Primaplas

Your Partner in Plastics

Business View Oceania interviews Rifai Rachmat, Managing Director at Primaplas, for our Manufacturing View.

Founded in 1989, Primaplas is a dedicated team of industry specialists that work to develop the plastics industry ecosystem through their global network of trusted partners and suppliers. Beginning with an import investment of just two product containers, Primaplas is now one of Australasia’s largest resin and plastic film import and distribution providers.

Primaplas services Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore from over two dozen warehouses across Australasia, specialising in resin, film, and logistics. Quality resin products have a range of applications, from food packaging to building and industrial support products. They include: polyethylenes, polypropylenes, recycled polymers, ocean bound plastics, polyvinyl chloride, biobased polyethylene, polyamides, ABS/SAN, polycarbonate, elastomers/plastomers, EPDM (synthetic rubber), polystyrene, and more. Resin products are suitable for film and sheet extrusion, and injection, blow, and roto-moulding. Primaplas packaging films are sourced from global leaders in the responsible manufacture of BOPP, BOPET, CPP, and nylon films. Primaplas also supplies label and holographic films, and thermoforming PET sheets.

Rifai Rachmat, Managing Director

Managing Director Rifai Rachmat begins, “Our motto is ‘working for you’ and that is what we do. We are a one-stop-shop for resin and film for our clients in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, and we use our connections across the world to deliver a really unique experience to our customers that showcases our knowledge and experience.” Viewing the plastics industry as its own ecosystem, Primaplas also uses its expertise to meet and exceed expectations in holistic sustainability. The company promotes the use of environmentally friendly plastic alternatives, works regularly with green and recycled plastics, and utilises effective and high-yield materials to minimise waste wherever possible. Mr. Rachmat explains, “We are very heavily focused on sustainability and circular polymers. We work together with our suppliers and partners to provide them with alternative products to their current traditional polymers. Recycled polymer is actually the fastest growing segment in our market thanks to market and consumer demand. When we keep plastics in the materials loop, we contribute to the development of a circular economy. There are many possibilities for plastics to be sustainable.”

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Primaplas attends the annual Australian Waste and Recycling Expo (AWRE), next held in August 2022. AWRE uses its platform as Australia’s longest running exhibition marketplace for suppliers, distributors, and consumers to drive industry innovation, promote research and development, and highlight industry players who embrace a new way forward for waste. Primaplas is also ISCC Plus Accredited. Primaplas also makes available on its website information regarding global environmental initiatives that complements the company’s work in sustainability, including The United Nations Environment Programme, Ocean- Find Your Blue, and the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. Primaplas highlights their environmental approach on their website: “At Primaplas we recognise the world is changing and we are determined to do our part. This commitment to the environment is more than just a responsible attitude; it is backed by actions. We are currently collaborating with leading producers to make consistent quality recycled resins available to our customers, as well as a range of technically advanced bioplastic resins made from renewable resources. Our team is also partnering with high-end global suppliers who have the latest technologies in biodegradable additives.”

Primaplas has extensive logistics capabilities including delivery solutions, financing, stock management, warehousing, and general customer service. Mr. Rachmat attributes this to Primaplas’ carefully curated network of industry suppliers, manufacturers, regulators, and affiliates, and their ongoing relationship with the Pacific Plas Group. The Pacific Plas Group is an international investment network that connects Asia-Pacific business across sectors. Based in Singapore, the organisation identifies their mission as: “Our approach to business is simple; it’s only worth doing if we can compete with the best. This relentless ambition has guided our every effort for the past 33 years and continues to serve as our strategic North Star. In every endeavour, our goal is always to become industry leaders and set new benchmarks. We believe leadership is both an organisational goal and a permanent driver for excellence.” Pacfic Plas is comprised of six major companies: Primaplas (Australia, New Zealand, Singapore), Bukitmega Masabadi (Indonesia), CL Materials Trading (Malaysia), Mega Polymer (Thailand), Mega Resources (Thailand) and Mega Vina (Vietnam). Primaplas is also a member of Vinyl Council Australia (VCA), Plastics Industry Pipe Association (PIPA), and is an Australia Trusted Trader under the international AEO and trade facilitation for trusted import, export, logistics, customs, brokerage, and transport providers. The company has also pledged its support to Operation Clean Sweep, which educates stakeholders on reducing resin loss and spillage, and containing loss to avoid it flowing into waterways.

Container Made Out Of Recycled Ocean Plastics –
Rakesh Kumar Primoplas Australia

Primaplas’ team of 30 prides themselves on their customer service, adopting a proactive and collaborative approach to reach desired client outcomes in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner. Mr. Rachmat shares, “The greatest value we deliver is peace of mind. Our clients know we are their partner, not just their supplier. We keep the plastic ecosystem working positively, provide insight into market trends, respond quickly to challenges, and use our global network to access highly advanced technologies that work for our clients. And our staff are all specialists in their field; they know the plastics space like the back of their hand, and it is that expertise that allows our customers to have full confidence in our ability to support them.” Primaplas operates via a set of six comprehensive values: Honest (honest advice to fit specific needs), Trusted (only trusted products from leading manufacturers), Dedicated (becoming part of your team to help get the job done), Responsive (agile support to anticipate and overcome challenges), Committed (always on your side and rooting for your success), and Focused (experts helping you to navigate the industry).

Primaplas has hopes to further develop its capacity to invest in tracking and logistics technologies that will allow customers to plan their calendar around specific and accurate transport information. Sustainability will continue to be a huge part of what the company does, particularly in their support of future plastics research and development. Mr. Rachmat concludes, “We will keep looking for opportunities to participate in this movement and contribute to innovation wherever we can. Sustainability is the point of business now. It’s important for everybody. So whether we can help in terms of technology, investment, expertise, or ideas of our own, we are determined to stay on our toes and keep the ball rolling in that space.”

AT A GLANCE

Primaplas

What: Resin, film, and logistics supplier for clients across Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore

Where: Primaplas is headquartered in Sydney (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Auckland (New Zealand), and Jurong (Singapore)

Website: https://primaplas.com.au/

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