out company formed by WaikatoLink Limited, the technology transfer
office of the University of Waikato. The company was formed to develop and market materials and
biopolymers for use in the manufacturing sector. Aduro is developing a novel material based on an
unconventional idea - turning bloodmeal into bioplastic.
Full story available on http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8333785/Aduro-Biopolymers-getskey-investment
F & P to boost R & D for New Owner
Fisher & Paykel Appliances Fisher & Paykel Appliances, which became a wholly owned subsidiary of
Chinese home goods giant Haier last year, is looking to expand its New Zealand-based research and
development capabilities through taking on 100 new R&D staff in Dunedin and Auckland over the next
two years.
Chief executive Stuart Broadhurst, who has just returned from a visit to Haier's headquarters in China,
says the expanded team would develop products and technology for both the Kiwi firm and its
Chinese parent company.
Full story available on
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10868244
Kind Regards
The Plastics New Zealand Team
Ken Sowman
Interim Business Manager
ken@plastics.org.nz
Ph 09 255 5662 ext 102
Mob 021 655 098
Kelly Buchanan-Johns
Membership Services Manager
kelly@plastics.org.nz
Ph 09 255 5662 ext 103
Mob 021 655 348
Lorna Landon
Accounts Administrator
lorna@plastics.org.nz
Ph 09 255 5662 ext 101
Simon Wilkinson
Environmental Projects Manager
simon@plastics.org.nz
Mob 021 944 992
Plastics New Zealand
P O Box 76378
Manukau City 2241
Building 2, 4-8 Pavilion Drive
Airport Oaks, Auckland
Ph 09 255 5662 ext 103
Fax 09 255 5663
www.plastics.org.nz
www.plasticsnz.com
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