PETpla.net Insider 07+08 / 2020

TOP TALK PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 No. 07+08/20 www.petpla.net 10 “More intelligent elements will be incorporated in future plant designs” by Heike Fischer PETplanet Insider talked with a spokesman of the management team of GDXL about the company’s experience during the Covid-19 pandemic and the PET market in China. We thank the GDXL team very much for their assessment of the situation on site. PETplanet: China was the first country to be hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking back at the begin- ning of this year what have been chal- lenges for GDXL? And how did you manage them? GDXL: During February, China was hit hard by the pandemic and daily new confirmed infection reached its peak. Some of our colleagues had returned home during LNY and were stranded in pandemic-stricken provinces. So our workforce was not in full. Since it was uncertain when lock- down would be relieved and there were accumulated orders and deliver- ies to complete - upon full considera- tion of safety - we decided to resume operation in mid-February, around a week delay from the original schedule. We stayed highly cautious. To ensure hygienic safety we applied stringent measures including frequent temperature check, daily report of travel history and body conditions, quarantine measures in company’s canteen and dorm, rationing of masks, etc. We also maintained good com- munications with government officials and strictly followed their rules and guidelines. Logistic service was affected in the beginning by quarantine meas- ures but just to a limited extent. In general, we were able to arrange deliveries of samples and finished products on time. PETplanet: Upon completion of the lockdown how did you start run- ning the business again? GDXL: Since we resumed opera- tion relatively early, we had more time to react and prepare. Our sales team checked the situations in every region, and maintained good commu- nications with overseas colleagues, agents and customers. We accessed their business needs and adjusted R&D and production plans accord- ingly, so as to minimise the impact on our projects. PETplanet: How do you assess the situation in the PET industry in China today? What will be the chal- lenges in the near future? GDXL: Although the pandemic has suppressed consumers’ senti- ment, the demand for PET packaged products has been steadily growing in China in long run. The pandemic has shown the hygienic advantages and convenience of plastic pack- ages, which supports its demand as a necessity during difficult times. Surviving the crisis and getting well prepared for future regional and global economic recovery are the main tasks to be fulfilled. During the lockdown there were accelerated development and utilisa- tion of online sales outlets, either self- developed or from third party, by brand owners. They also provided different levels of assistance and credit relieve measures to their employees, suppliers and retailers, so as to maintain product supply chains as intact as possible. GDXL headquarter in Foshan, China