Polydime Plastics is challenging the perception that the plastics industry is incompatible with sustainability. According to Johann Tranchell, the Director for Sales and Marketing at Polydime Plastics, plastic is an essential innovation that has improved our daily lives but responsible use and disposal are crucial for environmental sustainability.

What started as a humble trading business in plastic film-based products 24 years ago, Polydime Plastics has grown into a leading plastics manufacturer with four manufacturing units across Sri Lanka and India, employing over 700 people, producing a diverse range of products, including Hydroponic Cultivation Film, Irrigation Pipes, Laminated Food Packaging, Bioplastic-based products, and Regular plastic in roll and bag form for the domestic and export markets. Polydime Plastics has incorporated sustainability into its core business through its threefold strategy of recycling, biodegrading, and educating. The company focuses on manufacturing products from recycled waste plastic, developing biodegradable or compostable plastic products, and educating younger generations on responsible plastic use.

Tranchell shares insights into why sustainability matters to Polydime Plastics in this interview, excerpts of which follow:

Most perceive the plastics industry as being antithetical to sustainability. Is this a fair view, and how is Polydime changing this perception?

Whilst somewhat agreeing with this view, our philosophy is quite different. Plastic is an absolute necessity as it is one of the few innovations that have become a part of our daily being and makes life easier, economical, and practical. However, what is crucial is the responsible use and disposal of plastic products, which we believe is the key to environmental sustainability. As an organization, we included the word “EcoFriendly” in our vision a few years ago on purpose as we believe, as a manufacturer of plastic, we can strive to achieve some sustainability in this area even though it is considered an environmental demon.

How have you infused sustainability into the core business? Can you take us through your sustainability initiatives and their impacts?

Our sustainability strategy is threefold: Recycle, Biodegrade, and Educate. We make products out of Recycled Waste Plastic. We have invested in our supply chain which is RCS-approved (Recycle Claims Standard) for the collection, processing, and manufacturing of products out of waste plastic that would usually find its way into a landfill or the ocean. We further focus on making plastic products biodegradable or compostable with raw materials that facilitate this process. Both these concepts now form almost 55% of our production volume, which is from sustainable sources in line with the circularity of plastic or environmental sustainability. Finally, we also focus on a CSR initiative to educate the younger generation (4-14 window of children) on the responsible use of plastic. The message is quite simple: Plastic – Use it Responsibly! Dispose it off Responsibly!

Our sustainability strategy is threefold: recycle, biodegrade, and educate. We make products out of recycled waste plastic. We have invested in our supply chain which is RCS-approved (recycle claims standard) for the collection, processing, and manufacturing of products out of waste plastic that would usually find its way into a landfill or the ocean.

Why does sustainability matter to you?

My sustainability journey started after a walk on the beach with my daughter when we saw a baby crab trapped in a plastic bag. We set it free but I ended up feeling guilty as up until then, the organization I was a part of was responsible for putting 135,000MT of virgin plastic into the environment. Even though we did some processing of recycled plastic, I knew we needed to do more. Sustainability is the future, whether one likes it or not. We must embrace it. For us in plastics, it simply means doing our utmost to make environmentally positive products in one way or another, and this is what our business model focuses on.

How is your sustainability focus translating into business success, especially in a challenging macroeconomic environment?

The stressed economy is not helping, and engaging in sustainable product manufacturing will not give us short-term profitability. However, we are counting on the long haul, where our customers will see the value in sustainable products and will be willing to pay extra for them in line with some global business models on sustainability, like some of our export customers are already doing.

How do you align people (employees, suppliers and other stakeholders) to your sustainability agenda?

Our primary focus is only on product development and customer experiences. However, we have a larger plan involving the more macro aspects of the business, such as a positive carbon footprint and getting other stakeholders on board in this endeavour. As I said earlier, sustainability can be costly, so all our initiatives are planned thoughtfully and strategically by design.

What is your outlook for the industry and company, what are your growth plans, and how will your sustainability focus continue to deliver growth opportunities?

With stricter laws implemented globally, we believe the way forward is product innovation around sustainability. We have our in-house innovation centre, where the direction has been the development of environmentally sustainable products that would be conducive for use in both local and global markets. Our innovations have won local and international accolades, including the prestigious World Star Award for sustainable packaging for three consecutive years.